As printed in the Centennial Celebration (1873-1973) booklet

Collins Chapel C. M. E. Church of Covington, Tenn., was founded in 1869. It was known at that time as a Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The first worship services were held under a bush arbor on the present site. Later a frame church house was built and at that time, the Reverend Jesse Cotton was the pastor.

On July 24, 1873, Mrs. Caroline Bledsoe sold to Dennis Collins, Wade Bernard, and Shirley Fisher, Trustees and their successors in such trust, a church lot for their use to erect and build a house or a place of worship for the use of members of the C.M.E. South.

On June 2, 1898, Alexander and Eliza Sturgeion sold to Robert Talley, Henry Bethel, David Hobbins, George Williams, Trustees of Covington Colored Methodist Church, South, a lot for $75.00 for church use. Later, a parsonage was built on this lot.

In 1901, the first church house was torn down and a new house erected by Reverend G. W. Morgan. It was remodeled as it now stands in 1925 by the Reverend B. F. Harris.

For many years, the Collins Chapel Sunday School sponsored an annual Sunday School picnic about a mile east the church at a place called Miller Springs. Along with the Sunday School department, all members and many friends were invited. This affair played a great part in the life and growth of the church.

During the latter part of May 1961, the old frame parsonage was torn down and a 3-bedroom brick house was constructed In the southwest corner of the church lot. The pastor at this time was a young, enthusiastic, energetic man known as a builder – Rev. Nehemiah Mitchum. Rev. and Mrs. Mitchum and their twin sons, Joseph and Jonathan (born February 14, 1962) were the first of the occupants of the new parsonage. Dudley Baskerville served as the chairman of the building committee. The members of the committee were Hattye Yarbrough, secretary; Lucius Lewers, treasurer; Mrs. Chanza Townsend, P. B. Brown, Lester Holland, and Thomas Bethel.

Rev. Mitchum was transferred to Bullock Temple Church at Little Rock, Arkansas in early January 1963. The church was without a pastor until April 1963 when Rev. Robert T. Fouse was transferred to us.

Rev. and Mrs. Fouse and four of their seven children, Tim, Brenda, Verline, and Vernita, moved into the parsonage in May 1963. Glenn and Claudiette were students at Lane College. The oldest daughter, Nola Jean, was married.

During Rev. Fouse’s pastorate, the parsonage was paid for, and a building and expansion committee was organized for the purpose of buying an adjoining lot and planning and building a new church house. $10,000.00 was raised for the construction of this house before Rev. Fouse was transferred to Smothers Chapel C.M.E. Church at Memphis August 1972.

Rev. and Mrs. W. R. Johnson, Sr.

Our present pastor, Rev. W. R. Johnson, Sr. came to us in August 1972. Under Rev. Johnson’s leadership, the adjoining lot has been purchased and plans are being drafted for a new church house.

Rev. Johnson joined the Covington Ministerial Association and has worked diligently with its members to plan activities and worship services for all the people of Covington, regardless of race, creed or color. His major concern is to create and establish better human relations in the community.

The church is now celebrating its 100 years of service to God and man In Covington and Tipton County.

During the 100 years life church the following named ministers have served the congregation of the church as pastor.

PASTORS of COLLINS CHAPEL

• Rev. W. P. Bell
• Rev. M. D. Partee
• Rev. Jesse Cotton
• Rev. Murcherso
• Rev. N. W. Sevier – 1894
• Rev. Mitchell
• Rev. Simmons
• Rev. J. H. Bell
• Rev. M. D. Partee – 1887
• Rev. Tom Tyus
• Rev. P. A. B. Walthawl
• Rev. G. W. Morgan – 1900
• Rev. W. H. Daniels
• Rev. J. W. Waters
• Rev. Kirks
• Rev. Charles Tyus
• Rev. D. W. Featherstone – 1903
• Rev. H. Winrow – 1906
• Rev. L. C. Jones – 1908
• Rev. J. S. Smothers – 1910
• Rev. E. F. B. Amos – 1912
• Rec. C. C. Townsend – 1923
• Rev. A. H. Norris
• Rev. A. Allison
• Rev. R. W. Spearman – 1924
• Rev. B. F. Harris – 1926
• Rev. Daniels – 1927
• Rev. J. L. Griffin – 1928
• Rev. R. T. Moody – 1929
• Rev. J. A. Foster – 1930
• Rev. H. S. Boyd – 1934
• Rev. E. E. Dunnigan – 1938
• Rev. T. M. Smith – 1939
• Rev. Brisco – 1942
• Rev. J. A. Montgomery – 1942
• Rev. S. S. Washington – 1942
• Rev. E. Atkins – 1943
• Rec. C. P. Raines – 1944
• Rev. M. C. Merriweather – 1946
• Rev. F. P. Griggs – 1946
• Rev. W. L. Love – 1947
• Rev. J. L. Griffin – 1948
• Rev. E. L. Strong – 1949
• Rev. J. M. Hill – 1952
• Rev. W. T. Keys – 1955
• Rev. C. M. Hawkins – 1956
• Rev. N. Mitchum – 1959
• Rev. R. T. Fouse – 1963
• Rev. W. R. Johnson – 1972