From Larry E. Caver, President
Old Autauga Historical Society
Photos courtesy of Lynn Langston Burrell and Heather Smith Conner – See full gallery below
On July 27, Old Autauga Historical Society installed a historical roadside marker at Greater Mallards Chapel AME Church Cemetery at the Mulberry Community in Western Autauga County. The ceremony was done in conjunction with church services. Members of the church, historical society, and community attended the special event. The marker commemorates the cemetery, which dates back to the Reconstruction Era.
The church was organized by local freedmen and met initially in the old Mellard’s Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church building which was named for Rev. James Mellard, a Methodist missionary from South Carolina. The AME Church purchased the old building and land in 1885 for $600. This structure was used by the church until it was destroyed by fire in 1913. The church then held services next door in the old Mulberry Schoolhouse until a new church could be completed in 1919. The new building cost $5,000 and was raised by the pastor, Rev. Solomon L. Bates and church members. This new building was used until it was replaced by the current building around 1990.
Rev Solomon L Bates was instrumental in advancing the AME movement in Autauga County during the late-1800s and early-1900s. He served Greater Mallards Chapel three separate times. He was also one of the first black teachers at the old Mulberry Schoolhouse.
The cemetery is the final resting place for several Freedman (former slaves) including Belza Lamar, who died in 1914, aged 65 years; Bettie Sheppard, who died in 1941, aged 92 years; Amanda T. Steele, who died in 1965, aged 101 years, and many more who rest in the woods in aunken unmarked graves.
The cemetery contains the graves of at least 21 military veterans. WWI Veterans include: Walter Chappell, John Dudley, Charlie Scott, Ed Underwood, and Frank Underwood.
Another person of interest buried in the cemetery is PFC Arthur Broadnax, who served during WWII. He is credited with firing the FIRST SHOT at the Nazis from the FIRST black artillery unit put into service during the war.
PFC Edward L. Chappell was killed in action in 1969 during the Vietnam War. His remains were brought home and buried in the church cemetery.
Rev. Kenneth Rhodes, and other church leaders, unveiled the historic marker after the ceremony. Several people had special connections to the new marker including Alfred Broadnax of Jefferson County, brother of Arthur Broadnax, and Arthurine Green, the daughter of Arthur Broadnax. The historic marker was purchased with a grant from the Alabama Historical Commission.
Janese Bates Burge, of Montgomery, also came to the event to hear about the contributions that her great-grandfather, Rev. Solomon L Bates, made to the church and community. Her family has been members of the AME Denomination for four generations now.
This is the third historic marker installed by Old Autauga Historical Society in 2025, and the sixth in the last couple of years. The society has one more marker to install this year for the Alexander McKeithen Family in Elmore County. The society is already working to raise funds to purchase three more markers in 2026.
If you are interested in making a donation to, or joining the OAHS, please contact:
Old Autauga Historical Society
P.O. Box 680414
Prattville, AL 36068
