Anchors of Faith

Reflecting times of untrammeled faith and religious values, Martha Dickson's Anchors of Faith gives a pictorial overview of 145 mostly late-nineteenth-century wooden churches located in southern Alabama, Mississippi, and throughout Florida. The churches featured, which span over a hundred years of history, embody the indomitable religious spirit of their builders. Anchors of Faith is more than just a pictorial encyclopedia, however. The author's descriptions and photos provide detailed information about both the architecture of these houses of worship and the related history, from the founding of these institutions to their current state.

Among the jewels featured in Anchors of Faith, Dickson traces the Presbyterian Church of Union Church, Mississippi all the way back to its Gaelic-speaking Scottish Presbyterian immigrants from North Carolina. The author tells the story of the modest start of the East Hill Baptist Church Chapel in Tallahassee, whose congregation formed itself by meeting in one another's houses due to World War II. The distinctive details of the unusual "house of cards"-like facade of Hatchechubbee United Methodist Church in Hatchechubbee, Alabama, and the Carpenter Gothic style of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Merritt Island, Florida reveal the architectural uniqueness of some Southern places of worship.

From Greek Revival to Victorian Gothic, Dickson helps add to the understanding of religious faith in the rural South through the architecture and history of its many surviving wooden churches.

“"Martha Dickson's Anchors of Faith provides a memorable overview of historic church architecture that recalls a time when bells summoned congregants to Sunday services in the Deep South. Her assemblage of 145 photographs of wooden churches from Alabama, Florida and Mississippi spans over 100 years, multiple religious denominations and a variety of architectural styles shaped by the vision of master craftsmen or itinerant carpenters. This book will be a valuable addition to the personal library of anyone who has an appreciation for religious architecture." --Doug Purcell, Executive Director Emeritus, Historic Chattachoochee Commission; "Martha Dickson combines her strong faith and love of history to produce a truly valuable and unique book. Anchors of Faith helps document 145 historic wooden churches found in the rural areas of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. These historic structures represent the hard work, determination, sacrifices and strong devotion exhibited by our early settlers. Readers will enjoy and appreciate the photographs and information contained within Anchors of Faith. I certainly do." --William Holman, Executive Director, Landmark Park; "From the unadorned vernacular through variations of Greek Revival and from the hauntingly beautiful Gothic Revival through the eclectic Queen Anne edifices, Dickson demonstrates how a religious people enshrine their faith in wood and glass." --Martin Olliff, Director, Wiregrass Archives; "Anchors of Faith captures the diverse architecture and history of beloved churches throughout the Southeast and reflects the importance of faith and community members' love of God and fellowship with each other in generations past and present. This book helps to preserve a Southern way of life focused on faith and community for a future generation." --Jeannie Waller Zieren, Community Relations/District Director Mississippi Main Street Association”

Martha Dickson’s Anchors of Faith provides a memorable overview of historic church architecture that recalls a time when bells summoned congregants to Sunday services in the Deep South. Her assemblage of 145 photographs of wooden churches from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi spans over 100 years, multiple religious denominations, and a variety of architectural styles shaped by the vision of master craftsmen or itinerant carpenters. This book will be a valuable addition to the personal library of anyone who has an appreciation for religious architecture.

-- Doug Purcell, executive director emeritus, Historic Chattahoochee Commission

From the unadorned vernacular through variations of Greek Revival and from the hauntingly beautiful Gothic Revival through the eclectic Queen Anne edifices, Dickson demonstrates how a religious people enshrine their faith in wood and glass.

-- Martin Olliff, director of Wiregrass Archives

Martha Dickson combines her strong faith and love of history to produce a truly valuable and unique book. Anchors of Faith helps document 145 historic wooden churches found in the rural areas of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. These historic structures represent the hard work, determination, sacrifices, and strong devotion exhibited by our early settlers. Readers will enjoy and appreciate the photographs and information contained within Anchors of Faith. I certainly do.

-- William Holman, executive director of Landmark Park

Anchors of Faith captures the diverse architecture and history of beloved churches throughout the Southeast and reflects the importance of faith and community members’ love of God and fellowship with each other in generations past and present. This book helps to preserve a Southern way of life focused on faith and community for a future generation.

-- Jeannie Waller Zieren, Community Relations/District Director, Mississippi Main Street Association

MARTHA LEE DICKSON is a graduate of Howard College (now Samford University). She has worked for Howard College, Florida State University, and Pensacola State College. She has also served in several church-related paid and volunteer positions. She is the author of Gordon, Alabama: Pioneer Riverboat Town and Shorelights, a devotional book.

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