From the Thursday, June 29, 1989 issue of the Hendersonville Citizen News. No writer given in archive.
Neely's Bend
You can go home again
Sixty-eight years after William Neely built his station on the Cumberland River in Neely's Bend and the Indians had stopped their raids on settlers, Katherine Portwood Bates' great-grandfather moved from Harrod County, to this area in 1848. John Bealy Cowley came to Neely's Bend with his friend, Washington Hudson.
Hudson bought land in the upper part of the Bend from Dr. James Overton; John bought his land at the end of Neely's Bend Road on the Cumberland River. He built ferry and was operating it in the 1850s.
The ferry was pulled by oars and later by mules going round and round, like grinding molasses. In 1914, the County took over the ferry and it was operated until 1927 by John B. Cowley's son, Robert Cowley - this ferry had a gasoline engine.
There was no church at that time in Neely's Bend, so John and Wash Hudson, and maybe some other neighbors, met at each others home for worship.
Bates' grandmother said sometimes these busy men sat on their horses and prayed and read the Bible. Washington Hudson gave the land and bore the biggest part of the expense of building a little church at the end of his lane, John B. helping to build this church. It went on to be Neely's Bend Church of Christ. Some of both mens family still worship there.
Of these children of John Bealy Cowley, Bates grandfather was Ashley Cowley, he inherited his father's home. He married Mary Elizabeth Moore in 1894. These two people were a great influence on all their neighbors and relatives. Everyone loved Mr. Ashley and Mrs. Mary. To us they were Mama and Papa. There were always children playing in the yard and Mama and Papa sitting on the porch watching. They all loved this house setting on a high hill almost to the end of Neely's Bend Road. There was always company there talking with her grandparents and I guess they had more folks to eat with them than anyone she knew.
Her Papa raised watermelons to sell to Madison Hospital and other people. With his wagon and Old Joe, his mule, he went along his way singing and whistling and every child would run out to their gates to see Mr. Ashley and he always had small watermelons to give to them.
This humble man proved that worldly things do not mean as much in this world as good morals, love and kindness. There in his home in Neely's Bend he set a good example for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all those around him. Yes, you can go home again down memory lane to the house on the hill where Bates' Papa and Mama lived in Neely's Bend.
End of Hendersonville Star Article
Excerpts from the Neelys Bend Church of Christ Website as of June 2023
The Neely's Bend Church of Christ was established in April of 1872 when 12 members of the church began meeting at the school house in the Bend located 10 miles from Nashville. "They meet regularly every Lord's day, read and talk over the Scriptures and show forth their love for the Saviour," stated W. D. Gentry who held a meeting for them in July of that year. During the meeting, which lasted from Sunday through Thursday, one person was added to the church. He also spurred them on with the statement, "Go on Brethren, continue faithful in well doing. The Lord will bless and prosper you in every good work." (Gospel Advocate, September 12,1972 )
William Lipscomb (1829-1906) was one of the first preachers in the Bend. He was an older brother of David Lipscomb and a very able Bible scholar. E.G. Sewell (1810-1924) was another of the pioneer preachers in the Bend. He had been a student of William Lipscomb at Franklin College. Most converts during this period were baptized in the Cumberland River.
For a long time the congregation had no regular preacher. Students from the Nashville Bible School/David Lipscomb College (circa.1918) came to assist in the worship. Among those were A.T. Richie Sr. and R.V. Cawthorn. Later, when interest and attendance were at a low ebb, Lipscomb students again assisted. In particular, Andy T. Richie Jr. was active in arousing new interest and attendance increased at all services. Clyde Shacklett and other members of the Chapel Avenue congregation encouraged the members and worked to increase growth. During the 1920s, when the congregation was composed primarily of women, a Brother Sanders led the prayer, singing, waited on the table and did the speaking. From 1935 to 1940, Noah Chaffin served the congregation in the same manner. Some of the preachers who served once a month were: Andy T. Richie Sr., Sam Litton, Alvin Dunkleberger, Clyde Shacklett, James Allen, Joe Sanders and John Winkler.
The first full-time preacher was W.A. Thomason (1951-52).Others were C.J. Garner (1953-58) Cliett Goodpasture (1959-62), Noel Meredith (1963 to August 1965), Tom Cook (August 1965 to November 1968), John Hudson (1969-72), Norman Trevathan (1973 to May 1976), Lonnie Blackwell (June 1976 to 1977), John Jarrett (1978 to April 1979), Ted Carruth (May 1979 to June 1983), Jim Costello (June 1983 to January 1996), Bill Shipman (1996 to 2002), Norman Slate (2002 to 2003), Don Readhimer (2003 to 2010), Mike Tidwell (2010-2022), Phillip Staggs (2022-2023), Our current minister is John Miller. Rob Hatchett was an Associate Minister (2006-2007), Jim Bill McInteer was an Associate Minister and Adult Bible class teacher (2002 -2010). Norman Slate was our Associate Minister and Adult Bible class teacher for the first half of 2014 and from 2014 - 2019 our Associate Minister and adult Bible class teacher was Carl Goad. Our Associate Minister and adult Bible class teacher is John Miller, who is filling in as minister until a replacement is found. Andrew Curle is our Wednesday Night Bible Study teacher.
Some of the preachers who have held Gospel meetings are: H. Leo Boles, Harris Dark, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Mack Wayne Craig, Willard Collins, G.E. Woods, Guy N. Woods, Lewis Maiden, Jack Wilhelm, Charles Chumley, Thomas Whitfield, Paul Hunton, Yater Tant, Rufus Clifford, J.B. Gaither, G.C. Brewer, John Allen Chalk, Robert Hooper, J. Roy Vaughn, James Watkins, Bill Ruhl, B.C. Goodpasture, Skip Stewart, W.A. Bradfield, Basil Overton, Don Castleman, Homer Daniel, Ira North, Carl McKelvey, Jimmy Dorris, John Hudson, Cliett Goodpasture, Clarence Daily, Tom Holland, Milton Irvin, Billy Shipman, Myron Keith, Phil Powers, William Woodson, and Jim Brown.
In the early ‘40s, the men of the congregation studied the attributes of the elders for six weeks. Included in this group were: J.C. Baird, Jeff Beck, Grover Cammuse, L.C. Huffines, Elbert Kelly, Ed Menees, Andy T. Richie Sr. and Andy T. Richie Jr. As a result of this study, the first elders were appointed: Jeff Beck, L.C. Huffines and Andy T. Richie Sr. Other elders who have shepherded the flock are: Andy T. Richie Jr., J.C. Baird, Ed Marlin, Cliffe Traylor, Homer Roark, Harris Knowles, Jeff Beck, Lynn Banks, Glenn Burton, Jerrell Campbell, Thomas Smith, Billy Shipman, Richard Botts, Tom Garner, Joe Burns, and Doug Crabtree. Our current elders (or shepherds) are: Rick Brewer and Tom Staggs.
Deacons who have served the congregation are: J.C. Baird, Andy T. Richie Jr., Ben Morgan, Ed Menees, Thomas Smith, Elwood Traylor, Tommy Rains, Richard Fox, Lynn Banks, Grover Cammuse, Bernis Shipman, Robert Moore, Tom Garner, Billy Shipman, J. R Compton, Tim North, Al Akin, Robert Pettus, James Hudgins, Rick Brewer, Joe Burns, Doug Crabtree, Bill Rucker, Tom Staggs, David Adams, and David North. The Deacons at the present time are: Woody Harris, and Van Maxwell.
Song leaders for the church have been Jimmy Garner, Tom Garner, Elbert Kelly, Tim Pate, Grover Cammuse, Billy Holt, Ben Hawkins, Jeff Beck, Neil Logue, Jeff McKinley, Paul Ladd, Hollis Morrison, Jeff Sherrill, Will Shipman, Brandon Johnson, Tim North, Rob Hatchett and Tom Staggs. Presently, singing is led by Rick Brewer.
The original building of the Neely's Bend Church of Christ was built in 1880 on a lot donated by the Washington Hudson family. All classes were conducted in the auditorium. As the congregation grew, additional space and equipment was needed. So in 1940, two classrooms and a basement furnace were added to the old building under the supervision of E.W. Traylor Sr. and A.T. Richie Sr. This building was home for the congregation until 1956 and was used as a recreational building after worship services were moved into the new building. The old building was destroyed by fire in the mid-1970s.
The present brick building was built on a lot donated by Richard and Vivian Fox and was completed in September 1956 at a cost of $44,000. The benches, podium and Lord’s Supper table were purchased for $4,400. The Elders, L.C. Huffines, J.C. Baird, Jeff Beck, Ed Marlin and Cliffe Traylor, supervised the construction of the building. C.J. Garner was the preacher at that time and was instrumental in building the new place of worship. Additional classrooms and a fellowship room were built in 1963.
Attribution:
Content curated by Brian Copeland
Content brought by Dawn Sanders Serkin
Source: Hendersonville Citizen News
Source: Neelys Bend Church of Christ Website (June 2023)
Photo of ferry in the header believed to be from Tennessean archives however it is most likely the Clees Ferry that ran across the Cumberland River at Bells Bend. Image provided for quality and representative purposes.