Samuel Logan Pinckney Alexander
HIS LEGACY: GOD! FAMILY! CHURCH!

This account of Rev. Alexander was given to the author by Mark David Alexander, his son, who cherishes the memories of this gentle giant. The statistics are from Charles W. Conn's  "Like a Mighty Army”, the story of the evolution of the Church of God.

            Samuel Logan Pinckney Alexander was a product of Scot/Irish immigrants (mother and father) whose ancestors arrived in this country in the 1600’s. Logan, as he was called, was born July 24, 1887 to James Thomas Alexander (Civil War Veteran-CSA) and Susan Jane (Keith) Alexander. He was the fifth of twelve children and raised in the Bakewell, Tennessee area.  Little is known about Logan's childhood or youth except he grew up in hard times. The extent of his education is unknown, but he certainly had adequate reading comprehension and writing skills. He also possessed the ability to lead singing without having the benefit of formal music lessons. This tall, slender, and quiet man was one of solid character. When he spoke, you could, as the saying goes, "take it to the bank".

            Just a few months after the death of his father, he married Anna Mae Carroll in January 1909 in Dayton Tennessee. They lived in numerous houses in the Hodgetown, and Slabtown settlements around Sale Creek. Logan worked as a coal miner, logger, and farmer; anything to provide for his family. There were times that only cornbread and milk were available for food. Squirrel, rabbit, fish, or any wild game was a treat. His sons certainly knew how to hunt and fish, but they also knew what hard work was. There was no extra money. Back then, a penny was a "penny." The children had no fancy clothes and often had no coat in the very harsh winters. It was not uncommon for them to go to Sale Creek School with no lunch at all. Money was so scarce that there was none available to purchase school books for the children. Logan did the best he could for times were hard-very hard!

            Traditionally, Alexander’s were staunch Presbyterians, but Logan was “saved” and became a Christian. Not only did he give his soul to the Lord but also gave his heart, and ultimately his life, for the service to Him. He became the leader of a very unpopular Christian denomination, the "Holiness Church”  "which became the "Church of God". At some point, unknown now, the Reverend Samuel Logan Alexander became the catalyst and leader of that church. Its future would be in brush arbors, tents, cold buildings, homes, or anywhere people sought God. He and his family would travel by foot, horse or mule, horse and wagon, train, car, truck, or bus. The distance could be two miles or twenty. And certainly there would be no dissension or persecution around here. The "Great War" (WWI) was over and everyone was peaceful. Think again!

            Services here held in homes or other churches in the Sale Creek area. The Congregation acquired a piece of property west of the railroad along Rievley Road. A church was built from rough lumber and services were held. Eddie Gann, my mother's uncle, wanted to buy the property but the church refused. The structure mysteriously burned to the ground. The congregation acquired rough-hewn lumber and rebuilt the church. It, too, burned to the ground. With that, the members felt it a moot point to rebuild and they held services in homes and the old Methodist Church.

            Harassment was not limited to the church members. The stigma attached to being in that church was difficult for the children. The "calling of names” was common and fist-fights were, too. They were subjected to mockery, ostracism, jeers, and discrimination, especially in school, and often by school teachers. Some teachers delighted in giving a child a failing grade solely because of his connection with this church. My father was failed two years and his brother one year by teachers who disliked their church. Ironically, a picture taken of the Sale Creek PTA about 1930 clearly shows  Logan and Mae Alexander supporting the school. 

            Disturbances did not always come from hecklers. One evening prior to the opening of the service, Logan's wife, Mae, and another worshiper, Lillie Crisp, apparently had some words. Words lead to a real cat fight. They pulled hair and scratched until Ernest Crisp, Lillie's husband, took the coward's way out. Logan was setting up front reading his Bible in preparation for the message. Ernest hurried up and said, "Logan! Logan! Lillie and Mae are back there fighting"! Logan raised his head, glanced back at the feuding female’s, and with much wisdom, lowered his head and continued reading God’s word. That was not exactly what their son, Mark David, was hoping for. He was sitting between his mother and Lillie-with his hands protecting his head.  

            Logan Alexander was never "Honored" for his service to the Church. No "Pastor Appreciation Day" for him was even considered. In fact, he would have probably gone to the woods to pray while everyone else enjoyed the day. He served God, not man. His joy was serving the Lord. I believe if he was to return today and visit that church he would hang his head and wonder when God left it.

            I never go to the cemetery without thinking about him. I feel cheated that I never knew the man but I was born more than two years after he died.  Still, I am proud of my grandfather, Samuel Logan Pinckney Alexander. He was a good, honest, and hardworking man and a dedicated Christian who toiled in God’s work. He was respected

by those who knew him, for he “lived what he preached”. Amen!

Compiled and Submitted by Rexford C. Alexander
rexcalex@bellsouth.net