History

because of poor walking conditions and the distance from Old Memphis and Palmetto, prompted members to consider building their own church near Palmetto. The idea to build a church was the idea of members who lived in Palmetto. In June 1919, 35 members made their exit from St. Andrews in hopes of building a church in Palmetto. The present site was soon sighted and purchased. The exact time of purchase of the land cannot be determined, but it was purchased within a year. Still without a profound leader or minister, these 35 Christians banded together in their effort to build a new church. Mrs. Cally Tillis offered her home as a place to hold worship service until a church was built. The word soon spread around the county of the struggle of these 35 Christians, and soon Christians and Non-Christians joined in their efforts to give aid, and enough lumber was donated to almost build the church. Stewards: Mr. B. Simmons, Mr. A.N. Neal, Mr. Taylor Sallet and Mr. Moss Sallet began to form labor groups to put the finishing touches on the building. Soon the number of members became too large for Mrs. Tillis home, so a storefront was secured for services. The church was sent a minister from the Annual Conference. The Reverend W.B. Harris was the first minister. Rev. Haisley was the local preacher. The first Trustees were: H.A. McMillian, J.C. Steward, R. Harris, G.C. Clark, A. Burrell, S.J. Williams and T.K. DuBose.

and served Turner Chapel for four years. A community garden to feed those in need in the surrounding community was cultivated. The church roof on the sanctuary and the parsonage was replaced. In keeping with the upkeep of God’s kingdom the church and parsonage were given a new coat of paint inside and out and the seats are more comfortable to sit in due to reupholstering and the restrooms have been updated as well. A Children’s Church, “KID’S ZONE”, every 3 rd and 4 th Sunday. Turner Chapel also participated in the School Board District’s Summer Reading
Programming as well as allowing our vacant lot to be used for the summer feeding program.Rev. Edward Green, Jr., who was appointed in October 2018 at the West Coast Annual Conference, by Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr. of the Eleventh Episcopal District and the Bahamas and served 2 years. Under Rev. Green’s leadership Turner Chapel’s mission is “To make the neglected accepted, despised admired, the sad glad and give hope to the hopeless.”