Preservation Society takes steps to save Byhalia's 1852 historic church

Built in 1852, the historic sanctuary at 2532 Church St. stands as the oldest building in the Byhalia area.

Now, after more than 170 years of continuous service, the landmark is entering an active new chapter of preservation and civic life.

Town residents, church members and civic leaders recently gather outside the building for a Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of the Byhalia Historic Church Preservation Society.

The grassroots preservation movement formed swiftly after the former First Presbyterian Church congregation disbanded and closed its doors in June 2025.

“The congregation closed last June, and some community people wanted to see the building preserved,” said Brenda Riley, president of the preservation society’s board of directors. “I had played the piano a couple of times here. I didn’t have a real history with the church, but I love the building. I’ve been in the area all my life and knew a lot of the community people.”

Working alongside the Presbytery, the society secured the deed to the property, obtained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and established a line of credit with a local bank to jump-start emergency repairs.

Crews have already made major structural strides, installing a new roof, replacing exterior wood cornices, painting the entire exterior and installing a modern heating and air conditioning system.

“Now we’re trying to raise money to pay for all of that,” Riley said.

The sanctuary is already back in regular weekly use, rented each Sunday morning by The Oaks Church.

Riley envisions the historic facility expanding into a bustling community center.

“In the future, it’ll be available for weddings or funerals,” Riley said. “The basement’s available for showers or groups or anything.

Anyone that wants to rent it, we hope to be able to bring in money that way in the future.” Upcoming priority projects include replacing hazardous concrete sidewalks buckled by tree roots, updating the restrooms and adding an exterior awning over the concrete pad to expand basement capacity.

Serving on the society’s board alongside Riley are Vice President May Alice Moore, Secretary-Treasurer Emily Medlin, Wade Burroughs, Jerry Nichols and the Rev. Leland Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church.

Though Riley took on the role of board president with initial hesitation, she said community passion has fueled the organization’s rapid momentum.

“I’m no business person,” Riley said. “I’ve never done anything like this in my life. When they asked me to be president, I said, `I don’t know how to do business. I can get something done, but I don’t know anything about business and I’m not professional.’”

Advice from a peer reshaped her perspective.

“I had someone tell me one time that in nonprofit, you can teach about things and teach about nonprofit, but you can’t teach heart,” Riley said. “If you don’t have heart for it, you’re not going to go that extra mile and put your time and energy and money in it.”

According to Riley, local support has been overwhelming: “Everybody’s been wonderful. Overall, it has been really good.”

The society held a major fundraiser, the Chatterbox Fish Fry, on Oct. 3 on the church grounds, with proceeds directly benefiting ongoing restoration and maintenance.