Tag Archives: Sumner County

-Tennessee, Black History, Churches and Temples

Durham’s Chapel Baptist Church of Bethpage, Tennessee

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The Durham’s Chapel community was formed by freedmen and women after the conclusion of the Civil War. It is now a part of the town of Bethpage. The church was founded in 1866 by Reverend Peter Vertrees. Vertrees is noted for his work in founding many Black churches and schools in the Middle Tennessee area. The Freedmen’s Bureau supported funding for the building of the first church.

Durham’s Chapel is one of the few communities that still have a Rosenwald School. The building was restored and is used for church events.

-Tennessee, Black History, National Register of Historic Places, Rosenwald Schools, Schools

Cairo School-A Historic Rosenwald School in Sumner County, Tennessee

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The Cairo School served the Cairo Community of Sumner County, Tennessee, for thirty-five years. Opened in 1923, it was built using the one-room/one-teacher Rosenwald school plan. Students attended the school up to eighth grade.

The community raised $700 for the school’s construction, while the Rosenwald fund provided $500. The Tennessee public school fund matched the community’s contribution and gave $700.

It was one of seven schools built in the county. It is one of two extant schools in the community, and both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

-Tennessee, Black History, National Register of Historic Places, Rosenwald Schools, Schools

Durham’s Chapel School-Bethpage, Tennessee

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The Durham’s Chapel School was one of seven Rosenwald schools built in Sumner County, Tennessee. It was tied to the Durham’s Chapel Baptist Church. The school was constructed at $4,250; the Rosenwald Fund provided $700, and the remaining amount was divided between the local Black community and the Tennessee public school funds.

The school is a traditional two-teacher classroom with an additional industrial arts room. Built in 1923, upgrades were made to the school after Brown v. Board of Education with a stove, refrigerator, and kitchen sink.

It was places on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The school was restored in 2012 at the cost of $40,000.