Posted 11:08 pm Monday, February 11, 2013
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Black church's quilters span many generations
BY KELLY GOOCH
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
BULLARD — Quilting is more than a hobby for members of the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church — it’s a pastime that spans multiple generations.
kgooch@tylerpaper.com
BULLARD — Quilting is more than a hobby for members of the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church — it’s a pastime that spans multiple generations.
In the 1940s and 1950s, various women did quilting. There were once three quilting circles, and the women all worked together, member said Philip Gordon Sr., whose mother was in one of the groups. He said they used wooden sawhorses and made all types of creations.
They didn’t have actual patterns back then, he said, but instead made their own.
Gordon said the circles also were like Bible groups.
“They would have mission studies, would do quilting and cooked. Everyone just pretty much worked together,” he said.
Families also provided for each other, he said, and the ladies made quilts for those who were less fortunate.
“It was each one helping the other if someone was short of something,” he said.
As quilters got older in the late 1960s and early 1970s, quilting at the church faded away, Gordon said.
However, about eight to 10 women at the church still participate in the craft, including Lola Faye Hill, who started quilting as a teenager.
Church member Theresa Hackney said Mrs. Hill inspired other church women to get involved with quilting.
“Some ladies didn’t think they could do it, but … she inspired ladies who thought they couldn’t,” she said.
Mrs. Hill said she loved quilting because her mother always did it.
The good thing about quilts, she said, is that no matter how bad or old they get — a new top or bottom can always be put on.
“Don’t ever throw away (a quilt). You can redo the back, and it’s still a good quilt,” she said.
Gordon said the circles also were like Bible groups.
“They would have mission studies, would do quilting and cooked. Everyone just pretty much worked together,” he said.
Families also provided for each other, he said, and the ladies made quilts for those who were less fortunate.
“It was each one helping the other if someone was short of something,” he said.
As quilters got older in the late 1960s and early 1970s, quilting at the church faded away, Gordon said.
However, about eight to 10 women at the church still participate in the craft, including Lola Faye Hill, who started quilting as a teenager.
Church member Theresa Hackney said Mrs. Hill inspired other church women to get involved with quilting.
“Some ladies didn’t think they could do it, but … she inspired ladies who thought they couldn’t,” she said.
Mrs. Hill said she loved quilting because her mother always did it.
The good thing about quilts, she said, is that no matter how bad or old they get — a new top or bottom can always be put on.
“Don’t ever throw away (a quilt). You can redo the back, and it’s still a good quilt,” she said.
Mrs. Hill, who typically works on quilts overnight, said she believes quilting also is good for the mind.
Mrs. Hackney said she sees it as women using their hands and a God-given gift.
The history of quilting at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church is documented in a book that launches later this month called “Quilts and Their Stories, Binding Generations Together, Journal of a Small Town Quilt Show.”
The book’s author, Cherokee County Historical Commission member Deborah Burkett, said her book entails a collection of quilts and stories from her years of doing quilt shows in Troup.
She said that the work includes more than 500 quilts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, as well as images of pioneer quilters.
“Many people had treasures, and they didn’t realize how wonderful they were. They didn’t realize how old they are,” Ms. Burkett said.
“You look at patterns. You look at fabric and thread, (and) you realize that possibly came in a covered wagon from Tennessee. There are pioneer examples of quilting that I helped people identify.”
She said some quilts also contained notes and letters that flittered out when the quilts were unfolded.
The Corinth Missionary Baptist Church was one of the first black churches in East Texas, and most of the members were slaves or akin to slaves, according to Ms. Burkett’s book.
Philip Gordon stated in the book “They would go from house to house … quilting; they canned too and checked on the elderly in the church. These were just a few of their missions.”
Mrs. Hackney said she sees it as women using their hands and a God-given gift.
The history of quilting at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church is documented in a book that launches later this month called “Quilts and Their Stories, Binding Generations Together, Journal of a Small Town Quilt Show.”
The book’s author, Cherokee County Historical Commission member Deborah Burkett, said her book entails a collection of quilts and stories from her years of doing quilt shows in Troup.
She said that the work includes more than 500 quilts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, as well as images of pioneer quilters.
“Many people had treasures, and they didn’t realize how wonderful they were. They didn’t realize how old they are,” Ms. Burkett said.
“You look at patterns. You look at fabric and thread, (and) you realize that possibly came in a covered wagon from Tennessee. There are pioneer examples of quilting that I helped people identify.”
She said some quilts also contained notes and letters that flittered out when the quilts were unfolded.
The Corinth Missionary Baptist Church was one of the first black churches in East Texas, and most of the members were slaves or akin to slaves, according to Ms. Burkett’s book.
Philip Gordon stated in the book “They would go from house to house … quilting; they canned too and checked on the elderly in the church. These were just a few of their missions.”
Last week, quilts were spread out across tables at the church, including one that Ms. Hill is working on, an old fan quilt and a quilt made by member James Gordon’s mother, which used his old clothing.
The church will celebrate its 148th anniversary this year.
When the church gets to 150 years, the congregation plans to have a three to five day celebration, possibly with a parade, Philip Gordon said.
The church will celebrate its 148th anniversary this year.
When the church gets to 150 years, the congregation plans to have a three to five day celebration, possibly with a parade, Philip Gordon said.
