Rev. Mr. McCain, Alabama

Rev. R. N. McCain was born January 14, 1882 and departed this life March 28, 1949. He was married to Miss Vivian Irene Howard and to this union was born six children, three sons and three daughters: Mrs. J. D. Porter, Howard McCain, Robert Donald McCain, Hiram McCain, all of Lexington, Ala.; Miss Coleman McCain, Florence, Ala.; and Mrs. T. O. Hester, Muscle Shoals City, Ala.

Brother McCain entered the ministry about forty-two years ago and during this time pastored several of the best churches in McGready Presbytery, having served one church for thirty years.

During Brother McCain's active years in the ministry he was regular and faithful in his attendance at church courts. Several times he was elected to represent his home presbytery at the General Assembly.

Brother McCain was true to his divine call and was able to make many friends and keep them. His life and influence will live on. May God bless his fine Christian companion and children.

The funeral services were conducted at the Nebo Church, Lexington, Alabama, by Rev. C. M. Prince and the pastor, Rev. Carl Easterwood.
       --C. M. Prince.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 12, 1949, page 15]

McCain, R. H. [sic: N.], age 67, March 28, 1949, McGready Presbytery.

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1949, page 131]

My daddy, Robert Newton McCain, born January 14, 1882, near Ingram's Crossroad, now Elgin, became a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher around 1910. On December 18, 1912, he married Vivian Irene Howard. The ceremony took place at her parents', William and Mollie's farmhome; only a few miles from the house she was born in at 120 College Street West, Rogersville, Alabama. The house has since been home for other families and remains in good condition today - 1998. This began the life and times of "Daddy and Momma;" the Country Preacher, the Preacher's Wife and Their Family.

On September 17, 1913, I was born. The first of six children. We shared a house with daddy's parents, Newton and Rebecca. When I was very young, we moved to the Spring Valley Community near Tuscumbia, Alabama, where Daddy was pastor of the Glendale Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After that, we lived in several different communities while Daddy pastored many churches, primarily in the northeastern counties of Alabama. In that era, most rural churches only had one "preaching service" per month. This meant Daddy was usually pastoring four congregations simultaneously. Consequently, we lived in various communities instead of always living near one church; as most preacher do nowadays. Besides Sunday services, preachers' were expected to officiate at weddings, funerals, visit the sick and fulfill other ministerial responsibilities.

Daddy traveled to wherever he was needed the best way he could. Most times, by foot, horseback, buggy, wagon or train. After motorized transportation came into being, the "mail hack" service which carried both mail and passengers was an occasional, more comfortable option. Mysterious to me, he did own a four door Ford for two weeks. Why only two weeks? I don't know. However, roads were mostly dirt and gravel. In winter, they were often nearly impassable. I remember times he would leave home Friday on horseback for Sunday service and return on Tuesday. Mamma told me I "went straight for his suitcase." Daddy always brought me a little gift, which became an anxiously, anticipated thrill.

Preachers' pay was small as far as money was concerned, but church members always shared whatever they had. Most everyone farmed for a living and so did ministers' families. As children we worked in the fields doing whatever there was to do.

Mamma was a wonderful, dedicated preachers' wife and mother. She played the old pump organ at church. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. We didn't have many clothes. Mamma made most of them and kept them clean and ready for us--myself, Howard, Coleman, Donald, Fern and Hiram. Daddy's white shirts and suit were always ready to go.

I went on many trips in the buggy with Daddy. Many fond memories from those trips remain with me. We often spent the night and made numerous friends in the different communities. We became especially close to many people in the Cedar Creek Community, between Russellville and Belgreen, Alabama, where Daddy preached at one church for 30 years.

Visiting preachers, who came for summer revivals, often stayed with us. Our house was usually small and normally filled with a growing family. I've often wondered how Mamma managed. We had no modern conveniences. I know it wasn't easy.

Discipline was certainly a part of our home life. Arguing and talking back to parents, as well as others, was not allowed. If we did, we were punished. Sunday was a day for worship and rest. Stores did not open. Most people respected Sunday and very little work was done on that day.

Lexington, Alabama, was the last move for our family. In December 1925, "Brother McCain and Miss Irene," as Mamma and Daddy were affectionately called by most everyone then, established residence in a three room house about one mile southeast of Lexington's business area. Nebo Cumberland Presbyterian Church, just south of Lexington on Highway 101 had previously been one of Daddy's pastorates. Although he was never the pastor after moving into the community. Nebo became our family church and Lexington our home. Daddy continued to preach at various churches throughout the area.

Nebo's congregation had discussed starting a cemetery on the church grounds. Daddy felt there should be one. However, he was concerned it might not materialize prior to his death. Years later when his health began to deteriorate, he went to the church, stood by a window near the center of the building, pointed straight toward a specific area in the then vacant land and said "that's where I want to be buried." Nebo Cemetery was established in 1949. The following year Daddy was laid to rest in his chosen spot. January 1985, Mamma joined him.

We had a Christian home, parents who cared and were always there for us. Daddy spent his life in the ministry and for this I'm grateful. Our parents are gone now, but precious memories linger on. Submitted by: A daughter, Hildred McCain Porter, 275 County Road 59, Lexington, AL 35648
[Source: The Heritage of Lauderdale County, Ala. Clanton, Ala.: Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc. 1999]