REVEREND BENJAMIN CONLEY II (1888-1948)

THEOLOGian

Benjamin Conley was born in 1888, the second son of Jonas Conley and Judy Moore Conley. He was the namesake of his uncle, Reconstruction Governor Benjamin Conley.

Benjamin founded and organized the regional Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church of Northern Alabama, along the state’s border with Tennessee. He was the Bishop for the region.

Along with his older brother Ed, Reverend Benjamin architected and constructed over 24 CME churches from Florence-Muscle Shoals to Anniston, across the northern region of Alabama.

OrIGINS OF BENJAMIN CONLEY

Benjamin was born in unincorporated Madison County, just outside of Huntsville on one of the original Conley homesteads. The homestead was established when Reverend Benjamin’s grandfather, Green Conley, staked his claim in Madison County shortly after ‘The Georgia Territory’ was opened for settlement. The family's early years in Alabama were marked by privilege, but conflicts with other settlers due to Conley’s sympathies with the Union.

Reverend Benjamin’s father, Jonas Conley (1857-1931), was a prosperous stone mason and farmer. His minor wealth, landholdings, and physical appearance made him a very influential figure in the greater Huntsville area. Jonas was the son of Green Conley (1816-188?) who joined a wagon train of settlers from Georgia who traveled west to settle newly conquered fertile land opened for homesteading after the United States government relocated the indigenous people local to the area.

Green, a mixed race planter who began acquiring land in the 1840s, was an iconic figure in Madison County. Green was cunning and savvy in the early 1800s, when there were very few Free Coloreds in The South, and even fewer who owned land. Green was the brother of Benjamin Conley, a dry goods merchant who became mayor of Augusta, Georgia, then State Senator, and briefly Governor of Georgia. Both Benjamin and Green were the sons of merchant and dry goods trader from New Jersey who traveled to the port of Augusta, Georgia frequently when Augusta was one of the largest trading ports in the world.

Governor Benjamin Conley, uncle of Reverend Benjamin Conley.

Green Conley, grandfather of Rev. Benjamin Conley.

Jonas Conley, father of Rev. Benjamin Conley.

CHILDHOOD

Benjamin was one of 10 children of Jonas Conley growing up on an original Conley Compound. That particular compound would come to be known as Conley Mountain, as it sat at the top of a hill overlooking Jonas Conley’s farmlands.

Benjamin was homeschooled. In the era, this meant an uneven emphasis on the Humanities, especially literature, history, and the classical languages.

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Reverend Benjamin Conley in his prime. Undated photo from 1930s.

Gurley CME Chapel. Gurley, Alabama. Constructed by Eddie Conley, brother of Rev. Benjamin Conley.

Benjamin Conley was the Presiding Elder and pastor of the Huntsville District of the CME Church: Forest Chapel, Mount Lebanon Chapel, Turner Chapel, Gurley Chapel, Acklin Chapel, Garner Memorial Church.

Acklin Chapel, Gurley Alabama. Construction by Eddie Conley, older brother of Rev. Benjamin Conley.

Turner CME Church Toney, Alabama. Constructed by Eddie Conley, older brother of Benjamin Conley.

The CME Church, organized on December 16, 1870, was founded just across the Alabama border in Jackson, Tennessee. In the CME denomination, the officials at Reverend Benjamin’s level held the responsibilities of appointing clergy to serve in local churches as pastors, performing ordinations, and safeguarding the doctrines and discipline of the Church. During his era in the CME denomination, Benjamin Conley was unusually productive. He preached at 212 funerals, baptized 109 people, and 58 weddings.

Following two years of failing health, Reverend Benjamin Conley died April 13, 1948 at 60 years old. Benjamin was the father of 13 children: Jonas Benjamin; Clara; Sadie, Lillian, Lawson, Hattie, Mae Sue, Pearline, Roy, Helen, Annie, Ophelia; and Binford.