An icon in Chilton County passed away Jan. 19 at age 89. David Hymon Atcheson, a Baptist minister for 64 years, was known fondly as “preacher for the county.”
Born in the Macedonia community in the northern section of Chilton County, Atcheson spent most of his ministry there, serving 13 churches as pastor. He also served as pastor at Aldrich Baptist Church in Shelby Association and Chestnut Creek Baptist and Millbrook Baptist in Elmore Association.
He began preaching in 1937 at age 26 and was ordained by Maplesville Baptist Church (Chilton Assoc.) in 1943.
Since 1947 he maintained a weekly radio program, “Back to God and the Church,” on Chilton County’s WKLF, along with his pastorate duties. During 1950–51, he was on the air six days a week for six hours while serving two churches and serving as a postal carrier. His last sermon preached on the air was Nov. 26, 2000, the day after his 89th birthday.
Atcheson was also known for his street preaching and tent revivals. From 1945–50 he preached on the streets with a loudspeaker system that sat above his car. He spent many Saturdays on the streets.
His passion to preach also led him to preach in homes, jails, prisons, courthouses, schools and under shade trees. From 1943–50 he wore out three tents during spring and summer revivals in and around Chilton County.
Atcheson operated a farm equipment business for 12 years in Clanton. He was named “Retired Pastor of the Year” in 1995 by Samford.
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