Black History Month: A 100+ Year Journey Down Memory Lane of the Bellehouse Building

Madison’s newest event space, Bellehouse, will host countless guests this year for gatherings of all kinds. While its beauty will undoubtedly be a talking point, few may realize the building’s rich history.

Bellehouse’s building is a cherished landmark in Madison and a foundation of African American history in our community.

The story of Bellehouse began in 1912 when it was built as the home to Madison’s first Black church within city limits. It was called Mason Chapel C.M.E. Church, which was initially founded in Limestone County in the early 1870s.

The church, situated on the corner of Bradley Street and Sullivan Street just south of the railroad track, was a bright light in the community for decades. The name Bradley Street itself honors Mother Mattie Bradley, one of the church’s most oldest and involved members. 

The building’s purpose evolved as time passed, but its role as a gathering place remained constant. After Mason Chapel C.M.E. moved to a new location, the building found new life as a wedding venue. Sisters Betty Jones Batts and Rev. Versey Jones opened the Wonderful Wedding Chapel in July 1998.

Batts and Jones were lifelong Madison residents who had overcome the segregation of their youth. They had attended West Madison Elementary School before being bussed to Councill Training High School in Normal, Alabama, since they were not allowed to attend Madison High School. 

Their wedding chapel saw many beautiful ceremonies, including a memorable Valentine’s Day when seven couples exchanged vows in one day (according to The Madison Record, circa 2017).

But then, the building sat quietly for years, with many Madison residents scratching their heads about the current status of the building. Local residents, including the current owners, often passed by and admired its charm. After a year and a half of consideration, resident Brenda Matthews and her family began inquiring about the property. What started as a dream—perhaps a coffee shop and community space—soon became a full restoration project.

COVID-19 delayed the work by nearly three years, but the vision remained strong: to preserve the original structure’s integrity while updating it for modern use. 

The interior was stripped down to its cinder blocks to restore its historic essence, removing drop ceilings and reimagining its original architectural beauty. Every effort was made to maintain the building’s size, ensuring its history was honored rather than erased.

Bellehouse now merges Southern elegance with historical significance. The name pays homage to the term “Southern Belle” and represents its place in the South’s enduring culture of hospitality and tradition. Like the church once called people together, Bellehouse continues that legacy of welcoming guests for weddings, corporate meetings, celebrations, and community gatherings.

This Black History Month, Bellehouse honors the contributions and resilience of Madison’s African American community. The next time you pass Bellehouse, give it an extra glance and know that this beautiful building reflects such a deep, meaningful history that will continue to be celebrated in Madison!

P.S. Don’t miss this incredible image of the Saturn 1B rocket making its way down Sullivan Street in the 1970s—while Bellehouse stood quietly, witnessing history unfold!

Want to read more history from Madison? Check out where Rainbow Mountain get it’s name from, who our two local high schools were named after, the history of Pension Row near downtown, and how/when our city of Madison was founded.