In 1867, seventeen members meeting under a bush-arbor constituted the Vilulah Baptist Church, naming it after the loved hymn-tune Vilulia in the old Sacred Harp Song Book and afterward shortening the name to its present spelling. Land for the church was given by “Uncle Bobby” Knowles. The committee appointed to choose the church name included James N. Bigbie, who lost an arm while serving with the U.S. Army in the Mexican War, and Captain William Forsythe Davis of the Confederate Army. These and Albert Bailey, who gave land for the school, Jarrett Ragan, Abner Belcher, Judge Irvine Saunders, Baal Smith, Dr. Thomas Bigbie, A.S.A. McLendon, Alexander Morgan, Andrew Blackburn, and Benjamin Joiner were honored as founders who laid the foundation of Vilulah Community and built its early progress upon the principles and practices of its church.