The Linary community was originally called "Linaria", from the Latin name for a yellow flower similar to the snapdragon. The story is that the Linaria postmaster couldn't spell the name. So he changed it to "Linary".

There were twelve original families in the Linaria area, including: Manning, Hale, Hall, Carpenter, Dawson, Renfro, Sullivan, and Swann. Members of these families are still part of the Linary church.

There were no graveled roads until 1924. Visiting preachers would likely come by horse.

The earliest known records of the church are a Sunday School record book, which started July 10, 1898. Apparently the first Sunday school superintendent was Ashbury Hale. Local Methodists and Baptists also participated in this “Union Sunday school”.

Linary church in 1880's or 1890's
The man in the beard in a Manning

An early settler, Mrs. Idella Renfro Walker, recalled starting to school in 1887, at age 9, in the small log building that was also used for church services. She did not remember going to Sunday school in those early years, but thought that her parents had taken her to preaching services before that time. So we are confident that the congregation began well before 1887.

Church and School shared the building

Capt. Robert Swan donated the land for the first church building and cemetery. The first schoolteacher was Betty Dawson Carpenter. In 1915 the teacher was Vioal (?) Rhea, who was paid $35 a month.

Extracts from Sunday school record book:

Linaria Union Sunday School