He served as a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a state legislator in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

[1] His ownership was transferred and he was sold on several occasions which moved him to various Southern states, including Alabama.

[3] Prior to 1865, Murrell Sr.’s ministerial work was performed for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South denominations.

[1] On December 25, 1865, Mississippi Mission Conference was held, hosted by the Methodist Episcopal Church.

[1] Murrell Sr. helped establish several churches, including in Houma, Woodlawn, Napoleonville, and Pineville.