Talbotton United Methodist Church

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1 A Brief History of Talbotton United Methodist Church Talbotton, Georgia Celebrating 150 Years of Methodism in Talbot County

2 March 1, 1978 HISTORY of THE TALBOTTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH As Methodist moved across Georgia, in 1830 Jesse Sinclair and Henry W. Hilliard were sent by the South Carolina Methodist Conference to the Flint River Mission of which Talbot county was a part. In 1831 this circuit became a part of the newly formed Georgia r',onference and by 1834 Talbotton became a separate charge. However, the exact year in which the church was organized is not definitely known. The deed to the lot on which the first church was built and on which the present church stands is recorded in Deed Book B, page 333 in the office of Talbot County Clerk 0 f the Superior Court. The deed is dated June 25, It states that the lot was deeded in obedience to an act of the General Assembly passed on December 24, The Trustees named on the deed were r::harles Fisher, Henry Mims, Littleton Hooten, David C. Maund and Samuel C. Luck. The first church building was a wooden frame structure built shortly after the execution of the deed. This old wooden building was razed when the present brick church building was constructed on the site in The builder of the new church was I\/Iiranda Fort, master brickmason and builder, who migrated to Talbotton from Virginia in The church is an extremely handsome example of temple-type Greek Revival style architecture. It is constructed of handmade red brick which have mellowed over the years to a scft rose color. The front facade is plaster and painted white, as are the six stately Tuscan columns which support the pedimented gable roof and the octagonal three-tiered bell tower. The roof of the bell tower is a small dome topped by a diminutive spire. Broad steps across the front of the building lead to the second floor sanctuary which is built over an f:nglish basement.

3 -2 The sanctuary was renovated in 1955 with James J. W. Biggers, Sr. of Columbus, the architect and Weston Culpepper the builder. A choir loft, new pews and new lighting were added at this time. The plastered wa lis of the sanctuary curve at the cei I ing Iine form ing a gracefu I room without sharp edges. The ceiling contains original plaster medallions in an Acanthus leaf pattern. At the back of the sanctuary is the old slave gallery. The added woodwork around the choir of Parana pine ordered from South America, is beautifully carved - it's rich, warm brown in perfect harmony to the white woodwork. The six brass chandeliers were designed in Williamsburg, Virginia, as were the pews which are copies of those in Old Brewton Parish Church in Williamsburg. The church was listed on the Nationat Register of Historic Places in The old steeple bell which for so many years tolled the worshippers to church was bought in It was ded icated during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Wynne. It was given by the venerable Ezekiel Smith and brought from Macon by a wagon team under the su pervis ion of Irban Leonard. The vestibule of the church has a cabinet containing two of the early communion services. The present communion service in use was given by the children of Dr. W. P. Leonard. An early organ of the church has been made into a desk for the vestibule. In 1962 the basement of the church was renovated with a new heating and air conditioning system. Sunday school rooms, kitchen and rest rooms were renovated. Additional renovation of the basement has just been completed in In 1971 land and a house adjoining the church were given by Mrs. Virginia McGehee Allen of Pompano Beach, Florida. The house was razed and the area is presently being landscaped as a memorial park. The lovely Victorian fountain was given in memory of Mr. Frank Alexander, Sr. by his family.

4 --3 On April 26, 1861 the Methodist Church entertained the Southern Rifles, commanded by Captain Curley, with a bountiful dinner on the grounds under two oaks on the South side of the church. The company then left via Geneva for Virginia to fight in the War between the States. Of the eighty-one members of the Company, only about a dozen returned. The Talbotton MethodistChurch entertained the South Georgia Conference on December 17,1877. Bishop Pierce was presiding Bishop, A. M. Wynn, 8residing Elder of the Co lumbus Di strict and Rev. E. F. Breed love the pastor. The church has had members who have made names for themselves in the life of the state and nation. One member, Dr. Harry B. Bardwell became a missionary. He was graduated from Emory College in He served as pastor of churches in Georgia and Florida for several years before going to Cuba as a missionary. He later became President of Candler College in Havanna.

5 -4 Pastors who have served the Talbotton Methodist Church: J. W. Starr E. Bennett W. D. Mathews Charles A. Brown Tilman Douglas Wi II is D. Matthews W. D. Martin W. W. Robinson Ivey F. Steagall Mi lier H. White Reuben H. Luckey Thomas Sanford Caleb W. Key William D. Martin I. F. Steagall James B. Jackson W. D. Matthews John P. Dickson R. W. Bigham J. S. Key J. W. Hinton L. J. Davies R. B. Lester James Harris A. M. Wynn G. H. Patillo O. W. I<ey Walter Knox R. W. Dixon T. T. Christian J. O. A. Cook F. A. Branch R. W. Dixon Walter Knox George C. Clark B. F. Breed love E. H. McGehee W. C. Lovett W. M. Hayes H. R. Felder K. Read O. A. Thrower W. J. Robertson J. W. Weston B. M. Whiting O. B. Chester J. A. Thomas B. S. Sentell F. Mc Cu II 0 LI gh J. B. McGehee W. F. Hixon J. W. Arnold J. H. Allen L. A. Brown T. G. Lang L. A. Harrell J.H. Jackson R. F. Dennis M. E. Peavy Thea Pharr A. B. Wall H. W. Joiner Frank Gi Imore Pau I Sanders Harris Gillespie O. B. Chester Weyman Cleveland Sam Varnell C. W. Jordan A. A. Waite, Jr. E. G. Hutchings, Jr. Harold J. Beaty J. S. Wetzel C. R. Mc Kibben Henry G. Thomas James J. WcLendon Samuel A. Douthit Zephoe Belcher William L. Strickland

A brief history of Wesley Church, Perth.

A brief history of Wesley Church, Perth. 2 The building known as Wesley Church was built in 1870 for the Methodist congregation of Perth. The first Methodists arrived in the Swan River Colony on February