Central church of chirst 100 th Anniversary Celebration September 5 & 6, 2015 Where Christ is CENTRAL...past, present & future!
Central Church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia FOUNDING YEARS Prior to 1914, there was no organized congregation of the Church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia. In 1914, there was a group that met at the Wiggins Schoolhouse in Dawnville (pictured below with school children), known as the Sinia Church of Christ. It was started by Ben Wiggins (pictured with wife - left). Also, in 1914, Augustus Richardson and W. C. Phillips preached monthly, coming from Cleveland, TN. Then, in 1915, W. C. Phillips preached First Principles in a Revival Meeting in Dalton, using the Hamilton Street Methodist Church Building which was borrowed. They, then, placed a tent on the property to extend the Meeting for three weeks. In 1916, S. H. Hall of Nashville, TN, conducted a meeting in a building on North Hamilton St. located near the W/A Railroad Crossing. Bro. Hall arranged for W. C. Graves to come and work as the first local preacher in 1916. The Charter Members were Augustus Monteville Richardson, Clairice Richardson Hicks, Lewis Weaver, Annie Weaver, Cass Hall, Martha Hall, Flora Fortner, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Weaver (grandparents of Mack Weaver), Mr. & Mrs. Harrison Turner, and Mr. & Mrs. Jayce Stanley. The first Elders were R. R. McArthur and J. M. Weaver (Mack Weaver s father). Members met in the homes of Cass Hall (pictured left), Lewis Weaver and also at the County Courthouse. Many baptized in the early years were baptized in Mill Creek. 1930 S During 1931-1934, Haven Miller was the preacher for the Dalton Congregation as well as having the following Elders installed: Troy Hogan, Felton Smith, Grady Strickland, and Lewis Weaver (Pictured left: G. Strickland, L. Weaver, H. Miller, F. Smith, T. Hogan). By 1939 the Dalton congregation was meeting in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building, located on the corner of Pentz and Gordon Streets. They first rented the building for a monthly fee of $25. Later they purchased the building and property. They replaced the frame building by a brick building (Pictured - right). During the building process, they met in the Shadowland Theater. It was located where the Wink Theater is now but it eventually burned. (Also, pictured is some of the members in front of the building.) The following are some men who served as preachers after Haven Miller, but dates have not been able to be verified. They are: C.C. McCammell, Jack McElroy, K. M. Kelly, and Ray C. Walker, Sr. (maybe 1940).
1940 S - 60 S Sam Connally served as preacher around 1941, then Willie J. Lemons in about 1943. J. W. McLeskey served as an Elder sometime while Willie Lemons was the preacher (Pictured left is Willie & Ellie Lemons). From 1949-1953, E. J. Fletcher was the minister and served with the following Elders: John Carter, Henry Cole, Troy Hogan and G. T. Mowery, and Vinson Pack. (Pictured right is E.J. & Mittilene Fletcher on each side of Marge Barton at the 75 th Homecoming). The Methodist Church Building on the Corner of King and Selvidge Streets was purchased in March of 1951 (Pictured Left.). Many remember the Auditorium having dark wood in various places including the pews, beautiful stained glass windows, and burgundy carpet runners. In the back of the Auditorium, there was additional room that could be closed off for classrooms and it had wooden theater seating. Ralph Henley preached for Central during the early 50 s. (Pictured Right Henleys.) He spent many years in missionary endeavors in Israel, Greece and Turkey. A life-long goal was to establish a congregation of the Lord s church in every county in Georgia. He maintained a connection to the Central congregation throughout his life. Elbert Henry came to Dalton, to serve as preacher in October of 1954. (Pictured left is the Henry Family.) He and his family stayed at Central until 1965. Later, he and Hope came back to Dalton and served with the Highland Congregation. Those serving as Elders were: Troy Hogan, Vester Stanley, Ernest Stewart, Sr. and Carl Warnack. Winford Claiborne (Pictured right.) preached, also, in the years of 1960 1962, before beginning a work in Chatsworth, GA. In 1965, Kenneth Bray became the minister for the local congregation and carried on the work of the church. (Pictured is Ken & Judy Bray & their girls.) He moved his young family here including three daughters. Later, they had a son. During the time that they were in Dalton, a parsonage was built to house the local preacher s family. Those serving as Elders were: Roy Bryan, James Burch, Troy Hogan, Warner Holloway, and Vester Stanley (Pictured right.). Also, Herbert Rodgers served as an Elder during these years. In 1961, an Annex Building (Picture left.) was built to add new classrooms, offices, and a fellowship hall. Later (1966), the old Building on corner of King & Selvidge Streets was torn down. A new Auditorium and classrooms were built. (Pictured right.) George Abernathy was added as one of the Elders and served until 1969, after having a car accident that made it hard to do the job he wanted to do. In 1969, Central along with other Christians in the north Georgia area rented Camp Patoka in Cherry Log for several weeks in the summer and became active as the North Georgia Bible Camp. Later, in the early 80 s, Christians in the north Georgia area purchased property in Morganton, Georgia and started a camp, there, called Camp Wetoga. It is there now and children and adults from Central still participate in camp sessions each summer.
1970 S Bill and Patsy Threet, along with their children, moved to Dalton in June of 1970 and Bill began preaching. (Pictured left Threet Family.) Troy Hogan, Warner Holloway and Don Wilson were Elders. Bill also did a lot of work with the teens during his tenure in Dalton and also directed camp weeks. Lucien Claiborne was added as an Elder in 1972. Also, Robert Johnson came to Dalton in August of 1975, especially to work in the local Black Community. After Bill Threet left in 1976 and Robert Johnson left in 1977, Jerrie Barber came to Dalton in April of 1977 to serve as Minister. (Pictured right Barber Family.) Warner Holloway left as an Elder in 1979 to help area congregations by filling their pulpit. Bob Griggs was added to the Eldership in September of 1979. 1980 S George Drain did local work with the Black community from 1981 1982. In 1982, Cordell Holloway was hired as an Education Director. (Pictured top left Holloway Family.) Don Wilson left as Elder and moved in December of 1984. Troy Hogan retired as an Elder sometime in the mid 1980 s after serving the Central Congregation over fifty years. In February of 1986, Tom Cole and Larry Grant were added as Elders. Ross Jordan was hired as a Youth Minister in September of 1987. (Pictured top right Jordans.) In July of 1988, Jerrie Barber moved away, then, Roger Coffman was hired in December. (Pictured left Coffman Family.) Also, in 1988, the property at 515 N. Tibbs Rd. was purchased. It was the former John I. Tibbs home place. It was purchased with the plan to move to that location in the future. It was also the location of a See Rock City birdhouse barn. During the next few years, church fellowships were held there. (Pictured right.) 1990 S On May 27, 1990, John Hayes, Warner Holloway and Frank Thomason joined Lucien Claiborne, Tom Cole and Larry Grant as Elders. (Pictured Left Elders.) In January of 1992, Ernie Stewart (Pictured right), returned to Dalton after many years working in the mission field in Israel. He had a deep love for the souls of those in Israel. Ernie had a hand in starting the Galilee Christian High School in Eilaboun, Israel. He finished his active years in ministry with the Central Congregation focusing on Missions. He led several tours to Israel, taking many of the Central congregation with him. Cordell and Peggy Holloway left Central in 1992. In February of 1994, Mark Arnold was hired to start a new work in the growing Hispanic Community. (Pictured 2 nd Right Arnold Family.) Also, in that year, Steve Griggs was added to the staff (part-time) as an Adult Education Minister. (Pictured Middle Left Griggs Family.) In 1995, George Carlisle was added to the staff to work with Local Missions. (Pictured Lower Left Carlisle Family.) The school year of 1996-97 was the last year of Central Playschool. Many children from the Dalton community had been enrolled and loved attending. Mark & Irma Arnold left Central in June of 1997. Then in 1998, Joel Esparza was hired to work with the Hispanic congregation. (Pictured Lower Right Esparzas.) Ernie & Marlene Stewart left Dalton in July of 1998 to move to Covington, TN. Ernie was suffering with some health problems, so they moved to be near Marlene s daughter & son-in-law.
2000 2003 Roger and Milbrey Coffman left in January, 2000 to begin a new work in Hilton Head, SC. New Elders, Robert Brock, George Carlisle, Benny Holloway, Bob Lee, and Bill Russell joined Tom Cole, Larry Grant, John Hayes, Warner Holloway and Frank Thomason on August 6, 2000. Also, in August, 2000, Lucien Claiborne resigned his responsibilities as Elder. Ronnie Missildine was hired as Minister on October 1, 2000. (Pictured Upper Left Missildines.) Tom Cole retired as Elder April 8, 2001. Larry Grant & George Carlisle resigned as Elders during 2001. Warner Holloway retired as Elder May 20, 2001. Benny Holloway resigned as Elder in May, 2001. Roddy Tate was hired as Youth Minister in September of 2002. In November of 2002, the Church Building at the Corner of King & Selvidge Streets was sold to Whitfield County. The Central Congregation moved to an interim location during the building process and stayed there until the new building was completed (Pictured Above). It was located at 2208 S. Hamilton St. Also, the See Rock City birdhouse barn on the Tibbs Rd. property was sold to Rock City and moved to their property in Chattanooga Valley below Lookout Mountain. It was a piece of history that was able to be preserved (Pictured Lower Left.) Sunday, December 29, 2002 was the last service at the Church Building on the corner of King & Selvidge Streets. Soon, there was a ground breaking at the Tibbs Rd. property (Elders Pictured Lower Right - John Hayes, Bill Russell, Frank Thomason, Bob Lee, Robert Brock). Roddy Tate left Central in November of 2003. PRESENT LOCATION (2004-2015) Central moved to a new building, located at 515 N. Tibbs Rd. and the first Sunday of worship was on February 8, 2004. (Pictured Right.) Sixteen years after acquiring this property and paying it off, dreams and plans were realized. This location is not downtown Dalton but it is not far from there. It is in a residential area, surrounded by wonderful neighbors. Also, it is near Interstate 75 and Dalton State College. Joel and Mildred Esparza left the Central Hispanic Ministry in June of 2004. Jonathan Tucker was hired part-time as Youth Minister in October of 2004. (Pictured Left Tucker Family.) Orlando Reyes was hired as Minister for the Hispanic Congregation in December of 2005. Jonathan Tucker moved into a full-time position as Youth Minister in 2006. In June of 2006, Danny Jones joined eldership which consisted of Robert Brock, John Hayes, Bob Lee, Bill Russell and Frank Thomason. In 2011, Ronnie Missildine resigned full-time ministry and he and Sandra moved to Huntsville, Alabama where many of their kids and grandkids live. Bryan Collins was hired as the new Pulpit Minister in November of that year. (Pictured Middle Right Collins Family.) Hector Cortez and his family came in October of 2009 to help with the work in the Hispanic community after Orlando Reyes left. (Pictured Middle Left Cortez.) Hector planned all along to go back to the work in Costa Rica and El Salvador, so he and his family left and now continue that mission. Adam Esparza (son of Joel Esparza) had remained in Dalton, when his parents moved. He took on the work with the Hispanic Congregation on a part-time basis. (Pictured Lower Right Adam Esparza.) In 2014, Jonathan Tucker left, moving to start a new work in Manchester, TN and Andrew Fulks (Pictured Lower Left.) was hired in June as the new Youth Minister. The Central congregation has had a heart for youth for many years and continues to challenge our young people in study and activities that focus their minds and hearts on Jesus. Gary Duke was added as the newest Elder in 2015. As this is being printed, a new Playground and Pavilion is being built on the north side of the present building.
REACHING OUT... Through the years, Central has been active in Mission Work in Georgia, Israel, Jamaica, Ukraine, as well as other places. Currently the congregation is active in sponsoring orphans in the Philippines, as well as helping to fund a preacher training school, there. For many years the congregation was active in providing mailed Bible Correspondence Course to anyone requesting it and still continues to do that. One of the most active ministries in our congregation in helping our community is through our Benevolence Program, providing food and clothing to anyone in need. Being known for this, many of our community agencies refer people to us. Central, along with other congregations in the North Georgia Area, sponsor a Christian Men s Leadership Conference annually. Our Men s Ministry is active in promoting it as well as other things. There is an active Ladies Ministry which plans Ladies Days and Ladies Retreats, but also a weekly Ladies Bible Class on Tuesdays. All of these are to encourage spiritual growth and fellowship. Behind the scenes, many of these ladies do special projects to take care of needs. The North Georgia Bible Camp (Camp Wetoga) continues to be a focus of the Central congregation. It is a wonderful place to be involved for our youth and adults. Also, many of the Central families spend time there, doing things to improve the campus. Our members have a heart for children...showing great concern about providing the best classes and learning experiences for them. Having Vacation Bible School each Summer is done especially for our children and their friends. Through the years it has been fun for young and old alike! OUR PRAYER The year 2015, is one hundred years from the time Christians who have long passed, were dreaming, planning and praying for a congregation to be here in Dalton. Today we can dream, plan and pray for the future of this congregation and families represented here. With faith, we pray that there will be a family of believers that will be meeting here one hundred years from now, striving to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the local community and beyond. With our blessed Lord as our foundation and God s mighty Word as our only creed, the Central Church of Christ will continue to be a place where Christ is Central! Celebrating Our Past, Believing In Our Future! 1915 2015 Please keep in mind that we have done the best we can to piece this timeline of events together the way they should be. If there is anything to be added or changed, be sure to let us know. Photographs were few and far between in some instances. We will be glad to add additional ones to our file.