125th program - First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain

125th Anniversary at
The First United Methodist Church
Pine Mountain, Georgia
1882-2007
First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain
In the November 3, 1882 issue of the Hamilton Journal, one read “Chipley is to have a new Methodist Church.” On
February 23, 1883 it stated, “The cover is being put on the new Methodist Church, which occupies a beautiful lot and
is a handsomely designed edifice, that will be an ornament and a credit to the enterprising town. Reverend S. D.
Clements is the pastor and holds services twice a month.”
From its humble beginning in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Story in September of 1882 with twenty people attending,
this Methodist Church has grown to a present membership of three hundred and sixty eight.
On October 20, 1882 at a Quarterly Conference, permission was granted to build the church. In December of 1882,
the Reverend S. D. Clements was officially appointed by the North Georgia Conference to the Chipley Charge, including Chipley, Salem, and Hopewell. Town lot 199 (1/2 acre) was purchased. Services were held in the Masonic Hall
until completion of the church building in early spring of 1883.
By 1885 the Chipley Church was in the Whitesville Circuit with Hopewell and Whitesville. In 1887-1888 a rented
parsonage in Chipley was used until adjoining lots to the Chipley Church were bought in February 1889 for $800 by
the Trustees of Parsonage of Whitesville Circuit. By 1890 it became the Chipley Circuit with the parsonage located
there.
In 1916 a fund was started by the Sunday School classes for the building of a new brick church. World War I came
and the project had to be delayed because of the government’s war embargo on building materials.
On Sunday, June 1, 1919 an all day meeting of Methodists, Baptists, and non-members was held at the Methodist
Church in Chipley to consider a new church. All contributed and almost all of the $10,000 needed was subscribed.
The June 6, 1919 issue of the Hamilton Journal stated, “The plans have been drawn, by Architect T. F. Lockwood, of
Columbus, with beautiful auditorium, and Sunday School Annex, with individual class room, but so arranged that the
whole building can be thrown together into one auditorium when needed.” The Baptist Church offered use of their
church while the new one was being constructed. The Methodist Church had been used earlier by the Baptists after
their church was destroyed by a tornado in 1908.
On July 29, 1920 at 6 A.M. the last service in the old church was held and the foundation of the new church was
made. On Tuesday, October 19, 1920 all the townspeople watched the laying of the corner-stone of the new Methodist Church. The Chipley Methodist Episcopal Church South was dedicated November 6, 1927 after all the debt was
completed.
In 1952 the Chipley Methodist Church bought the property with the parsonage for the use of its pastor only.
On Sunday, February 28, 1954 a ground-breaking ceremony for a new Church School Annex was held. The cost of
this building was $12,000.
A Centennial Homecoming Program was held with dinner served on the grounds October 17, 1982. Sunday, September 29, 1991 a ground-breaking service was held for a new Family Life Building, including a fellowship hall, four
classrooms, kitchen, and two restrooms at a cost of $218,000.
In 1999 the Annex was attached to the Parsonage.
There was a ground-breaking in 2003 for a new Christian Education Center and in the fall of 2004 this building was
completed and dedicated.
The church has had three names since its beginning:
• 1882 - Chipley Methodist Episcopal Church South
• 1939 - Chipley Methodist Church
• 1968 - Pine Mountain First United Methodist Church
A total of forty-nine appointed pastors have served here.
Throughout its 125 year history, this church has stood stately, but bending to minister to its congregations, community, and world.
Charter Members
Mrs. Alice P. Crawford
J. T. and Lola Dunlap
Mrs. Cora B. Hogan
Mrs. Lucia Hunt
Mrs. Sallie Hunt
U. H. and Jane R. Layfield
R. L. Leath
Mark T. and Beady Ann McGee
George A. Pearce
Robert Spivey
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Story
Willie and Sally Story
Mrs. M. S. Story
R. B. and Virginia B. Traylor
Captain J. J. and Olive Tucker
Olin White
R. A. and Mattie E. White
Members for Fifty Years or More
Janet Miller Mullins
James Marvin Chambers, Jr.
Fletcher Chapman, Jr.
Marie Livingston
Genny Hadley Chapman
Mary Isbel Phillips Edgar
Marsha Winifred McGee
Ruth Parker
Max Parker
Joel Parker
Barbara Annette Hadley Mathis
Gloria Kimbrough
Malinda Brooks
Betty Galle
Bob Phillips
William E. Douthit, Jr.
Rachel Chambers
Patsy Davis Jones
Willene Davis Stinnette
First Pastor
Rev. Stephen David Clements
Dec. 1882-Dec. 1884
Mrs. Alice P. Crawford
One of the Charter Members
1927
1938
1944
1948
1948
1948
1948
1949
1949
1949
1950
1950
1953
1954
1954
1954
1956
1957
1957
Ministers 1882—2007
Stephen David Clements
Dec. 1882-Dec. 1884
William E. Shackleford
Dec. 1884-Dec. 1885
William Thomas Bell
Dec. 1885-Dec. 1888
James Henderson Eakes
Dec. 1888-Dec. 1890
Joseph Addison Timmerman
Dec. 1890-Dec. 1891
Thomas Jefferson Christian
Dec. 1891-Dec. 1893
James Thomas Lowe
Dec. 1893-Dec. 1894
Thomas J. Warlick
Dec. 1894-Dec. 1897
John Malachi Bowden
Dec. 1897-Dec. 1901
Henry J. Ellis
Dec. 1901-Dec. 1902
John Richard Lewis
Dec. 1902-Dec. 1903
William Henry Cooper
Dec. 1903-Dec. 1905
Jasper M. Tumlin
Dec. 1905-Dec. 1906
Lovic Winfield Rivers
Dec. 1906-Dec. 1909
Alexander Hamilton Stephens Bugg
Dec. 1909-Dec. 1913
Joseph Asbury Sewell
Dec. 1913-Dec. 1914
A. S. Hutchinson
Dec. 1914-Dec. 1917
Madison Mitchell Walraven
Dec. 1917-Dec. 1918
Elisha Adkerson Ware
Dec. 1918-Dec. 1920
Addison Alonzo Sullivan
Dec. 1920-Dec. 1923
C. A. Hall
Dec. 1923-Dec. 1924
W. W. Benson
Dec. 1924-Sept. 1925
(Had surgery, salary paid, leave of absence, supply pastors)
Charles L. Middlebrooks
Dec. 1925-Dec. 1927
H. T. Smith
Dec. 1927-Dec. 1931
J. R. Allen
Dec. 1931-Dec. 1936
Roy P. Etheridge
Dec. 1936-Dec. 1938
J. H. Allison
Dec. 1938-Dec. 1939
S. Azo F. Wagner
Dec. 1939-Dec. 1940
L. L. Burch
Dec. 1940-Dec. 1947
Comer L. Brownlow
Dec. 1947-Dec. 1951
Paul F. Wohlgemuth
Dec. 1951-June 1954
Robert E. Lyle
June 1954-Oct. 1956
(Heart Attack)
Harvey A. King
Oct. 1956-June 1959
Carl L. Clower
June 1959-June 1961
Charles H. Clark, Jr.
June 1961-June 1965
L. S. Baugh
June 1965-June 1968
Robert L. Partridge
June 1968-June 1972
Ralph W. Mabry
June 1972-June 1977
Harry A. Hawkins
June 1977-June 1981
John L. Sorrow
June 1981-June 1982
Noel F. Burt
June 1982-June 1984
C. Joe Buffington
June 1984-June 1988
Kenneth H. Godfrey
June 1988-June 1992
John Arthur Beyers
June 1992-June 1995
Steven A. Moore
June 1995-June 1999
Carol R. Scroggs
June 1999-June 2001
Charles Z. Gardner
June 2001-June 2003
Matthew L. Mitchell
June 2003-June 2007
Mark S. Outlaw
June 2007
March 20, 1931
Mary K. Pitman, Kate Wisdom, Betty Wisdom, Jean O’Neal,
Annette Crawford, Sam Pitman, Nancy Jane Kimbrough, Myra
Miller, Charles Layfield, Minnie Ellis, Barbara Anderson, R.J.
Proctor, Carolyn Pitman, Ted Ellis, Wilbur Winston, Eppie
Smith, Young Smith, Mary Madison Wisdom, Iva Proctor,
Naomi Williams, Rachel Williams, Janet Miller, Nan Murrah,
Martha Sue Smith
Late 1930’s
Jennie Mae Sivell, Marie Livingston, Beula Anderson, Mary K. Pitman, Frances Dunn, Lillian K. Floyd, Frances J. Murrah,
Mrs. Allen, Myrtle McGee, Frances Hadley, Janie O’Neal Layfield, Mary Alice D. Barnes, Amy Mason, Shirley Chapman
Sunday School Class
1948
Ann Neal, Bob Phillips, Jerry Floyd,
Sue Neal, Rusty Houston, Mary
Spivey O’Neal Horton, Mary Milton
McGee.
First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain Timeline
1882 Sept
Oct 22
20+ Methodists meet at home of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Story to organize a church at Chipley.
Committee attends 4th Quarterly Conference of Whitesville Charge at Smyrna and are granted
permission to build church.
Dec
N. GA Conference, meeting in LaGrange this year, appoints Rev. S.D. Clements to Chipley Charge, including Chipley,
Salem & Hopewell
Dec 22 Deed recorded: Town Lot 199 (1/2a) G.G. Flournoy to 5 Trustees for Methodist Episcopal South at Chipley for $60. (U.H.
Layfield, J. J. Tucker, R.A. White, Robert Spivey & M.T. McGee)
Dec
Four man Building Committee collects material & new church begun.
1883 Early
Church services held in Masonic Hall.
Mar 23 News: “The new Methodist Church is very nearly ready for occupancy, It is a large & handsome
structure, which when completed will prove an ornament to the town. It speaks well for the enterprise & liberality of the
community.”
W. H. LaPrade, presiding elder or D.S. of LaGrange District
1885 Early
Chipley Church joins Whitesville & Hopewell in Whitesville Circuit. Salem goes to Troup Circuit.
1887-89
Rented Parsonage in Chipley used.
1888 Dec 7
Committee of Reuben Pattilo of Whitesville, Dr. G. A. Poor of New Hope & Capt. J. J. Tucker of Chipley meets to consider
buying a Methodist parsonage.
1889 Feb 12 Trustees of Whitesville Parsonage Circuit buy adjoining lots to Chipley Church, #198, #210 & a portion of #197 (1 1/4 a) for
$800.
Apr
Methodist Church ladies raise money for nice pews, which are much needed, by a musical & recitation program with
refreshments for 5 cents admission.
May
Ladies arrange carpet for tacking down. It covers aisles, chancel and around pulpit. Juvenile Society active.
Sept 6
News: “On the inst. Jing a ling * jing a ling. Mr. R. A. Dunlap & Miss Georgia Layfield will be married at 5 o’clock in the
afternoon.”
1890
Whitesville Parsonage sold. Now we are Chipley Circuit with parsonage in town.
1897 Apr 16 Town Lot 209 (1/2 a) bought by Trustees from J. B. Huff for $30.
1904 Mar 17 Wesleyan Christian Advocate: “Dead Horse Fund: The horse of the Rev. S.D. Clements, White
Sulphur Springs, LaGrange District, died Feb. 13. If every preacher will give 50 cents to help remount this veteran of the
cross, his loss can be replaced.”
1906 Nov
Last Quarterly Meeting of year for Chipley Circuit is held at Chipley Methodist Church
1908 Apr 24 Tornado at Chipley: Chipley Methodist Church: 1 window broken out
Parsonage: 1 door, some crockery, & several trees damaged
Baptist Church completely destroyed & they held services at Methodist Church
1914
Dissatisfaction related to dilapidated condition of church by members who want to build a new church.
1916-1917
Subscriptions begun to build brick church.
1918
Last time North Georgia Conference met in LaGrange (previous years 1833,1855, 1882)
1918-1919
Government’s embargo on building materials during WWI
1919 May
A temperance rally is held at Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ladies turn in money from embroidery sales.
News: “Work on the new Methodist Church is announced to begin first week in June.”
June 1
An all day service basket dinner is held - weather very overcast - over $7,000 of $10,000 needed is subscribed with Baptist
& Methodist taking part “Batteries of fried chicken & two story pie”. Served by the ladies.
Dec
Methodist Episcopal Sunday School uses auditorium for Christmas recital.
1920 Apr 18 Record breaker in Sunday School attendance - 113; on time - 87.
May 2
Largest attendance this year - only 6 of 153 are visitors.
15 children are presented cradle roll certificates. Martha Janet Miller is one.
Men’s Sunday School class is entertained at Masonic Hall.
The Women’s Book Club & Teachers Meetings are held in homes.
June
Flag Day program is given by children
June 29 6:00am - Last service in old church is a prayer meeting.
Ladies serve lunch to workers. Pastor, 2 other men attend District Conference at Newnan & bring home $500 donation for
building fund.
Oct 19 Laying of cornerstone of Chipley Methodist Episcopal Church and placing of box of articles there. Lunch is served under
the trees out back.
Oct
Report of Woman’s Missionary Society at Chipley
Total amount to conference treasure $67.45 with 27 members.
Dec
News: “The windows of the Methodist Church are being put in and when completed this will be one of the prettiest church
buildings of its size anywhere. Much credit is due to Mr. L.E. Floyd for his
planning an unceasing interest & Mr. J. Baxter McGee for the building of this handsome edifice. Chipley has 3 public
buildings that she is especially proud of - two churches and the auditorium.”
1921 Jan
A community watch night service was held at Methodist Episcopal Church 9-12. At 11:00 pm lunch of sandwiches and hot
coffee being served.
Feb 13 Death of Rev. S.D. Clements in Woodbury.
1924 Jan
Nov
Dec
1924 Sept
Nov
1927 Nov 6
1928 June 6
1931 Feb
Mar 30
July
Nov
1934 Feb
Nov
1935 Nov
1936 Sept
Dec
1937 Feb
Mar
Apr
May
July
1939 Jan
Feb
Mar
Nov 23
1940 Apr
Aug
Dec
1949
Easter
1949
1950 Feb
July 1
Quarterly Conference: (Note-Salem is back in circuit)
Chipley, Salem & Whitesville (Hopewell & New Hope are not represented)
Apportionment:
Chipley
$1,070.32
Hopewell $ 102.05
Salem
$ 331.25
New Hope $ 127.56
Whitesville $ 331.25
Ladies of Methodist Episcopal South serve lunches on Friday and Saturday & make $187.50 to apply to church debt. They
say they will continue these dinings until the church debt is lifted.
Transfer of Pastor C.A. Hall is delayed due to his and his daughter’s cases of scarlet fever.
Epworth League active
Rev. W. W. Benson & family move to Atlanta due to his continued ill health after surgery. He is granted leave of absence
by churches of Chipley Circuit & his salary is continued until conference while different pastors fill in for him.
Rev. C.L. Middlebrooks is assigned to Chipley Circuit. His little son is the Charles Middlebrooks of later years.
Oyster Supper is held by stewards of Methodist Episcopal Church.
The church is dedicated; the note has be paid off!
Wedding of Miss Frances Johnson & Leland Murrah at the Chipley Methodist Episcopal Church.
Chipley Circuit Quarterly Conference: Salem, Whitesville, Hopewell & Chipley-assessed $2,200
Ministerial support, $1,000 Grand Conference Claims.
Children at Easter on Church steps: among them are Myra Miller, Minnie & Ted Ellis, Mary Madison Wisdom and Janet
Miller.
Mrs. J. D. Miller is delegate to Annual Conference of Woman's Missionary Society in Athens.
Revival at Methodist Church for one week - services twice daily with Rev. A.M. Pearce, Pastor at Newnan. Then the next
week, there is a revival at Baptist Church.
Rev. H. T. Smith thanks Boy Scouts for handsome new suit they gave him.
There is a Ruth Field Circle, named for a missionary to Japan from Newnan.
Rev. & Mrs. Charles Allen are guests of Rev & Mrs. T. R. Allen (Charles Allen’s father is pastor here for 5 years.)
The W.M.S. and Ruth Field Circle host an oyster supper at Chipley Club House.
N. Ga Annual Conference is convening at Wesley Memorial Church in Atlanta. Action is taken to have a graded minimum
salary scale for preachers $750 single, $900 married with no children & $1,100 married with children. Conference will
match dollar for dollar every increase in salary given by charge until minimum standard reached.
Mite Boxes are opened and contents placed in Missionary Treasury.
Ladies to donate aprons to rummage sale.
Church is preparing Christmas Box for Vashti School—to mail Dec 21
Quarterly meeting of Chipley, Salem, Whitesville & Hopewell is held with quota of Wesleyan
Christian Advocate for circuit reached-38
Ruth Field Circle hosts a silver tea at clubhouse and review the book, Gone With the Wind, recently published in June
1936.
Fish supper at woman’s club house followed by a floor show by men of Methodist Church-cost 40 cents.
Mrs. Laura O’Neal of R. F. Circle donates lovely carpet to church & circle places it down.
Adult Woman’s Missionary quilts two quilts
News: “Protracted services closed”.
Among Woman’s Missionary Society officers: Pres. Mrs. Durand Miller and Recording Sect. Mrs. F. Johnson
News: “A tempting spread was served in basement.”
Ruth Field Circle decides to name remodeled basement, the Wesleyan Room.
Three Methodist Conferences unite at Wesley Memorial Church in Atlanta. We are now the Chipley Methodist Church.
Revival Services.
Woman’s Missionary Society becomes Women’s Society of Christian Service, first meeting to be Sept 8.
Rev. L.L. Burch becomes pastor, remains throughout war years-longest stay for preacher at our church, 7 years.
Services: 1st & 3rd Sunday 11:00am & 7:30pm Church
Every Sunday
10:00am
Sunday School
Wednesday
7:30pm
Prayer Services
Chimes given in honor of Henry C. & Lilla O’Neal Kimbrough are dedicated.
Repairs to windows & roof of church $45.
Landscaping & Sowing lawns of parsonage & church $45.
Old organ replaced by trade for Hammond Electric $1000 & organ concert held.
Junior Fellowship Organized (6-11year)
Pastor’s salary $2,000 of total budget of $4,400.
Insurance on Church & Parsonage $140.
Total monthly Budget $366.68.
Active Methodist Youth Fellowship (12-23 years)
Church Family Night is held once a month in basement.
Easter sunrise Service, Annual Christmas Cantata, VBS
$100 to Methodist Children’s Home
Sponsors raising of $204 from the 4 circuit churches to buy refrigerator for widow of former pastor, Rev. L.L. Burch.
1951
Church Budget $5,000
Children’s Home $138.25
Enrollment - 150-175; Average Attendance - 95
62 members of Women’s Organization
Methodist Junior Choir (with white robes) organized (6-11years)
1952
Chipley Methodist Church has purchased parsonage & property paying Whitesville Charge $3,917
First Sunday in July - FULL TIME CHURCH NOW
Budget $6,800 & this is being met monthly (This was exclusive of amount raised for parsonage)
Sunday evening fellowship for children & younger youth begun.
Organization of Children’s Choir - singing 1st & 3rd. Sunday evenings.
Youth Choir - singing 2nd Sunday evenings.
Prayer Meeting - held Thursday evenings.
Dec 20 Wesleyan Christian Advocate: “A Methodist Men’s Club organized at the Chipley Church on Dec 3rd. The first president
is P.H. Layfield”.
1953 Jan 29 Wesleyan Christian Advocate: “The world’s smallest church, located at Bar Rest Ranch at Warm Springs, was dedicated
by the Rev. Paul Wohlgemuth, Pastor of Chipley. Seating capacity is eight”.
Planning of new annex, containing 5 rooms & 2 rest rooms. $5,300 has been raised.
Concrete walkways constructed leading to church entrances
July
Women’s Society of Christian Service Meeting: Devotional given by Mrs. Del Parker, with Mrs. Durand Miller & Mrs.
Ronald Mullins giving the program.
Aug
Koreans from Ft. Benning are hosted for service & lunch with Bethany & Chipley Baptist women helping.
Dec 18 A special N. GA Annual Conference held - only 1 day meeting - first in history of GA Methodism. Thereafter conference
time to be June, with pastoral appointment being made in June, not December.
1954 Feb 28 Groundbreaking for Chipley Methodist Church Annex. Cost $12,000 with Builder’s Supply Co. of Chipley contractors Mr. Henry Kimbrough, oldest member, celebrated his 86th birthday by breaking ground.
1955 Mar 2
Organization of Men’s Club of Chipley Methodist Church held at Chapman’s Café, Fred Galle elected president, Pearce
Layfield call meeting to order.
1956 Oct
After Rev. Lyle experienced heart attack, Rev. Harvey King took over.
1958
Chipley, GA becomes Pine Mountain, GA. Our name stays Chipley Methodist Church.
1968
The United Methodist Church is formed. We become The First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain.
Dec 2
The United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain’s Women’s Society of Christian Service is granted charter certificate.
1971
Georgia & North Georgia Conferences merge.
1972
Women’s Society of Christian Service and Wesleyan Service Guild become the United Methodist Women.
1982 Oct 17 Centennial Homecoming - Dr. David Naglee speaker - Dinner served to about 400 on church grounds.
1984
Purchase of Pitman house for parsonage and selling of old parsonage.
1990 July 1
Dr. Charles Allen guest speaker.
1991 Sept 29 Groundbreaking for Family Life Center, a fellowship hall, 4 classrooms, Kitchen, 2 restrooms - $218,000.
1993 Dec 12 Family Life Center dedicated debt fee.
1999 Early
Old parsonage obtained and in April moving & joining of Annex with old parsonage.
Dec 11 First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain featured on Pine Mountain Holiday Tour of Homes.
2002 Oct 27 Bishop Bevel Jones speaks and autographs books at lunch.
2003
Selling of Pitman House, ground breaking for Christian Education Center
2004
Buying of new parsonage at 250 Sullivan Circle.
Aug 29 Homecoming and dedication of the Christian Education Center.
2007 Oct 21 125 YEARS YOUNG!
September 30, 1926
Made in front steps of Chipley High School
of the Methodist Missionary Society
Rev. Charles Middlebrooks, Pastor
Oldest Chipley Member Breaks Ground for Annex
Feb. 28, 1954
H.C. Kimbrough, 86
Also pictured:
C.D. Horton, Mrs. W.U. Crawford, P.H. Layfield,
J.D. Miller, D.F. Parker, J.O. Kimbrough, P.F.
Wohlgemuth, H.M. Neisler, L.E. Askew, Charles
Pitman, Fletcher Chapman
Joel Parker, Bob Phillips, Bill Douthit, Jr., Kim
Kimbrough, Jack Phillips, Ferrell Smith, Hoke
Askew, Barbara Hadley, Malinda Brooks, Linda
Beavers, Isbel Phillips, Ann McLaney, Bill
McLaney, Joe Dunlap, Willie Dunlap, Dorothy
Dunlap, Marsha McGee, Pete Strickland, Hubert
Hadley, Gladys Hadley, Minnie Lee Crawford,
Lillian P. Benson, Gussie Douthit, Sarge Benson
Bill Douthit, Jr., Mim Douthit, Sonia Livingston,
Ms. Rachel W. Jolley, Linda Noble, Meda Miller,
Jim Miller, Steve Phillips, Ms. Mary Spivey O.
Horton, Sally Kimbrough, Jerry Floyd, Charlotte
Wohlgemuth, Mary Milton McGee,
Elaine Wohlgemuth
Do you see any familiar faces?
June 6, 1928
Wedding of
Frances Johnson Murrah
& Leland Murrah
October 2004
World Communion Sunday