Dale County AlArchives Photo place.....Presbyterian Church October 15 1970 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 4, 2004, 3:56 pm Source: Southern Star Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/dale/photos/gph188presbyte.jpg Image file size: 134.1 Kb OZARK PRESBYTERIAN HISTORY On September 1,1889, Rev. P. C. Morton, evangelist of South Alabama Presbytery, organized the first Presbyterian Church in Ozark. Mr. A. B. McLeod of Daleville, Mr. Garrett and Mr. J. W. Murdock were installed as Elders in January of 1890. There were eight church members. Rev. C. M. Shepperson supplied the church as pastor. However, the first effort did not survive since Mr. Garrett and his family moved away and Mr. Murdock died. As Mr. McLeod lived in Daleville, a distance of ten miles, the organization ceased to function. The second effort was started on September 5, 1893 when Rev. William E. McElwain assisted by Rev. J. M. Evans reorganized the group. Rev. McElwain was the evangelist of the Synod of Alabama. Elders were elected and included D. G. Munn, George H. Thomas and A. B, McLeod who served from the first election of 1889. Deacons elected were D. W. Munn, W, E. Dillard and H. G. Bryans. There were the following members in the organization: D. G. Munn, Laura A. Munn, M. E. Dillard, Mrs. M, E. Dillard, M.E. Dillard, Jr., M. Z. Dillard, Annie L. Dillard, George H.Thomas, Mrs. Mary Thomas, Eli Thomas, P. N. Weatherly, Mrs. S. A. Weatherly, Mrs. Fannie Rivers, Beulah Weatherly, Mollie Weatherly, Mattie Crawford, A. Senft, Christine Senft, D. Gillis, Mrs. F. M. Gillis, Miss Estelle Gillis, Ione Jackson, Mrs. H. G. Bryan, Mrs. M. B. Powell, Mrs. M. S. Jones, J. M. Richardson, Mrs. Fannie A. Williams. Dr. and Mrs. A. G. McLeod and Brooks McLeod were re-enrolled. Those received on profession of faith were: H. G, Bryan, A. C. McDonald, Mrs, M. A. McDonald, R. 0. McDonald, Sallie L. Griffeth, Edna E, Parker, Ogle Parker and Katharine Parker. The meetings were held in the Dale County Courthouse until the church was completed in 1895. According to the 0zark Tribune of 1904, the good people of the town liberally assisted the good Presbyterian brethem in building the pretty white wooden frame building in which Presbyterians worshipped for many years. The Tribune reported that the little church had done well with splendid and noble men and women becoming a force for good in the community. The building was planned and built by one of its members, D. Gillis, speaking well for his skill and ability as an architect. The church was dedicated in 1895 with Mr. Wilson, Home Mission Superintendent in charge and the Rev. M, W. E, Mcllwain preaching the sermon. According to Mr. Mcllwain's account, the church was named the Ozark Presbyterian Church and remains so today. Some of the ministers from 1895 to 1921 were Rev. J. F.Ford, Dr. E. L. Hill, Dr. R. L. Bell, Rev. R. L. Burwell, Rev. Clarence M. Gordon, Rev. Mr. Mangum. Tragedy struck on the first Sunday in May 1921 when during the morning service, the church building caught fire. It was completely destroyed. All that was saved were a few wooden chairs and the pulpit which was later given to the First Presbyterian Church of Enterprise. Consternation and discouragement hit the small-faithful group but bravely, a meeting was called for the purpose of formulating a plan of rebuilding. The building committee appointed were: H. G. Bryans, chairman; D. G. Munn, A.D. Dixon, T. A. Windham and D. W. Munn. The foundation of the church was laid in August 1921 and the building was completed in August 1922. During the construction, the congregation met in the Court House to devise means "whereby to raise money for the purpose of completing the church." Motion by S. N. Crosby, seconded by A.T. Windham that H. G. Bryans, D. G. Munn, D. W. Munn, El-ders and W. A. Brown, Deacon, be authorized and empowered to execute a mortgage on church building and property and sign all papers necessary to procure the amount of money needed to complete said church was carried. The building which was brick veneer cost $10,365. Furn-ishings were not included in this figure. It was a building of unique beauty and was to serve the church for a number of years until the new one was completed in 1968. It is interest-ing to note that the old Presby-terian Church of Augusta, Ga., of which Woodrow Wilson was a member, was represented in the donations to the building fund. Rev. John Goff was the minister at this time. D. W. Munn was Clerk of Session and other Elders were H. G. Bryans and D. G. Munn. On April 27, 1923, Samuel Neil Crosby was elected a Deacon and on April 19, 1926 was made an Elder. On September 13, 1924, J. F. Walker, J. D. McCraney, W. C. Croker, were elected Elders and A. D. Dixon was elected Deacon. On November 2. 1924, W. C. Croker who would not accept the office of Elder was named a Deacon. Statistical report to Presbytery of East Alabama for year ending March 31, 1924, reported a total of 38 members and a total budget of $1775.00. Rev. Leighton Scott came to the church as pastor in June, 1924 and served until August 1925. Elders were H. G. Bryans, D. W. Munn and D. G. Munn who had served since 1921. In March 1925, Mrs. A. T. Windham and her Sunday School Class presented a Communion set to the church which was used for many years. Mr. W. A. Brown served as church treasurer for many years as the membership continued to grow. On May 31, 1925, the following were officers of the church: J. Leighton Scott, pastor; W. A. Brown, treasurer; Mrs. T. A. Windham, President of the Woman's Society; Miss Ruth Fleming, President of Young People's Society; D. W. Munn, Clerk of Session and H. G. Bryans, Sunday School Superintendent. From April 1926 until September of that year, the church was without a pastor but was supplied by Rev. John Goff until March of 1927. Report of a Session meeting held on April 21 presided over by Rev. C. C. Andersen, Moderator, showed: (1) No pastor, (2) No Manse (3) No debts. Number of members: 43. In September 1927, Rev. L. E. Evans came to the church, as Stated Supply and preached one Sunday each month until 1938, during which time, 21 members were added to the church. With the installation of the following officers in March 1941 a more vigorous program came into existence. They were: W. A. Brown, Elder; Douglas Brown, Louie Doughtie, W. D. Thomason, T. M. Semmes, Robert N.Hoit, Deacons. On May 18, 1941, Rev. Robert H. Walkup was called to full time service and served until November 1944. On October 7, 1945, Rev. John R. Smith of Winder, Ga., was called to be pastor and was installed on January 26, 1946. Plans were made to build amanse which was completed in 1946 and were used until a new manse was acquired in 1962. The old manse was moved to Deese Road in 1967 Rev. W. K. Blake became minister on October 1, 1948; Rev.A. B. deGallaspy on June 1, 1953, and the present minister Rev. John D. Reese, III, moved to Ozark on September 3, 1955, and was installed as pastor on October 1, 1955. Under his leadership, the church has grown steadily. On September 8, 1968, a beautiful new church building was dedicated. The building was constructed at a cost of more than $100,000. It contains a Prayer Chapel given in memory of James Douglas Brown, Jr. by his family. The church is so constructed as to allow room for expansion and growth. Many visitors from surrounding areas come to view the church. During 1970, the education building was completely redecorated. Present membership is 201 with 10 Deacons and 6 Elders. The budget for 1970 was $33,050. Ruling Elders include W. D. Thomason, Clerk of Session; James W. Adcock, James Douglas Brown, Sr., W. Arnold Brown, Jr., Louie F. Doughtie, S. Durwood Judah. Treasurer is Mr. Dan Carroll. President of the Women of the Church is Mrs. Dan Carroll. President of the Women of the Church is Mrs. Houston Davis. President of the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship is Miss Meredith Howard. Deacons include Lewis Flowers,Chairman; C. H. Atkinson, J. W. Brunson, Dan Carroll, Larry Free, LTC Harmon Howard, Froman Johnson, Dr. R. J. McLaughlin, John H. Mosley, Charles Oliver. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mr. W. L. Kolb's home on Broad Street is about completed and it is one of the very handsomest homes in Ozark. Mr. L.E. Marley the contractor deserves much praise for the splendid piece o? work done and the short time in which the building has been completed. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 8.8 Kb