Chattahoochee County GaArchives History .....Church History 1 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 4, 2004, 12:07 am CHURCHES Introduction by Mrs. Mary Williamson Miller The first churches of Chattahoochee County were built of rude logs. As soon as possible these rude structures were replaced by better and more commodious houses. The oldest church in our town was the Primitive Baptist Church, called Mt. Olive and it was built by Mr. Wilson Gordy, one of the best carpenters of that day and time. About the same time he put some palings around his lot in the cemetery that> after many years, are still firm and substantial. These palings were made of heart pine and of an original design. The Methodists had a camp ground with many wooden tents behind the old school house that stood on the Cobb Place near the Camp Ground Springs, but the school house spring was better water, and now the former has gone entirely dry. The first Missionary Baptist Church, it has been said by old residents, stood on the north side of the railroad near the Silver Springs. At that time the ground was covered with tall pine trees, oaks and haws. There used to be an old road plainly visible among the haw bushes that led to an open space in these woods. When the camp ground fell into disuse the Methodist built in Cusseta just above the Primitive Church. It was painted white, and for a long time was decidedly the best looking church in town. The Missionary Baptist Church was moved up by the new school house where it stayed for a long time, until it was finally located in town also, above the Methodist Church. These places are now more suitable for them since the old country homes have all disappeared. Those old churches have echoed the eloquence of some of the best preachers in Georgia, Cusseta, at that time, was about as large as, any town in existence throughout the country. The Methodists, perhaps, drew the largest crowds. When the annual meeting time arrived, a huge bush arbor was built to shelter the crowd and under this the preaching was held. This huge shelter was strewn with pine straw, and temporary benches were arranged to seat the immense congregation. People came for miles to attend these meetings, and the regular members usually camped in the numerous tents, to which they removed bed-cling, cooking utensils and other things necessary for comfort and convenience. Every day dinner was spread on long tables under shady trees and every one was invited to come and eat. Many fine preachers were heard in the country at these rude structures, and much good resulted from their labors. To every one, young and old, it was a time of pleasure. Many courtships resulted, and all was excitement. Happy the girls invited to tent with the fortunate possessors of these temporary homes. There was much visiting back and forth between the tents after the religious services. The preachers were sensational, also sincere and devout. They preached against extravagant dress, and especially against wearing jewelry. Sometimes the ladies after such a sermon would strip off rings, watches and other jewelry and fling them into the contribution box. The old folks enjoyed the sermons, and there was much harmless amusement among the young people. Many laughable incidents occurred. One time a crowd of young girls were invited to spend the night at the tent of a devout Methodist family, the Crews. Among these fortunate girls to spend the night with Lina Crew were Melissa Austin, Georgia Wilkinson, and others now forgotten. They laughed and talked and primped so long on this occasion, they were called several times to hurry up, that the preaching had begun. Closing their bandboxes and seizing their handkerchiefs (as they thought in the dim light) at last they hurried away. There was a new preacher that night, who was intensely dramatic, and a successful revivalist. The people listened breathlessly to the sermon, and when the time came for calling up mourners they went in droves to the front and knelt for prayers. These young girls from the tent occupied a conspicuous position in front. As the touching appeals followed and tears began to flow the girls, glancing around surreptitiously, were surprised to see Lina wiping her eyes with a pair of white stockings (the only color then worn) the feet dangling down in a ludicrous manner. In the hurry of departure at the last moment she had seized a pair of stockings instead of a handkerchief and stuffed them into her pocket. Several people observed the incident and. buried their faces in their handkerchiefs to hide smiles instead of tears. The Missionary Baptist Church, at that time a large shell of a building, stood on the hill near the school house and the upper cemetery. It had many large windows and was airy and comfortable. When the Methodists closed their meetings the Baptist began, and together their services lasted without intermission for three weeks at a time, and with the Primitive Baptists sometimes for more than a month. Later the Primitive Church was turned around and renovated, and the Methodist and Baptist built new churches in the heart of the town. They were then sealed and painted, having lofty steeples, colored glass windows, a credit to the times. AH the old buildings had high front steps across the entire end of the building leading up to the wide porches, the universal style for church buildings in that day. The Primitive Church at that time was the leading denomination, and had a large membership. Now, after nearly a century, it stands deserted, and has no regular preacher. In those early days these churches were visited by the most prominent preachers of each denomination, Dr. DeVotie at the Missionary Church, C. C. Willis, Corley and others. At the Primitive then, the names of Murray, Lloyd, York, Pursley, and Beebe of Indiana were household words. Dr. Lovett Pierce was one of the most prominent preachers of the Methodist Church that visited Cusseta and charmed the audience with his eloquence. The Methodist Church was the first to buy an organ. Later all did the same, even the Primitives. Then they were replaced with pianos, and often the violin in the hands of the descendants of these first worshipers mingle with the songs of the congregation, or the cornet soars like a silver voice above it all. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY, GEORGIA By N. K. Rogers Dedicated to KASIHITA CHAPTER U. D. C. and all worthy descendants of the County's first settlers. Copyright 1933 by N. K. ROGERS PRINTED BY COLUMBUS OFFICE SUPPLY CO. COLUMBUS, GA. Transcriber's note: The original book contains many typographical errors. All spellings are as in the original book. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/chattahoochee/history/other/gms449churchhi.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.2 Kb