CLARKE COUNTY, GA - CHURCH Prospect Church ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: "Virginia Daniell" History of Prospect Church and the Tallassee Colony: 'Prospect can trace its history back to the early settlers of Tallassee Colony. In 1786, a Methodist minister, names James Tinsley settled at Fort Strong in the area of Prospect Church near Tallassee Shoals. Church and school were held in the same building in those early years. In 1834, an act was passed to create Prospect Academy. It was held in the building called Prospect Meeting House, but there are old folks tales of a log church building to the left of the meeting house and on an old wagon trail from Prospect Church Road to a house now known as the old Walker Hale House. Prospect Meeting house was built on the property of Sterling Combs and in 1839, he sold his property to Charles Kenney, except for two acres of land, the building known as Prospect Meeting House. Prospect Church's first church record book known in existence record ds back to 1845. The Georgia Methodist Conference was organized in 1830. Our local Methodist ministers date back to 1788, with James Tinsley being the first. We still find names of our early settlers on our church rolls: Kenney, Jackson, Fowler, Bell, Duncan, Lavender, Wages and Nixon. In 1890, Prospect Church as it now stands was built. School moved from Prospect Academy to Cold Springs and on to Fowler School. In 1806, the Missionary Society was organized by Mrs. Dean of Winterville. The Church purchased a parsonage in 1965 and has had a full time preacher since 1966.' Coday Fowler sold land in 1822 to Sterling Combs (who sold to Charles Kenney) according to Clarke County deeds index. Coday Fowler was one of the founders of Prospect Church and is buried near the entrance of the church. I spoke with the Church Pastor, Rev. Haskill, on two occasions when I was in Athens - last fall and a year before that - about getting copies of the original church records. He showed me some of the more important records that have been copied and framed and now hang on the walls of the church annex. The original records are kept by the church historian, Betty Jo Bowden, who lives near the church. It has been suggested that a church history book be created as a way to honor the founders and the members who have worked hard over the years to keep the church intact. Rev. Haskill expressed interest, in that the church could certainly use the extra revenue - the membership is very low; and he wants to have Prospect Church designated as a historical site. I believe that Rev. Haskill would welcome comments and help regarding these needs. His address and e-mail are: Rev. Stephen C. Haskill, Pastor, Prospect United Methodist Church, 3864 Tallassee Rd., Athens, GA 30607; E-mail erhas@bellsouth.net. Thank you, Virginia Daniell (Kenney-Fowler decendant).