Elbert County GaArchives Churches Middleton United Methodist Church ************************************************ 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: Transcribed by Chandler Eavenson 4 April 2006 Churches Middleton United Methodist Church The following was taken from a church history which appeared in the Elberton Star newspaper in 1973, compiled by Church Historian Grace P. Thornton: "Middleton United Methodist Church was established in 1873, one hundred years ago, on land given by the Rev. J. H. Grogan. The name given to the church was Eureka, and was called by that name for many years. At that time there were many prominent citizens in the community, and they gave the land for the parsonage located in Middleton. That parsonage no longer stands. Some of the timber in the church was given by Briggs M. Bowman. There are few records of the early history of the church, but we can be sure that many of the people in the community helped. "Among some of the first members were Rev. J. H. Grogan, Fannie E. Grogan, Briggs M. Bowman, Jane Prather Bowman, W. G. G. Jones, Lizzie Jones, Samuel J. Lovinggood, Mollie Mills, Tinsley White, John McCalla, Mittie McCalla, Annie Allen, Rev. J. N. Wall, Ella Wall, John W. Carr, Mary H. Carr, L.H.O.Martin, Rossie Martin, Sally Martin, J. H. Rucker, Lizzie Wall Rucker, J. S. Thornton, Alice Bowman Thornton, D. B. A. Henry, Lucy Henry, James H. Henry, Eugene B. Heard, Sally Heard, Sue Heard Swift. The church was also used as a school for some time.The teacher was Manley Grogan, son of the Rev. J. H. Grogan. Among some of the pupils were Sue Heard Swift, Alice Bowman Thornton and Cora White who later married Rev. Landy White, and who later became a famous novelist. Her best known book was 'A Circuit Rider's Wife.' This book was later made into a film called 'I'd Climb the Highest Mountain.' "There were many good and able men who served our church from 1873 to the present time - too many to mention by name, but we will make one exception and mention the name of W. T. Wtakins, who later became Bishop Watkins. It is believed that he came to Middleton around 1915, and served the Middleton Circuit for four years. This was his first charge......The church cemetery was started in 1958- Jamie B. Thornton being the first member to be buried there." Contributed by: Chandler Eavenson