Gwinnett County GaArchives Church Records.....Level Creek Methodist Episcopal (South) Copyright Date 1911
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Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 30, 2004, 1:13 am

Level Creek.

BY MARY WHITEHEAD.

	Level Creek Methodist church was originally located on the hill about one
fourth of a mile on the north side of Level creek ,and some fifty yards to the
left of the road from Lawrenceville to Strickland's Ferry, near where Wyatt S.
Moore's house now stands. The church took its name from the creek it stood near-by.

	The grave yard where some of the first settlers are resting is in Moore's field
in full view of the road.

	This church was organized by Rev. W. J. Parks in the latter part of 1822, or
first of 1823, in a small log house built for Phillips Lamar to teach school in.
The members taken in by letter were Geo. S. Casper (local preacher), wife and
two or three children, Joseph R. Thompson and wife, Wiley Brogdon and wife,
Joseph R. Douglass, wife and two or three children, Samuel Brown, Sr. and wife,
Wilson Strickland and wife, John Martin and wife, and others, perhaps, not left
on record.

	After the crop was laid by in 1828, notice was given that on a certain day the
work of building a church (or rather a meeting house, as it was called in those
days) would commence and all were invited to contribute, not in money, which was
scarce, nor in script, which was unknown, there being no particular person to
head the subscription list except the one that should first appear on the
ground, armed with club, axe, broad-axe, cross-cut saw, or froe and maul. By 8
or 9 o'clock it seemed as if everybody was there, saint and sinner, and in a few
days, a hewn log wall 30 by 40 feet was up and covered, with floor and doors
made, with large wooden hinges, and not a dollar seen nor heard of, except to
buy nails. Wilson Strickland, being the owner of a saw mill, received orders to
bring in stocks and he soon had the planks sawed out. It was for this and all
other churches that Wilson Strickland furnished plank, also to settlers who were
unable to buy a floor for their cabins. It is said of him, "He was as clever as
he was big." He weighed 450 avoirdupois.

	This church flourished most wonderfully in those early years, and soon there
was a large membership. In the year 1838, it was decided to remove to the place
where it now stands; but before leaving this ancient, sacred spot, there are
other important items in the history of the first settlers of our county in
connection with this community that will do to be put on record. In 1822, in the
summer season, Jones Douglass opened the first Sunday school of this county in
his own house and among his own children, but invited other children of the
neighborhood to attend, which they did, and in a few weeks it became a very
popular institution and the first of the kind that had ever been heard of by any
in attendance. It increased in interest and magnitude until it became necessary
to remove to the school house for the better accomodation of the upper
neighborhood, where it still increased more rapidly than before, and in a short
time, nearly all the youths within three or four miles were engaged in it,
beside a good many grown people who came in as scholars-generally from fifty to
seventy-five men engaged in the exercises. Wiley Brogdon, J. R. Thompson and
others came in as teachers and managers, but Jones Douglass was looked upon as
principal manager. Sunday schools were not run in those days as they are at
present. No books were used except spelling books and Testaments-no such a thing
known as question book, Sunday school bell or anything of the kind in this
country. School would be opened at an early hour, with singing and prayer, then
be conducted very much like an everyday school until time for divine services,
after which a recess of about one hour was given, during which time the usual
refreshments were enjoyed as much as the most splendid basket dinner would be at
the present day. With rare exceptions, it consisted mainly of cornpone and hog
meat, with occasionally fried chicken and venison ham. A circumstance occurred
one morning at this school, which drew the attention of teacher and scholars for
a few minutes. A boy well up in his teens, being a little behind time, jerked
off his hat at the door in a hurry, when a, brown corn biscuit, about four
inches in diameter, tumbled out on the floor with the noise of a pound weight,
and rolled about ten feet before he could capture it. He proceeded to his place
promptly, and did not consider himself set back an inch in any respect, in the
estimation of even the girls present, as he was only a boy. The boys in those
days were willing to be boys, until they were men. About half an hour in the
afternoon exercises were spent in learning the spelling lesson. Then the most
interesting part came. A circle of from thirty to forty formed to spell by
heart, one good hand to give out and the rest spell. Men, women, boys and girls
all engaged and "turning down" was carefully attended to. About 1826, a few
copies of the Union Question Book were procured and from then to the present
day, for eighty-five years, Level Creek has been noted for its well conducted
Sunday school.

	About 1829-30, the "Temperance Cause" took a start in this county under a
regular organization. Jones Douglass invited Rev. Gunn, a Baptist preacher of
this county, to preach a temperance sermon at Old Level Creek, which he did on
Sunday after giving ample notice. The new church not being large enough, a one
horse wagon was drawn in the edge of the large and well worn "town ball" yard in
which Mr. Gunn stood, and delivered a most convincing argument from the text,
"The wise man forseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the wicked pass on and
are punished." It would be safe to say, perhaps, that thirty-nine out of every
forty of the large congregation attended out of mere curiosity, but when the
book was opened and the sober portion appealed to, Sterling Roberts, pastor of
Suwanee, got into the wagon and informed those of his church that he was
convinced and was going to enlist in the cause and invited them to join him,
when Joseph DeFreese and others of his charge followed.

	Wiley Brogdon stepped upon a log and inquired if his joining would prevent him
from selling his stills and stands, which privilege was granted. Thompson
Moore's stills and stands were soon sold and their hogs and the newcomers
enjoyed the fruits of their large and thrifty young peach orchards. Level creek
was frequently visited by James Rux (local preacher) and Eli Elkins (exhorter).
Joseph R. Thompson and Jones Douglass were first class leaders. This church sent
out several prominent members of the Georgia conference at an early day.

	The first was Tillman Douglas, son of. Jones Douglas, who joined the conference
in 1827 and was an efficient minister of the gospel until 1843. He died in Burke
County, Ga., May 28, 1863. Reverend Samuel Anthony was licensed to preach at
Level creek. "Uncle Anthony," as he was called, was well known and honored
throughout the Georgia conference. He was one time Presiding Elder and was also
president of the Orphan's Home of the South Georgia conference. The next who
received license to preach at Level Creek was Isaac Rutherford, a zealous and
successful local minister.

	In 1838 or about that time, the church was moved one half mile south and a
large log house was built on the same side of .the road, both being on the land
of Thompson Moore.

	In 1854-5, a frame house was built which was at the cross-roads, the one from
Lawrenceville to Cumming, the other from Hutchin's Ferry to Hog Mountain.
Rebecca Douglas, wife of Jones Douglas, who died in 1863, was the last one that
remained a member from the organization to that time. Among the prominent
members at the building of this church were the Baxters, Clowers, Brandons,
Brogdons, Moores, Armstrongs, Wisdoms, Caspers, Thompsons, Harrises, Kings,
Browns, Williamsons, Rutherfords, Reeses, Stricklands, Borns, Verners, Kennedys,
Wheelers, Hutchins, Chapmans, Sudderths, Roberts, Hortons, Whites.

	Rev. J. H. Reese was the first to receive license to preach in this church. He
was a young man of great promise, who honored his calling as an itinerant
minister for a few years and died in the triumphs of a living faith in Christ.
He was the son of Rev. J. B. Reese (local) who for many years delighted to
preach, sing and pray for the people of Level Creek and the surrounding country,
and though he has been gone to his reward these many years, he still lives in
the memory of many people.

	Rev. Thompson Moore-was a prominent local preacher for a number of years and
died with the assurance of rest in Heaven.

	Rev. James H. Baxter, youngest son of Joseph W. Baxter, was licensed to preach
when quite young and joined the North Georgia conference. He was a zealous,
holy-ghost preacher for many years. Also, Rev. John. M. Armstrong, youngest son
of Martin. W. Armstrong, joined the conference when quite young and was a
prominent member for a number of years, and is still an efficient minister of
the gospel, being at the present time a member of the Texas conference.

	About 1863-4 the church and Sunday school were in the most flourishing
condition perhaps of its history. "Grove Meetings" and "Twilight Prayer
Meetings" were common in those days. People would go for miles to attend with
one aim in view: The working out of their salvation. The woods would ring with
"hallelujahs" from the good old men and women and those getting the first
glimpse of the beautiful side of life-the turning from darkness to light.

	Martin W. Armstrong and Joseph W. Baxter were principal leaders in these
meetings. Their prayers and good works are yet alive, and will live through the
ages. Other faithful church workers and Sunday school superintendents from that
day to the present, are; Thompson Moore, Newton Horton, Joseph W. Armstrong,
Luther Wisdom, John M. Armstrong, Newton Verner, Arbin Moore, Dolph Hutchins,
Emory S. Brogdon, Robert Kennedy, J. H. Harris, Guy S. Hutchins, J. Hamp Moore,
C. L. Hutchins, J. C .Moore.

	In 1897, the present church was built costing one thousand ($1,000) dollars.
The house and land are now valued at fifteen hundred ($1,500) dollars.

	J. E. England was pastor in charge at the time of the building of this church.
He was on the work three years, and some of the greatest revivals ever known,
were at this church during his pastorate. More than 70 were converted and
received into the church, the result of his preaching. His good work will never
die. The following are the names of the pastors since 1889: W. W. Oslin, one
year; J. W. Quillian, one year, received 20 members; W. A. Farris, one year, 7
members; J. E. Rorie, one year, 6- members; W. T. Hunnicutt, one year, 11
members; T. H. Timmons, one year, 6 members; J. E. England, three years, 71
members; H. A. Hodges, one year, 12 members; T. J. Warlick, one year, 5 members;
W. L. Singleton, one year, 5 members; F. G. Golden, one year, 1 member; W. W.
Gaines, two years, 7 members; N. E. McBrayer, one year; S. H. Braswell, two
years, 16 members; F. R. Smith, one year, 5 members; J. W. Stipe, two years, 8
members; A. E. Scott, present pastor, 3 members.

	The old church record was destroyed by fire a few years ago, hence, the
explanation for the names of pastors and other important items in the history of
the church being omitted.

	Officers and teachers of the Level Creek Sunday School: J. C. Moore,
Superintendent; J. H. Moore, Assistant Superintendent; J. D. Brogdon, Secretary;
J. C. Moore, Chorister; Miss Ava Brogdon, Organist; Mrs. Lena Thompson,
Librarian. Teachers: Miss Cora Moore, Miss Clara Whitehead, J. H. Moore, Mrs.
Annie Brogdon, Miss Belvia Fields, C. L. Hutchins. 	Members: Mrs. Martha J.
Wisdom, Mrs. Mattie A. Whitehead, Mr. Wm. P. Moore, Mrs. Victoria Moore, Mr.
Charlie Moore, Miss Cora Moore, Mrs. Sallie Moore Higgins, Mr. S. Capers Moore,
Mr. J. Hamp Moore, Mr. W. T. Moore, Mrs. Susan A. Brogdon, Miss Annie Brogdon,
Mr. Jack T. Brogdon, Mr. Joseph D. Brogdon, Mrs. Esther Byrd, Mrs. Clem Roberts,
Mr. J. C. Byrd, Mr. R. M. Wheeler, Mrs. Abe Wheeler, Mrs. Elizabeth Kennedy, Mr.
Wm. M. Adams, Mrs. Martha Adams, Wyatt S. Moore, Miss Julia King, Mrs. Nancy E.
Moore, Mrs. Beulah Moore, Hattie F. Fields, Mrs. L. M. Hutchins, Mary Sudderth,
Mr. R. T. Martin, Mr. George R. Roberts,.Mr. James Roberts, Mrs. Melissa Price,
Miss Lucindy Martin, Mr. Robert L. Sudderth, Mr. Wm. D. Price, Mrs. Sallie A.
Price, Mrs. Sallie C. Bartley, Mrs. Belle Burton, Mr. Fletcher Wells, Mrs. Era
B. Brogdon, Mr. Arthur Brogdon, Mr. John W. Brogdon, Mr. S. H. Bennett, Mrs.
Adaline Hamby, Mr. G. Lester Price, Mrs. Lorena Roberts, Mr. Charlie O'shields,
Mrs. Catherine O'shields, Mrs. Octavia Baer, Mr. J. W. Price, Miss Avie Brogdon,
Mr. Garland Harris, Mrs. Lena Moore, Mrs. Willie Wilburn, Mrs. Nellie Humphrey,
Mrs. Floy Wilson, Mrs. Annie Brogdon, Mr. George Moore, Miss Mary Whitehead, Mr.
Elba Brogdon, Mr. Edward Brogdon, Mrs. Clara Tyson, Mr. Alfred Price, Mr. Early
Price, Mr. Clif. Brogdon, Mr. Joseph Moore, Mrs. Clyde Maltbie, Miss Clara Mae
Whitehead, Mr. Quillian Harris, Mr. Boyd Venable, Mr. Albert Sudderth, Mr.
Turner Sudderth, Mr. William Hamby, Mr. C. L. Hutchins, Mr. W. S. Moore, Miss
Inez Moore, Miss Ola Thompson, Mr. J. W. Thompson, Mrs. Fannie Thompson, Mr. J.
N. Brogdon, Mrs. Sarah E. Brogdon, Miss Mary E. Brogdon, Miss Velvie Moore, Mrs.
Mamie Brogdon, Mrs. Lena Thompson, Miss Lavetta Roberts, Miss Della Thompson,
Miss Claudie Thompson, Miss Ivis Moore, Mrs. Lizzie K. Shelley, Mrs. Izzie
Wright, Mr. R. W. Maltbie, Mr. Craver Brogdon, Mr. Quinton Roberts, Mr. Aaron
Moore, Miss Etta Roberts, Mr. Mack M. Orr, Mrs. Ophelia Orr, Miss Minnie Orr,
Miss Lillie Orr, Miss Winnie Orr, Mr. Luther Thompson, Miss Elenor Moore, Miss
Phenie Brogdon, Mr. Paul Sims, Miss Corine Moore, Miss Winnie Moore.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

GWINNETT CHURCHES
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF EVERY CHURCH
IN GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA,
WITH SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF ITS
MINISTERS
BY
J. C. FLANIGAN
1911


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