Quitman County GaArchives Church Records.....Shady Grove A.M.E. Church
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Donna Eldridge DonnaEldrid@aol.com July 15, 2004, 6:25 pm

                               SHADY GROVE A.M.E. CHURCH
                                   (African American)


     Shady Grove A.M.E. Church had its beginning in a bush arbor.  In October 
of 1872 a church building was erected and it was to be called Tabernacle Shady 
Grove A.M.E. Church.  Over the years the name has been shortened and it is now 
known as Shady Grove A.M.E. Church.

     The first pastor was the Reverend Hayes, who was followed by Reverend 
Lance, Reverend Miller, Reverend Mitchell Glover, Reverend Gamble Williams, 
Reverend Bailey, Reverend C. Johnson, Reverend J. W. Dennis, Reverend Parker, 
Reverend Thomas, Reverend Gay, and Reverend R. A. Homer, who preached, "All 
sinners, ye must be born again."  Next came Reverend C. H. Moses, followed by 
Reverend A. M. Roberts, Reverend C. King, Reverend R. O. Freeman, Reverend D. 
Brown, Reverend Powell, Reverend Field, Reverend S. Daniel and Reverend J. W. 
Williams.

     In April of 1939 the church was destroyed by a fire.  It was rebuilt that 
same year under the leadership of Reverend W. B. Woods.

     Next to pastor at Shady Grove was Reverend T. M. Jones.  He was followed 
by Reverend C. C. Crouch, Reverend T. M. Moseley, Reverend S. F. Jackson, 
Reverend Archibald, Reverend R. S. Granger, Reverend W. C. Jones, Reverend E. 
C. Clarke, Reverend W. L. Jones, Reverend A. M. Roberts, Reverend G. B. Tyson, 
Reverend J. R. Griffin, Reverend W. L. Walden, Reverend C. F. Boyd and Reverend 
W. E. Walker.

     In 1972 the church was bricked, new stained glass windows were installed 
along with carpet in the church and new pews.  An annex with bathrooms was also 
built this year, central air conditioning was installed as well as a new piano 
and chandeliers. Mrs. Alma Catchings giving the piano and Mrs. Mamie Lewis the 
chandeliers.

     Brother Frank Jones was the first Sunday School Superintendent that is 
known.  He served in this office for twenty-one years.  He was followed by 
Brother Cliff Byrd, who served for thirty-three years.  Sister Ethel Byrd then 
held the office for two years.  The present Superintendent is Brother David 
Jones, who has served the church in this position for twenty-two years.

     The many devoted Stewards who have stood shoulder to shoulder with the 
pastors are: Brother Nelson Bussey, Brother Josh Manderville, Brother Frank 
Jones, Brother Wee Willis, Brother Emory Willis, Brother C. A. Byrd, Brother 
Tim Catchings, Brother Jasper Flewellen, Brother Mason Parkman, Brother Walter 
Catchings and Brother Johnnie Johnson.

     The front porch was bricked and the cornerstone laid in 1985, also the 
church was presented a large white Bible by Sister Ethel Byrd.

"May we continue to carry the light of Shady Grove A.M.E. Church, the house by 
the side of the road for generations to come.  Let us pray that it stands for 
another 110 years from today."             Recorded by Mrs. Shorter, April 5, 
1985.

Mrs. Mattie Shorter

"Cemeteries and Churches of Quitman County, Georgia"
  by Jacquelyn M. Shepard
  (page 60-61)

     

Additional Comments:
Transcribed and submitted by Donna Eldridge with permission from Jacquelyn 
Shepard

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/quitman/churches/gbb102shadygro.txt

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