Quitman County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgetown Methodist Church
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Donna Eldridge DonnaEldrid@aol.com July 2, 2004, 4:49 pm


                                 GEORGETOWN METHODIST CHURCH


     There is no record of the origin of Georgetown Methodist Church.  It is 
quite possible that it was started by a circuit rider making the rounds of the 
settlements.  Meetings were probably held in homes and in bush arbors.

     The minutes of the Annual Georgia Conference and the South Georgia 
Conference in 1859, show Georgetown with 18 White members, 3 White 
probationers, 38 Black members, and 10 Black probationers.

     Some of the early preachers were:  W. A. Simmons, E. N. Boland, G. S. 
Johnson, Joseph T. Turner, Robert B. Lester, J. B. McGee, H. McGee.

     Reverend William A. Parks is known to have officiated at the wedding of 
Hardy Floyd and Martha Elizabeth Nobles July 20, 1865.

     Capt. James Harrison donated the land and also paid off an indebtedness on 
the Georgetown Baptist Church building with the understanding that it would be 
used by the Methodist brethren also.

     Some of the first known Methodist were:  Mrs. Harrison, Dr. and Mrs. J. W. 
Mercer, and Mrs. Minie Goode Bledsoe.

     Land for a Methodist Church Building was donated by Mr. R. G. Morris in 
1900 and a frame building was constructed in 1901-1902 by Mr. Albert N. 
Surles.  This building is in use today, Reverend V. P. Scoville was the 
preacher at the time and was the first preacher to preach in the new building.

     The first marriage to be held in the church was that of Dr. Loren Gary and 
Miss Beall Dozier on January 8, 1908.  The only preacher the church has sent 
out is their son, Henry Gary.

     In 1948 a section of rooms was added and in 1951 another unit, consisting 
of classrooms and bathrooms was added.

     Found in the church is the original chandelier that once was kerosene but 
now is electric.  The elaborate hand-carved light wood pews and the stained 
glass windows are also old.

Mrs. Kacky Gary, a great-granddaughter of Albert Surles, the builder of the 
church and Thomas Gary, son of Dr. and Mrs. Gary, the first to be married in 
the church, were also married in the church and are among its most faithful 
members.

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gary
The Cuthbert Times  Quitman Co. Centennial Edition  Oct. 29, 1958
History of the South Georgia United Methodist Church


"Cemeteries and Churches of Quitman County, Georgia"
  by Jacquelyn M. Shepard
  (page 52-53) 

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

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