Twiggs-Laurens-Wilkinson County GaArchives History .....Prospect Methodist Church - 1790-1958 
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Prospect Methodist Church
1790-1958
After the American Revolution, between 1790 and 1810, the following original 
settlers – Floyds, Sauls, Johnsons, VINSONS, DeFores, and others – met and 
with their combined efforts built a small log structure to fill the spiritual 
needs of the settlers of this new and promising section of Middle Georgia – a 
Methodist Episcopal Church.
 
The materials used were of virgin pine.  The sills, sleepers, walls, and 
flooring were hewn into desired shape with a foot adz (sic) and broad axe.  
The boards used for the roof were riven (sic) with a frow (sic) and the use of 
a small wooden mallet or maul, and finished with a drawing knife.
 
Roads and trails were bad; transportation was by foot, horseback, ox cart, and 
wagons.
 
The people were loyal and attendance was good for those days.  The named this 
little sanctuary “Hopewell”.  It was situated about two miles west of the 
present church building.
 
After a period of time, this building was abandoned and a new site and another 
log structure church was build just across the road from the present church 
building, this being a larger and more conveniently located structure than the 
old Hopewell Methodist Church; and it was more suitable to meet the demands of 
that day.  The surrounding territory gave promise of a bright future, so the 
people named the new church “Prospect.”
 
A portion of this land for the church and cemetery was donated by Theophalaus 
Sauls, Sr.  The other contributors are unknown.  The first burial in the 
Prospect Cemetery was John Stokes.
 
After many years, this log structure was supplanted by a frame building.
 
After more than thirty years had passed, during which time interest in the 
church and church membership grew, this structure proved inadequate.
 
This structure was torn down and replaced by the present building about the 
year 1892.
 
Some of the earliest preachers were:  Charlie Johnson and WILLIAM GRIFFIN.  
Many of the community men were named for the pastors of Prospect Church; for 
instance; Rabun, Lewis, Outler, Reece, Glynn, Ellis, Brady, and others.
 
In 1950, four Sunday school rooms were added; in 1952, the inside of the 
sanctuary was remodeled, hardwood floors, new ceiling, walls, etc., were also 
added.  In 1954, new clear pine pews were placed in the church which added 
much to the beauty of the sanctuary.
 
Early in 1956, the church began a movement to enclose the church with a new 
brick wall, add porch, and make other repairs to the outside of Prospect 
Church.
 
In 1958, the main sanctuary was renovated by completely brick veneering the 
outside; one Sunday school room was added and a vestibule, all windows and 
doors were replaced and refaced inside and outside.
 
A building was purchased from the Board of Education of Twiggs County and 
moved to the Church grounds, and was repainted on the outside and completely 
refinished on the inside with plywood walls, celotex (sic) overhead, and 
hardwood floors; gas heat was also added.  (This building to be used as the 
Educational Building).
 
From 1950 until July 20, 1958 a total of $41,842.77 was spent on the 
improvement of the Church and Church property of Prospect Methodist Church.
 



Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Twiggs County; Pages 139-140
Compiled by J. Lanette O’Neal Faulk and Billy Walker Jones
Originally compiled by John H. Holiday, with the cooperation of the members of 
Prospect Church, Official Board and other members.

William Griffin (January 8, 1825 –November 23, 1884) was the son of Etheldred 
Griffin and Malinda Burton.   He was married to the former Mary E. Lingo 
(November 26, 1832 – January 10, 1910), daughter of Richard Taliaferro Lingo 
and Lucinda (unknown maiden name) Clements Humphries.  Three of their children 
married into the VINSON family (also mentioned as original settlers of Twiggs 
County and members of the church).


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