Ware County Churches Kettle Creek File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/ware.htm WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Waycross, Georgia Monday, April 22, 1974 PRESBYTERIAN UNIT ORGANIZED IN 1887 The First Presbyterian Church of Waycross has played an important part in the life of the community since Mar. 4, 1887, when it was organized. According to the minutes of the Savannah Presbytery, dated Apr. 7, 1887, the Rev. J. W. Quarterman was appointed "to have spiritual oversight of the new church," and served as its first pastor. The first congregational meeting was held on Jan. 1, 1888, at which time Will Williams was elected to the office of Ruling Elder, and the Misses Mattie Williams and May Quarterman were elected to the office of Deaconess. The First Presbyterian Church was built in 1891, at the corner of Williams Street and Lee Avenue, on a lot donated by Mrs. B. F. Williams, wife of a prominent Ware county doctor. Mrs. Williams was an aunt of Miss Sarah Houk who donated the lot on which the present sanctuary was erected in 1959. Of interest historically, a paragraph in the History of the First Presbyterian Church of Waycross points out that the first church erected in Waycross was a Union Church, built with funds raised in the community at large, in which all denominations worshipped together. The Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians were the three leading groups. After a few years, the Methodists became strong enough to have a full time pastor and used the Union Church. Then, the Baptist erected their sanctuary and invited the Presbyterians to worship with them, which they did for a short time. With the organization of the Presbyterian Church, in 1887, the congregation held services in the court house until the completition of their church in 1891. Prior to the building of the Union Church, Presbyterians had been active in the community. As early as 1872, mrs. B. F. Williams organized and conducted a "Sabbath school" in her home. It was out of this Sunday School that the Union Church grew. The pipe organ for the church has been in continuous use since 1911 when it was purchased. It was rebuilt when it was moved to the present sanctuary. Mrs. Tom Strickland is listed as the first organist, elected in 1889, and Dr. J. C. Rippard was the first choir director. Located at 401 Ava Stree, the First Presbyterian Church has 327 active members. The Reverend J. Trent Howell, Jr., is the minister. Elders who are currently serving the church are John Darden, Ellie Royal, Melvin Scott, Jack Sistar, Dr. E. S. Brown, Frank Conly, Charles Hatcher, Hubert Rivenbark, Allen Lanier, Robert Odum, O. W. Foss, Jr., and Linn Jenkins. Deacons presently in office are Jack Lovett, Dr. T. J. Ferrell, Jr., Dr. J. C. Morton, D. J. O'Connell, Kirk Paine, George Farr, Scott Herrin, Warren Hereford, Jr., Wesley Highsmith, Eddie Rees, Sr., Herbert Courtenay, Jr., Bill Rivenbark, Harry Merk, Dr. W. M. McxClarin, Jr., and Robert J. Smith. [Contributed by Barbara Walker Winge ] ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============