WAYNE COUNTY, GA - CHURCHES - Oldest Methodist

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WAYCROSS JOURNAL 
WAYCROSS, GA., JULY 22, 1902
ON OLD CHURCH
A Short History of the Oldest Church
In Wayne County.
The new town of Hortense in Wayne county has near its
center the oldest Methodist church in Wayne and perhaps
adjoining counties.

Hortense is where the B. & B. crosses the Jesup and
Folkston short line and one of the most desirable
locations for a town in South East Georgia having many
advantages surrounding it that have not.

On the spot of ground where the church now stands,
surrounded by magnificent shade trees and beautiful
cemetery, Mr. Jacob Raulerson, a prominent slave owner in
antebellum days (and an old time Methodist) erected a log
church in the year 1844.  The church was organized and
dedicated by Rev. Mr. Foster, then in charge of the
circuit known as the Brunswick circuit, extending through
Glynn, Camden, Wayne, Appling, and perhaps other
counties.

Mr. Jacob Raulerson was made class leader and steward
which position he filled with devotion and honor until
his spirit took its departure and this good old man was
no more on earth.  His death occurred in 1857 at which
time the Rev. Willis Hall was pastor of the church.  He
preached the funeral of the long devoted class leader and
steward.  Many pastors and stewards have succeeded those
and have also gone to their reward, whose names the
writer has not been able to learn.

In 1879 the old log building being very much decayed and
entirely too small for the growing congregation, the late
Dr. W. S. Middleton, who remained nearby, had a new house
build which was used until 1890, when Messrs. B. O. and
W. D. Middleton, assisted by others had the present
church built. There are a great many persons now living
and hundreds who have passed away and gone to their final
reward who worshiped at the same place where the
inhabitants of Hortense now congregate to worship.

Nearly sixty years have passed since that noble old
Christian pioneer erected the little log building on the
lofty hillside overlooking the Satilla, yet who can
numerate the many spiritual blessings that one charitable
act of that good man has brought to the people of this
entire community?

How little sixty years ago, did the founder of that
church think that in the year of 1902 it would be in the
center of a hustling railroad town?  When we view the
sacred spot where the founder selected three score years
ago for a church and then view the surroundings of today,
we are constrained to believe that our Heavenly Father
who foreknows all things, directed the mind of his
faithful servant in the selection of the location, as we
are assured that there is not a more desirable location
in and about the new town for a church building than the
very spot that was selected three score years ago.

The Rev. D. D. Jones is now pastor of the church and with
the co-operation of the leadership of W. D. Middleton and
C. C. Joyner, and perhaps others we believe the church
will prosper with the fast growing town.
                                                        VISTOR

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barwing@knology.net]