USA > Georgia > Dodge County > History of Dodge County > Part 16
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On October 25, 1879, the Methodist Church of Eastman offered to the Baptists the use of their building, which offer was accepted and thanks rendered therefor through a committee. February 21,
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
1880, Rev. P. A. Jessup made a motion that plans for a church building be drawn and trustees be appointed to receive and hold titles for the same, the trustees being appointed as follows: D. M. Roberts, P. A. Jessup, M. L. Burch, J. J. Hamilton, H. S. Hill. The next day the site was located and subscription lists opened, or plans for the same were laid out. On October 23, 1880, Rev. P. A. Jessup was called to the pastorate, which office he held at various times for eleven years. Dr. Jessup, who under God had been such a mighty power in the evangelization and educational uplift of South Georgia during the past generation, was missionary at Eastman and vicinity during the early eighties of the last century. Pastor at Eastman eleven years, at Cochran five years, at Tifton four years, at Leesburg four years, at Cordele one year, at Sylvester five years, and at other prominent localities a leader in the work of Georgia Baptists, he accomplished a work that has been the foundation for the magnifi- cent superstructure of Baptist prosperity and growth, which we now discover on every hand. He has left his mark on nearly every prom- inent church in the southwestern section of Georgia. A member of the Georgia Baptist State Board of Missions for nine years, secretary of the South Georgia Baptist Convention for six years, and a trustee of Mercer University for twenty-two and a half years, his influence was known and perceptibly felt in every corner of the State. He was a leader in the foundation of several of the most prominent educa- tional institutions in South Georgia. His educational dreams for South Georgia are just now being realized in the prosperity of the institutions, which he aided in securing a foothold. His religious statesmanship and prophetic foresight should receive the recognition of the denomination. His faith in the future of South Georgia has been bright for these forty years. We are now entering into the fruit- age of his extensive labors, and sharing the delightful realization of his prophetic dreams.
About Christmas, 1884, the Eastman Church received a handsome pulpit from a Boston, Mass., firm. During the preceding November a fruitful revival season was experienced, Dr. Jessup being pastor. Dr. Jessup has baptized hundreds of people over South Georgia. Even though dead he shall still speak through his works. Eastman Church should be thankful for having adopted this young seer in his early struggles. The Eastman Times spoke in high terms of praise of his Easter discourse in the spring of 1887. The church was beau-
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EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
tifully decorated for the occasion. Immediately after the ordination of Rev. R. E. L. Harris, in the fall of 1889, Rev. W. M. Harris, his brother, aided Dr. Jessup in a meeting. Dr. Jessup was frequently called upon to assist in ordaining deacons and bishops.
During the first twenty-five years of the history of the Eastman Baptist Church it grew from a membership of thirteen to a hundred and ninety-nine. The latter number was reached during the pastorate of Rev. M. H. Massey.
Rev. James Williamson, the first pastor, was a school teacher for many years. He taught and preached in Pulaski, Dodge, Telfair and Laurens Counties. He was for twenty years pastor of the Haw- kinsville Church and as such laid foundations for much of the prog- ress of South Georgia Baptists. He left Glasgow, Scotland, at seven- teen years of age, taking passage for Nova Scotia. Passing thence to New Orleans, he later walked overland to Savannah, preaching as he came along the way. He met and married a Mrs. Harvey, a widow, in Chatham County, soon after his arrival in Georgia. Of this union were born two sons, Rev. Raymond H. Williamson, who died in Clinch County, Georgia, after a useful career in the Baptist ministry, and Dr. Curtis Williamson, a physician, who lived and died in Laurens County, Georgia. The name of one of the three daughters of James Williamson by this union was Mary E. William- son, who was married to D. H. Maloy, a mechanic. Three sons of D. H. Maloy and wife became physicians, viz., John K., H. S., and W. C. Maloy, the first of whom lives at Milan and the last of whom lived at Rhine. The descendants of James Williamson have been faithful supporters of the Baptist cause in South Georgia. James Williamson was buried at Sharon Church, south of Rhine. Nearby lie many of his descendants, among whom are the remains of Dr. W. C. Maloy, who was one of the most substantial and liberal mem- bers of the church at Rhine. Two of the sons of James Williamson were Baptist ministers, James W. and John K., both of whom resided and labored in Telfair County.
When Dr. Jessup became pastor at Easman there were only a score of members, and the church was very weak. In the years 1883, 1886 and 1889, however, there were great revivals. Sixty-three mem- bers were added during 1883, fifty-four in 1886, and twenty-nine in 1889. The highest figure reached by the membership during the pas-
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
torate of Dr. Jessup was one hundred and sixty in 1889. Dr. A. J. Battle was pastor during a portion of 1888. This was the only break in Dr. Jessup's pastorate, which lasted until Rev. J. A. Scarboro assumed the pastorate in 1891. There was a notable growth in mis- sion contributions during the eleven years of Dr. Jessup's leader- ship. The largest figure reached was $200.00 per annum.
On June 26, 1881, Albritton Edwards, deacon, and his wife from Piney Grove Church, Gates County, North Carolina, were received by letter. Other members came from this county later. On July 24, 1881, J. J. Hamilton, former deacon of old Sugar Creek Church, was charged to sell two acres of land in lot number 11, 15th district of Dodge County, former site of Sugar Creek, the proceeds of which were to be used for the new church building. Proceeds were $25.00. On September 25, 1881, E. H. Bacon and wife, most faithful and useful members of Eastman Church, were received by letter from the Albany Church. Rev. J. H. De Votie and Rev. Richard Woodward visited the church in those days and preached. The membership was growing rapidly, both by letter and experiences.
The Sunday School was organized May 6, 1883, in the new build- ing (the first service held). Dr. E. H. Bacon was elected Superin- tendent; D. T. Daughtry, Assistant Superintendent; W. J. Darden, Secretary; M. H. Collins, Assistant Secretary; T. J. Buckner, Libra- rian; William Harrell, Assistant Librarian. Resolutions expressing the "grateful remembrance in which the Christian kindness and courtesy of the Methodists" were held because of their permission to use the Methodist building, were passed. An offer to return the favor when needed was made. On May 27, 1883, the first preaching service was held, and a number of members were received. J. T. Lee, from Central Point Church, Dodge County, was received. Dr. Jessup was appointed to confer with all the members of Sugar Creek and ask them into the organization.
It is said that the first Sunday School in Eastman was organized about the year 1881 in the home of Gen. Ira Foster, with a class of two pupils taught by his daughter, Miss Almathea Foster.
In the meeting of July 6, 1883, when so many were received and baptized, the records state that J. H. De Votie and E. W. Warren were present and aided the pastor. Twenty-five members, more or less, were received in the meeting, among whom were Milton H. Edwards,
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EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
W. M. Leggett, Lovelace Harrell, H. J. Sapp, M. H. Collins and others. More Sugar Creek members also came afterward, and when they tried to close the meeting the people demanded its continuance.
The Acorn Society gave the funds on hand to plaster the church and plans were made to heat and light the building. Rev. J. T. Lee was dismissed by letter June 22, 1884. The New Ebenezer Associa- tion met at Parkerson's Church in October, 1884, and the Eastman Church contributed through the Association to State missions. Thus began the missionary contributions, which grew annually and were donated to all types of missions thenceforward.
At the request of the East Macon Church, Rev. Charles Dilworth was ordained by the Eastman Church in 1886. The next year certain members joined the Campbellites and were excommunicated. J. A. Buchannan was recognized as a deacon May 6, 1888.
In 1889 Rev. P. A. Jessup was called for full time. The church asked the State Board to assist in mission work along the G. S. & F. Railroad.
Just after the meeting of the New Ebenezer Association held in Cochran in 1890, Rev. J. A. Scarboro was called to the pastorate. Rev. M. H. Harris was ordained to the ministry May 3, 1891 by the Eastman Church, and in the same year, 1891, E. H. Bacon and M. H. Edwards were elected deacons. M. H. Edwards was a faithful and godly deacon for twenty-seven years and served as clerk for nine years. October 4, 1891, he was ordained along with E. H. Bacon. Much of the progress and growth of the church is attributed to his fidelity in service, and many friends rise to attest his probity, honor, rectitude, sobriety and consecration. He was an excellent business man, and a liberal supporter of the Lord's work. T. H. Edwards was elected Treasurer and J. M. Bohannon, Clerk, January 3, 1892. J. C. Carr was called to ordination, which event took place October 30, 1892. The presbytery was composed of J. A. Scarboro, P. A. Jessup, E. W. Evans, and M. H. Harris. They ordained him "Bishop," states the record. Mrs. M. H. Edwards of the missionary society made her annual and quarterly reports, which frequently reached nearly $200.00.
Rev. Scarboro succeeded Dr. Jessup when the latter was called to Cochran. The work of Dr. Jessup at this latter city was phenome- nally successful. He succeeded in uniting the rended body of Christ,
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
and a great revival ensued, in which seventy-six members were added in one year, the year 1891. Mission gifts increased, a commodious pastorium was erected and the membership grew to two hundred and twenty-nine members.
Rev. J. A. Scarboro accepted a call from the church in October, 1890. Just before his arrival a festival was given for the purpose of raising money to carpet the church. The Eastman Times stated that it was a success in every particular. In March, 1891, an oyster and ice cream supper was given, netting $45.00, funds to be used in papering the church. The Eastman Church gave the State a notable woman in the person of Mrs. W. W. Ashburn. The W. M. S. under the leadership of Mrs. Ashburn and Mrs. Carr gave liberally to the church expenses and missions while Mr. Scarboro was pastor.
In the beginning of 1892 the church was again without a pastor, but after a short interim Rev. H. H. Harris became pastor, and served during 1892 and 1893. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Brew- ton in a six-year pastorate. The pastorate of Dr. Brewton was marked by gradual growth in membership and considerable growth in mission liberality. The most pronounced growth, however, took place during the pastorate of his successor, Rev. M. H. Massey. Fifty-nine members were added during the second year of his pas- torate. He began reaping the seed which had been so faithfully sowed and cultivated by his godly predecessors in the ministry.
The New Ebenezer Association met at Bethel in Dodge County in 1895, at Bethlehem in Dodge County, on October 4, 1896, at McRae, October 13, 1897, and at Snow Hill in Laurens County, October 13, 1898. The Eastman Church was one of the best churches in the organization.
Rev. R. S. Johnson was called to ordination May 6, 1894, by the Pine Hill Church, and thus was added another to the servants of God, which this great church has sent forth to preach everlasting tidings of grace. February 13, 1898, J. D. Page and T. J. Key were elected deacons, and only a few months afterwards, on July 24, 1898, the Reidsville Church having requested the ordination of Rev. J. A. Harris to the ministry, he was duly ordained by the following pres- byters: Revs. R. E. L. Harris, W. J. Barton, J. C. Brewton and M. L. Burch. E. J. Barton delivered the charge and the record says he did it well.
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EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
Dr. E. H. Bacon continued in office from 1884 to 1906, when he was succeeded by M. H. Edwards. M. L. Burch was clerk of the church from 1878 to 1884, when he was succeeded by M. H. Ed- wards, who served to January, 1892. J. M. Bohannon was his suc- cessor.
During the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Brewton, the church property was rated in value at $5,500.00. The church raised annually about $1,000.00 for all purposes and the Sunday School about $65.00. The ordained ministers in a body, in 1894, were John C. Carr, R. S. Johnson, and T. W. Dean. The deacons of the church were M. L. Burch, E. H. Bacon, M. H. Edwards, and J. L. Estes. Amoskeag Sunday School was under the direction of the church with about fifty pupils. The church membership numbered 137, and the Sunday School had enrolled about 100 pupils. By 1895 the number of mem- bers had increased to 180. There was a falling off in membership for two or three years, but under the pastorate of Rev. M. H. Massey, in 1902, the membership reached 199.
Rev. Mr. Massey and wife experienced great sorrow at Eastman in the loss of two of their children. Brother Massey laid firm foun- dations for future growth. In March, 1906, Brother Massey was called to Statesboro. He had made Eastman a good pastor and an able preacher of the word.
Rev. Walter M. Gilmore, for nearly ten years pastor at Brunswick, became pastor in 1906. Seventy members were added during the first year of his pastorate. Contributions for missions exceeded those for current expenses. Many improvements were going on in Eastman, and a score of residences were being erected. Prof. W. A. Mulloy of the public schools was a strong worker in the church. The pastor was aided in a meeting by Rev. W. H. Sledge of the Home Board in the summer of 1907, in which there were thirty-four additions. Meetings were held in stores and other business places down town. The entire city was moved. The New Ebenezer Associa- tion met with the church in the fall of 1907 for the first time in twenty years.
At the close of the third year of the pastorate of Brother Gilmore there had been 163 members added to the church, about half of whom had come in by baptism. The church had given eight times more for missions than it had given four years previous. The work
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of Brother Gilmore is still spoken of in terms of praise by those who are acquainted with added membership of the church.
Rev. S. J. Parrish served the church as pastor very acceptably. His evangelistic gifts made his ministerial labors popular, and num- bers were added to the church.
Rev. Alec Bealer next accepted care of the church. The Sunday School attendance was improved and a number of baptisms from the Sunday School were reported. The W. M. S. also made marked progress. The benevolent gifts of the church increased under the ministry of Rev. Bealer. His strong sermons were appreciated by the membership and the congregations were good.
He endeavored to lead the church in the erection of a new build- ing, but the war prevented the success of the enterprise. Dr. Bealer was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Hartsfield, who was very popular among all classes in Eastman. He adapted himself to all classes and made many friends. His efforts to build a new edifice met with success, $7,500.00 being pledged at the first offering. The new church was completed under his pastorate at a cost of $21,000.00. It was a source of pride to the citizens of Eastman and Dodge County. The building committee consisted of W. N. Leitch, A. P. Petway, W. L. Jessup, C. C. Clark, and S. C. Smiley. The pastor expended a great deal of his time overseeing the work. W. L. Jessup presented the church with a valuable pipe organ.
Several attempts were made to organize a Sunday School conven- tion, and the efforts finally succeeded in 1883. The Eastman Church was a pioneer advocate of the Sunday School in the New Ebenezer. It was also a liberal giver to the New Ebenezer College at Cochran. The church also assisted in a substantial manner in paying for the first house of worship at Lumber City, Chauncey and other places. The women of the church aided in supporting the missionaries of the Association, T. B. Windham, W. L. Geiger, W. J. Baker, D. Seigler, W. M. Miles, J. D. Rabun, W. M. Williamson and others. The Eastman Church has developed in the midst of a very uncon- genial atmosphere. There was much antagonism to missions and education in the early years of the church. Apathy, indifference, ignorance, stagnation, and anti-missionism prevailed in the sur- rounding territory for many years. Gambling, dram drinking, super- stition, illiteracy, and non-progressiveness were the devils which
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had to be cast out before the spirit of the Lord could come in. There were almost as many devils in the wiregrass as there were gophers.
In 1919 Brother Hartsfield left the church to accept another call, and was succeeded by Rev. H. D. Johnson, who made many friends during his sojourn here. He was an eloquent speaker and the church prospered under his leadership. He was followed by Rev. W. A. Duncan, who was also a good preacher and pastor. After the departure of Brother Duncan the Rev. H. L. Driscoll accepted the pastorate, and under his leadership many additions were added to the church. During his pastorate the magnificent church building was burned. Brother Driscoll and the members began at once plans for building another church, and in a few months another magnifi- cent building was erected. Mr. Driscoll accepted a call to a church in Louisiana, and Rev. W. B. Feagin was called to the pastorate. After staying here one year he accepted a call to the Baxley church, and Rev. J. S. Hartsfield returned to the pastorate that he had left eleven years previously. The congregation and the town at large were delighted in having this godly man and his consecrated wife among them again. The church continues to grow, many new mem- bers having been added during the past year.
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THE EASTMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
THE EASTMAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
IN 1885 Mrs. Miller, mother of Messrs. Tom and Len Miller, former residents of this city, wrote and asked the Rev. Mr. Billingsly, of Griffin, to come down and preach for the few Christians here. He came and arrangements were made to hold the services in the Meth- odist Church. Large and attentive audiences, composed of Method- ists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and the few scattered Christians, were had at each service. The Whiddon family, the Deffinalls, the Millers, the Murrells, and Mrs. J. F. Powell were the first ones to confess faith and join the Christian Church. Mr. Billingsly was young and impulsive and got impatient that not more were being converted. In one of his sermons he preached against infant baptism, which offended the Methodists. Old Brother Skelton, one of the Stewards of the Methodist Church, arose and stated that the church was closed to any more of the services, whereupon Dr. P. A. Jessup of the Bap- tist Church arose and extended them an invitation to continue their services in the Baptist Church. The offer was accepted, and next day services began in the Baptist Church, Mr. J. M. Arthur and another family uniting that day. In another day or two Mr. H. J. Sapp and family joined; revival was fast getting under way when the preacher preached against close communion. This offended the Baptists, so it was again time to move. A Mr. Williams, who had gotten interested in the revival, invited them to Orphans Church, about three miles from Eastman, which was then a Baptist Church. This offer was ac- cepted, and so successful was the meeting that the church came into the Christian faith, and those that remained true to the Baptist faith drew out and built Zebulon Baptist Church.
In 1887 the present building was begun with a few working, some giving kegs of nails, and others giving lumber. Mr. Colcord gave some lumber, and with other help the building was completed. Rev. Tom Harris was the first pastor of the new church, and later his son, Tom, became the pastor.
The following were members of the church when it was built:
Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Sapp, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Murrell, Mr. and Mrs. Whid- don, J. M. Arthur, Dr. J. M. Buchan. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Deffinall, Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Buchan. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Hall and family.
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EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH
The present members are:
Mrs. A. G. Williamson, Mr. W. J. Deffinall, Mrs. Alice Buchan, Hubert Buchan, Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Cannon, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Cooper, Mrs. J. S. Cooper, Herbert Cooper. Ernest Cooper, Annette Phillips, Pearl Buchan, Ruth Coleman, Sara Lou Coleman, Dorothy Coleman, Mrs. Henry Burch. Mildred Burch, Mrs. Emo- gene Manley, Mrs. Menzo Thompson, Mrs. Jim Harrell, Mrs. A. J. Wrye, Virgie Wrye, A. J. Wrye, Jr., Jeanet Wade, Mrs. M. A. Waldron, Mrs. Joe Rowland, Mrs. R. L. Revels, Mrs. Jessie Fuqua, Mrs. C. Coffee, Miss Mary Ida Sapp, Mrs. Everette Pickette.
The pastors who have served this church are:
Mr. Jackson, Mr. Davis, Dr. Brince, Mr. Oliver, Mr. E. L. Shelnutt, Mr. Bragg Mr. Mays, Mr. J. H. Wood, Mr. Blalock, Mr. C. K. Marshall, Mr. Wal- lons. Mr. S. P. Speigle, Mr. P. H. Mears, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Edmondson, Mr. Mason, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Perdue at three different times, Mr. Autry, Mr. Snow. Mr. Creedle, Mr. Sweatman, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Sipple, and Mr. F. L. Adams, who has served three different times, and who is the present pastor.
THE EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
THE EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH was organized sometime in 1871 by the Rev. H. C. Fentress, who died in 1916 and is buried at McRae. Mr. Fentress was then pastor of the Cochran Mission, one appoint- ment of which was in Telfair County. On his way between the two towns, Mr. Fentress would stop over at Eastman and hold a preach- ing service. Thus he gathered a nucleus for a church which during the year he organized. This was done in the "Sugar Creek Meeting House," which belonged to the Baptists and was located near the present negro cemetery, on the Cochran Road, in front of and across the railroad from the cotton mill. By courtesy of the Baptist Church, the Methodists continued to use the log meeting house until the court house was finished and they moved into that temporarily. Afterwards the courtesy was exchanged, for the Baptist congregation used the new Methodist Church in Eastman a few years ago when their old church was torn down and a new one was in process of erection.
Rev. E. M. Whiting, in an article in the Wesleyan Christian Advo- cate. published in 1878, on the Eastman Mission, reported four churches and one hundred and four members connected with the work. He also said, "At Eastman there are forty-four members. The people are liberal and well-disposed towards Methodism. A church house at Eastman will soon be erected." The building was probably
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
erected that year. Mr. Eastman gave the land for the church and the house then erected was used until 1910, when the present mag- nificent structure was erected and occupied.
The following is a list of pastors of the church and of the pre- siding elders in charge of the District:
1874-D. G. Pope
Pastor J. V. M. Morris
Presiding Elder
1875-W. M. C. Conley
Pastor J. V. M. Morris
Presiding Elder
1876-J. E. Rorie
Pastor J. E. Sentell Presiding Elder
1877-J. E. Rorie
Pastor J. E. Sentell
Presiding Elder
1878-E. M. Whiting
Pastor T. B. Lanier .
Presiding Elder
1879-J. R. McClesky Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1880-R. M. Lockwood
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1881-E. M. Whiting
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1882-G. C. Thompson Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1883-J. R. Crowder Pastor R. B. Lester
Presiding Elder
1884-H. C. Brewton
Pastor R. B. Lester
Presiding Elder
1885-H. C. Brewton
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1886-J. J. Ansley
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1887-T. M. Christian
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1888-T. M. Christian
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1889-E. J. Burch
Pastor E. H. McGehee
Presiding Elder
1890-E. J. Burch
Pastor W. C. Lovett
Presiding Elder
1891-G. C. Clark
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1892-B. S. Sentell
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1893-B. S. Sentell
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1894-E. A. Sanders
Pastor J. D. Anthony
Presiding Elder
1895-R. L. Wiggins
Pastor E. H. McGehee
Presiding Elder
1896-R. L. Wiggins
Pastor E. H. McGehee
Presiding Elder
1897-W. J. Robertson .
Pastor E. H. McGehee
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