USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 28
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The name of the church was changed to Sunshine II for Old Sunshine a mile south, burned by Sherman's forces Nov. 1864. (See Battle of Sunshine Church. )
Rev. Sam Jones preached the dedicatory sermon and the text was John 3-16.
There is no record of what denomination the first Sunshine Church was. It was also used for an old field school, and to this day bits of slate may be found in the soil on this location. Old letters tell of the bullet riddled logs of the old church and the capture of Gen. George Stoneman there and the base hospital for which it was used after the battle. Across the road is a hill
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called Stoneman's Hill. The reason Round Oak's Methodist church was named Sunshine is because the people who belonged to the old church are on the register at Round Oak and also many are buried in the cemetery nearby. Much of the hottest fighting began around the present church. The blinds for this church (since removed) were brought by mule team from Sa- vannah (F. S. Stewart, Sr. data) .
The writer has a copy of the letter written by Sgt. B. F. Morris from Shelby, Ohio to Jesse Hunt stating that he was one of the wounded Federals left at the Hascall's home and old Sunshine Church on July 31, 1864, severely wounded. Twenty- five years later be brought his wife and daughter back to Round Oak and visited Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hunt and preached in the new Sunshine Church and after church he went out and picked up minie balls and shells under the church and spoke of the fighting there in which he was engaged. When Sherman's army came through in Nov. 1864 he burned the old log church and field school called Sunshine one mile south.
The present church was remodeled on the inside in 1938. Two new Sunday School rooms were added in 1956. T. A. White, Supt .; Pastor, Paul Smith, 1956. Chairman Board of Stewards for twenty years : Carl C. Williams.
HADDOCK BAPTIST CHURCH
The Haddock Baptist Church was organized April 14, 1907. J. F. Cargile, J. B. Phillips and Charles C. Davidson, Jr. being elected as organizing and recognized council.
J. F. Cargile acted as chairman and Charles C. Davidson, secretary. Nine names placed on the roll formed a nucleus for membership.
The Haddock Baptists having no house of worship, the Meth- odists tendered them the use of their building which was grate- fully accepted and used for six years.
Reverend J. F. Cargile was the first pastor, serving the church two years. He was succeeded by D. P. Stamps. During Reverend Stamps pastorate of two years, a church lot was purchased for the erection of a house of worship.
In January, 1912, under the strong leadership of Reverend
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J. P. Lee, a building committee was organized, material pur- chased and actual work begun in September 1912, when the ground was broken by Mrs. C. E. Bonner removing the first shovel of dirt, C. H. Keller the second, and J. P. Lee, the third. The church was sufficiently completed for holding services on March 2, 1913 and at that time, C. H. Kellar, J. N. Holloway, J. F. Mulligan and N. P. Sammons were ordained deacons.
The building when completed was valued at $2,000.00 and against it was an indebtedness of $1,500.00.
Financial problems were settled when the Baptist State Board, came to the rescue with an oppropriation amounting to $900.00, and the balance was raised from friends of the community and different parts of the state.
November, 1917, still having no pews and being weak to the numerically and financially but strong in spirit, this little board called to the pastorate, Broadus Jones of Macon, a most zeal- ous, consecrated and inspired man of God, to fill the pulpit for two Sundays in each month at a salary of $400.00 per annum. Through the leadership and untiring efforts of Reverend Jones, pews were purchased at the cost of $762.50, and repainting the building and other expenses amounting to $200.00. Again the Methodist friends were liberal with their finances.
Sunday morning, August 11, 1918, all the indebtedness of the church having been paid, the building was dedicated to God, with sermon by the pastor Reverend Broadus Jones.
This church is located in the village of Haddock in the eastern section of the county.
There exists a membership of approximately seventy mem- bers. In this group are a faithful few who are endeavoring to carry on the work of the first little group who organized in 1907.
BETHLEHEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, JONES COUNTY
Reverend C. B. Hughes and A. H. Moore composed presby- tery constituting Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church of Jones County on September 27, 1884.
The Charter members were: L. J. Stevens, Daniel Stevens,
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Riley F. Haddock, Nina A. Barfield, Elizabeth Bonner, Mary A. Lyster, Lisey N. Rumbout, Sarah A. Bonner.
Most of these members had letters of dismission from New Salem Baptist Church.
Lewis J. Stevens was chosen first deacon and was ordained on September 28, 1884 by C. B. Hughes and A. H. Moore.
R. K. Rumbout served church as first clerk. Other clerks have been : Robert L. Valentine, Henry Newton, J. Manderson, G. W. Roberts, Lee F. Price, J. Valentine, O. L. McDaniel, L. J. Lavender, T. B. Smallwood, C. B. Stevens. Mr. Stevens has been clerk since 1918.
The pastors since organization, Sept. 27, 1884 are: C. B. Hughes, 1884; J. T. Pettigrew, 1885; Simeon Tharp, 1886- 1888; R. L. Valentine 1889; J. F. Hughes, 1890-1891 (Record in minute missiong from May 1891 to Dec. 1895) ; J. H. Estes, 1896-1905; J. J. Peeler, 1906; J. F. Jackson, 1907-1909; W. D. Dewell, 1910-1913; J. F. Pettigrew, 1914-1917; W. D. Dewell, 1918-1921; J. T. Collier, 1922-1924 (no pastor in 1925) ; R. L. Valentine, 1926; L. C. Smith, 1927; R. L. Valentine, 1928; P. M. Allen, 1929-1935 ; J. L. Reeves, 1936; P. M. Allen, 1937- 1938.
An acre of land was deeded the church by L. J. Stevens. Rob- ert Valentine presented deeds to the church and was accepted by the trustees on November 7, 1885.
On September 18, 1886 the church made application for mem- bership in the Ebenezer Association, Henry Newton, Lewis Stevens and Robert L. Valentine represented the church at the association held at Oak Grove.
Reverend J. H. Estes served the church for the longest period and during his pastorate approximately one hundred were bap- tized for membership.
The Bethlehem Church is located eighteen miles from Gray in the extreme southeast section of Jones County near the Jones, Baldwin and Wilkinson county lines.
A large church cemetery is across the road in front of build- ing. Church membership is approximately one hundred.
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GRAY BAPTIST CHURCH
The seeds of the Gray Missionary Baptist church were planted when a small Sunday School was organized in the village school house, at the inspiration of Catherine Louise Morgan, a young Christian worker.
It was on August 2, 1905 that 21 Christian men and women banded thmeselves together and organized the first church for white people in the town of Gray. C. S. McCarthy, E. W. Sam- mons, and R. W. Thoit composed the presbytery. The charter members were: M. C. Greene, E. W. Sammons, J. W. Early, Mollie Key Greene, Minnie Tufts Sammons, Mary Sammons, Lois Sammons, Ada Belle Greene and Lizzie Early from the Bradley Baptist Church, James E. Morton, Samuel Morton, William Morton, Mrs. Martha Moring, Mrs. Junnie Souther, Mrs. Annie Stewart from Elam Baptist Church, T. S. Bush, Tom Morton, Nettie Turner, Minnie Greene, Julia Green and Hattie Etheridge.
The articles of faith were adopted August 3, 1905. R. W. Thoit acted as supply minister until early 1906 when J. E. Pounds was elected pastor as an associational missionary under the state mission board. Under his pastorate a movement was started toward the erection of a church building. Land for that purpose was donated by the Jones County Land Improvement Company. Deed Book T. page 738.
M. C. Greene, J. H. C. Etheridge, J. W. Early, L. C. Mor- ton and T. S. Bush were appointed as a building committee. The foundation was laid and great progress was made toward com- pleting the building during that year. Mr. Pounds labored un- ceasingly for the building of the church. His untimely death February 13, 1907, occurred a few weeks from the completion.
The first worship service in the church was conducted by J. E. Cargyle of Macon, Ga., on March 24, 1907. In June 1907, W. H. Dodd was called as pastor with the assistance of the State Mission Board. During August of that year J. P. Lee, East Macon, conducted a successful revival in which many new mem- bers were added to the church by experience and baptism.
Credit is given Mrs. T. S. Bush for securing the lights for the building, Nettie Turner for the donation of the communion
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service set, the Woman's Missionary Society for rugs and the folding doors, Mrs. Martha Moring in purchasing and installing pews and pulpit furniture, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Jackson for silver collection plates, and Mrs. Annie Graves Stewart for securing memorial windows for Frank H. Graves and Catherine L. Mor- gan.
In 1910 the church debt was paid on the house and the build- ing was dedicated in June. Dr. S. Y. Jameson, president of Mer- cer University preached the dedication sermon.
In 1912 the church was made a half station, J. P. Lee was pastor at that time.
Broadus Jones, the young pastor of the church ordained on Sunday evening, May 14, 1916. Doctor W. L. Pickard, presi- dent of Mercer University preached the ordination sermon.
The church has maintained a Woman's Missionary Society since its organization with a record for service as good as that of the church itself.
A Sunday School has been maintained most all the time. T. H. Trice, U. S. Lancaster, J. H. C. Ethridge, M. C. Greene, J. E. Morton, M. L. Greene, Leon Souther, A. G. Jordan and R. T. Greene, have served as superintendents.
Church clerks have been, T. S. Bush, J. H. C. Etheridge, J. A. Henderson, Thad C. Greene, J. E. Morton, and U. S. Lancaster.
Ministers serving church and tenure : J. E. Pound, 1906-1907; W. H. Dodd, June, 1907; E. J. Forrester, Jan. 1908-Oct. 1908; G. W. Thorpe, May to Dec. 1909 ; J. W. Granade, Jan. to Feb. 1910; E. W. Sammons, Supply April and May 1910; J. W. Combs, June 1910-Dec. 1911; J. P. Lee, 1912-Dec. 1913 ; Z. T. Weaver, 1914-Mar. 1915; B. E. Jones, Nov. 1915-1917; L. S. Barrett, 1918-June 1919; J. P. Caston, 1920-1922; J. J. Win- burn, 1922-1925 ; Alfred Pullen, 1926-1927 ; J. J. Bennett, 1928- 1932; W. T. Bodenhammer, three months, 1933 ; J. Fred Eden, Jr., 1933.
WAYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JONES COUNTY
The seeds of the Wayside Presbyterian Church were planted when the Wayside Community Sunday School was organized in
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March 1921, at the inspiration of Miss Maud Childs; with the schoolhouse as a meeting place.
In the fall of the same year a series of evangelistic services were held by the Reverend John Goff, evangelist for the Macon Presbytery. In December the Presbytery organized a church with four members, Messrs. E. M. and H. B. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Marquess. Reverend John Goff and Reverend Doc- tor R. E. Douglas, pastor of the First Presbytery Church, Ma- con had charge of the organization services; Messrs. E. M. and H. B. Davis were appointed trustees, and ordained deasons, Mr. W. H. Marquess was elected and ordained elder, and Mrs. W. H. Marquess, pianist.
Plans for a church building were soon being made, a lot was given by a devoted member, Mr. Dorf. Barfield, plans were gratis by Mr. Elliott Dunwody, a Macon Architect, and through the influence of Mr. Goff and Dr. Douglas a thousand dollars was given by the Assembly Home Mission, this amount was more than doubled by residents of Jones County and Macon and friends of various denominations, the building was dedicated in May 1923. In the meantime a manse had been built, this being entirely financed by E. M. Davis, Sr. The Reverend E. B. With- erspoon had arrived in May 1922 and under his leadership the membership grew to thirty or more, Mrs. Witherspoon organ- ized a Woman's Auxiliary in June 1922 which has continued to function efficiently after the happy start which she gave it.
Following Mrs. Witherspoon's death in June 1923, Mr. Witherspoon left, and the church was pastorless until January 1924, when the Reverend George R. Ratchford took charge, in the summer of 1925, when he accepted another call. During the period when the church was pastorless the pulpit was often filled by Reverend Goff and by the Men's Evangelistic Club of Macon.
In December 1925, Reverend F. E. Manning accepted the call of the Wayside Church, he proved to be a wonderful Spir- itual guide, organizer and friend. In the fall of 1926 the Church voted to divide the pastor's time with Liberty Community, about nine miles from Wayside. A Sunday School was organized there and in September 1927, Liberty Presbyterian Church with Rev-
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erend J. W. Smith as the principal factor in organizing this. This Church was soon moved to Caney Creek Community, this being a better location, the name was changed to New Liberty Pres- byterian Church. For a short time the services were held in the Caney Creek schoolhouse ; however the building was soon bought and remodeled, the work was superintended by Doctor Gillian.
Under Mr. Manning's enthusiastic leadership being assisted by his splendid and beloved wife who was an Assembly Training School graduate, the church continued to grow.
In August 1933, it was decided to make an exchange of pas- tors for the period of eight months, beginning with October 1, 1933. The change was made between Reverend C. L. Landrum and Reverend F. E. Manning; Reverend Manning going to Kenly, N. C. and Reverend Landrum to Wayside.
In October 1933, Reverend Landrum became pastor of the Wayside Church for eight months, he was the Spiritual guide and leader and through his earnest efforts and those of his effi- cient and beloved wife, the work prospered.
Reverend F. E. Manning returned June 1, 1934, and was with us until last of August 1934, when he accepted another call.
In April 1935 Reverend J. M. Davis accepted the call of the Wayside Church. In 1942 he went to the Army as a chaplain. Miss Alva Byrd was a home mission worker from Ilah, Ga. J. F. Rogers of Cincinnati, Ohio contributed substantially for years, to the support of this church. E. McCall Davis was also a loyal supporter.
PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH By S. H. Griswold
Pleasant Grove Church, although situated just over the line in Baldwin county, had a large part of its membership of Jones county folks. It was organized as part of the Clinton Circuit and was in it for several years. It was first a country schoolhouse, then Rev. F. T. Christian helped raise the money to build the church. His main supporters were, Major John R. Moore, Luico Moore, Oliver Bonner, Milton Webb, Pinckney Brown, Oscar Brown, Dr. Moore, Joshua Goddard, Mrs. Harriet Morris and many others.
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This was in a fine neighborhood of good people and they had a most attractive church and well kept grounds.
Major Moore and his wife Mary were the leaders, as were Luico Moore and his good wife, Aunt Fannie Bonner good and kind and a true Christian. She ministered to the slaves as well as the whites and everyone loved her. She was the mother of Oliver, Richard Wyatt, Charlie William, and Wesley, and Mrs. Gray Andrews. Capt. Richard W. Bonner lived at Clinton, stud- ied law and was a leader there. He could play the violin, the flute and was a jolly good fellow whom everyone liked, held county offices and was a great friend of young people.
Charlie never married, Oliver was Sheriff in Baldwin County and all of the Bonner children lived up to the teaching of their mother.
Oliver and Pinckney Brown, Miss Matt Brown from Fortville (later moved to Baldwin) were all faithful members of Pleasant Grove Church.
Great services were held at this church. Major had a fine voice and led the singing in his tenor and Luico Moore had a fine bass, along with Miss Fannie Andrews, Miss Fannie Bonner and some young, folks could sing with more power, zeal and melody than any choir that I have ever heard. I can remember the Misses Lesters, Singletons, Browns, Moores, Messers. Pitts, Brown, Clarks, Lesters, Freeman, Moores, and others.
There was a horse block in front of the church, so the young ladies could mount their horses. Mrs. Penina Griswold and her daughters often came to church here.
Major John T. Moore had lived at one time on Pine Ridge where Jim Finney once lived. He had lost considerable property and moved over the Baldwin line near Haddock. He once repre- sented Jones in the legislature, and was a leader in Jones County affairs. Capt. Jack Pitts married one of his daughters, Peyton Pitts married two of them. Of his descendants are: Gus Pitts, Robert Kingman, Jr. and others, the Misses Anderson of Ma- con. I do not remember his first wife, the second was Aunt Mary, the third Miss Blow. He was an early settler to be proud of for of such men this county was made.
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The Moores were members at Fortville and Luico Moore at Bethel Church but they did support the Pleasant Grove Church. Mr. Horne gave the land for the church.
MOUNT PLEASANT CHURCH-PRIMITIVE
BAPTIST CHURCH
On September 16, 1809, Robert Carr deeded two acres of land and the timber thereon for the use of the Walnut Creek Baptist Church. This small tract is near the waters of Walnut Creek and is the site of what is now the Mount Pleasant Prim- itive Baptist Church. (Deed Book L. 382.)
Very little is known of the early history of this Church. In 1811, Walnut Creek Church formed a part of the Ocmulgee Association, and when this body met at Sugar Creek Church, Morgan County that year, R. McElroy was Walnut Creek's pastor and representative.
On September third to sixth, 1825, the Ocmulgee association convened with Walnut Creek. Elder J. Miller acted as modera- tor, and Elder Anthony, clerk. There were representatives from 44 churches and 14 ordained were present. Mission work was the matter that had much attention at this session.
Again the Association convened at Walnut Creek in 1850. The messengers for that year were William Paul and Joel Ren- froe. At that time the Church had an enrollment of 37 members. Some of these early members were Thomas J. Bazemore, J. McElroy, Zachariah Herrington, Daniel Holloman, the Gor- dons and Comers.
Additional acreage to the original two acres was made when Jacob Lewis deeded an acre to the Walnut Creek Meeting House, March 12, 1821 (Record Book L-383) and six acres from Samuel Lowther, May 4, 1833 (Record Book P. 183) .
It is thought that a log house was first used as a church build- ing, and was made from the timbers on the lot deeded the church by Robert Carr in 1809. A frame house probably supplanted the early log house, a building of that type is known to have been standing as late as 1877. The church at that time had lost all members, except Mrs. Nancy Walker and a Mrs. Barnes. These two faithful members not being able to carry on the work, dis- posed of the property by sale.
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On December 11, 1879, another church of the same faith and order was erected in a nearby community known as Three Points. This church was named Mount Pleasant and dedicated by Elder David Hitchcock. John Glover was pastor and under his leader- ship the church membership grew to approximately thirty mem- bers.
The church did not remain at Three Points for a great length of time. In 1904 L. O. Malone deeded to the church officers of Mount Pleasant, J. M. Mathews and J. M. Tyner, two and two- thirds acres of the original tract of the old Walnut Creek Church grounds. (Deed Book L. Page 442), and the Mount Pleasant building was moved from Three Points to this old lo- cation.
The present building is located across the road from the Plen- titude Missionary Baptist Church and is the place of worship for a little band of sixteen faithful members. W. H. Hancock, Ma- con, Ga., is the present pastor, S. S. Smith, Church Clerk.
GRAY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, JONES COUNTY
The Gray Methodist Church was organized in Gray immedi- ately after the little village had been made the County Seat (1905). A suitable lot was secured and the first building, a wooden house, valued at $3,000.00 was built in 1907. Architect was Reverend D. B. Cantrell, pastor of the Clinton Circuit.
Trustees of the property were: R. H. Bonner, J. W. Ander- son, and R. N. Hardeman. The building committee of three in- cluded D. B. Cantrell, F. S. Johnson and R. H. Bonner. The dedication of this church took place on April 19, 1908, by Rev- erend Dickey. Destroyed by fire January 3, 1915.
The second building is of no definite type architecture. Ma- terial, brick, plastered walls, wood floors. Seating capacity of four hundred. The belfrey on front contains a splendid bell do- nated by F. M. Stewart, Sr. of Gray, Ga. in 1916. The cost of this bell was apporximately $85.00. The bell with fixtures weighs more than 1,000 pounds.
A stained memorial window on the south side of building is erected to the memory of Captain Frank S. Johnson and his
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wife, Emily Hutchings Johnson. Inscription on cornerstone in- cludes name of F. M. Stewart, J. W. Bonner, J. T. Robins, S. B. Hungerford, W. E. Morgan, T. S. Bush as building committee. This building was dedicated August 15, 1915; consecrated Oc- tober 30, 1927.
Pastors and tenure : D. B. Cantrell, 1908; B. H. Mobley, 1909-1910; Augustus Ernest, 1911-1913; J. T. Robins, 1914- 1917; G. W. Barrett, 1918-1919; J. R. Jordan, 1920; C. T. Ivey, 1921-1924; J. F. Davis, 1925-1927; J. K. Kelly, 1928- 1929; J. H. Maxwell, 1930-1931; A. B. Sanders, 1932; R. C. Singleton, 1933-1935; L. G. Cowart, 1936-1937; O. J. With- row, 1938-1940; H. L. Mitcham, 1941.
The Methodist Church in Gray has served well the local and surrounding territory. An outstanding work has been the sup- port of a Bible Woman in China for thirty years by a small missionary group.
UNION HILL MISSIONARY BAPTIST
The Union Hill Baptist Church was organized in 1835. Land for the church was donated on April 2, 1835, by Alexander Odom. A simple frame house was erected. William Barron, Jeremiah Dumas, Roland Ross, Alexander Odom and Levin Stanford were Commissioners of Property. The first house of worship stood for many years. This building was sold to and torn down by Bill Mckissic.
The second building, a frame house was erected by the Mis- sionary Baptists. In 1922 a storm destroyed the church building. Immediately steps were taken by the community to rebuild in 1923 directed by Rev. E. W. Long, pastor. The building is of simple meeting house type wood; painted white, seating capacity 150. No special features, bell nor inscriptions.
Pastors since organization as Missionary Baptist: Washing- ton Smith, 1873-1880; E. H. Lawrence; Rev. Phelps; W. H. Arnold, 1887-1890; T. H. Grier, 1890-Sept. 19, 1904; E. W. Sammons, Oct. 23, 1905-Sept. 17, 1908; Arthur J. Jackson, Feb. 21, 1909-Aug. 17, 1910; J. N. Ethridge, Sept. 20, 1910- Feb. 18, 1911; S. F. Lowe, May 19, 1912-Sept. 22, 1913; F. E. Walker, Act. 18, 1913-Oct. 11, 1914; Rev. Massey, Dec. 11,
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1914; Aug. 8, 1915; E. W. Sammons, Nov. 17, 1915-Feb. 17, 1922; E. W. Long, Jan. 17, 1923-Sept. 21, 1930; Lonnie Jack- son, Dec. 18, 1931-Dec. 17, 1933 ; Rev. Roper, Nov. 18, 1934- March 18, 1936; Fred Delk, April 20, 1936-June 28, 1936; W. O. Brown, July 19, 1936.
PLENTITUDE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, JONES COUNTY By H. A. McKay
The building was erected in 1868. It was then known as Plen- titude Academy, one of the best schools in Jones county. The building is still in a good state of preservation. There has been preaching services at this Academy through the years at inter- vals, by all denominations.
In 1928 a Union Sunday School was organized at this place, out of which grew what is now the Plentitude Missionary Bap- tist Church. Doctor J. J. Bennett, secured a minister from the State Baptist Board for one week's revival services, and Doctor Bennett had the Gray Baptist Church, of which he was at that time pastor, to extend an arm to authorize the acception and baptism of members. Dr. W. F. Hinesly from Center hill Bap- tist Church of Atlanta, Ga., conducted these services from Au- gust 25th, through August 29, 1930, in a big fine way. Indeed this was a week filled with Spiritual Harvest. The ingathering was great, twenty-seven in number, ranging in age from 10 to 73 years.
On October 26, 1930, Dr. J. J. Bennett preached. After preaching he called the church into conference, acting as mod- erator and Mrs. C. E. Patton acting as temporary clerk.
Rev. J. R. Meek who was then studying at Mercer for his A.B. and M.A. degrees, was called unanimously as pastor of this mission on this date. Although he finished his work at Mer- cer June 20, 1932, and moved to Atlanta, to reside, he ably served in this capacity until October 1935, when he resigned to move to Oklahoma City. During the pastorate of Mr. Meek the little church thrived and many were added to its membership. After his resignation, Rev. Harry Meek, his father, then as- sumed the duties as pastor.
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