USA > Georgia > Tift County > History of Tift County > Part 21
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"Mr. Ellis is one of the most outstanding young men in the state. He is an honor graduate of Griffin High School; received his bachelor of science degree at Georgia Teachers' College, Statesboro; and is a candidate June, 1947, for his master of education degree at the University of Georgia.
He has had nine years of experience as teacher and principal in Georgia Schools. He came to Tifton in 1941 as principal, stayed one year, and then enlisted in the United States Army. He returned to the Tifton Junior High School in 1946 and has underway an exceptional program for that school ...
He has Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon with Bronze Star, American Theater ribbon, and good conduct medal. Mr. Ellis, 32 years old, is married to the former Miss Margaret Hicks Thompson, of Dublin, and they have one son, William West Ellis, seven months old."
MRS. NICHOLAS PETERSON by Ida Belle Williams
Mrs. N. Peterson (Edna McQueen) was born in Florence, Alabama, but her home until after her marriage was Nashville, Tennessee. In 1896 she came to Tifton to teach, and in 1897 married Dr. Nicholas Peterson. She has one son, Malcolm.
Mrs. Peterson has held every office in the Twentieth Century Library Club, which she organized in 1905. She was president of this club after Mrs. H. H. Tift had held the office for thirty-one years. At present Mrs. Peterson is parliamentarian of the club.
She has received local, state and national recognition for a renaissance in Tift County rural education. Mrs. Peterson conceived the idea of hav- ing the Twentieth Century Library Club adopt rural schools in Tift County and improve them. Details of this project are given in Chapter X of this book.
This educator has received many honors for her contributions to educa- tion and other worthwhile causes. She is director for life of Georgia Fed- eration of Women's Clubs, the highest honor one can attain. She is now historian for Second District Federation of Women's Clubs. She was NYA
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director for six counties during the war. The Second District Federation of Women's Clubs gave in Mrs. Peterson's honor the Edna McQueen scholarship for a worthy Second District student who wished to attend Abraham Baldwin College. Mrs. Peterson also received from the Georgia Division Field Army American Cancer Society a citation of honor and a certificate of appreciation. In 1940 she received a medal for the most out- standing club work in Second District. She is a life honorary member of Adel Women's Club. The General Federation of Women's Clubs (nation- al) at Salt Lake City, Utah, presented Mrs. Peterson a pin in recognition of her achievement. The Twentieth Century Library Club presented her a loving cup.
She is a member of Georgia Historical Society of Research, a member of Georgia League of Women Voters, on Board of Public Welfare, a member of U. D. C., and chairman of rural education. Mrs. Peterson was the first Georgia Woman delegate to Democratic Convention in New York. She served four years on Board of Education for Milledgeville School for Boys.
Mrs. Peterson has sung in the Metholist choir in Tifton for forty-five years.
In 1914 she spoke on rural education at the General Federation of Women's Clubs in Chicago; in 1916 she gave a similar address at the same type of meeting in New York.
"First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
One who has lived amidst and observed the growth and unfolding of a community such as has taken place here on our coastal plain in South Georgia, can but exclaim: "What God hath wrought!" The growth and development here has been truly wonderful. Only a few years ago this was a piney wilderness covered with wire grass. Today it is a land flowing with milk and honey. The pines and wire grass have given way to fertile fields and vineyards, with every road and highway dotted with beautiful homes and contentment, with villages and cities, and a civilization that would do credit to the foremost section of our great country, and withal a citizenry educated, refined and cultured, and prosperity abounding every- where.
But all this achievement did not just happen. It required long and tire- some days, a strong faith and indomitable courage. The way of the pioneer is always long and hard. Whether it be to pass over unknown seas and discover new worlds; to climb mountains and traverse dark wildernesses; to discover the glory and beauty of freedom to those who have long sat in darkness and been bound in chains of slavery, the pioneer's way is diffi- cult. That which makes his work doubly hard is that he is so often mnis- understood and must work alone.
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If space would permit I could name a long list of pioneer families of this section out of which came a noble strain worthy to take their place with the mighty who have brought things to pass.
These were the men who struggling against the foes of nature to free themselves from the bonds of illiteracy, saw, had faith and dreamed, and had courage to make their dreams come true. Nothing great has ever been done that was not some time a dream. Along with these were the splendid native people who caught inspiration from these men of vision and joined with them and worked for the things which we now have and enjoy.
Simultaneous with the dawn of civilization was the art of teaching; in fact, had there never been a school teacher, there would not have been civilization. Whatever has been accomplished here and everywhere has been done through education. Education is both the foundation and the means by which all noble and worthy things have been built.
There could have been no school without teachers. These faithful evangels of light came early to our section. They began their work in log cabins far back among the pines with the children of the humble. Part of their mission was to plead for the cause of education, plead for better houses and equipment, and last, for a little better pay for the arduous work they were doing. These beginnings back in the little one-room school houses were torches flashing their gleams out in the wilderness of illiteracy ; they were lighthouses on the beach of time, throwing out light to warn and guide the mind to better things. All hail to the pioneer school teacher who toiled and labored, many times without straw for their bricks, to build the noble and beautiful walls and temples of knowledge here in our Southland.
I believe Poor Richard said : "Great oaks from little acorns grow ; great streams from little fountains flow."
In our half century of progress we have come a long way, but even though the scope and character of our educational work has become broad- er and more inclusive we are still studying the needs for better homes, better citizenship, better library advantages, more money spent for education- thus the cycle comes back to a new beginning in an atomic age. We are pioneers still !
"So I speak not for myself, but for the age unknown. I caught the fire from those who went before,
The bearers of the torch who could not see
The goal for which they strained, I caught their fire,
And carried it only a little beyond ;
But there are those that wait for it,
I know, those who will carry it on to victory
I dare not fail them, Looking back,
I see those others-with their arms outstretched, Pointing to the future."
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CHAPTER XVIII
CHURCHES
THE BROOKFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
The Brookfield Baptist Church was organized on May 10, 1896. The charter members are: Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Bowen, Sr., Mrs. N. A. Bowen, Mrs. J. L. Gay, Mrs. Mary J. Gibbs, Mrs. W. E. Gibbs, Mrs. Mattie Henderson, Mrs. Melissa McCrea, Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Patten, Mrs. Willie S. Patterson, Mr. A. J. Pope, Jr., and Mrs. Dollie Reynolds. Mrs. J. L. Gay and Mrs. Mattie Henderson are the only living members of the charter group.
The Reverend J. A. Cox and the Reverend W. I. Patrick organized the church. The other ministers were: The Reverend C. M. Crowe, the Reverend T. J. Harring, the Reverend J. C. Moore, the Reverend D. C. Rainey, the Reverend L. L. Batts, who was instrumental in adding Sun- day School rooms to the present building; the Reverend W. M. Taylor, the Reverend C. W. Willis, and the Reverend Rex Whiddon. The Rever- end Albert Crowe is the present pastor.
The first church, a one-room building used for religious services and for school, is still standing. The present church, which has eight Sunday School rooms, was built in 1900.
I. W. Bowen, Jr., the only minister from the membership of this church, was ordained in 1946. He received the call to the ministry in 1943 and began last fall his courses at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TIFTON
In the early days of Tifton, a little village which grew up around a large saw mill operated by H. H. Tift, brave pioneers began to plan for a Baptist Church. In cooperation with the State Mission Board, work was begun, and by 1889 a Baptist church was established with a small member- ship but a triumphant faith.
The first pastor, C. M. Irwin, who served about a year and J. L. Under- wood, 1892-1894, were supported jointly by the Mission Board and the infant church. The first building was destroyed by fire about 1894.
In 1895, a brick building was erected during the pastorate of F. T. Snell, 1895-1896. Mr. Snell, an Englishman, was a protege of Spurgeon. It was at this time that the church became self-supporting. For five years P. A. Jessup, a distinguished gentleman with goatee, led the growing con- gregation. In 1903-1904, C. G. Dilworth was the pastor and was described as "an interesting and wide-awake minister."
The coming of Henry Miller, 1904-1908, marked the second phase in
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the development of Tifton Baptists. In his pastorate the commodious build- ing now in use was erected in 1906. It was of the latest architectural plan containing rooms for the Sunday School. In 1909-1910, A. J. Reamy, a highly educated and splendid preacher, served the church.
The longest pastorate was that of C. W. Durden, 1911-1922. The church grew rapidly and expanded its program. Friendly and forceful, Dr. Durden was greatly beloved and was given up reluctantly. In 1921, the budget was $6,000, and the membership had reached the 500 mark.
F. C. McConnel began his ministry in 1923. His youthful vigor and splendid personality added zest to the program of the church, and his pas- torate which ended in 1927, was especially fruitful. Succeeding Dr. Mc- Conley in 1928 was George C. Gibson, who served effectively until 1934. In spite of the depression years in this agricultural area, the church con- tinued to move forward under the guidance of Dr. Gibson, and the evan- gelistic fires continued to burn brightly. During this pastorate the mem- bership crossed the 900 mark.
The pastorate of F. O. Mixon, 1934-1943, marked the third stage in our history. His splendid leadership and church-wide support resulted in a great advance. An educational building was erected in 1938 to house the greatly enlarged Sunday School which had for the first time been depart- mentized. This modern plant increased the effectiveness of the Sunday School and Training Union.
The present pastor, Davis M. Sanders, succeeded Dr. Mixon in the summer of 1943. Property has been purchased for the building of an ad- ditional educational plant, and $31,000 has been raised for this project. At the last meeting of Mell Association, the church reported a membership of 1,409, total receipts for the year of $44,546.35, and property valued at $100,000.
An outstanding characteristic of the church has been the spirit of harmony and good will. Never has there been an experience of discord which has characterized many churches. Marked confidence in the leaders has been a significant factor in our progress. Complete harmony exists.
Outstanding individuals have given full support. From the earliest days consecrated manpower explains the uniform strength of the church. Such leaders as W. W. Timmons, B. T. Allen, B. T. Cole, W. H. Love, E. P. Bowen, J. D. Duncan, W. S. Cobb, Jason Scarboro, W. H. Spooner ; such Sunday School Superintendents as J. K. Carswell, Briggs Carson, I. D. Morgan, 1918-1937; E. P. Bowen, Jr., 1937 to date; and many other workers recall to our people the vital part played in the cause of Christ.
From the beginning until her death in 1936, Mrs. H. H. Tift was a mov- ing spirit whose powerful influence only God can properly evaluate. Al- though not a member, her husband fully cooperated in Mrs. Tift's desires for the church, and their large gifts through the years made possible many
TIFTON HOUSES OF WORSHIP Top row-First Presbyterian Church. Bessie Tift Chapel (Cotton Mill). The first church built in Tifton.
Center row-Brookfield Memorial Methodist Church. First Baptist Church. Bottom row-First Methodist Church. St. Anne's Episcopal Church.
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accomplishments. From the first, there has been a Missionary Society, and until her death, Mrs. Tift was its honored president. Her memory will ever be a motivating power in the church. Beyond the community her in- fluence was felt, for Bessie Tift College was named for her.
The church has sent forth four young men to serve as pastors: R. Davis Carrin, James M. Windham, Willis Hollingsworth, Robert H. Culpepper, and two young ladies for full time Christian service, Miss Eula Heard Windham and Miss Frances Allen.
In addition to Davis M. Sanders, the church officers are E. P. Bowen, Jr., S. S. Superintendent ; H. G. Petty, Training Union Director ; Fred Bell, Chairman of Deacons; Mrs. H. G. Petty, W. M. U. President ; Miss Dora E. Solomon, Educational Director, and Mrs. Sewell C. Holland, church secretary.
-Church Historian
CHULA BAPTIST CHURCH by H. D. Webb
Chula Baptist Church was organized on October 8, 1922 by the Reverend G. C. Rainey. The names of pastors who have served the church since its organization are W. T. Bodenhamer, Rex Whiddon, J. A. Skel- ton, Ashbery Burrell. The value of the church property was $5,000. Services are held semi-monthly. The present pastor is Ashbury Burrell, and church clerk is George W. Pearman.
TY TY BAPTIST CHURCH by H. D. Webb
Ty Ty Baptist Church was organized in 1890 by the Reverend Blitch. The value of the church property now is $2,500. Services are held on the first and third Sundays. Pastors who have served the church since its organization are G. J. West, J. S. Sauls, George F. Clark, C. E. Walters, V. F. Johnson, A. W. Thompson, D. C. Rainey, Jeffry W. Jones, W. T. Bodenhamer, Hamilton Daniels and T. H. Matthews, who is now pas- tor. Grady Jones is church clerk, and Mrs. Grady Jones, assistant church clerk. The Reverend D. C. Rainey served the Ty Ty church seventeen years in succession.
ZION HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH by H. D. Webb
Zion Hope Baptist Church was organized in 1877 by the Reverend W. W. Webb and Isaac Hobby. The pastors who have served since the organi-
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THE OLD-TIME RELIGION
Three scenes from a baptizing following a revival at one of Tift County's rural churches.
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zation are Wiley Pipkins, S. E. Blitch, George F, Clark, Frank Cox, P. A. Jessup, Floyd Hobby, D. C. Rainey, J. C. Cochran, George C. Gibson, and F. F. Barbre. The present pastor is D. C. Rainey and church clerk, Mrs. Seth Kelley. The value of the church property was $1,800. Church services are held monthly.
BESSIE TIFT CHAPEL
Bessie Tift Chapel, erected by the Methodists in 1889 and sold to H. H. Tift in 1901 when they built a new church, is the oldest house of worship in Tifton. Mr. Tift moved the building to the cotton mill, named it for Mrs. Bessie Tift, his wife, and invited all denominations to use it for worship.
Later deciding this plan was not best, Mr. Tift in 1902 deeded the land and building to the First Baptist Church of Tifton. For some unknown reason the deed was not recorded until 1924.
There is no record of preachers until 1911 when the Reverend Dave Rainey, who preached there for fourteen years, was pastor; the Reverend Banks Allen preached from 1925-1929; the Reverend Tom Matthews. from 1929-1931; the Reverend Banks Allen from 1931-1935; the Rever- end Willis Hollingsworth, 1935-1939; the Reverend Banks Allen, from 1939-1941 ; the Reverend T. W. Snider, 1941-1942; the Reverend C. W. Willis, 1945-1947 ; the Reverend T. W. Branch is the present pastor.
THE HISTORY OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE TIFTON PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH (Dr. L. A. Baker)
The beginning of the history of the Tifton Primitive Baptist Church has a rather wide geographical distribution; which in order to give, it will be necessary to set forth part of the history of two other churches, namely, Old China Grove, located about a mile and a half southwest across War- rior Creek from Poland, Georgia, and Corrinth Church at Ty Ty, Geor- gia.
In the 1870's there moved to Ty Ty Station two brothers, William W. and W. Edwin Williams with their wives-sons of Elder Ezekiel J. Wil- liams who was a very famous Primitive Baptist preacher living on a farm on the site of what is now the town of Sparks, Georgia. These two sons and their wives brought letters from churches in that section. Some time during the 1880's, these four, together with Elder I. P. Porter, his wife, and others, revived the church which had gone dead at Old China Grove.
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For several years, they prospered there as a church during which time Joseph J. Baker joined and was baptized.
A few years later, by mutual consent, the China Grove Church dis- solved and moved to Ty Ty, where they had themselves constituted into a new church called Corrinth. W. Edwin Williams gave the land on which the church now stands. William W. Williams gave and cut the timber off his farm into lumber to build the church. Much of this lumber was hauled to Poland to the planing mills to be remilled for the construction of the building.
This church prospered for many years. Sometime along about 1900, Mrs. Joseph J. Baker joined and was baptized into the fellowship of this church.
About this time, there was a heavy movement of settlers from middle Georgia to this section; from among whom, Corrinth Church received the following splendid members: Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Davis from Newton County-Mr. Davis bringing a letter from Shoal Creek Church and Mrs. Davis from Harris Springs Church-Mrs. J. W. Hollis from Newton County with a letter from Harris Springs Church. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. W. Lyons and Mr. and Mrs. F. Z. Dumas from Upson County bringing letters from Sharon Church. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Davis from Morgan County in 1904, uniting with Corrinth Church in 1905 by baptism. Also in 1904, Mr. and Mrs. S. N. Poole came from Fulton County with letters from Mars Hill Church in Forsyth County.
In October 1905, Dr. L. A. Baker, then a medical student at the begin- ning of his second year in college, joined Corrinth Church and was bap- tized. Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Spillers came to Corrinth Church with letters about this same time.
Most of these middle Georgia people settled in and around Tifton. In 1911, Dr. Baker moved from Ty Ty, where he settled after coming out of college, to Tifton to practice medicine. A few years later, Elder J. T. McArthur of Cordele, Georgia, began to hold services off and on in Tif- ton. Finally in 1916, the following members asked for letters of dismissal from Corrinth Church in order to form a church at Tifton: W. E. Wil- liams, Mrs. W. E. (Katie) Williams, J. J. Baker, Mrs. J. J. (Sarah) Baker, Dr. L. A. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Spillers, Minnie Spillers, Mr. and Mrs. F. Z. Dumas, Roy, Alene, and Gladys Dumas, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. W. Lyons, Mrs. Fannie C. Long, Mrs. Annie M. Hollis, Carolyn Hollis, and Mrs. S. N. Poole.
This left Corrinth Church with an active membership and they are carrying on to this day. Elder J. T. McArthur of Cordele, Georgia, is the present pastor.
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CONSTITUTION OF THE TIFTON PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
On November 30th, 1916, Elders J. T. McArthur, J. M. Thomas, J. E. Spillers, W. H. Crouse, and A. V. Sims met with the constituting broth- ers and sisters for the purpose of constituting them into a church of Christ. The above mentioned ministers organized into a presbytery-electing J. T. McArthur as moderator and Elder A. V. Sims, clerk. They examined let- ters from Corinth Primitive Baptist Church at Ty Ty, Georgia, and found letters duly in order. They proceeded to constitute the above men- tioned members into a church of Christ, located in Tifton, Georgia. Elder W. H. Crouse delivered the charge to the church, and there were talks by Elders Thomas and Sims.
After the constitution of the church, they had no church home. The Presbyterian Pastor and Elders were approached for the use of their church house until such time as the young church could procure a place and build a church. This request was very graciously granted on the part of the Presbyterian Church and a very nominal fee was charged to cover only incidental expenses. For this Brotherly gesture of the Presbyterian Church of Tifton, the Tifton Primitive Baptist Church will ever be grate- ful.
On January 7th, 1917, the church met in conference, and by unanimous vote called Elder W. H. Crouse to serve them for the year 1917. Elder Crouse accepted and served the church for sixteen consecutive years- during which time the church had a phenominal growth, baptizing many members among whom were many of the prominent people of this section of the state.
After looking around, the church members found two lots on the corner of Tift Avenue and Fourth Street, which belonged to the City of Tifton, on which stood the Old Tifton Academy. These lots were purchased from the city of Tifton for $1,500-the city removed the old academy building.
Each member subscribed generously of his or her means toward the building fund for a church. With that subscription as the basis, they went to the business people of Tifton for subscriptions and met a most generous response.
Mr. Charles Fulwood, architect, was employed to draw plans for the church. Mr. Spooner, a well known builder in Tifton at that time, con- tracted to build the church which was done as speedily as possible. The building, with the furnishings and piano plus the lot, cost $13,500.00.
On April 7th, 1918, with a very impressive program, the dedicatory service was held in the new church. Dr. Baker gave a history of the mem- bership of the church and the reasons for organizing a church in Tifton. Elder Crouse read the church covenant and articles of Faith, with appro-
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priate remarks, and then gave opportunity for remarks by others of the church and congregation. Appropriate talks were made by W. E. Williams, Dr. L. A. Baker, Elder J. T. McArthur, Professor J. C. Scarboro, prin- cipal of Tifton Schools, Reverend Warren Watson, pastor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Dr. J. M. Price and Professor J. M. Thrash, principal of the Agricultural School. At this meeting, upon the opening of the doors of the church, Mrs. N. E. Lawrence, wife of Elder R. A. Lawrence who lived on the Brookfield road, and Mr. W. Jelks Warren were received by letters-Sister Lawrence from Turner Church and Brother Warren from Hickory Springs Church. Sister Ethel Warren joined by experience and baptism. So, the new church was well launched on its way; the minutes and proceedings of which are on record.
It is desired by the narrator that this history be put on the minutes of the church, if agreeable to the church, and that, from time to time, his history be read to the members of the church down through the ages.
The original members of this church gave of their time, and means, and prayers, and tears, that this church might stand, by the will of the Lord, through many years; that those in this community who love the story of salvation by grace and of the atonement of Jesus on the Cross, might have a place to worship. The only reward sought by them was that this doctrine and this order might be kept pure and unsullied, and that this house and grounds might be held sacred, as dedicated by them, to the worship of God. It was their hope that those of future generations who cast their lot here would appreciate and love this church as they did; always keeping it in good repair and thanking the Lord for those who went before and built this home for them.
May the blessings of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit ever be with those who follow to guide them in the ways of sound doctrine and truth and righteousness.
October 12th, 1946
Dr. L. A. Baker, Narrator.
ST. ANNE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Second Oldest Church Building in Tifton by Latrelle Tift Rankin
Simple beauty greets a visitor, always welcome, as he enters St. Anne's. Many exclaim and compare this lovely little church, whose doors are al- ways open, to the similarly simple but far more famed "Little Church Around the Corner" in New York City, and the "Wee Kirk of the Heather" or "Little Church of the Flowers" in Los Angeles.
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