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HIS TOR Y

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R E W HO P E

U NIT E D

MET HOD 1ST

C H U R C H

OCTOBER. 1984

1

New Hope Me~hodist Church received two and three-fourth acres of land ~eptember 8,18'5 froll.r;lizabeth Allen to ThoVlas W. Harris, Peter Wolf, David Nolley, Claiborne Trussell, David Grant, Joseph Wolf, and James Findley, truste~s of the Church. The Church is located in Henry County, seven ~iles northeast of Locust urov~, Georgia. On October ~9, 1902, the c~uTch ~as added to by a lot of one acre, given by Doctor J.A.C.Wynn, ·to the trustees of New Hope Church. During recent years New Hope Church bought an addi tional acre of land to be us~d for cemetery lots fro~ Mr. W. T. Kelley, paying one hundred dollars ($100.00) tor same. The entire land now oViDed by the church was increased by about one acre to be used for a parkinelot. This was ~iven

by Mrs. W. J. SaG-ler, on Nov. 15,19'(2. 1:his brings the entire ac re age owned by the chu rch to almos t six ac res of land. at present.

New Hope Cemetery is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the county. As evidence of this, one of the oldest markers is a Miss. Bi,ins, who died in 18~7. Approximately one-half of ~he

old part of the cet"le te ry contains graves of mem and boys who taught a skirmish with Sherman's mell about ~he Iliddle of the eUl1mer of 1864. They were burriecl where the:{ fell. She!'lTlan's lI1em Ilarche d on to Jackson an:! Savannah.

Nothing definite is known about the church frOM the of its beginning until 1089. We do find in fhe History of Henry County that on December, in the early 1899's, New Hope JSpiscopal CampJ?:round Tlas incorporated. There v:ere three trustee3; n~ely: Alex usborn, Daniel Nolley, and Zacharia~ Tho~ason.

None of the charter members are living, but some of the older ~embers have tolQ us the earliest place of worship was a Brush Arbor.

So far as is known, New Hope Congnep,ation has worshi~ped

in only three church bUildings. When the first fra~e house was built is not known. But older ~ember5 remember that it faced the cemetery and some of the earliest graves were in the church yard.

This first church was used for public school during the week and for worship services on week-ends. ihus serving dual purposes. When it was decided to replace this building With a new church, the old bUilding ~as moved across the road to be us~d excusively for a school. For a number of years it was a one room school house, but after several years ano~her.room

was added. and also Q. porch across the entire front of the bUil<1ing.

One teacher did all the teaching even after the new room was added. Eventually the school grew ~oo la~F,~ for one \eacher, then it bec~me a ~wo teacher school. Among the earliest teachers were: M~. Compton, Mr. Levi Thurman or Thurston, ~iss. Nellie Maddox, Mr. Lewis Gahr, Miss. Ruth Jinks, Miss. Trella Castellaw, ~iss. Rosebud Gahr, Miss. PeRrI Jranklin.

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Peeksville Academy was 10cate1 a~out one mile southeast of the present church. No records sho~ how long it lasted.

The second church Ttas also frame buildln~ built ~uring the sum~er of 1902. It had a seating capacity of (300) three hundred. The total cost of this building was lS50) Fifty dollars. W~. R. F. Burford, one of the stewaris of the church fave t~e timber to make the lwnber. The members of the church con tri bute'~ free labor. The value of this bUildint: from 1902 - 1940 "as ($3000) three thousand dollars.

with the passing of time, an1 changeF being made in the groffth of the CO'1lmuni ty, the nee1 for an EJucational Buil~ ing came to the attention of the church. In 19~~, the Quarterly Conrerence~ave New Hope pennission to build an e:lucational buildin~. The first money for this building ~as deposited that same year. On September ~O, 1956, New Hope nas ma1e ~o feel that it had reached another milestone for the educational building was completed an1 dedicate1 that year by Rev. Hoke Sewell, District ~uperintendent.

This building 1s or concrete-block, size 3~ feet by 50 feet. There are four class rooms, a kitchen, and a recreational area. In 1974, ki~chen cabinets here a~ded. The approximate cost of this bUilding ~a9 ($3000) three thousan1 dollars. The cost woul~ have been ~reater, but most of the labor was again done by memberll of the church,. An1 the paint and much of the materials were donated.

Beginninl! in 1950, and tnrou~':h 19',2 the ch'J.rch bU1l:!ing began un~eL' going remo-:'!elling and improvements. l'irst, a nen floor was put in the church. Then, a new roof on one side of the bUl1ding. Since the church had ~ulte a fe~ trees on its property, they nere cut, sa~ed and use1 for the ~emo'elling. The labor was contribute1 by members of the church an~ community.

In 1954, gas heat nas a1de1, nith four ~ase heat~rs in the auditorium. In 1960, the inside of the auditorium remodelled for a cost of ($3000.00) three thousand dollars. In 19b8, central heat nas ad de~- at a cos t of \ $450) four hund re1 and fifty dollars. New pews were installed for ($2000) t"O thousand 10ll~rs. ~any pews were donated in me~ory of loved ones. Staine1 ~lass "1ndo~s

were al so donatee.. and the floor v:-as caL"pe~e1 tha t year. In 19'/1, a neTt piano was purchase1 for ($900) nine hun,-,-.i-e,..l 10llars. In 1972, a nen pump was put into a '/fell on the property of C. B. NorsY{orthy.This cos~ was ($235) tTlO hundred thirty-five dollars.

In 197~, Ne~ nope unite~ Metho~lst Church ~as in the Griffin Dlstri~t, Locust Grove Cha~ge. But according to 011 records and mimutes, the church ~as in Lhe South Atlanta District in lb95.'

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Thp- official roll of the church at th3t time ~as:

R. F. Burfor~ Trus tee anti S te?tar1. Dr. J. A. C. Wynn Trustee ~ •. S. Rape Trus'tee-· L. B. Gahr Trustee S. A. Tollerson Steward ~. R. Wilkins Stewaro J. R. Cowan Church Secretary

According to the record:!!,. the pastors for ~he South Atlanta District were as follo~s:

Rev. M. H. Dillari 1889 - 1090 Rev. R. A. A. Eakes 1890 - 1892 Rev. J. S. Aikew 1893 - 1895

On November '2, 1896, the fourth Quarterly Conf~re!lce of the Jenkir.sburg Cha~~e was hel~ at Worthville Church in Butts County. At this ti~e N~~ Ho~~ Church nas on the Jenklnsbur~ Char~e. The four churches on the charge l)ere: Jenkinshurf" Stark, Ne" Hope, an~ Worthville. The follo~1n~ amounts Rere contributej at this conf.erence:

Jenkinsburg $25.15 Stark 82.25 Heft Hope ,~. 30 Worthville 22.70

The pastors for the Jenkinsburg Charge were:

Rev. B. Sand.ers 1896 - 1898. Rev. J. W. Hunt 1899 Rev. J. M. MJers part of 1900 Rev. L. H. Green

From past records, we find New Hope Church wa~ put on Locust Grove Charge ~uring the year 1900, an~ the pa~tor 01 ~he charge was Rev. J. M.Fowler, ~ho served in 1900 - 1901.

For reasons unknown to any of us today Neu Hope Church reappearea on the Jenkinsburg Charge during the year 1903, and the pastor at this time ",as neVe J. O. Eran~. The pastor in 190~ ­1905 Rev. Walter Millican aniin 1906 Rev. W. R. Stil~ell.

In 1907, Nen Hope Church was droppe~ from the Jenkinsbur~ Charge anri again came on the Locust Grove Charp;e, Griffin District. There "ere four churches in all for several years: New Hope, Mt. Bethel, Philctelphia, ani Locust Grove.

J'lnruary 19~8, the four churches of the charf=!e, under the lea1ership of Rev. J. B. Ward, butlt an eip,ht room brick parsonage, 10cate·1 in Locust Grove, Ga. The lot for this parsonage "as donated by C. D. Lln~sey. a member of the .Locust Lrrove Church. The parsonage "as de~jcate-;! by ,Bi.ahop Arthur J. Moore in May 1949. The value o~ the bu:il~ln~ an1. grourds "ere at that time, $15,000.

At the Fourth Quarterly Cor-fere:Jce he11 at New Hope, May 26, 1957, a change was caie in the Locust Grove Char~e. Mt. Bethel Church sa" fi t to fti th1 raT!' from the Charge and become half-time Church. Mt. Bethel and Turner's formed a new Charge. So at the Annual North Georgia Conference in June 1957, a nen pastor, Rev. Grant Hinsh~", came to this nel( charge.

Locust Grove Charge then consiste'J of three-- churches: Locust Grove, Philadelphia, and New Hope.

We have no record o~ when the first Sun~ay School "as organize~. According to minutes in 1895, there ~~s a Sunday School and G. G. Lebuin was superinten~ent ani held the of.fice contir;uously until November 19~-1. He resigne1 anc Harollt COflan nas electe~ superintendent ann held the office until December 1942. '.'/hile Harolt'l Co""an served in the Army. Jessie nay Thompson served. Harol1. Cowan nas re-electe1 in 19~"'. Ne:xt, Royce O. Miller nas electe1. He served until 1960, but then he asked to be relieved of his ~uties. The ~ranford James ~as electe1 ani serve1 until 1962. Crawford Ja1l1es n-as replaced by J. R. Hol~er who serve., from 1962 - 1965. Robert W. Tho~pson ~as chose~ as assistant superintenclent in 1963 - 1971. J~ L. Thompson ""as elected' Church School Superintendent for 1965 - 1968. "Sj\Tin L. Lynn served from 1968- 1971. Robert N. Thompson serve:1 from 1971­1972. ~ouglas Hol~er servp.a from 1972 - 1978. William Presley was· chose~ asristant in 1972 - 1974. Mrs Bobbie Stone was chosen assist~nt 1975 - 1978. Randall Le~is Carver ~as elected in 1979 ­

.• Mrs. \Varren Holder ,,!is chosen assistant superintendent in 1979 - •

No record has been kept of the ~unnaJ School, but today shows an increase in atten1ance and. amounts of money p3.id to all causes. T01ay in 1982, there are an a1ult Sunday Schoo~ Class, taught by Elsie Childs, and six othercliisses. arranged according to ages. There are six classroo~s in the basement of the nen chu reh plus a nu rse ry. To :1 a,)' 's ave rage at ter..dance at Sunday School would be about fifty-five.

Records of the Church's ~embership iurin~ the early beginning l'Iere hard to ascertain. In 1895 there were about 166. In Septembe r 1956 the re fie re abou t 146. In 1<]62, tile re we re abou t 140. Accor1ing to the 'iirectory of 1973, there Yl'ere 123 melilbers. The latest directory, compiled on November 17, 1982, shows a listing of 109,. Many of these are non-resinent.

The first missionary society of New Hope was organizeo in 19'9. Mrs. G. G. LeGuin "as the first presic_ent. Recor1s do not show exactly ho~ much the first society paid, but we do know that each member contributed at least ten cents per month. The first society lasted only one year. In 19~7, un1er the le~dership of R~v. and Krs. ~u~ene Drinkard anot~er society was organized, w. S: C. S. (Womens' Society For Christan Services.) In 1952, there \'Tere fourteen meTlbers on roll. That year ($101.16) one hundred one dollars ant sixteen cents ",-as given to all causes. In 1956, there were twenty-five members. In 1962, Lois Holder was the president. Nor. in 1975, the society is kno~n w. M. U. (Wo~enls Missionary union) with an active membership of about twenty-five. At the present time in 1983, the society is called u. M. W. (Urtited methoiist ~omen.) ~rs. Velma M. Myers is the present president.

~here are al10ut eiRhteen members. 'the Youth of New Hope have been organize1 for several years, even back to the days of Ep~orth Leag1..le. T01ay 1962, the Sunday evening mee tings are known as the Sunday ~venlne Fellowship. This same yp.ar, the Church started an adult class of Sunday Evening Fellowship. Now in 1975, the group is called Y. M. U. (Youth Methodist Union.) Mrs. Russell Craig is the leader. Mrs. Randall Carver and Mrs. Ed. Bell also helps rrith the younger children. 'i

For a wh ile these you tas have had charge of the se rvice on each Fi fth Sunday. The p rOE: rams we re au i te imp ress i ve ana. we re such good training for t~e young people.In 1980 under the leadership or one of our recent pastors, Rev. Sidney Vfuite~an, the Acolyte progr~m was instituted. This pro~ra~ allo~s young people to get involved ~it~ the Church. The participation is ~reat hecause children like to belong. These youths have many respon~ibilities

because they are altar attendants. They playa major role in the Sunday morning service. Such as lighting the canlles, c~rryl~g. the Bible to the pulpi t and ass is ting rd th Bap tism. Often acolytes p~rticlpate in special occasions, such as weddings. They are promo~ed by taking part in thes~ activities. The candles have been used since the time ot Christ, as a SyMbol of his bein~ on earth. The acolyte pro~ram has added a new dimension to our worship.

An.other recent improvement in our Church consists of two donations. The first is an outdoor bulletin boar1 set on the front canpus. It was donatej by Mrs. Ghu Thompson in memory of her late husband.

The other is an indoor attennance board given by Mr. Ho~ard

.Eaker, public school superintendent, in memory of tr.rs. Walter Thompson.

As times ch~n~e so does the Church. In 1957, the charge started using associate pastors to preach an~ work ~ith the young people. Here is a list of the Associate Pastors:

Rev. Leo Rape Rev. Ronald Ballard Rev.Buj(~y HOlVard Rev. Chuck B~ncroft Rev. Chuck Hunter

o

Rev. Robert Alston Rev. Rotert Anthony Rev. Pie rce No rman Rev. Ed(He Foy Rev. Harry Wood Rev. Ray K. Smith

Rev. EQ1ie Foy may be claimed as belonp,ing to ~er. Hope since he joineJ the church here ~nile he ~as associate pastor.

For the, uast several yellrtJ, the four Churches on the Charge have had a eh;fue Lay~en's nay. At these ~eetings ~e have several church .L,'3..y me n meet l'tlth us. Among them being P. Y. Lutne:!' and G. Avon Gaston.

Mr. Ed i'ri n L. Lynn lI'3.S ce rti fie d lay s-pea'ke r from New Hope Church. !-Ie is also riorking 'ri th the Gideon Bible Society.

During ~ne years, New Hope has been prlvileged to send out four pastors: Rev. J. 'N. O. r-,:cKibben, Rev. J. R. Tho7'rlpson, and Rev. J. W. Miller, all three to the North Georgia Conference. Rev. Charles R. McKiboin was sent ~o the South Georgia Conference.

Goinq back in ,i~e tQ the night of October 28, 1974, the old !ra~e church burned. Evidence indicated that it was deliberately set. The suP?osition, for its being set, was due to meetings field in the church to form a cttizens' group to oppose the building of an airport in thl~ Southeastern section of Henry County. The church ~long with other churches, uould h~ve hpd to be destoI"Jerl. Naturally, there 'WAS stronp: opposi tion to the airport for this section•.

With the $15,000 insurAnce, $3,000 from the Methodist Conf­erence, ~nd many generous donptions, ?nd hprd ~nd faithful work bJ the members of the Church R new brick church w~s constructed near the old location. This new builc.ing consists of a brick-veneer for the upper floor, and concrete block ~nd. brick-venecer ror the lower floor and basement area. The upper floor hrts a auditorium, pulpit, choir loft, R sm,qll ~nte-room, left of t~e pulpit and one rest room. There is wall - tc- 'wall carpeting, central, air-co~dit,ioning and heAt, and an inter-com system. Also two ro~s of long p~~s with a wide center aisle.

The lovyer floor consists of si x Sunday School rooms, and kitchen space, two restroorns, furnace and air eeruipment."Thts building is well laid out, of A-I construction and a credit to the New Hope united Methodist Congregation." This is a ouote made by T,K. 'Nhite and F. S. Crum'hly, real estate aGents. A.fter careful inspection and consider~tion of this buildin~, the above two realtors gave their oplnion of a fair market value to be $95,160.00.

Under the able leadership of Rev. Ed. L. Eoye Pastor, the Church was near enough completed to be Consecrated on October 12, 1975. This in itself was a great accomplish!l1ent to be able to do so much in only one year. Rev. ~d. L. Boye aslo preached the 11 0' clock HOIfJecoming sermon o.Yl the s~,me date.

In 1979, New Hope put $1700 worth of carpet in the basement, and $300. worth of folding doors between Sunday School rooIP. and xi tchen.

Following Rev. Ed. L. Boye was Sidney Whiteman. He served the three churches frem 1976 - 1980. Rev. Harry Wood was associate pastor from 1976 - 1982.

During Hev. Sidney ~nite~ants years of service at New Hope, Philadilphia, and. Locust urove,· it was decided by Locust Grove to wi thdraVi from the charge and go full time. This left Ne\'I' Hope, and Philadelphia to form ~ chRrge. When the two churches were left as a sep~rate Charge, the had to have a p~rsonage. This parsonage is located at McDonou~h, on Bon Air ~riYe. The entire cost of the parsonage was $~5,000. The shares for each of t~e two Churches was $22,500. The members ~ere given seven ye~rs to pay for it.

But due to the generosi ty of charter menbers 0 f Philadelphia. Mr. and ~rs. A. O. Sowell, who beruested a tidy sum of Money for the purpose of bui11ing a parsonage, the conere~ation of Philadelphia, was able to pay for their share ir.mediately. Through the contri butions of New Hope members only $7500 had to be borrowe1 on our church, on May 18,1982. We were able to pay the debt of! on Aug. 2, 1982. By our ability to payoff the debt in such a short time, the interest amounted to only $86.57. Col. l!lrnest m. Smi th sertrched the New Hope Church Ti tIe, and, also provided the securty loan deed, for free.

Mr. Tom ~llis was Rlso ~enerous in handling the CLosing of the parsonage, free or charge. The new p~lrSOnage was dedicated on Sept. 26, 1982•.Bishop Joel D. rfJcD8.vid and Rav. Frank Jenkins, Superintendent of the Griffin District were in ch~ree of the dedication ceremony. Uany members of both churches were present for this momentous occasion.

The same beginning on Aug. 9, 1982, a study ~as provided for the new pastor. There was space ~t the New Hope Educational Building for this study. This room includes carpeting, drapes, book shelves, air-conditioning and heat. Two chgirs were upholstered, and were fe8.ther pFl.inten, ani the ceilin~ stiple1. The cost would have have been g~eater but a~ain a few faithful members did much of the work. 'The entire cost was about ~1200. This meant th3t New Hope and Phila1elphia each paid about $600.

In l{.3,rch 01' 198~ the church decided to build. a raJl10 to .accommodate the elderly and handicapped. 'The cost was $1,650.00. ­

Now, at tne present time in 1984, y,·e are pruud of our Church, and tne nork we have teen able to accomplish.

The following is ~ list of the pastors And Presiding Elders or District Superinten1ents who h~ve served from 1889 - 198~:

PRSSIUnm ELDERS or DATES DIS TRIeT SUPT. PASTORS

1. 1889 - 1890 Rev. M. H. Dillard

,.2. 1890 - 1892 Rev. R. A. Eakes 189, - 1895 ReT. J. S. Aske"

4. 1896 - 1898 ReT. :B. Sanders 5. 1899 - ReT. J. s. Hunt 6. 1900 - (pa.rt of 1900) Rev. J. M. Myers 7. Rev. L. H. Green 8. 1900 - 1901 Rev. J. M. Fowler 9. 190' - 1904 ReT. J. o. Brand 10. 190~ - 1905 Rev. WaIte r Nii IIi can 11. 1905 - 1906 ReT. w. R. Stilwell 12. 1908 - 1909 J. H. Eakes, Sr. Rev. A. F. Ward 13. 1910 - 1911 J. H. Eakes, Sr. Rev. w. J. DeB:::l.rJleben 14. 1912 - Fletcher W;alton Rwv. F. R. Smith 15. 191' - 1914 Fletche r Wetl ton Rev. L. L. Lan1rull1 16. 1915 - Fletcher walton ReT. J. J. Copelan 17. 1916 w. L. Pierce Rev. J. J. Copelan18. 1917 - 1918 w. L. Pi erce H.eT. H. L. Byrd19. 1919 Luke Johnson Rev. D. A. McBrAyer20. 1920 - 1922 Luke Johnson Rev. D. P. Johnston 21- 192} J. H. Eakes, Jr. ReT. D. P. Johnston 22. 192~ - 1925 J. H. Eakes, Jr. Rev. W. E. Brown 2,. 1926 J. H. EA.kes, Jr. ReT. J. L. Varner 2~. 1921 L. M. Twigf;S ReT. J. L. Varner 25. 1928 - 19'0 .1. M. Tl'liggs ReTo R. H. Tillber1a]c. 2b. 19;)1 w. L. Duren ReT. H. M. Strozier 27. 19'2 - 193~ ON. T. Hunnicutt ReT. H. A. McNeil 28. 1935 - 1938 w. M. Ttiggs ReT. Jesse Warwick 29. 1939 w. M. Twiggs HeT. R. c. Shea &

ReT. J. H. Hager 30. 1940 R. L. Russell ReT. J. w. King 31. 1941 - 19~2 R. L. Russell Rev. E. F. M2.rtin 32. 1942 - 194' R. L. Russell ReT. A. E. Purviance

". 1943 M. M. Maxwell H.ev. Nath. ~'holflpson

34. 1944 - 19~5 M. M. Max~ell & A~ N. Pierce ReT. E. T. Drinkari 35. 1945 19~'( P2.ul A. 'l'urner HeT. E. DrinkardJ,.

3b. 19~7 - 19~8 Paul A. 'lurne r ReT. J. H. Ward 37. 1948 - 1950 Paul A. Turner ReT. J. B. Ward 38. 1950 Henry H. Jones Rev. w. C. .ciamby, Jr 39. 1950 - 1951 Henry H. Jon~s Rev. C1y:ie A. Blacks 40. 1951 - 1952 Henry H. Jones Rev. Cly:~e A. Blackstock 41. 1952 - 1955 Henry H. Jones & Hoke Sewell Rev. Wilton S. Holst ~o2. 1955 - 1958 Hoke Serle 11 J. H::iro1d Tucker ~c. 1958 - 1961 J. C. callaway Rev. R. R. B~ke r, Jr. 4~. 1961 - 1962 J. C. Callaway ReT. 'llnan Maxey, Jr. 45. 1962 - 196~ J. c. Callaway ReT. Juel Sealey

, . DATES

~6. 1964 - 1965 47. 1965 - 19b8 48. 1968 - 1969 49. 1969 - 1972 50. 1972 - aied 5L 1972 - 1976 5~. 1976 - 19805,. 1980 - 1982 54. 1982 - 1983 55. 198~ ­

The history of the and 1984.

PR~S IDING EL1)ER OR DISTRICT SUPT. PASTORS James JaJ.1es J rlll e ti

M. Moore M. Moore 1.1 • Moo re

ReT. HeT. ReT.

Nat Lone; William Kirby Luther Porter

Frank CrawleyNeal Winiom

ReT. ReT.

Don Clark Thomas F. Ellis

Neal windoll J!'rank Jinkins Frank Jinkins

Rev. ReT. Rev.

Edward L. Boye Sidney Whiteman TOil Clark

JaMes James

Thompson 'fholllpson

ReT. Rev.

James Wbitner C.L. Harris

church was revised April of 198,

Lucie Wynn Craig Rebert (Bobby) W. Tho~pson Historian an1 Records