Dade County History Book

NEW ENGLAND METHODIST CHURCH The New England Methodist Church has had a varied and interesting history. Courthouse records, Trenton, Georgia, show that Ex-Governor Roswel Farnham of Vermont and his wife Mary deeded Lot No. 1, Block 82, on Massachusetts, Avenue, to Thomas Cummings, H.V. Taylor and W.G. Morrison, Trustees of the New england Episcopal Church, South. The deed executed March 1, 1898 in Orange County, Vermont was recorded in Deed Book “M” pp. 598, 599 and 600, in the Trenton Courthouse, April 5, 1898, J.R. Acuff, Clerk. Following the above entry, same Deed Book, the New England Land Company deeded Lots Nos. 3, 5 and 7, Block 82 to the above named Trustees. The building of the church is a monument to community cooperation. People of all faiths, as well as those with no particular beliefs worked on the building. Money was hard to get and contributions of ten dollars ($10,000) oe ten days of work were given by the men. In order to finish the project, it was deeded to the Holston Methodist Conference – Now , the (Chattanooga District) with the understanding that anyone could attend or hold services here. Constructed of red brick, light filtered through heavy stained glass windows, the lofty ceiling patterned in wood, slate roof topped by a large belfry capped by a tall, slender steeple reaching heavenward. It was beautiful to behold against the wooded hills and mountains. The furnishings are magnificent for the time and place. A hand carved pulpit stand, the work of Mr. B.B. Chadwick; polished chancel rail; padded kneeling board covered in rich, red velvet; solid oak pews; claw foot table; lamp stand, etc., are still in use today. Many activities were carried on from time to time, Sunday School, youth meetings, all day singings, with dinner on the grounds, revival meetings, baptizings, foot washing, special Easter and Christmas programs, and visiting among the County churches. From 1911 until 1933, the Methodist held services on the first and third Sundays and the Baptists on the second and fourth Sunday with the Primitive or Hardshell Baptist, sometimes, preaching on the fifth Sundays. The congregation was the same for all services. Some outstanding Methodist preachers were E. R. Lewis, J. Woodford Stond and John Merrill. Baptist preachers were James W. Abercrombie, Will Hamic, Luther Hixson and “Brother” Harwood, a Primitive Baptist. On July 14, 1934, the Missionary Baptist dedicated their new Church around the corner. On May 12, 1936, lightning struck the bell in the Methodist Church, setting fire to the bird’s nests in the belfry. The windows and furniture were removed from the building, then it burned to the bare walls. After a period of years, under the supervision of District Superintendent, Dr. E.D. Worley, the church was rebuilt. Later while Reverend John Merrill was pastor, a parsonage was built adjoining the church. The conference has long since sold this building. On May 25, 1957, Trinity Hall, an education building and kitchen, was dedicated. This time Dr. C.E. Lundy, District Superintendent; Pastor Sam DePaul, Board of Trustees; W. H. Wilhite, Bob Ragon, A.W. Peck, Robert Allison, and House and Grounds Chairman, Hardle Price were in charge of the project. Invaluable aid was given by Mrs. W.E. Brock and Trinity Methodist Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The church flourished as long as the emphasis was on the Lord’s work. But, when the budget became more important than the spiritual aspects, the church, again became inactive. After several years of neglect, the conference decided to sell the property. Dade County Historical Society President, Claude E. Owens, Jr., Mrs. Alvin Castleberry, and Mrs. Lanny Haynes began negotiations with the Reverend Charles Lippse, District Superintendent to purchase the property, to preserve it as an historical site. January 25, 1981, at a special meeting of the Historical Society, Reverend Lippse, Mrs. Sam McConnell, member of the Mission Board and Extension for the conference and Mrs. Edna Brown signed the deed, prepared by Attorney Bob McClure, Mrs. Val Nethery, Treasurer of the Building Fund, presented a check for one thousand ($1,ooo.00) dollars to Reverend Lippse. President Owens and Secretary Pearl Blevins signed a note for the balance to be paid eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800.00) per year for five years and the church became the property of the Dade County Historical Society. As in the beginning, community cooperation again became active on February 14, 1981, when sixteen men and women came to roof and made other repairs on Trinity Hall. Plans are underway for future activities and one of the most important, at present, is to get the Dade County Historical Society Center on the National Register of Historic Placed.(Used by permission HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY GEORGIA, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 1981.)