Bibb County GAGenWeb Historic Churches
Historic Churches
Mulberry St Methodist Church, Bibb County, GA
History and images source: Mulberry St Methodist Church "Our History":
"When Thomas Gardner, a local carpenter and part time preacher, along with some sixteen other Methodists, organized a Methodist Society back in 1826, Macon was a struggling frontier town of 800 people living on the west bank of the Ocmulgee River. There were no churches in the town It is possible that an occassional circuit rider, attached to the Monroe Circuit, would come down to Macon and hold services in the temporary log courthouse on Muilberry Street for the small grouop of that faith living there."
"The first building completed in 1826, was built by Thomas Gardner, Alexander Richards and Elbert Crews. It was 40 by 60 feet with a square belfry in front and a large gallery to be used by the slaves, who worshipped in the same church as their masters. The first ordained pastor was Thomas Darley under whose leadership the church building was completed. In 1828 the first services were held with the Rev Charles Hardy preaching. A series of revivals resulted in the addition of 120 members. A Sunday School was organized in 1831 the first meeting of the Georgia Conference was held at Mulberry. Prior to that time Georgia had been part of the South Carolina Conference which extended south to include Florida territory."
"By 1848 the membership had outgrown the original little building and a new church was constructed. It too, had a belfry but was far more imposing with its white columns. From, this time, the churh's influence spread through the community with the establishment of Sunday Schools that led to the development of other Churches: East Macon, Vineville, First Street and Centenary.
Source: familysearch.org
online microfilm.
May 6, 1848:
--- Williams, J L Saulsbury,
Henry G Ross, B H Ross, R R Evans, Thomas Hassam, T J Shurmsholster, were
trustees for the lot and church --- used by the colored of the M.E. South in
this City.
Feb 19, 1838:
The first quarterly meeting conference for the Macon
Station was held at the Parsonage on Monday night 19 Feb 1838 when these were
present: R K Evans, C Collins, Wm Fort, A R Ralston, J Holdershaw, John
Richards, Thomas Hardiman, W D Matthews P in C, W W Roberson LP, Peter McIntyre
LP, S L Stephens LP, T L Moultrie LP, M E Rylander, J E Fort, John Thomas, G –
Jewett, R R Clayton.
The meeting was opened with
pray by Brother Mathews and Brother Hardiman appointed Secretary.
The following questions were asked and
answered.
1.
Are
there any complaints. none
2.
Are
there any appeals, none
3.
Are there any
references, none
4.
Are there any licenses
to renew, none
No further business being
before the conference, it was adjourned.
Thos Hardiman, Secretary, W D Mathews ---
protem
How many have been received in the church? Answer: 3 whites and 15 colored.
How many expelled? Answer: 1 white.
William Fort and Charles Collins tendered their resignation as stewards, which was accepted by the conference and Brother W H Reynolds and W W Chapman was appointed in their places. Brother George Jewett was appointed District Steward. The Conference was then adjourned after pray by Brother Pierce. Thomas Hardin, Secretary. J W Talley, P E.
Vineville Methodist Church:
Organized in 1846 to service the wealthy planters in the Vineville area. The first pastor was William J Sasnet.
First Baptist Church, Bibb Co:
Started about 1843.
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County Coordinator: Trish Elliott-Kashima
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