Gordon United Methodist Church
135 Main St., Gordon, Ga.
 Organized in 1850's

The first church in Gordon was a union church with Baptist and Methodist worshiping together. It was a very small building
and stood where the Gordon Cemetery is now located.  The population increasing, a need for a larger church was imminent.

Dave Solomon, a Methodist, wanted to give the land for the new church. The church members wanted the church across from the present site. The land there was owned by Capt. John Smith. Dave Solomon owned adjoining land to Capt. Smith so they agreed to exchange land  and the new church was built in 1874. It was located where the present gas station is across from the Gordon Cemetery. The first service was held in the church in 1875 with Rev. W. C. Lovett as first pastor.
     A campaign was started by the women and children of the church to get a bell. The goal of $2,600 met, the bell was ordered from Nashville, Tenn. When it arrived on the train "Uncle" Jack Stevens hauled it on an ox cart from the depot to the church with the help of Dennis Barret, a black man, who carried it up a ladder on his shoulders to the steeple of the church where it was installed. It was there from 1886 or 1887 to 1909 when it was moved to the new church.  (note: the church bulding and lot were advertised for sale in Nov. 1907.)
   Mr. W. A. Jones, in 1908, gave the land where the present church sits. The first service here was in June 1909. The church bell was moved here and rang until 1945 when Mr. Lee Pennington gave the musical chimes to the church as a memorial to his parents of Irwinton. The church bell remained silent until 1973 when the new pastor, Rev. Willis Moore, requested a new rope and the bell can be rung again.
  The first pastor of the new church was Rev. W.S. Johnson. Stewards were: W.A Jones, H. J. Myrick, C.C. Johnson, J. H. Kennington. Trustees: J T. Clements, C. E. Frasuer and J. F. Stevens. Building Committee: H. J. Myrick, S.W. Lee, and J. W. Hooks. Architect was F. M. Happ and H. F. Baggett was the builder.  Source: Gordon, Georgia 100 Years 1885-1985

 Pictured is Rev. J. S. Lewis and wife Kate McCord Lewis. He was the pastor here from 1900-1901. From the Atlanta Constitution, January 1, 1900.

Deed from David Solomon to Trustees for Purpose of Building a Church and School in Gordon
May 5, 1861

Click to See Orginal.
Any assistance in deciphering this would be appreciated. Thank you Mark Byington for the changes 10/22/2009.
Contributed by Roland W. Clements

Georgia Wilkinson County
  This Indenture made this Twenty fifth day of May in the year Eighteen Hundred Sixty one, between David Solomon on the one part and Aron Toulard, Aron Raderal, Sam Solomon & Horett C. C. Freedman, Trustees for the Purpose of Building a Church & School House in the town of Gordon, & their Successors-
  Witnesseth the said D Solomon for an* consideration of Five Dollars to him in hand paid by the said Trustees the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, doth by these presents give grant, sell and convey unto the said Trustee & their Successors, a certain lot of Land containing (50) Fifty feet Square, lying and being in the County of Wilkinson, State of Georgia, joining A. M. Smith, J. H. Stephens Lot  and the R. H. Smith lot in the front together with all the Privileges, only for Church & School Purpose and in no wise to be sold or transferd for no other purpose, also the Privilege of a Lane joining  J H Stephens to have and to hold the above the above premises to the said Trustees and their Successors in fee simple, and the said D. Solomon for himself & heirs will warrant and defend to the said lot of ground**  against the lawful demand against all person or persons whatever. In Testimony thereof has set hand and affixed his seal this day and year written above/
Signed, sealed and delivered . D. Solomon (LS)
(in presence of)
R. G. Solomon
R. W. Tharp, J.P.

* original should have read "for and in consideration of..."
** instead of "lot of ground", which is unusual, it should have listed the
parties of the second part here.
 
 


Eileen Babb McAdams Copyright 2004-2009