Salem Methodist Church
Wilkinson County, Ga.
Organized in 1818

   Early members William Wynn and wife Susan Hanson Wynn, Mrs. Rebecca Thompson, Aaron Davis, Henry Davis, Nancy Potts, Henry Kittles.  Rev Lorenzo Dow was the Methodist leader in the area.  First  pastors were Rev. Charles Dickerson, assisted by Rev. James Dunwoody. Other families who attended here were Duncan, Thigpen, Mims and Combs.

Salem Church was organized in 1818 and, according to tradition handed down by B. Wynn, was the first Methodist Church in Wilkinson County, Georgia

On August 13, 1863, for the sum of Five Dollars and other considerations, deeded to the Salem trustees who were; Enoch T. Miller, William Wynn, John Thigpen, and their successors thereafter, all real estate, rights, title interest, property claims, and demands whatever written in law; this land joins Peyton Duncan on the south, and on the west by the Spring Branch being a part of lot 380 second district containing and laid out for four acres of land, together with all and singular the houses, woods, water ways, privileges, and appurtenances thereof belonging or in any way pertaining. The said three trustees and their successors in office in trust but not subject to any sale by the said trustees or their successors in office that they shall erect and build or cause or cause and build thereon, a house for a place of worship for the use of members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South according to the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed upon and adopted by the members and preachers of the said church at their general conference and in further trust and confidence and that they at all times forever hereafter permit such minister and preacher belonging to the said church as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the said      general conference of the ministers and preachers of the said  Methodist Episcopal Church South or by the annual conference authorized by the said general conference to preach and express God’s holy words therein and the said William Wynn doth the present warrant forever defend all and singular the before mentioned and described lot or piece of land with the appurtenances thereto belonging into the said Enoch T. Miller, William Wynn, and John Thigpen, and their successors chosen and appointed as aforesaid from the claim or claims of all persons whatever.

In testimony whereof the said William Wynn the day and year forward,
August 13, 1863,
Signed and delivered in the presence of Josiah Wynn and William Freeman.

Recorded April 22, 1889, James Hughes, Clerk.

The big church was built in 1915 and burned in 1940 after a funeral was conducted there.

In the second quarter conference of 1896, Presiding Elder, W. E. Arnold, wrote
“ I have nothing special to say on the general state of the church more than I stated at our last quarterly conference. Apparently we are moving along very nicely; at least we have no friction. Some are living in the enjoyment of religion and seem to be doing what they can to discharge their duties. Others are managing to hold on, living a sort of formal life – don’t seem to have much religion; I don’t think they ever had, or wanted to have much, and like tares in wheat, there is not much chance to do anything with them. But, by the grace of God, I have been hammering away at them and, by the same help, will continue. Congregations are good and attentive, hence, signs are hopeful.”

In 1895, new members were: Milton Davis, Henry Mercer, and J. E. Ellington. Some of the old members included Ashley Wynn, Obediah Wynn, Solomon Thompson, Jesse P. Thompson, Braswell Wynn, Harmon Bailey, Wm. H. Wynn, Jesay Crumbly, James Lord, N. L. Wynn, G. W. Wynn.

In 1896, some of the new members were Joseph Wynn, Walter Anderson, Benjamin Dixon, James Dixon, Dr. J. D. Thompson, W. W. Sanders, J. G. Avery, Hortense Wynn, Rachel Davis, Annie Wynn, Nora Wynn, Nellie Finney, Lana Watkins, Susie Taylor, Missouri Wynn, Amelia Thompson and Lizzie Thompson.

In 1906, among the new members were; Clarence Thompson, Waverly Lewis, Ivey Dominy, Burnside Dominy, George Bailey, George Johnson, Charlie W. Davis, Paul C. Thompson, Padie D. Cornell, Leland Watkins, Elizabeth Colson, Delilah Ellington, Stella Beck, Rena Thompson, and Ira Dixon.

In 1907, at least 98 members were on the rolls.

Quarterly conference roll of members of Salem Church in 1912 included B. Wynn, M. Davis, G. C. Dominy, and W. P. Lord.

In 1912, an epidemic of measles and bad weather had greatly reduced attendance of Sunday School at Salem Church. Of the six churches on the charge, three of them, Irwinton, Toomsboro and Salem, held Sunday School.

In 1919, quarterly conference roll included; S. B. Wynn, W. P. Lord, E. A. Watkins, B. Wynn, and J. R. Ellington.

In 1929, new members were Thomas E. Wynn, S. B. Wynn, Jr. the pastor was J. C. Saville.

In 1932, new members were Mr. and Mrs. Otis Colson, Kenneth Wynn and Grover Lewis.

In 1933, new members were William H. Wynn, Wavy Earl Thompson, and Sarah Bob Conner. Note: I believe this should be Wavy Earl Lewis and Sarah and Bob Conner.

In 1937, some of the new members were Norma Watkins, Lemuel Watkins, I. C. Walker, Marvin Colson, and Otha Colson.

In 1940, new members included Ellen Davis and Ida Davis.

In 1940 and 1941, the church trustees were: S. B. Wynn, W. P. Lord, Paul Thompson, C. U. Davis, Clarence Thompson, Joe Lord, Mrs. Mamie Lewis, and Mrs. W. P. Lord.

In the 1800 era, it was the custom to have “Homecoming” church services followed by,  “dinner on the ground.” On the second Sunday in July, the crops were usually “laid in” in late June, so July was the time of more leisure for the families. Salem Church still observes “Home Coming” the second Sunday in July, and has church services on the second Sunday of each month, at three o’clock in the afternoon. Most of the members are descendants of William B. Wynn and so also are most of the visitors. Mr William b. Wynn started the first church in 1818 and, also gave the land in 1863 for the present church.

The congregations of Salem Church are made up of families living in Dublin, Macon, Milledgeville, Sandersville, Toomsboro, and Wilkinson County.

The Salem Church has a new chain link fence around the cemetery and was repainted last year (1870). The church building is in good condition. The financial state of the church is also excellent. A building fund has been established in the Wilkinson County Bank and a new church will be built when and if we have the necessary funds collected in advance.

Submitted by Harold Thompson