In 1905, a group of local families
joined together to purchase 3 small parcels of property. Upon this
land, the first church of the community was constructed. The trustees
at that time were Robert G. Hawkins, John Beard, Robert L. Hawkins, George
McDaniel, and Alvin Deloach. The purchase price was 3 dollars.
It was stipulated in the deal that no part of the land was to be used for
burial purposes. The land was purchased from Sallie Hawkins, Mary
Stokes, and Robert Lee Hawkins. Shortly thereafter, a church was
built on the property. The building faced Church St. (now Carrie
Mac St., named after a devoted worker in the Methodist Church). It
was a single room, shotgun style structure with windows on the west and
east walls. It also had a church bell. Guest pastors held services
from 1905 to 1914. The first appointed pastor to the church was Rev.
J.P. Porter (1914-15).
In 1943, the congregation wanted
to build a larger church, so they traded the church property for a new
parcel of land owned by James A. Neal. The old church was dismantled
and used in the building of the new church. The new church, which
faced Taylor St., was 30 ft. by 70 ft. with a steeple (which contained
the church bell). Sunday School rooms were on each side of the foyer.
The fellowship hall was separated from the other end of the sanctuary by
a partition wall. The pine pews were built by members of the church.
In 1960, the church was repaired.
This included taking the steeple down and placing the bell on a steel frame
in the church yard. The foyer and 2 Sunday School rooms were removed
to enlarge the sanctuary. In 1985, vinyl siding was added.
In 1987, the sanctuary was carpeted. In 1990, new pews and altar
furniture were purchased and a small kitchen area was added. In 1993,
the parking lot was paved.
The church parsonage was built
in the late 1950's. The brick structure serves as home and office
and is shared by the Palmetto and Melville churches. |
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