The original
church was built in 1885 on False River Road. The pastor at that
time was Rev. G.W. Walls.
While Rev.
Harrall was pastor, the church decided to move to Blanks Road. The
Bommer Smith Lumber Company and family donated land at the location to
the church. A concrete slab was poured and the church built out of
blocks. The move was made on April 16, 1921 under the leadership
of Rev. J.L. Augusta. .
At some point
between the pastorate of Rev. Lockhart and Rev. G.M. Alford, the current
church was built on the site. Services were held under a tree in
the front yard during construction.
Rev.
Carolyn Ross, the church’s first female pastor, organized a youth choir
and liturgical dancers during her tenure.
Though most of its ministers stayed from one to five years, Rev. Ernest
Scott served the longest (eleven years).
A fellowship
hall and new pews were added later.
Source: History of Wiley UMC, by
Mrs. Dorothy Dotson, Rosalie Toussaint, Malana Bessix, Milton Gaines, Jr. |
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