The Atlanta church appears to
have begun in the latter half of the 19th century, but the early records
are not available. There was a Methodist Protestant Church and a
Methodist Episcopal Church in the area in those early days. LaJuana
Ferguson found evidence that the Conference gave permission for a church
to be formed in Atlanta in 1865.
The congregation is mentioned
in a report on the Winnfield Circuit dated December 9, 1882 by Rev. E.B.
Galloway. The Atlanta Methodist Society became affiliated with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South at that time. Names of the early
church families include: Ferguson, Deen, Bonnett, Horn, Patton, Collier,
Allen, Hunt, Sandford, Anders, Rogers, Brock, Bice, Maseberg, Byle, Bird,
Watson, Peace, George, Boddy, Reaves, Brown, Turner, Robinson, Albright,
Stroud, Teddlie, Drewett, Burkett, and Williams.
The old church was torn
down in 1905 and a new church built by 1906. Stained glass was installed
with a $1000 donation by Aunt Em Peace. When a tornado destroyed
the church (along with the Baptist and Catholic churches) in 1916, the
Germain & Boyd Lumber Company donated lumber and carpenter labor to
build a new one. The church, midway located between Milltown and
Atlanta, was used until it was torn down and rebuilt near Red Land Creek
in 1933 by WPA workers. The only cemetery within Atlanta is located
at the church.
When the present structure
was built by Ed Collins, Jr. in 1961-62, a fellowship hall, kitchen, and
two bathrooms were added. The old church was moved to Clarence,
though a part was kept so the church could keep the bell. The facilities
were dedicated on April 10, 1988. |
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