In April of 1849, a Methodist
Society was organized at the home of Thomas B. Wafer, located about one
and a half miles from Lisbon. The first services were held in the
home and, in the summer, under a brush arbor at a campground. The
preacher at that time was Rev. D.S. Watkins. The campground was located
three miles east of Lisbon on the Dubach road across from the modern Clairborne
Gasoline plant. The congregation was first known as Providence Church,
changing its name to Lisbourn Church in 1853. The name became Lisbon
in 1855.
When the Wafers left the area,
services were moved to the local schoolhouse. Pews consisted of backless
benches. The room was heated by a fireplace and lit by coal oil lamps.
By 1865, the church had 313 white members and 90 black members. The
church was incorporated in 1870.
On August 5, 1871, James McClendon
gave the church three acres of land on which to build a church and a cemetery.
In 1872, David A.J. Carathers built a one room church on the site.
It had glass windows bordered by green shutters. The church had two
Amen corners (benches at each side at the front of the church). A
three foot tall partition ran down the center of the church. Males
sat on the north side and females sat on the south side of the church.
This church was located slightly northwest of the present church.
On April 1, 1893, the church bought
eleven acres of land and built a parsonage on the property. Much
of the eleven acres was later sold. Another piece of land was bought
on October 2, 1937 and a new parsonage built in 1937-38 under the leadership
of Rev. Otis W. Spinks.
On November 14, 1927, the congregation
decided to build their third sanctuary and voted to borrow $900. In 1926-27,
the church was moved several feet to its present location. A sanctuary
was added on to the church and stained glass windows were installed.
The pulpit, choir loft, and classrooms at the side are part of the old
church. Rev. S.J. Starkey was pastor at this time.
Improvements have continued over the
years. Ceiling fans and gas heaters were installed in the late 1930s.
A lighted cross was installed. Air conditioning was added in 1976.
In 1944, a house (given by Harmon
Patton) was moved behind the church and used for classrooms and recreation.
It was sold under the leadership of Rev. Jeff P. Paul to the Sharon Baptist
Church for $1000 and a new education building was constructed in 1954.
The sanctuary was also remodeled at that time. In 1972 Miss Verne
Morrow left the church 77.5 acres of land in her will. |
|
