The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-02-04
History of Columbus in 10Th Century

Presiding Elders: f. Callcwsy,
qS44-47), William Murrah, (lS4S-
500, George ShaelTer, (l85t-5il. c..
N. Mcleod, (lS55), George ShaefTer,
(lS5G-50, T. j. Roger, (lsES-6l) /,
George Shaetfer, (1S62-Sl), ?. 7. Nee
i II, 1855, William Mural, (lS66).
1867 10 1901 in Present Building.
W. C. Hearn, (l867-6S), T. Y. Ram
sey, (1869-70). j. B. Cottrell, (1871-
73), w. S. Harrison, (l874-75), w.
W. Wadsworth, (1S76-77), 7. A. S.
Adams, QS78), S. A. Steel (lS79-
S2), J. H. Scruggs, (1SsS-86), ]. w.
Price, (18S7-SS), ]. S. Oakley, 1882
92), R. NJ. Standefer (1899-l9OO), T..
w. Lewis, (190D.
Presiding Elders: w. Murrah,
+ (lS67, T. Y. Ramsey, (l86S), T. c..
Weir, (lS69-7O), T, Y. Ramsey, 1870
74), r. G.. Porter, 0875-78), T. w.
Dye, (1S79-S0), 7. G. Weir, (lS8l -S4) /,
]. d. Cameron, CSS5-S6), r. G. Por-
Ter, (1SS7), w. 7. J. Sullivan, (18S8-
81, T. C. Weir, (lS92l95), r, A. Bur-
roughs, (lS96-99), W. T. j. Sullivan,
(190O-01),
From lS45 to 1866 the membership
of the church was rapidly increased
by the influx of a large number of
planters from the west side of the
river, who moved their home and
church membership into Columbus.
This increase added not only to the
numerical strength of the church but
also to its influence and wealth. The
second church building was found to
be too small for the accommodation Of
the members and their families and
visitors who thronged to hear the
great preachers that during these
years occupied its pulpit.
Among the families that moved in
at this period were: Morton, Clay
ton, Billup5, Sykes, Harris, Banks,
Sherrod, Cannons, Powell, Watson.
Mason, and others. A proposition
for a new building was received with
almost unanimous appreciation and
after a short discussion OF location,
cost, plans, etc. the church decided
to erect a building large enough not
only for present but for future use
fulncss and settled upon the present
edice at a cost Of 100000. So harm
onious was the membership in its
erection that the subscription was
raised upon the assessment plan, and
all subscription notes made payable in
bank. SO far as is known not note
or subscription was unpaid and so
liberal was the church that after the
war which interfered with its com
pletion upon showing by the con-
tractor that in the advanced prices
Of material and labor, they had eX-
hausted all contract monies the con-
tractors were released from their obli-
gation and bond fer its completion.
In 1865 the church accepted a loan
Of 100000 from that generous and de-
Methodist, Mr.. Jas. Sykes, which with
a new subscription, effected the COM
pleton Of the main auditorium in
1867 and the basement in 1871. The
church debt was extinguished and
the house dedicated by DR., Atticus
Haywood afterwards Bishop, 1871
during the passionate Of the Rev. w,
w, Wadsworth,
Historical allusion to the church
buildings would be incomplete without
mention Of the names of those
staunch Methodist builders, Neil Bar
tee contractor fer second buildlng)
and James Shaw contractor for the
PRESENT., whose unimpeachable inte-
gritty and faithful Workmanship made
Columbus famous for the beauty and
durability of many OF its public
buildings. When the people Of Col
umbus knew that James Shaw was
contractor ard Isaac Barter, his fore
man, was on the seaffold, they knew
that no shoddy work would repeat
their record of unsurpassed useful
ness and distinction.
Instrumental Music
Was introduced into the church in
1868 during the pastorate Of Rev. w
Hearn with Mason & Hamlin cabi-
net organ with Prof, A. POLICEMAN as
organist and choistcr The present
pipe organ which has been the pride
of the church on account Of the sweet.
ness and perfection Of its tone anc
harmony, was erected in 1878, during
the pastorate Of Rev. T. A. S. Adams
with Mrs. Clifford Hardy as organist
Since that time Mrs. Addie Hunt