The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-03-24

and JOhn SANDERS, anu WIG " ~
Davis, Jan. %, 185l-Jan. 5. 1874,
Unicy Loutitia, wife OF J. X. Ohm
ston. Oct. "A, 1856-Feb. /, 1907.
Friendship Baptist.
"And so were the churches estab-
lished in the faith and increased IN
number daily. Acts los.
The Friendship Baptist church was
organized in 184S. The first building IS
standing now, two and one-half miles
east OF Dawson and was used by Will
liam. Jennings and later by NJ. +. Jen-
nings as barn.
In l849 on October 5th the church
held conference and adopted the
government of the Missionary Baptist
church. The first conference ever held
as a Missionary Baptist church was
that on the first Saturday in Novem-
Der in 1849
Rev John G. Taylor was the first
pastor. OF the charter members there
is not one living, so far as is known.
On June p, 1880, the name was
changed to New Providence church.
This church carried on business from
May, 1854, to January, 1856, when by
resolutions passed the church was
moved to Dawson and named the
Dawson Baptist church.
Rev. John Martin, now OF Shellman
served as pastor from 1887 to 1889.
From September, 1857, until Janu-
ary. 1860, the members worshipped in
an academy situated nine or ten feet
east OF the residence of Mr.. Thomas
Harden, where the residence OF Mr.
G. w Dozier now stands. This church
was one OF the original organized by
the Friendship Baptist church in 1889
and entertained that body in 1906 and
since, every ten years except III 1870.
A committee was appointed une
H. 1858, to secure subscriptions with
which to build a house OF worship.
A lot 108 yards square was purchas-
ed from Mr. Moses. H. Baldwin. The
trustees were John T. Walker, w. {.
Thornton, John A. Bishop, Benjamin
F. Cooke and Harrison Etheridge.
Upon the lot where the house OF
Mrs. f. T. Crouch now stands build
ing 40x60 feet was erected. This build
ing was ready dor use in January, 1860.
As time passed by this building also
began to decay and was not in keep
ing with the other improvements OF
the town. So the church adopted reso-
lutions for the building OF a new
church.
The present building was erected in
1891, on the northwest corner OF the
original lot, at a cost OF $4,000. 1t
was dedicated on the first Sunday in
March, 1892 Rev. ]. B. Hawthorne,
the southern orator, preached on this
day. The church bas been blessed by
the administrations of faithful and
Cody men. In the order OF their ser
vice they are: ]. G. Taylor, Jesse Stall
lings, R. A. Bailey, John Martin, J. A.
Arley. I. C. Langley, NJ. B. L. Bin
ion, B. L. Ross, w. J. Mitchell, J. A.
Ivey, B. w. Davis, w. H. Patterson,
]. w. Carpenter, H. L. Crumbley J.
NJ. Long, H. T. Crumpton, n. B.
O'Ke1ley, T. NJ. Galloway.
The above was furnished through
the courtesy Of ]. NJ. McNulty, OF the
d. H. S.
Dawson Methodist Church.
The first Methodist church in Ter
rell county was located on a farm
now owned by Mrs. f. A. Breedlove,
two and one-half miles west OF Daw-
son. There was a large membership
and a hourishing Sunday school con-
nected with it.
In 1857 the old log buildings were
abandoned and for years were used
for a barn, but as time passed were
demolished.
After leaving the old log church the
membership came to town and held
services first in a blacksmith shop,
then in a new cabin on Mr. Moses
Baldwins place for a short time.
The building known as the old
Methodist church OF Dawson was
erected in 1857 in the southern part
of the city, Messrs. B. II. Brown and
w. P. Vinson being the contractors.
At this time the church register
gives the names OF Mr.. and Mrs. Mos
es Baldwin, DR.. and Mrs. c. A. Cheat
ham, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Perry, Mr..
and Mrs. B. H. Brown, Mr. and Mrs,
w. P. Vinson, all charter members.
For over a half century some OF
these were active members OF the or
ganizaton. Death has called them all
Mrs. J. B. Perry being the last to an
swer the call. A number OF children
and grandchildren OF these faithful
few are now loyal members OF this
same church. which has a member
ship of over 900, occupying magnif-
cent building erected during the pas
torate of Rev E. NJ. Whiting. The
present building was dedicated in
1892, Rev. w. A. Gambler preaching
the dedicatory sermon from the text:
But have built house OF habitation
for thee and place of thy dwelling for
ever."-2nd Chronicles, o.. In 1908 a
commodious annex was built to house
the growing Sunday school
The pastor who came with the
membership from the old log cabin
was Rev. Williamson. He was follow
ed by Ben Breedlove, T. T. Christian,
-. Marshall, George c. Clark, Walk
er Lewis, J. NJ. Austin, R. w. Dixon,
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