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| FIRST CHURCH, MACON, GA. |
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Sixteen years ago, under the leadership of
L. M. Erwin, a little band of disciples, numbering
not more than five or six, began to meet for
public worship in Masonic Hall on Mulberry
street. The Lord's Supper was observed weekly
and a Sunday-school was organized. Among the
pioneers in this work were John Cooper, now a
deacon in the First church, Atlanta, C. Masterson,
J. H. Birch, J. B. Badger and others. These meetings
were kept up regularly until the time was
ripe for permanent organization, when the services
of Elder Thomas M. Harris were secured for
a protracted meeting, and the church was organized
during that meeting with a membership
of twenty. Our progress in the beginning was
slow, owing to the fact that the plea of the disciples
was not understood, and the need of a
house of worship which would give influence and
permanency to the work. After many struggles,
trials and vicissitudes, the little band was compelled
to give up the hall which they had rented,
and steps were immediately taken to secure a lot
upon which to build. A site was selected on Walnut
street, am] a small frame building put up in
the summer of 1888. This house of worship answered
the needs of the congregation for several
years, until J. A. L. Romig visited the church and
conducted a successful protracted meeting, which
resulted in adding to the church one hundred and
sixteen members. But it was not until the year
1898 that the congregation first began to lay
plans for a new building of larger capacity and
of a more durable and permanent character. To
this end a lot was purchased on the corner of
Orange and High streets, centrally located and
beautiful foe situation. A building committee
was appointed consisting of J. S. Schofield, Marion
Erwin, A. W. Smith and L. M. Erwin, which,
under the efficient leadership of the minister, H.
C. Combs, soon put their
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plan into successful
operation, and by the 1st of November, 1899, a
beautiful and imposing brick edifice was erected.
C. P. Williamson dedicated the building. The
church has had the labors of a number of excellent
preachers, who have helped materially in strengthening
the cause in this city; among them may be
mentioned J. D. Erwin, Jr., W. E. Spindler, J.
W. B. Smith, Victor W. Dorris, W. E. Harp, H. C.
Combs, A. B. Moore and S. R. Maxwell. Substantial
financial help has been received by this
church from the A. C. M. S., and Robert Moffett,
Secretary of the Board, is affectionately remembered
for the deep interest he took in the welfare
of the little band during its early struggles.
Mrs. Joseph It. Lamar and the ladies of the First
church at Augusta are held in loving remembrance
for the timely and effective aid received from
them when the cause in this city was in its initial
stage. The Church Extension Board, through
Geo. W. Muckley, Secretary, has rendered valuable
aid in granting a loan sufficient to complete
the beautiful building now occupied by this congregation,
and this Board is held in most grateful
remembrance. With a membership of 220, there
is every reason to believe that this church will
rapidly forge to the front. Special mention should
be made of the loving and efficient services rendered
this church by H. C. Combs, who was their
minister for seven years, and who stood by them
during these years of struggle, hard work and patient
waiting.
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LENOIR M. ERWIN,
Macon, Ga. |
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Born Erwinton, Barnwell county, S. C., December
24, 1848; student Boiling Springs Academy,
Barnwell county, S. C.; removed to Georgia 1873;
graduate of Mercer University, Law School, Macon,
Ga., 1876; elder First church, Macon, Ga.; organized
church 1886.
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