Elbert County GaArchives Churches
Eliam United Methodist Church 


************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Transcribed by Chandler Eavenson 
<http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007294>
4 April 2006

Churches
Eliam United Methodist Church 

The following was taken from a church history which appeared
in The Elberton Star newspaper, compiled by Rev. Alton Whittemore: 

"We do not know exactly when or how or by whom Eliam Church was
organized.The deed on record shows that on the 25th day of 
August, 1817, for the sum of $10.00, Archibald Burton and his 
wife Elizabeth deeded one acre of land to Peter Oliver, McCarty
Oliver, David Hudson and David Clark as Trustees of Eliam Methodist
Episcopal Church. This land is about one mile from the present 
location of the church. On the original plot there are graves of 
the ancestors of many of the present members of the Church.The 
first Church building was also used as the community school. A 
small log building nearby housed the Justice Court. 

"Early Conference records show evidence of Sunday School activities
in the Church. Sixty-eight church members were recorded in 1881. 
By 1890 membership in the church was almost equal to the present
membership and many of our members now are descendants of those 
of that time.

"About 1903 the building was rebuilt or remodeled and enlarged to 
accommodate the growing congregation. About fifteen years later, 
the land on which the Church now stands was deeded to the Church 
by George T. Fortson, and the old building was placed on rollers 
and mule-drawn to the present site. At this time a new building 
program added space and formed the 'T' shaped building which 
stood until the 1950's. This building was torn away and the 
present modern brick structure was completed and consecrated for 
service in 1958." 

Contributed by: Chandler Eavenson