Elbert County GaArchives Churches
Middleton United Methodist Church  


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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
Middleton United Methodist Church 

The following was taken from a church history which appeared 
in the Elberton Star newspaper in 1973, compiled by Church 
Historian Grace P. Thornton: 

"Middleton United Methodist Church was established in 1873, one
hundred years ago, on land given by the Rev. J. H. Grogan. The 
name given to the church was Eureka, and was called by that name 
for many years. At that time there were many prominent citizens 
in the community, and they gave the land for the parsonage located
in Middleton. That parsonage no longer stands. Some of the timber
in the church was given by Briggs M. Bowman. There are few records
of the early history of the church, but we can be sure that many 
of the people in the community helped. 

"Among some of the first members were Rev. J. H. Grogan, Fannie E.
Grogan, Briggs M. Bowman, Jane Prather Bowman, W. G. G. Jones, 
Lizzie Jones, Samuel J. Lovinggood, Mollie Mills, Tinsley White, 
John McCalla, Mittie McCalla, Annie Allen, Rev. J. N. Wall, Ella 
Wall, John W. Carr, Mary H. Carr, L.H.O.Martin, Rossie Martin, 
Sally Martin, J. H. Rucker, Lizzie Wall Rucker, J. S. Thornton, 
Alice Bowman Thornton, D. B. A. Henry, Lucy Henry, James H. Henry, 
Eugene B. Heard, Sally Heard, Sue Heard Swift. The church was also
used as a school for some time.The teacher was Manley Grogan, son
of the Rev. J. H. Grogan. Among some of the pupils were Sue Heard
Swift, Alice Bowman Thornton and Cora White who later married 
Rev. Landy White, and who later became a famous novelist. Her 
best known book was 'A Circuit Rider's Wife.' This book was later
made into a film called 'I'd Climb the Highest Mountain.'

"There were many good and able men who served our church from 1873
to the present time - too many to mention by name, but we will make
one exception and mention the name of W. T. Wtakins, who later 
became Bishop Watkins. It is believed that he came to Middleton 
around 1915, and served the Middleton Circuit for four years. This
was his first charge......The church cemetery was started in 1958-
Jamie B. Thornton being the first member to be buried there."

Contributed by: Chandler Eavenson