According to a history compiled by Miss Addie Huckaby [24 July 1861-18 November 1953], compiled circa 1950, Hollonville United Methodist Church traces its origins to the Flat Rock Methodist Church. That congregation was established long before the Civil War as a camp meeting. She noted that her family joined Flat Rock Methodist in 1873 and recalled that some of the ministers of that time were Wesley Henson, David Nolan, T. S. L. Harwell, and Cadesman Pope. Miss Huckaby remembered the old church building at Flat Rock and that the congregation moved to the present location, in Hollonville, in the mid-1880s. The congregation was still known as Flat Rock at the time; I’m unsure when the name was changed.
Friendship Presbyterian Church was established in 1835 in a community then known as Maggie. As the area grew, it was home to many members of the Peden family, and it eventually became known as Pedenville. In 1849, Reverend Andrew Gilliland Peden [28 October 1811-19 January 1896] became pastor of Friendship, and served for over 20 years in that capacity. His father, David Peden, came from Ireland to South Carolina in 1773, and served the cause of America during the Revolution.
The present church was constructed by W. A. Hollon, for whom nearby Hollonville was named, between 1869-1870 and was dedicated in 1871. It was built on the site of the old Pedenville schoolhouse. It continues to serve the congregation.
This congregation was first known as the Red Oak Methodist Church. Williamson was originally known as Driver, for Mr. Giles [or Gillis] Driver, who ran an inn in the community. When Mr. Driver sold the inn to a Mr. Stearns, the area became known as Stearnsville. Later, Judge Ike Williamson bought up thousands of acres of area land and when he gave land to the railroad for commerce, it finally became Williamson.
The Pitts Theology Library at Emory University notes: The Red Oak Methodist Church of Williamson, Georgia, was founded in 1823. The land for the church was deeded through Isaac B. Williamson and Gills Driver to two trustees, William M. Simmons and Benjamin F. Harper. The church originally stood on a site near a large red oak that was mentioned in the deed.
The first pastor was Andrew Hamell. The only recorded member for the first year was Frances Allen. There are no records of “class leaders” until 1872. These leaders were to watch over the spiritual welfare of the people, look after the poor, and report to the Quarterly Conference. Originally a part of the Zebulon Circuit, Red Oak was placed on the Griffin Circuit, then in 1922 it became a part of the Williamson Circuit. It is currently a part of the Heck Chapel-Red Oak Charge.
In 1856 the present church building was built. The vestibule, steeple and bell were added in 1902. The church was remodeled in 1946 under the leadership of Rev. C. B. Drake.
Williamson Christian Church was built by contractor G. J. McCoy. The building committee included H. W. Reynolds, G. D. Hutchison, E. F. McGahee, C. A. Yarbrough, and F. R. Bottoms.
Salem Church, which was the forerunner to Concord Methodist, was established in 1850, about a mile west of present-day Concord. With the coming of the Georgia Midland Railway in 1887, the town grew and the decision was made to relocate the congregation. This church was built in 1888 and remains a small but active congregation.
This is located next door to the Molena Baptist Church. I initially thought it was the older home to the Baptists, but Bill Ferguson notes that it was the Methodist Church. It’s presently a Christian outreach center, I believe. It’s a beautiful old church.
