No work of history has ever yet escaped some errors, especially in cases where no written records were kept in the beginning or making of history. The corner stone shows that the church was built in 1884, yet the deeds date back to the year 1867. So, somewhere within a 17-year span there was a designated place of worship for St. John A.M. E. Church’s family before 1884. As we search the records, we find that the old H.A. Newsome home on Harris Street was the first place where a group of organized Christian believers gathered to serve almighty God. Reverend Daniel Williams purchased land which belongs to the St. John A.M.E. family.
In attempting to state the history of the above church, I shall state that which was relayed to me as near as possible, by my parents and other elders who lived during these times.
The first church was where the present home of Rev. H. A. Newsome now stands. Both Baptist and Methodist worshipped there in the same house. As time passed, trouble arose between the two factions, and the Methodists pulled away. Rev. Daniel Williams bought for them this present site where we now worship. Among the first to pay $10 each on this were the following: Mrs. Mary Presley, Mrs. Viney Lawson, Mrs. Caroline Solomon, Mrs. Mariah Sneed, Bro. Ben and Sis. Mary Saddler, Mrs. Mary Williams, Mrs. Mahaley Brown, Mrs. Mariah Jones, Sis. Eliza Jordan, Annis Adams, Mrs. Rena Cobb, Sis. Betsey Hill, Sis. Missouri Jones, Sis. Cheora Bly, Was Baker’s Family, Wilbur Bailey’s Family, John Walker, Harris McKey, Sue Shedd, Bill Wright’s Family, Clem Johnson’s Family, Mariah Johnson’s Family, Elijah Pennamon’s Family, Will Grier’s Family, Rill Lowe’s Family, Rev. Hemp Collins’ Family, Beverly Jackson’s Family, William Green, Bill Tinsley’s Family, Sarah Walker, Sylvester Brannham’s Family, Dick Alexander’s Family, Bill Jefferson’s Family, Caroline Jordan’s Family, Betsey Foster, Georgia Baines, and the Litt Ross Family.
The original St. John A.M.E. Church fronted where the well once stood, framed from logs hewn near Hunt’s Chapel A.M.E. Church. The first Pastor was Rev. Anderson, #2 Rev. Brown, #3 Rev. Elijah Holmes, #4 Rev. Strickland, and others. The first pastor that I remember personally was Rev. W.C. Gaines at the old church building who later was made presiding elder of the district. Then, Rev. L.H. Smith came and built this present church A.D. 1884. Among the members who worked faithfully to build this present church was Bro. Wilbur Bailey, foreman of the job. Others were Sis. Mary Presley, J.C. Cobb, Capt. Wm. Adams, Bro Wm. Baker, Harvey Solomon, Jana Walker, Albert Thomas Nelson, Julia Rivers, Ellen Jordan, Alfred Turner, Viney Lawson, Rev. George Johnson, Caroline Solomon, Caroline Jordan, William Jefferson, Jr., and the families of Wash Baker, Sam Solomon, the Brittains, George Gantt, Jordans, Rev. Elijah Pennamon, Jim Coles, Rev. Holmes Harrison, Islom Powell, Amanda Boswell, George Daniel, Will Grier, Rena Cobb, Bill Anderson, Carrie Scott, Lewis Scott, Harvey Solomon, Sarah Marshall, Caroline Jefferson, Flora Adams, Delia Choice, Clarke Evans, Eleanor Jordan Family, Darkis Lynch, Bro. Shack Smith, Tom Butler, Mattie Simiel, Katie Rainey, Mary Jefferson, John Brannham, and others I can not remembers. There were members of the Baptist church who aided in this time of need as well. I may well say that the whole Eatonton generally speaking helped to build St. John A.M.E. Church. I am thankful to write of the many that assisted, as I was only 8 years old when this church was built. My greatest consolation is to live to speak on what my two grandmothers and aunts, who were among the first to help buy land for the house of God. I thank Him who gave me life to live this day to call their names that I may profit by their examples. --George Cobb
Many fine things have happened down through the years of St. John A.M.E. Church from the early administration of Rev. Daniel Williams to Rev. John F. White, who is leading the St. John family today. It was under the leadership of Rev. Peter H. Smith that a “New St. John” came about. The first building fund rally for this cause brought in $9,735. As time went on we worked hard to make this dream a reality. When Re. Peter Smith left St. John there was approximately $25,000 in the building fund. On October 17, 1976 ground was broken for the building of a new sanctuary. On March 20, 1977 the corner stone was laid for the “New Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church,” and at that time, planning for the dedicatory service on Sunday, March 27, 1977 began.
Stewards at that time were: Bros. Will Adams, Willie Bailey, Alonza Bailey, David Farley, William Gilbert, Jimmy Davis, Raymond Few, Ulysses Rice, Oscar Parham, James Baker, and Sis. Fannie P. Farley, Steward Secretary; Trustees were: Bros. Thomas L. Daniel, John L. Griffin, Tommy Farley, George Jordan, James T. Lawrence, Johnny Harrison, Albert Adams, Lewis Lawrence, O.D. Harrison, and Sis. Frances Reid, Trustee Secretary. Bro. Willie Bailey was president of the Georgia Lay, Sis. Elean Davis was president of the District Missionary. Sis. Mary Carswell was president of the local missionary. Stewardesses were: Sisters Sallie Bailey, Rosa Little, Katie Harrison, Willie Mae Mitchell, Mattie Lawrence, Iola Goolsby, and Mary Baynes is emeritus. Thanks were given to Mr. Cobb, Sis. Lula B. Ford, and the Butler Family for the history information being compiled.
As we reflect on the essay that Mr. George Cobb has given us, we find that the foundation on which this church was built stands firm from pillars of such families as the: Adams, Baines, Baynes, Bakers, Blys, Butlers, Browns, Brannhams, Alexanders, Andrews, Baileys, Cobbs, Collins, Coles, Clarks, Fosters, Daniels, Greens, Jones, Jordans, Jacksons, Johnsons, Evans, Harrisons, Griers, Lawsons, Jeffersons, Lynchs, Gantts, McClendens, Pennamons, Presleys, Smiths, Sneeds, Stokes, Powells, Wilkes, Saddlers, Williams, McKeys, Turners, Wrights, Walkers, Hills, Robinson, Tinsleys, Ross, Lowes, Simiels, and perhaps others that did not get recorded. As the years passed, we are aware of other great pillars that hold the house of worship firm on the foundation that was laid by our ancestors. Our ancestors did many great things to build St. John along with the many great ministers of the gospel. These pastors are as follows:
Daniel Williams 1867; Anderson; Brown; Elijah Holmes; Strickland; L. H. Smith 1884;T.N.M. Smith; W.C. Gaines; A.R. Cooper, 1887-1893; F.F. Boody, 1893-1895; P.W. Greatheart, 1895-1897; I.C. Iverson, 1897-1898; S.S. Martin, 1898-1899; C.W. Gaines, Presiding Elder; S.E. Perry, 1899-1901; E.L. Holmes, 1901-1902; C.A. Wingfield, 1902-1904; J.W. Bell, 1904-1906; S. Fleming, 1906-1908; H. Stroud, 1908-1911; Charles Case, 1911-1912; G.B. Jackson, 1912-1914; M.A. Fountain, 1915-1918; S>F. Andrews 1918-1919; J.T. Leath, 1919-1920; E.H. Lowery, 1920-1921; E.C. Forley 1921-1924; G.W. Wallace 1924-1925; J.H. Jones, 1924-1928; G.N. Dunn, 1928-1931; J.S. McAllister 1931-1932; Loyde Harding, 1932-1933; S.J. Green 1933-1935; A.E. Persons, 1935-1936; Dewitt Ealy, 1936-39; J.C. Solomon, 1939-41; D.W. Perkins, 1941-43; D.S. Saunders, 1943-1945; W.B. Freeman, 1945-1946;H.E. Cross, 1949-1950; A.G. Conyers, 1950-1952; A.E. English, 1951-1953; J.W. Teal 1953-1955; W.L. Powell 1955-1958; W.B. Shivers, 1958-1960; O.J. Thornton, 1960-1964; J.H. Lissimore, 1964-1969; P.H. Smith, 1969-1974; E.J. Tann, 1974-1975; John F. White, 1975-1977;K.M. Dunlap, 1977-1978; Ronald L. Williams, 1978-1980; J.E. Brittain, 1980-1982; Leonard Searcy, 1982-1987; L.A. Towns, 1987-1994; W.A. Williams, 1994-1997; Willie C. Brown, 1997-2002; Dr. R. B. Bass, 2002-2007; and our present pastor, Rev. Wayne Griffin, Sr., came to us in 2007 and is working tirelessly as a voice crying out in the wilderness telling dying men, women, girls, and boys what thus saith the Lord!
In attempting to state the history of the above church, I shall state that which was relayed to me as near as possible, by my parents and other elders who lived during these times.
The first church was where the present home of Rev. H. A. Newsome now stands. Both Baptist and Methodist worshipped there in the same house. As time passed, trouble arose between the two factions, and the Methodists pulled away. Rev. Daniel Williams bought for them this present site where we now worship. Among the first to pay $10 each on this were the following: Mrs. Mary Presley, Mrs. Viney Lawson, Mrs. Caroline Solomon, Mrs. Mariah Sneed, Bro. Ben and Sis. Mary Saddler, Mrs. Mary Williams, Mrs. Mahaley Brown, Mrs. Mariah Jones, Sis. Eliza Jordan, Annis Adams, Mrs. Rena Cobb, Sis. Betsey Hill, Sis. Missouri Jones, Sis. Cheora Bly, Was Baker’s Family, Wilbur Bailey’s Family, John Walker, Harris McKey, Sue Shedd, Bill Wright’s Family, Clem Johnson’s Family, Mariah Johnson’s Family, Elijah Pennamon’s Family, Will Grier’s Family, Rill Lowe’s Family, Rev. Hemp Collins’ Family, Beverly Jackson’s Family, William Green, Bill Tinsley’s Family, Sarah Walker, Sylvester Brannham’s Family, Dick Alexander’s Family, Bill Jefferson’s Family, Caroline Jordan’s Family, Betsey Foster, Georgia Baines, and the Litt Ross Family.
The original St. John A.M.E. Church fronted where the well once stood, framed from logs hewn near Hunt’s Chapel A.M.E. Church. The first Pastor was Rev. Anderson, #2 Rev. Brown, #3 Rev. Elijah Holmes, #4 Rev. Strickland, and others. The first pastor that I remember personally was Rev. W.C. Gaines at the old church building who later was made presiding elder of the district. Then, Rev. L.H. Smith came and built this present church A.D. 1884. Among the members who worked faithfully to build this present church was Bro. Wilbur Bailey, foreman of the job. Others were Sis. Mary Presley, J.C. Cobb, Capt. Wm. Adams, Bro Wm. Baker, Harvey Solomon, Jana Walker, Albert Thomas Nelson, Julia Rivers, Ellen Jordan, Alfred Turner, Viney Lawson, Rev. George Johnson, Caroline Solomon, Caroline Jordan, William Jefferson, Jr., and the families of Wash Baker, Sam Solomon, the Brittains, George Gantt, Jordans, Rev. Elijah Pennamon, Jim Coles, Rev. Holmes Harrison, Islom Powell, Amanda Boswell, George Daniel, Will Grier, Rena Cobb, Bill Anderson, Carrie Scott, Lewis Scott, Harvey Solomon, Sarah Marshall, Caroline Jefferson, Flora Adams, Delia Choice, Clarke Evans, Eleanor Jordan Family, Darkis Lynch, Bro. Shack Smith, Tom Butler, Mattie Simiel, Katie Rainey, Mary Jefferson, John Brannham, and others I can not remembers. There were members of the Baptist church who aided in this time of need as well. I may well say that the whole Eatonton generally speaking helped to build St. John A.M.E. Church. I am thankful to write of the many that assisted, as I was only 8 years old when this church was built. My greatest consolation is to live to speak on what my two grandmothers and aunts, who were among the first to help buy land for the house of God. I thank Him who gave me life to live this day to call their names that I may profit by their examples. --George Cobb
Many fine things have happened down through the years of St. John A.M.E. Church from the early administration of Rev. Daniel Williams to Rev. John F. White, who is leading the St. John family today. It was under the leadership of Rev. Peter H. Smith that a “New St. John” came about. The first building fund rally for this cause brought in $9,735. As time went on we worked hard to make this dream a reality. When Re. Peter Smith left St. John there was approximately $25,000 in the building fund. On October 17, 1976 ground was broken for the building of a new sanctuary. On March 20, 1977 the corner stone was laid for the “New Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church,” and at that time, planning for the dedicatory service on Sunday, March 27, 1977 began.
Stewards at that time were: Bros. Will Adams, Willie Bailey, Alonza Bailey, David Farley, William Gilbert, Jimmy Davis, Raymond Few, Ulysses Rice, Oscar Parham, James Baker, and Sis. Fannie P. Farley, Steward Secretary; Trustees were: Bros. Thomas L. Daniel, John L. Griffin, Tommy Farley, George Jordan, James T. Lawrence, Johnny Harrison, Albert Adams, Lewis Lawrence, O.D. Harrison, and Sis. Frances Reid, Trustee Secretary. Bro. Willie Bailey was president of the Georgia Lay, Sis. Elean Davis was president of the District Missionary. Sis. Mary Carswell was president of the local missionary. Stewardesses were: Sisters Sallie Bailey, Rosa Little, Katie Harrison, Willie Mae Mitchell, Mattie Lawrence, Iola Goolsby, and Mary Baynes is emeritus. Thanks were given to Mr. Cobb, Sis. Lula B. Ford, and the Butler Family for the history information being compiled.
As we reflect on the essay that Mr. George Cobb has given us, we find that the foundation on which this church was built stands firm from pillars of such families as the: Adams, Baines, Baynes, Bakers, Blys, Butlers, Browns, Brannhams, Alexanders, Andrews, Baileys, Cobbs, Collins, Coles, Clarks, Fosters, Daniels, Greens, Jones, Jordans, Jacksons, Johnsons, Evans, Harrisons, Griers, Lawsons, Jeffersons, Lynchs, Gantts, McClendens, Pennamons, Presleys, Smiths, Sneeds, Stokes, Powells, Wilkes, Saddlers, Williams, McKeys, Turners, Wrights, Walkers, Hills, Robinson, Tinsleys, Ross, Lowes, Simiels, and perhaps others that did not get recorded. As the years passed, we are aware of other great pillars that hold the house of worship firm on the foundation that was laid by our ancestors. Our ancestors did many great things to build St. John along with the many great ministers of the gospel. These pastors are as follows:
Daniel Williams 1867; Anderson; Brown; Elijah Holmes; Strickland; L. H. Smith 1884;T.N.M. Smith; W.C. Gaines; A.R. Cooper, 1887-1893; F.F. Boody, 1893-1895; P.W. Greatheart, 1895-1897; I.C. Iverson, 1897-1898; S.S. Martin, 1898-1899; C.W. Gaines, Presiding Elder; S.E. Perry, 1899-1901; E.L. Holmes, 1901-1902; C.A. Wingfield, 1902-1904; J.W. Bell, 1904-1906; S. Fleming, 1906-1908; H. Stroud, 1908-1911; Charles Case, 1911-1912; G.B. Jackson, 1912-1914; M.A. Fountain, 1915-1918; S>F. Andrews 1918-1919; J.T. Leath, 1919-1920; E.H. Lowery, 1920-1921; E.C. Forley 1921-1924; G.W. Wallace 1924-1925; J.H. Jones, 1924-1928; G.N. Dunn, 1928-1931; J.S. McAllister 1931-1932; Loyde Harding, 1932-1933; S.J. Green 1933-1935; A.E. Persons, 1935-1936; Dewitt Ealy, 1936-39; J.C. Solomon, 1939-41; D.W. Perkins, 1941-43; D.S. Saunders, 1943-1945; W.B. Freeman, 1945-1946;H.E. Cross, 1949-1950; A.G. Conyers, 1950-1952; A.E. English, 1951-1953; J.W. Teal 1953-1955; W.L. Powell 1955-1958; W.B. Shivers, 1958-1960; O.J. Thornton, 1960-1964; J.H. Lissimore, 1964-1969; P.H. Smith, 1969-1974; E.J. Tann, 1974-1975; John F. White, 1975-1977;K.M. Dunlap, 1977-1978; Ronald L. Williams, 1978-1980; J.E. Brittain, 1980-1982; Leonard Searcy, 1982-1987; L.A. Towns, 1987-1994; W.A. Williams, 1994-1997; Willie C. Brown, 1997-2002; Dr. R. B. Bass, 2002-2007; and our present pastor, Rev. Wayne Griffin, Sr., came to us in 2007 and is working tirelessly as a voice crying out in the wilderness telling dying men, women, girls, and boys what thus saith the Lord!