Hayesville First
United Methodist Church
Upon the
removal of the Cherokee Indians in 1838 from the section around
Hayesville, a few scattering Methodists erected a small frame building
upon the plot of ground now used as the Methodist Cemetery. This small
church served the people for a number of years. In 1882, under the
pastorate of Rev. W. A. Thomas, the old building was removed and a new
one erected, largely through the efforts of Brother Thomas, who in order
to complete the building, and have it ready for dedication by Bishop
Wilson, lay many nights by a kiln attending the lumber.
In the year 1905, under the pastorate of Rev. E. Myers, a church was erected in the village of Hayesville, which served the Methodists up to 1937, when it was decided to build a new modern church. A building committee consisted of Allen J. Bell, P.C. Scroggs and Frank Herbert was appointed to erect a stone church. Through their untiring efforts, the cooperation of the people and outstanding leadership and skill of the present pastor, Rev. A. James Clemmer, this building was completed and paid for within six years from the time the work began.
The unusual features of the program are: first the church was built of native stone which members collected from the immediate section: second, most of the work was done by the members themselves. Particularly is this true of the finishing work after the building was hulled in.
Under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Clemmer, work nights were instituted. The men assembled three nights a week to work and the ladies did their part by bringing sandwiches and coffee to serve at the end of the work period. Within an incredibly short time, the church was completed, which included nine comfortable Sunday school rooms, three assembly rooms, a large recreation room, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning system, indirect lighting and new pews. The membership of the church next set themselves to the task of liquidating all indebtedness which has accumulated during the process of construction. On the fourth Sunday in June more than eight hundred dollars was raised. This, together with the small donation from the Conference Board of Missions and Church Extension and another from the General Board of Missions and Church Extension, paid off all indebtedness. During the early part of construction program, the Duke Endowment also gave substantial aid.
The pastors serving this church during the building period were:
Rev. John H. Green, Rev. W.J. Hackney, Rev. J.C. Gentry and the present pastor, Rev. A.J. Clemmer, all assisted by W.L Hutchins, District Superintendent.
In the year 1905, under the pastorate of Rev. E. Myers, a church was erected in the village of Hayesville, which served the Methodists up to 1937, when it was decided to build a new modern church. A building committee consisted of Allen J. Bell, P.C. Scroggs and Frank Herbert was appointed to erect a stone church. Through their untiring efforts, the cooperation of the people and outstanding leadership and skill of the present pastor, Rev. A. James Clemmer, this building was completed and paid for within six years from the time the work began.
The unusual features of the program are: first the church was built of native stone which members collected from the immediate section: second, most of the work was done by the members themselves. Particularly is this true of the finishing work after the building was hulled in.
Under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Clemmer, work nights were instituted. The men assembled three nights a week to work and the ladies did their part by bringing sandwiches and coffee to serve at the end of the work period. Within an incredibly short time, the church was completed, which included nine comfortable Sunday school rooms, three assembly rooms, a large recreation room, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning system, indirect lighting and new pews. The membership of the church next set themselves to the task of liquidating all indebtedness which has accumulated during the process of construction. On the fourth Sunday in June more than eight hundred dollars was raised. This, together with the small donation from the Conference Board of Missions and Church Extension and another from the General Board of Missions and Church Extension, paid off all indebtedness. During the early part of construction program, the Duke Endowment also gave substantial aid.
The pastors serving this church during the building period were:
Rev. John H. Green, Rev. W.J. Hackney, Rev. J.C. Gentry and the present pastor, Rev. A.J. Clemmer, all assisted by W.L Hutchins, District Superintendent.
History of Hayesville First United Methodist Church