A HISTORY OF THE REDAN MErHODIST CHURCH

The Redan Methodist Church was organized September 13, 1894 by Rev. Chas. Pattillo, in charge of the Lithonia Circuit. The church becomti a part of the Lithonia Circ'¢t November 22, 1894 and had as its first pastor, Rev. C. L. Patti1loJ its first PresidingElder, Rev. Walker Lewis; its first BiShop, Rev. A. C. Haygood.

There were 85 charter members. They are list'ed below as their names appear on the church relister. John W. Phipps, Sarah E. Phipps,Ellen C. Phipps, Lucy C. Phipps, Ada Phipps, James W. Philips, MaryV. Philips, Emma P. Philips, Annie Lou Philips, Francis M. Wellborn, Louisa E. Wellborn, Elmer L. Wellborn, George C. :Minor, Rebecca J. :Minor, George H. Minor, Cla~nce W. Wellborn, Mamie Wellborn, James W. Smith, Martha J. Smith, Mary J. Coker, Charles Sexton, Frances P. Sexton, Nancy L. Sexton, Warren J. Weatherford, John W. Ozmer, Martha C. Ozmer, Allie C. Ozmer, Bessie Ozmer, Katie Ozmer,Eula Le~~~ch, Godfrey F. Corley, Felton F. Corley, Lot W. Corley,He tta Corley, Amanda C. (,'hupp, H'enry H. Suber, Mary Suber, James Ho~ll, Penny Howell, Dawson Snow, Catheriae Snow, Gideon Young, , James N. McElroy, Violet E. McElroy, Margaret M. McElroy, Amanda J. Langston, Emma J. Langston, Henry R. NiChols, Mary A. Nichols, Newton J. Nichols, Claude NicholsL Ira. T. Philips, Jessie A. Philips, Rena F. Johnson, Kate C. Ric~, William A. ~vans, Anna M. Powell, John H. Hammock, Manda J. Hammock, Charly Arnold, Georgia Weatherford, Annie Johnson, Elisha T. Cok'er, Lawson Leftwich.

The following charter members are living but are no longermembers of this church.

Mrs. Tom Lyons (Ada Phipps)Mrs. J. L. Leftwich (Pearl Philips)Mr. Elmer L. Wellborn Mrs. F. A. Ragsdale (Martha Ozmer)Mrs. Terrell Wesl1!}' (Allie Ozm-er)Mrs. C. O. Wike (Katie Ozm~r) Mrs. John Walker ("Eula Leftwich)Mrs. Hugh Marbut (Annie Johnson)

The father of the Ozmer Sisters, Mr. John W. Ozm-er, was a chart'er member. The husband of Martha Ozmer, Rev. F. A. Ragsdal'e,served the church as a local preacher at various times during the early years of its history.

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The following pastors have served the church: C. L. Pattillo, 1894-1896; M. H. Eakes, 1896-1897; James T. Lowe, 1897-1899; Robert P. Martin, 1899-1900; A. M. strozier, 1900-1902; J. S. L. Sappington, 1902-1904; J. A. Quillian, 1904-1908; W. P. King, 1908-1~1~; Marvin Williams, 1912-1915; I. D. Cunningham, 1915-1916; G. W. Barrett, 1916-1917; J. H. Allison, 1917-1919; O. M. Blackwell, 1919-1920; W. M. Twiggs, 1920-1924; J. A. Sears,,- 1924-1925; C. W. Alford, 1925-1926; C. v. Weath~rs, 1926-1928; J. ~. Kilton, 1928-1930; N. H. Davis, 1930­1932; W. R. Sisson, 1932-1933; L. N. Davidson, 1933-1934; Neil McKinnon, 1934-1935; Fred Gwin, 1935-1937; J. L. Peck, 1937-1938; R. E. ElLiott, 1938-1939; N. S. Robertson, 1939-1940; Z. V. Hawks, 1940-1943; w. C. Str1ck1andL 1943-1944; Allen Montgomery, 1944-1946; M. C. Philippi, 1946-1947; Paul ~'. Wohlgemuth, 1947-1950; H. J. Bassett, 1950-1952; S. A. Dailey, 1952- • .

Until the present building was erected, services were held in the Redan Woodv111re Baptist Church and in the Redan School House. Construction was begun on the present building 1n 1895, the land being donated byMr. Francis M. Wellborn. Lumber :for the church was obtained by various members and f"ri<ends donating loJ1gs which were sawed at mills in the vicinity. All of the labo·r in constructing the building was donat'ed by members and :friends. The building was dedicated the second Sundayin May, 1896, by· the Presiding E1Wer of the District, Rev. Walker Lewis. The membership at· this time had increased to 103. The Church Register contains about 550 names. The largest membership at anyone time appears to be 125. The membership at the time of this writing, Dec,ember, 1953, is 60.

During the ministry of Charles L. Pattillo .there were 115 members (including charter membe~s) receivad into· the church. Rev. Marvin Williams received 81 members into the church. At least 20 members were received during the ministry of each of the fol10·wing pastors; J. S. L. Sappington, J. A. Quillian, W. P. King, W. M. Twiggs, J. D. HUton, Paul F. Wohlgemuth.

The Redan Methodist Church remained a part of th~ Lithonia Circuit until the Conference year 1926-1927. At that time it become a partof the Redan Circuit. In 1928 the present Redan-Rock Chapel Circuit was created. There are now four churches on this charge; Belmont, Rock Chapel, Redan and ROCkland.

The S1.mday School rooms were added to the church in 1926. In 1928 electric lights were installed. In 1940 the construction of a parsonage,in Redan, was completed. This parsonage serves the Redan-Rock Chapelcharge. In 1948 the following church improvements were made; gas heaters installed, venetian blinds donated as memorials by m~mbars and friends, floors sanded and finished, and new carpets purchased. In 1952 concret~ walks were constructed in front of the church. In 1953 water :from th1i! DeKalb County Water S1st'emwas piped to the parsonage and to the church property.

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In the only nddings performed in the church the brides were a granddaughter and two great granddaughters of the late Francis M. Wellborn" the donor of the land on which the church is built. On F'edruary~ 1900, Pearl Philips Was married to Jo'el Lawson Leftwich by the Rev. R. p. Martin. On Jun,e 6, 1948, Elizabeth Anne Philips was marri~d to Danny A. Nuckolls. October 23 1948, Virginia Claire Philips was married to Georg~ Pi9rce Owens. ~he last two weddings were p'erform'ed by the Rev. Paul F. Wohlg13muth.