History

ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSOME STREET

CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

The late Bro. James Cooper in the year of 1936 debated the minister of the Christian Church, Mr. Strickland.  The topic of the debate was music in the Lord’s Church.  During the debate, over half of the members of the Christian Church obeyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The site of the debate was the Christian Church which was located at the old Miller’s Farm here in Lowndes County.

Bro. Cooper preached at the site of the debate which became the Church of Christ from 1936 to 1937.  In the latter part of 1937, Bro. Robert Simmons served as minister until 1941.  In the year of 1941, many members were forced to leave the area due to the hardships of farming and diminishing of job availabilities.  Because of the various hardships experienced during 1941, it became necessary for the Church to relocate and the members decided on moving to the City of Hahira, Georgia.  Due to the response of the West Adair Street Church of Christ, and a beloved brother and sister of the Church, the old building at the Miller Farm was torn down and a new site was purchased on West Park Avenue.

For more than a year, a place of worship and service to God had not been erected at the newly purchased site; however, services were held at the home of Bro. and Sis. Charlie Gordon.  Between late 1941 and early 1942, a place for worship and service to God was erected which was then called the West Park Avenue Church of Christ.

 

Those who served as ministers of the West Park Avenue Church of Christ are as listed:

Bro. Clifford Paine ………………………………………..      1941-1942

Bro. John H. Guess ………………………………………..     1942-1944

Bro. Glover Tucker ……………………………………….      1945-1946

Bro. Garner Henry ………………………………………..      1947-1949

Bro. Elijah Johnson ……………………… 1950-Exact time unknown

Bro. T. J. Maxwell …………………………………………     1954-1976

Area Ministers ……………………………………….. Portions of 1977

Bro. Leroy Butler ………………………………………….     1977-1979

Bro. J. W. Winston ………………………………………...     1979-1981

Bro. Billy R. Coleman ……………………………………..     1981-1983

 

         

 

In April 1983, Bro. James C. Shearry became the Minister of the West Park Avenue Church of Christ.  It was under his ministry and labor of love that the Church which met at West Park Avenue was blessed by God to move to the newly constructed building located at 202 Newsome Street.  Bro. Shearry served faithfully as minister of the church family from April 1983 to May 1986.

          On September 6, 1986, Bro. Charlie E. Godfrey agreed to accept the work as minister of the Church which meets at 202 Newsome Street.  It is our prayer that God will continue to bless us in all our efforts as we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.