Kennesaw Methodist Church organized in February 1877 by A.G. Dempsey,
L.P. Acworth Circuit. Charter Members - The earliest church
register lists the February 1877 charter members as:
Males -
J.F. Brinkley, J.F. Baldwin, H.M. Grambling, W.B. Wood, R.A. Grambling,
John T. Carrie, Thomas Kendrick, Manning Taylor, J.S. Wingo, Joseph
Pinion and Thomas Harris, Jr.
Females
- Jane E. Carrie, Angeline Carris, Sarah J. Carrie, Harriet Harris,
Irene L. Baldwin, Martha Gulliver, Sabra Grambling, Mary Grambling
Tanner, Sophia Harris, Mary Harris, Margaret Kendrick (by confession),
Elizabeth McRea, Margie Roberts, Jane Chalker, Emma Chalker Roberts,
laura Taylor and Mollie F. Brinkley. B.H. Carrie is listed as
"joined by confession in July 1877" at the same time C.C. Davis and J.C.
Davis, Jr. are listed as joining by confession. Other who joined
in 1877 are : Dr. W.M. Elliott, Mary Wallace, Nancy Wallace
Mayfield, Zenobia Gulliver Smithson, Georgia Crossley and Martha Chalker
Gresham.
The first deed was
given by Gasper T. and Jane Carrie April 1, 1881, and it believed
that Gasper was a member of Shiloh Methodist Church at the time at
Kennesaw Methodist Church was organized. The first building
was erected in 1877, with combined help of members of Kennesaw
Methodist and Kennesaw Baptist Churches.
1888 - 1899
Pastors
Serving: (# of years) - M.W. Arnold (1), J.J. Singleton (2), C.G.
Weems (1), D.W. Scott (1), H.M. Quillian (2), O.C. Simmon (2), W.L.
Wooten (2), J.M. Owens (3), W.W. Oslin (1), W.G. Caldwell (2), W.L.
Edmonson (2), M.D. Smith (7 months), J.S. Embry (5 months), E.H. Wood
(2). Samuel Brinkley and J.F. Brinkley were the earliest Sunday
School Superintendents.
The
first marriage registered in the church was James Tanner to Miss Mary
Grambling on March 4, 1880 by Rev. McMurry a Baptist Minister. The
earliest Sunday School Record Book for this time is copyrighted in 1879.
It lists three classes which are undated. The first class was
taught by Miss Angie Carrie with class members; Jim Cos, John Leathers,
Joe Carrie, Lula Pritchard, Essie Roberts, Susie Baldwin, Annie Roberts,
Annie James, Levy Hughes, Willie Raley, and Julia Price. The Bible
Class was taught by J.A. Edge with class members; Mrs. Carrie, Mrs.
Maggie Butler, Alex Brinkley, G.L. Howell, Jr., J.W. Bennett and Mr. C.H.
Roberts. The third class was taught by Mr. Brinkley with class
members; Dosie Springfield, Mamie Smithson, Emmet Duvall, Freddie
Mayfield, Edward Felker, George Raley, Sibbie Raley and Crason Felker.
Samuel
Brinkley was the Superintendent of Sunday Schools. In 1893 there
were at least two adult classes. J.W. Bennett taught one class
with members; Miss Sue Baldwin, Mrs. J.W. Bennett, J.F. Brinkley, R.S.
Eidson, G.C. Bickers, John Leathers, J.R. Butler, Thomas Stephens and
Miss Leavy Hughes. The second class was taught by Georgia Field
with class members; Essie Roberts, Nannie Roberts, Jessie Gibson, Daisy
Springfield, Effie Brinkley, Annie James, Johnnie Brinkley, Nellie
Tanner, Willie Raley, Mada Norn, Pearle Holenshed, Mary Baldwin, Minnie
Smith and Julia Price.
The
second building was completed in 1902. This is the same sanctuary
was being used when the church building was sold to the Catholic Church
in 1981 and the congregation moved to its new building at 1801 Ben King
Rd.
1899 - 1909
Pastors
Serving: W.A. Simons (4), W.A. Farris (1), O.L. Kelly (3), W.G.
Crawley (3).
Events:
The church had 137 members in 1904. Sunday School teachers in 1906
were Mrs. J.T. Harris, Mrs. S.J. Cason, Mr. Pierce McGee, J.T. Carrie,
Miss Cora Jiles, Miss Wissie McRea and Miss Birdie Lovinggood. New
Sunday School teachers in 1907 in addition to others listed was Miss
Edna Jiles and Miss Corrie Griggs. On September 30, 1906 there
were 45 present at Sunday School, 4 absent. By mid 1907 there were
153 members of the Sunday School. The collection that day was 59
cents and the weather was cold.
Members
of Mrs. J.T. Harris's class in 1907 were; Mr. T.J. Hardage, Mr. B.H.
Hill, Mr. Sam Cason, Mr. W.P. Giles, Mr. Jim Chalker, Mr. B.H. Carrie,
Mrs. Tiny Hill and Mr. Griffin Hill. In Class #2 of Mr. Pierce
McGee were; Irene Hill, Mattie Bonds, Clara Boring, Bertha Brinkley,
Nannie Roberts, Myrtle Anderson, Lizzie Anderson, Liddie Tolleson, Grace
Boring, Annie Pylant, Jennie Carrie, Pearl Bickers
Members
of Mr. J.T. Carrie's Class were; May Scroggs, Jewel Hilderbrand, Edith
Cason, Lois Hill, Bell Bickers, Susie Cox, Blanche Carrie, Bertha
Tolleson, Lula Harris and Ila Tolleson. Members of Mis Cora Jiles
class were; Ernest Hill, Alex Allen, Roy Scroggs, Paul Burk, Guy Boring,
Carl Scroggs, Alex Brinkley, George Burt, George Dobbins, Fred Cason and
Olin Ellis.
Mis
Corrie Griggs class had the following members; Verna Lester, Alice
Cason, Sarah Hill, Lora Hanie, Winnie Carrie, Ula Tolleson, Flora
Lester, Lori Brinkley, Lucile Roberson, Lura Ellis, Nellie May Winn,
Georgie Burt and Lizzie Hanie. Class Members of Miss Birdie
Lovinggood were; Grady Bickers, Roy Boring, Grady Chalker, Byron Brooks,
John Skelton, Ralph Skelton, Paul Roberson, John Baldwin and Denver
Bickers. The final class was taught by Mrs. S.J. Cason with the
following members; Mr. Gordon McRea, Dave McRea, Dave Hughes, Will
Saterfield, Fred Hilderbrand, Philip Brinkley, Burt Hilderbrand, George
Skelton, Ed Skelton, Clarence McRea, Will Roberts, Leslie Jiles,
Clifford McClure, Jackson McClure, Dr. Van Sant, Will Boring and Will
Wallace.
The
Epworth League was organized January 5, 1908
1908 - 1913
Pastors
Serving: A.G. Cantrell (1), W.G. Parrish (1), G.W. Barrett (2).
Events: The church had 237 members in 1910. At least one
church wide photograph was made.
1913 - 1919
Pastors
Serving: E.A. Ware (1), J.R. Speer (1), S.H. Dimon (3).
Events: World War I 1917-1918. Members went to war. 1917 a
church wide photograph was made.
1919 - 1926
Pastors
Serving: F.J. Jenkins (1), C.F. Hughes (2), H.C. Holland (3).
Events: Annual all day singing with dinner on the grounds, cradle
roll and Childrens' Day.
1927 - 1930
Pastors
Serving: William Greenway (2), J.W. Lee (1). Events:
Young Adult Class began soliciting funds to build a meeting room behind
the sanctuary. Lemonade parties being one of the fund raising
projects. Admission was 1 lemon plus 1 cent per seed. A
satin quilt was raffled to raise money for missions in 1930.
1931 -1938
Pastors
Serving: Walter Millican (2), A.G. Shandle (1), R.P. Segars (2).
Events: Meeting room built behind sanctuary in 1932. Aim was
to make Kennesaw Methodist Church not only a Christian Church but a
Church of Christians. Slogan: Every member doing their part.
In 1936 the first church directory was published.
1939 - 1943
Pastors
Serving: Charles Allen (2), J.M. Guest (1), B.L. Barton (4).
Events: Pews were purchased for the sanctuary in 1940. The
front of the church was remodeled under the leadership of Rev. Charles
Allen. During 1940 the Woman's Missionary Society changed to
Woman's Society of Christian Service (WSCS).
1944 - 1949
Pastors
Serving: G.B. Henderson, R.R. Baker (4). Events:
Budget in 1946 for Kennesaw was 35% of the charge or $1,003.23.
Dr. Wallace Rogers was the DS (District Superintendent). Pastors
were paid $625 in 1945 and $694.50 in 1946. Carolyn Bozeman was
church treasurer. Fifty dollars was sent to the Methodist
Children's Home in 1945. Mrs. A. James was the church custodian.
Acworth - Kennesaw - County Line formed a charge until 1948. In
July 1948 Kennesaw and Elizabeth were placed together in a new charge.
A house was purchased next door for the first parsonage. In June
1949 a 24' X 48' annex was completed which included a kitchen & dining
room downstairs and four classrooms upstairs. In 1949 a central
heating system was installed.
1950 - 1959
Pastors
Serving: S. Maynard Luttress, Aaron Sellers (4). Events:
In 1951 the church sign was erected by the Friendship Class in memory of
Ralph Skelton. J.D. Hildebrand was the custodian of the churches
legal papers. From 1951 - 1952 Inez Lewis was the Chairman of
Records & History. From 1952 - 1953 the church budget was $2,091.25.
The pastors salary was $1,500. In 1953 the stained glass windows
were installed and in 1954 another annex was added containing a
fellowship hall, four classrooms and the relocation of the kitchen.
The Methodist Youth Fellowship became active during this period.
Mildred Smith and Carolyn Bozeman were the volunteer typists for the
ministers. A pulpit bible was bought by the Epworth League to
honor mothers, with Inez Lewis as the sponsor. Lois Fowler was the
organist. In 1956 a new piano was purchased. In 1957 the
steeple chimes were added and Carolyn Bozeman was the pianist.
Between 1958 - 1959 the church budget was $9,509 with the pastors salary
being $3,600 + $240 travel. Three hundred and thirty seven members
were on the rolls in 1959. The Children's Home received $388 in
1959 and the Rev. Harvey King, a native of Kennesaw, returned as
Associate Pastor of the church.
1960 - 1972
Pastors
Serving: Alfred W. Hanner, Jr. (6), Juel Sealey (6). Events:
Rev. Hanner published the church newsletter, Kennesaw Good News.
(If you notice the newsletter on our website the tradition continues.)
In 1960 the Associate Pastor was Bob Caryle for one year. The
pastors salary from 1960 - 1961 was $4,200 + $600 travel. A new
parsonage on Pine Hill Circle was built. Layman's Day speakers
were Joe Russell & Charlie Black. In 1961 the Commission on
Membership and Evangelism retired the 50 year church roll with the
statement, "this is the continuous register of the members of the church
which is never destroyed or altered by obliterating names. The
roll will be placed in the archives of the church and preserved, with
the names transferred to the new official roll. The church budget
for 1961 was $17,351 or $334 weekly. The UMW (United Methodist
Women) President in 1961 was Mrs. J.L. Garrett. Three Hundred
Thirty Six members called the church home in 1961.
A choir
director was added and Carolyn Bozeman was hired as a part-time church
secretary when Rev. Sealey arrived. Paul Wood bought the first
electric typewriter for church use. A campaign to raise $75,000
over a 3 year period was started to be used for the first phase of
building. In 1967 property (11 acres) on Ben King Road was bought
from Paul Wood for a church building. A building campaign and sale
of bonds for a new church building was started. The Guaranty Bond
and Securities Corporation went bankrupt and the building was put on
hold. Some of the items delivered to Ben King Road site were
stored at Lockheed until 1980. Some items were lost. Shirley
Bromley was the pianists for the 8:30am morning service and Carolyn
Bozeman for the 11:00am service. Willard Abernathy was hired as
the musical director and organist in June 1969
1970 - 1983
Pastors
Serving: William F. Byrd (4), William "Bill" Edwards (7).
Events: In 1975 there were 716 church members. A church bus
was purchased and one of the new church secretaries was Joyce Cassidy.
Peggy Feo a local artist donated a painting of the original church to
KUMC in 1977. In 1976 we had a Centennial Celebration and the
Bessie Carrie Circle made quilts for the parsonage. In January of
1979 there was $109,509 in the building fund. The members moved
into the new church on Ben King Road in 1981 and the old church building
was sold to St. Catherine's Catholic Church. Mrs. Donna Chastain
gave a grand piano to the church and a Allen Organ was purchased.
Youth Minister Bill Burch was hired and Dr. Don Forrester was hired as
the Minister of Music.
1983 - 2004
Pastors
Serving: James Griffin (7), Robert Lanford (6), Robert "Mike"
Cavin (8) Events: June 17, 1990 a service of dedication to
burn the note for the sanctuary and education building was held.
Rev. Forrest King was the Minister of Visitation. Patriotic
services were started for all July 4th services. Handbells were
bought by Rena King in memory of Forrest King. Associate Pastors
were Rev. Carol Scott and Rev. Carolyn Younts. Michael Brent was
hired as the Minister of Music and Education. Membership in 1990
was 1,200. Groundbreaking Service for the new Family Life Center (CAC)
was held on September 9, 1990 after $200,000 was raised for
construction. The CAC was consecrated on November 10, 1991 and a
new parsonage was purchased prior to Rev. Lanford's arrival. The
budget in 1992 was $567,559 with 1,347 members on the rolls. In
1993 there were 1,381 members on the rolls. The 1996 budget was
$535,191 and $544,989 for 1997. In 1997 there were 1,424 members
on the rolls. The old parsonage on Pine Hill Circle was sold.
2004
Pastors
Servings: Wallace Wheeles. Events: Rev. Wallace
Wheeles arrived as the Senior Pastor. Rev. Shannon McGee served as
the Minister of Youth and charged with starting the Wesley Foundation at
Kennesaw State University. Rev. Ana Pereira arrived from Brazil to
start a Brazilian Ministry at the church. It is currently thriving
with pictures of activities available in our photo gallery. In
2004 the remainder of the note for the CAC was retired by using funds
donated from the sale of property belonging to the late Howard & Willie Mashburn.
The Mashburn's left a total of $465,000 from the sale of his property to
the church. In June 2006 Rev. Shannon McGee departed to become
full time director of the Wesley Foundation and Rev. Norm Markle,
Minister of Visitation departed to travel and enjoy retirement.
Rev. Jenny Anderson arrived as the new Associate Pastor.
October
2007
KUMC has learned to follow the
vision of God. When facing the unknown, a group of dedicated
people left Shiloh in 1877 to become the core of what is now
KUMC. Subsequent decisions to build, add on and eventually move
to our present location came about after much prayer and
soul-searching. The move was made to follow God’s vision.
The vision has continued and the process has remained the same:
prayer and soul-searching. Building new additions and adding
ministries have always been KUMC’S response to following God’s
vision. The year 2006 brought together, again after prayer
and soul-searching, a committee to seek, listen, pray, receive
and put into place a plan to continue following God’s vision.
After a year’s work the committee lay their work, at the foot of
God’s throne and ask of Him: “Is this your vision for KUMC?
The official kickoff to raise funds for our new building started
October 2007.
2008
(excerpts taken from September 28, 2008 Charge
Conference Booklet)
Huu Mai, church musician
departs in early 2008. Lisa Enfinger joins the staff as
Accompanist. In September Serena Moore retires from the
official position of Minister of Children and Families and Lin
Cason is hired for the position. As of the October charge
conference 90 new members to the church have been welcomed and
37 by Profession of Faith were received. Total membership
is now 1,623. To date over $700,000 for the building
campaign has been raised.
During 2008 the Children's
Ministries continue to grow and reach out to the children of the
community. Our congregation served the children in 180+
volunteer positions for the year. Sunday School is offered
at 9:45 am. The Cokesbury curriculum for Sunday School
called "LIVE BIG" incorporates and interactive video segment,
puppets, music and more into the study of scripture. We
currently have five separate worship areas during the 11 am
church service. A nursery is provided for all worship
services as well as for bible studies and other important
ministry gatherings. Mom's Morning Out is a thriving
program that is offered twice a month. Sports Camp and
Cooking Camp are offered in the summer to children ages
Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Safe Sanctuaries is a
United Methodist child protection policy. All adult
volunteers are required to meet all of the guidelines. Our
summer programming includes Vacation Bible School, Drama Camp,
Upward Basketball Camp, Preschool Camp and two Mom's Morning Out
Camps. We also host the Mountain Lake District Cub Scout
Day Camp with approximately 400 children from the community
during the first week in June. The Pre School Learning
Center has added a half day Kindergarten class and the name has
been officially changed to Kennesaw Methodist Children's
Academy.
During 2008 the Music Ministry
continued to grow. Three new staff members were welcomed
including Danny Orlando, April O'Keefe and Lisa Enfinger.
Danny will be the Contemporary Worship Leader. April will
serve as the Music Assistant for the various children's choirs
and the KUMC Symphony Orchestra. Lisa is our new
accompanists. Our minstries include: Chancel Choir
(11 am - Adult), Covenant Choir (8:30 am - Adult), Cherub
Children's Choir and the Chorister Children's Choir. In
addition we offer Beginning Handbells, Advanced Adult Handbells,
Beginning Violin Classes and the KUMC Symphony Orchestra.
Finally we reached out to the community by establishing a
relationship with the Kennesaw Mountain High School Band and
Orchestra Program. The partnership extends the reach of
KUMC into the community and provides an opportunity for the KMHS
Band and Orchestra members to take part in the many performances
of our music ministry.
Our key performances included
the Easter Cantata titled, "The Weeping Tree", Children's
Musical performance "Power", Dinner Theatre performance titled,
"American History in Song", Christmas Cantata titled, "Festival
of Carols" and represented the church as well, as the American
Choral Association when some of our members participated in the
"Messiah Pilgrimage" to Ireland and England.
2009
(excerpts taken from November 1, 2009 Charge
Conference Booklet)
Senior Pastor Wallace Wheeles
- This year has been a year like many years and yet a year
unlike most years. The economy and the political spectrum
have dominated the news and many of the conversations even in
the church. Many of our members have been caught up in the
downturn in the markets with job loss, loss of home, bankruptcy,
and loss of self-esteem. Recently the devastating floods
that plagued most of our county also affected several of our
members with the flooding of their homes. As your pastor I
have found you at the hospitals, sitting with your class members
in surgery, loading supplies for MUST and the Shiloh Food
Pantry, unloading pumpkins at Shiloh UMC in support of the food
pantry, prepare breakfast in Marietta at the MUST kitchen,
helping with MUST in Canton, completing a house in south Cobb
County as part of the Habitat Work Force in cooperation with
sister churches and saw the youth make another great Mission
Trip. Current membership stands at 1,637. We have
welcomed 70 members into our family. At the same time we
have said good-bye to 23 of our dears friends who moved on to
other areas and churches as well as 13 who have finished that
race. The church has been faithful in its stewardship.
We have paid 100% of our District and Conference Askings,
supported 3 missionaries, been in the top of churches supporting
the Children's Home and starting a role in supporting the
Murphy-Harpst Home. We crossed the $1,000,000 mark in the
Faith Building Campaign even in the economic downturn and are
current with all of our bills but continuing to fund the
ministries that God opens for us. Paul Scheeser joins the KUMC
family as the Minister of Youth.
Associate Pastor Jenny
Anderson - The Young Adult Ministry continues to thrive as a
small group ministry. We meet for dinner once a month,
meet as a cell group and participate in after church ministries.
In the summer we maintain a full social calendar making sure
each month our young adults and college students have an
activity or two to enjoy. During Sunday School we study
scripture, social concerns and finding ways to balance our lives
and share prayer concerns. New Member education continues
through various studies such as Church 101 which is a four week
course covering what it means to be a United Methodist, history
of the church and where new members fit in the life of the
church. Bible Studies continue to grow in numbers with
both short term and long term (Disciple) studies being offered.
Lin Cason, Minister of
Children and Family - Karol McGruder joined the staff as the
Assistant Minister to Children and Families in November 2008.
Sunday School continues to thrive during the 9:45 hour under the
Cokesbury curriculum, "LIVE BIG". Children's Worship at
11:00 provides studies and activities for all children through
5th grade. Children's Choirs and Compass Point moved from
Wednesday Nights to Sunday early evening which resulted in an
increase in attendance. Since the new times are during
dinner we have added, "Chow with Chums" in which children are
encourage to bring a snack supper to enjoy eating and fellowship
with friends between choir and Compass Points.
Participation in our summer programs continue to explode.
Vacation Bible School blessed us with 250 children and over 70
adult volunteers. The "That's a Wrap" family celebration
on Friday evening brought over 300 people to enjoy fellowship,
food, and see a week in review of VBS. Performing Arts
campers came in July with 30 (thirty) talented singers and
actors. Mom's Morning Out offered 4 (four) one week camps
and once again hosted the Mountain Lake District Cub Scout Day
Camp. Many other opportunities for the children of our
church and the community were offered including Trunk or Treat,
Family Christmas Gathering, Easter Celebration & Egg Hunt and
several Family Movie Nights. The nursery through Mom's
Morning Out and Noah's Neighborhood, and Kennesaw Methodist
Children's Academy continue to provide faith based programs for
our children.
Robin Harris, Nursery Director
- Our nursery continues to grow in leaps and bounds as our
congregation welcomes new young families. Just this spring
alone we welcomed eight new infants with no less then five more
on the way. It is a blessing that we have a wonderful
Nursery staff and volunteer support system to care for and
nurture all of our young children. In addition to our
Sunday Worship hours we also support other activities such as
Wednesday morning bible study, Wednesday evening choir practice,
Disciple Bible Studies, monthly Women's Circle Meetings, MOPS
Meeting (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) and a variety of committee
meetings and special events. This year we expanded the
Mom's Morning Out (MMO) program to the 2nd and 4th Friday of
every month from 9am - 1pm. This is an opportunity for
young children to fellowship together in an educational, fund
and nurturing environment while their parents have time to take
care of "adult business). We average 30 children during
each session. This summer the MMO program offered five
camps: Sports Day, Hobby Town, Kaleidoscope, Cooking and
Science Camps. Each camp had 90+ children in attendance.
This year we rolled out the Noah's Neighborhood program.
During the school year it runs Monday - Friday from 1pm to 5pm.
Children participate in games, snack time, craft time and rest
time. We currently have 65 children enrolled in the
program.
Anita Worthan, Minister of
Music and Other Arts - Music continues to be a key element in
our church's worship experience, new member recruitment and
member retention. Our ministries continue to include:
Covenant Choir (8:30 am - Adult), Chancel Choir (11 am - Adult),
Crossroads Praise Band (9:45 - Adult), Cherub Children's Choir,
Carol Choir, Chorister Children's Choir, King's Ringers,
Beginning Violin and Beginning Strings. Our events and
accomplishments for the year included: Participation in
the "Messiah Pilgrimage" to Ireland and England (December 2008 -
January 2009). Our performances included: Easter
Cantata, "The Word Revealed", Children's Spring Musical, "G-P-S:
God's Plan of Salvation", invited as guest musicians to a
neighboring church as the King's Ringers provided worship music
at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church in Cleveland, Georgia in
honor of our former pastor, Bob Lanford, hosted a Performing
Arts Camp in conjunction with the Children's Ministry of the
musical "Let's Rock and performed three mini concerts of worship
music leading into our summer revival services.
