The History of
Hartwell
The historical Hartwell Methodist Episcopal Church South, was organized
in 1854. The Reverend Howell Parks served as Senior Pastor and the
Reverend William S. Turner as the Junior Pastor.
Charter members included:
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John B. Benson, Mrs. Elizabeth Benson
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Col. P.E. DeVant, Mrs. P.E. DeVant
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John R. Kay, Mrs. Lucinda Kay
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Fred Hodges, Mrs. Martha Hodges
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Mr. James Jones, Mrs. Mary Jones
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Thomas M. Holland, Mrs., Julia Holland
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Miss Mary Ellen Holland, Miss Julia Carole Holland
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Chesley Scott, Mrs. Eliza Scott
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Fred Stephenson, Mrs. Mary Stephenson
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Mr. J.G.. Justice.
Having no church building, services were held in the territory court
house, a wooden structure on the northeast corner of the public square.
When the brick court house was finished in 1858 it became the meeting place.
The first church building was built by John R. Kay in 1859. It
was a large frame building painted white. The building had large
windows with a tall steeple. This was the only church to be built
in Hartwell until after the War Between the States. The use of the
building was extended to other denominations in town. The tradition
of sharing the facilities and working with other churches is still alive
at Hartwell Methodist.
As one former minister stated, " Our church had a small membership,
but was composed of earnest Christians anxious to accomplish the greatest
good for the community."
During the 1880's the building was remodeled. In 1891 a new bell
was purchased for the church. The bell alone, without fixtures, weighed
1050 pounds and "was made of the best bell metal and had a tone of A flat."
The original bell was given to the First Presbyterian Church for their
new building.
The stage was set for a steady growth for Methodism in Hart County.
The Hartwell Sun observed on May 21, 1897, "Nothing can avert it!
A building boom is on in Hartwell. During the summer the Methodists
will be building a handsome brick edifice on Howell Street. A number
of other brick and stone buildings are being built all around the square,
replacing the old wooden ones. Also, many nice residences are being
built in the city."
Our part of the boom was the building of the present sanctuary.
The Reverend C.A. Jamison was the pastor at the start of construction and
the Reverend T.J. Warlick was in charge at the completion in 1898.
The Gothic style plan was by Willis F. Denny, Architect of Atlanta.
A young German interior decorator, Mr. Didscheuneit of Atlanta, had charge
of all painting and woodwork. The sanctuary was painted a soft shade
of rose with white trim. The art glass windows made of Tiffany glass
were done by W. R. Orr Company of Atlanta. The Benson Memorial Window
was designed by D. H. Schurman.
The large front window, in memory of John R Kay, was donated by the
citizens of Hartwell.
The Methodist Church became the first building in Hartwell ( other than
the Hartwell Mill) to have electricity.
Four Bishops have preached at Hartwell First Methodist:
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Bishops George Foster Pierce, June, 1874
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Lucis Holsey, in the 1880's
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Arthur J. Moore, July, 1941
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Joel McDavid in the 1980's.
The present parsonage was build in 1953 while the Reverend Louis
F. Huckaby was pastor. The parsonage is located at 415 West Howell
Street. The only other parsonage was the house located at the corner
of Franklin and Chandler Streets. There was an addition to the parsonage
during the ministry of the Reverend Robert A. Kerr.
The 1980's could be characterized as the building and upgrading of facilities
decade. Under the able leadership of the Reverend David B. Sargent,
who along with some of the laity, contributed much of the physical workmanship,
the ground level of the education al building was completely renovated.
This area became the church offices and library / conference area.
Also, during Reverend Sargent's ministry, there was begun a three stage
building program. The first stage was the building of a gym and family
life center. The second stage was the continued remodeling of the
educational building, and stage three was the remodeling of the sanctuary,
including a new roof.
The renovation of the top two floors of the education building was completed
along with the remodeling of the sanctuary, during the tenure of the Reverend
Larry W. Rary, the 47th pastor.
In 1987 Hartwell First United Methodist Church was awarded a listing
on the National Historical Registry, along with other buildings in the
historical district of Hartwell.
Hartwell First United Methodist Church is a church steeped in a rich
history and moving into the future of serving steadily growing Hartwell
into the 21st century!
