Flippen Methodist Church

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FLIPPEN METHODIST CHURCH

BY THE COMMITTEE ON RECORDS AND HISTORY

MRS. J.R. CARMICHAEL AND MRS. T.E. NAIL

Flippen Methodist Church was organized in 1840, some two miles north of what is now the Flippen Community. The original name of the church was Zoar. Initially, one acre of land was deeded to the first trustees: Matthew Gilbert, Allen Johnson, and Benjamin Crabb. The first building was a simple, and rough structure but served adequately as a "Meeting House: until the congregation moved to Flippen in 1886, just after the railroad was put through this section. The name Zoar was changed to Flippen following the move of the congregation. The land for the new site was given by Mr. A. G. Harris.

From our earliest records, Zoar began on the McDonough charge. The church was placed in the newly formed Griffin District (Formed in 1859). In 1866, the Georgia Conference was divided into the North and South Georgia Conferences. At this time, Zoar was one of five churches on the McDonough charge. In 1876, with Bishop Pierce presiding, the Annual Conference met at Sparta. Zoar sent its delegate, Mr. A. G. Harris.

Under the guidance of the Rev. J. M. Bowden, the move from Zoar to Flippen was accomplished. For the first time the congregation sang to the accompaniment of a musical instrument. Sallie Fannin was the first musician. The first Church School Superintendent at Flippen was Mr. Henry Lovern. In 1895 the first wedding took place in the church. This was the union of Mr. J. C. Harris and Miss Tallie Johnson.

The church at Flippen was dedicated by Bishop W. A. Candler, who, at the time, was a presiding elder. It was in 1897 that the first Epworth League was organized with Miss Gertrude Dailey as its first president. Mrs. E. D. Roundtree was elected president of the first Woman's Missionary Society in 1900. The first Wesleyan Service Guild was organized in 1947 and Miss Clancie Brannan was chosen as its first president. In 1903, a Juvenile Missionary Society was formed. No such organization exists today.

In 1915, Flippen was moved from the McDonough to the Stockbridge charge. As a result, Flippen moved from the Griffin District connection to the South Atlanta District (1916). In 1931, the Stockbridge charge was reassigned to the Griffin District in which it has remained to the present. The year 1934 saw several improvements in the facilities at Flippen. A choir loft was constructed, new pews were purchased, and other minor additions were made. In 1940 several other improvements and additions were made. Much of what was accomplished was made possible by the deep concern and generous support of Mrs. C. Edward Wright, formerly Miss Oza Johnson, daughter of Mr. T. J. Johnson. Mr. Johnson served as a Local Preacher from Flippen for many years.

In 1947 the facilities at Flippen were enlarged. The Rev. Charles Brilhe drew the plans and supervised the construction of a recreation building adjacent to the sanctuary. This building was to be made later into a lovely, brick parsonage. The year 1956 brought many far reaching changes in the appearance and life of the church. In addition to the construction of the parsonage, the old frame sanctuary was made into a lovely, and attractive brick structure. Other changes were: a two and one-half story brick structure was annexed to the rear of the sanctuary to be used for educational purposes, stained glass windows were added to the sanctuary, the basement of the new educational building was made into a fellowship hall and kitchen. Central heating made all these new facilities extremely comfortable. To the land outside the buildings, much attractive landscaping was done. The total cost of these improvements was $55,000 dollars. This debt was retired at a note burning service in 1966. In addition to these capital improvements, there was another major step made in 1956. Under the leadership of the Rev. Bernard Henry, Flippen became a station church. Ten years later, under the guidance of the Rev. G. R. McCormick, Flippen asked to receive its first full-time pastor. The 1966 Annual Conference appointed the Rev. Hoyt E. Jenkins to serve the Flippen charge.

In 1966, the congregation moved to meet some of its growing needs. Two additional church school rooms were constructed on the third level of the Educational building. Through memorial gifts, many wonderful additions have been made to our sanctuary. In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Alton Stewart, and Perry Stewart, the Stewart family gave a complete permanent set, two offering plates, a bronze Cross and two lovely candle holders, and a Baptismal bowl. To the newly formed choir, Mrs. J. Z. Thompson, gave new choir robes. The beauty and value of this addition to our choir cannot be measured. Recognizing the need, The Moye family placed a new, and complete Communion set in the church in memory of their mother and father, Mr. & Mrs. James T. Moye. At the present, we are in the process of supplying our church with the New Methodist Hymnal. Members of the church are placing these as memorial gifts in the church.

From the Flippen Church and community four men have entered the ministry of the church and have served it with joy and dedication: J. A. Rountree, S. A. Dailey, L. L. Burch, and H. B. Fannin.

The members of Flippen Methodist Church are proud of their church and history. We willfully dedicate it and ourselves to the service of God and to the establishment of love as the law of life.

(Most of this information came from a history of Flippen Methodist Church prepared by Mrs. H. V. Suttles, Mrs. Willie's life and service will never be forgotten by her church nor by the countless number of friends who knew and loved her.)

The Committee of Records and History

Mrs. J. R. Carmichael

Mrs. T. E. Nail

*There is a cemetery associated with this church.

History shared by Lana Floyd.

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This page was last updated on -02/04/2016

Compilation Copyright 2003-Present By Linda Blum-Barton