HISTORY
ARCO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1925-1975

Author Unknown

          The beginning of the Arco Methodist Church was in response to a need to serve a new community built to take care of the employees of the Atlantic Refining Company and their families. The following is an excerpt from a statement by the Reverend J.A. Cook, pastor of the Taylor’s Chapel published in a pamphlet he prepared – “History and Directory of Arco-Taylor’s Charge.”
          “In 1919 the Atlantic Refining Company of Pennsylvania erected a new plant at Brunswick just north of the City limits. A modern industrial village was erected to furnish houses for the employees of the plant. In June, 1919, Rev. J.A. Cook, pastor of Taylor’s Chapel Methodist Church, was invited to conduct services in a bunk house in which a community Sunday School was being conducted. He continued these services during the remainder of 1919 until he was transferred to a new appointment. In the shift of construction to operation of the plant and subsequent razing of the bunk house, services were discontinued but interest was continually manifested and the Community Sunday School was continued in the school building until 1924, when arrangements for a new building were made under the leadership of Rev. R.F. Owen. At the annual conference of 1924 the Brunswick Circuit was created consisting of Taylor’s Chapel, Arco, Everett City, Mt. Pleasant, Emanuel and Bladen and Rev. Edgar A. Martin was sent to be the pastor of the circuit.”
          As stated above the preaching services in the bunk house were discontinued when Brother Cook was moved. During 1921-22, the Reverend L.E. Williams was pastor of the Darien Charge and he resumed the preaching services as a Mission appointment. Brother Williams developed a friendship with the Manager of the Atlantic Refinery. On the basis of this friendship the Manager offered to sell Brother Williams a lot of land for $150.00 cash on which to build a Methodist Church. Brother Williams asked the Reverend T.H. Thomson, pastor of the Brunswick First Methodist Church, for help in securing the needed $150.00. The Brunswick First Methodist Church gave him a check for $150.00 for the payment on the lot on which the church now stands. The interesting sequel to this transaction lies in the fact that after Brother Williams gave the check to the Manager of the Refinery for the purchase of the lot, the Manager then endorsed the check and gave it back to Brother Williams to be used on the erection of the building.

 

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          In 1922, during the pastorate of the Reverend R.F. Owen he secured the gift of an abandoned church building at Crescent. The building was dismantled and moved to Arco. It is reported on good authority that Brother Owen and Mr. J.O. Bartlett did much of the actual labor in re-assembling the building. Brother Owen was sent to another appointment. In 1924, Reverend Edgar A. Martin succeeded Brother Owen and contained in his report to the first Quarterly Conference at Taylor’s Chapel on March 1, 1925, is this statement: “Only yesterday we got the new church at Arco where it could be used, and tonight we will preach in it for the first time.”
          In the “History and Directory, Arco-Taylor’s Chapel,” by J.A. Cook, page 11, we find this statement: “The Arco Methodist Church was established March 20, 1925, with twenty-two charter members as follows: Mrs. W.P. Baldwin, W.P. Baldwin, Jr., Frank Piercell Baldwin, James Oscar Baldwin, Mrs. Carney Funderburke, Ruby K. Funderburke, John Wesley Jernigan, Lennie Williams, J.R. Pafford, Mrs. J.R. Pafford, Ruby Pafford, Hazel Pafford, Mrs. George Jackson, Marvin Jackson, J.L. Rimes, Mrs. J.L. Rimes, Maloy Rimes, William Dunlop, Pauline Hodges, Katherine Hodges, Woodrow W. Jernigan.”  Only twenty-one names are listed here, evidently one was omitted by the printer. The other name should have been that of Mrs. J.O. Bartlett. The minutes of the second Quarterly Conference meeting at Arco on May 25, 1925, lists Mr. J.O. Bartlett as the Sunday School Superintendent. No doubt he should also be listed as a charter member.
          On the fly leaf of the Church Register of 1925, in his own handwriting is this statement: “Established, March 20, 1925, Edgar A. Martin, Pastor.”  Then follows the names of member received into the church during 1925 in addition to those named above: Ruth Pafford, Ruby Ricks, Elex Ricks, Essie Ricks, Mrs. G.C. Baker, Mrs. J.M. Hodges, T.L. Ricks, Mrs. T.L. Ricks, J.S. Dunlop, Mrs. T.L. Saunders, W.R. Eason, Charlie E. Gatlin, Theo Ricks, Percy Ricks, Thomas Drake, Theo Williams, C.H. Poor, Mrs. C.H. Poor, Harry Hummel, Mrs. Harry Hummel, Gordon Hummel, Landon Hummel, Maye Hummel.
          So the church was organized and sent on its way and now on April 20, 1975, Arco United Methodist Church is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her life and work.

 

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          Time and space, as well as a lack of accurate information, will not permit a complete history of Arco Church but this paper would not be complete without the story of the development of:
          First, the church plant and parsonage.
          Second, some of the significant experiences in her life.
          Third, the list of the ministers who have served across these 50 years.
          First, the church had her beginning in a one room rectangular building with no parsonage. The pastor lived at Taylor’s Chapel. In 1934, for the sum of $1.00 the two-story house across the street from the church was purchased from the Atlantic Refinery Company for the pastor’s residence. The pastors since that date have lived in the parsonage until 1972 when the Reverend G.M. Clary came as pastor. He had an established residence on St. Simons Island so the church has been renting the parsonage and using the proceeds for the ongoing work of the church.
          In 1942, six Sunday School rooms were added to the church building; providing facilities for the children, youth and adults. This was done during the pastorate of the Reverend James R. Webb, Jr. Several years later two rooms on the north side were converted into a kitchen.
          In 1944, the present sanctuary was built under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Lynwood D. Jordan. Then in 1963, the church was renovated, dividing the chancel and installing the velvet draperies and the carpet. The Women’s Society of Christian Service financed most of this renovation.
          During the pastorate of the Reverend S.P. Clary, 1956-60, the present educational building was erected, providing a Pastor’s Study, a library, two large assembly rooms, seven class rooms and three rest rooms. This provided adequate space for the splendid educational program that was in progress at that time. The erection of this building is an example of the finest cooperative effort to be found anywhere. Most of the work was done by the men of the church. The ladies provided meals for the men as they worked; they also helped with the laying of the tile floors, the painting and furnishing of the class rooms. The building was opened on August 19, 1959, with appropriate services and the sermon delivered by Dr. Henry S. Brooks, District Superintendent.

 

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          During the present pastorate of Reverend George E. Clary, Sr., the sanctuary has again been redecorated and new floor laid. In cooperation with the Conference Summer Work Program a group of fine young people spent a week last summer working in the Vacation Church School and in painting the exterior of the Social Hall. They were assisted by our own youth group. The interior of the social hall has been painted, new electrical wiring, kitchen cabinets and sinks have been added. This work has been financed, for the most part, by the women of the church – The Busy Bees – from the proceeds from their annual bazaar.
          Second, significant experiences have contributed to the life and usefulness of the church. Two of these events had to do with unusual revival meetings. The first was during the pastorate of the Reverend Roy C. Sampley. His father, the Reverend J.E. Sampley, was the visiting evangelist. At the close of the service one night Brother Sampley invited those who would like to join the church to come forward and thirty eight persons came. Brother Sampley, thinking they had not understood what he said sent them all back to their seats. He explained again what “joining the church” meant and again asked those who would like to join to come forward. All thirty-eight came the second time. The second such occasion was during the pastorate of the Reverend Dan Williams. On December 7, 1947, he received a class of sixty-six (66) into the membership of the church – thirty by baptism and profession of faith. Brother Williams in writing about this experience in the WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE of December 20, 1962, says “three generations of the Edwards family were baptized in that service.”
          It would be false to say that these were the only outstanding experiences, or even the greatest, but we must rejoice in such manifestation of Divine Power.
          The Quarterly Conference record of April 20, 1928, states “A Woman’s Missionary Society has been organized at Arco and has a bimonthly mission study class.”  The women’s work has continued in a good way through the years. They have carried on their programs and studies, and have contributed to the missionary work at home and abroad. Their contribution to the life and work of the church through the years cannot be estimated.
          Life Membership pins, in recognition of dedicated work, have been given to Mrs. Fannie Lynn, Mrs. Mary Davis, Mrs. Myrtice Platt, Mrs. Alethia McLain, Mrs. Ophelia Hummel, Mrs. Jennie Tillman, [CONTINUED ON PAGE 5]

 

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Mrs. Margaret Reid and Mrs. Betty Wiggins. The first and only Baby Membership was given to Terri Li Thigpen. Terri Li is now the church pianist. This means that a gift of money was given to missions in the name of these so honored.
          In 1953, a Wesleyan Service Guild was organized under the leadership of Mrs. J. Schley Willis, wife of the pastor. In appreciation of her dedicated service the Guild placed the beautiful baptismal font in the church in her honor. It continues to be used.
          Through many years the women have presented a white Bible to each youth as they have graduated from high school.
          Mention has already been made to the contributions the women have made through the years, and continue to make, to work of the local church. This continues to go on, but at the same time they are giving generously to the missionary program of the church.
          The Arco church was begun as the result of the Sunday School and the work of training her children, youth and adults has gone on through the years, sometimes reaching high peaks and then dropping to low levels. This is one of the challenges to the church today.
          In the long pull over these fifty years the life of Arco Church is due to the unsung heroic efforts and spirit of those who have kept the fires of Christian love and devotion burning upon the altar of the church. The closing of the Refinery made it necessary for the church to rethink her task – moving from a church in an industrial community to a church struggling for her life in a rapidly changing community. Further problems were caused by the organization of two new Methodist Churches which have drawn heavily from the leadership and membership of the Arco Church. Through all these experiences the church has maintained her witness and today as she faces the future she does so with faith in the continued leadership of the Holy Spirit and with confidence in her consecrated membership. The hope and prayer of Arco Church is that she may continue to find a place of real service as a force for righteousness wherever she is privileged to serve.
          This history would not be complete without the expression of sincere gratitude to God for the call of one of the men of this church into the full time Christian ministry – the Reverend George Perry, now serving the Rebecca Charge – and to express the sincere hope that others may be called into full time Christian work.

 

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