Julian Sellers is our Church Historian. He keeps records and is the caretaker for facts and artifacts of our church. He gave his condensed history to me earlier .
The Loganville First United Methodist Church has a proud history. It antedates the town, which was incorporated in 1887. According to the testimony of former citizens, the church was alive and well many years before the Civil War. “Old Chapel” was situated on the old Myers place. In 1854 it was moved to a new site near the intersection of U.S. hwy 78 and Covington Highway, now Highway 81, and renamed “New Chapel”
In 1905 renowned evangelist Sam Jones conducted a revival in the W.L. Floyd warehouse. From this a movement was launched to build a new church. On June 19, 1905 the quarterly conference granted permission to the trustees build a new church of granite. The present stained glass windows date to this time. The church was dedicated in June 1908 by the Rev. Rembert G. Smith form Oxford College.
For many years, Loganville was one of six churches on the Loganville Charge, the others being Walnut Grove, Grayson, Zoar, Snellville and New Hope. All had become separate churches by 1949, except Walnut Grove and Loganville, which continued to share pastors until June of 1968 when Loganville became a full-time church. The Rev. Steve Moreno was pastor. A budget of $13,000 was adopted and membership was about 100.
In 1958 a new brick parsonage was built on Fair Street. In 1961 an educational annex and kitchen were added to the church.
On March 28, 1971, at a charge conference, the name was changed to The Loganville First United Methodist Church.
In 1981 an additional two-story fellowship hall and educational annex were added, and in 1985 the sanctuary was renovated by removing the partitions and reverting to original size to enlarge seating capacity.
In 1988 a set back in membership occurred. The pastor, The Rev. Len Walker, resigned on January 12 to form a new church, “The Church on the Rock,” now known as “Trinity.” Thirty-two families from LFUMC accompanied him. Church officials began to make reorganization plans immediately. From January 24 to North Georgia Annual Conference in June 1988, a retired Methodist minister, formerly from Indiana, Dr. Charles A. Gillespie, ably filled the pulpit as interim pastor.
The Rev. Kenneth Stephens was appointed, and during his five year tenure tremendous growth in the community and church occurred. An outstanding confirmation class was held each year, three bell choirs organized and Long Range Planning Committee established.
The Rev. Dr. Gary Whestsone was appointed in June, 1993. Among the many accomplishments during his tenure at LFUMC was the Family Life Center. Soon after his arrival, he set into motion to build a Family Life Center . He recognized the potential of the church, and worked diligently to accomplish his vision of growth and service to the community. He played a major role in reorganizing and revitalizing the Community Food Bank, which is a part of our Church Outreach Program. On Saturday, November 28, 1997, opening ceremonies were held for our Family Life Center.
In June 1998, he was appointed to Watkinsville First United Methodist. Replacing him at LFUMC, by appointment, was the Rev. Jerry Meredith, becoming the 68th Minister to serve the Church since 1866. By this time, the membership had grown to 578 profession members.
The Ministerial Staff had grown to include the Rev. Jerry Meredith, Pastor, The Rev. Bill Kirby, Minister Pastoral Care; Mr. Ray Clark, Director of Programs and Mrs. Betty Day, Director of Music.
During The Rev. Jerry Meredith’s eight-year appointment at Loganville First many exciting things occurred. During his stay the Family Life Center was completed, with the addition of a commercial kitchen , air-conditioning prayer chapel and nursery. He headed up the board to bring Shepherd’s Staff into being and after a slow start, it now flourishes, aiding local citizens in need. He led the restoration of the sanctuary for Loganville’s Centennial Celebration and worked with other churches in the area seeking to draw them closer together. The Rev. Meredith also began a ministry called “Care Cells,” which resulted in LFUMC becoming more friendly and caring, and increased the number of professing members to 750. The Ministry Staff at this time included The Rev. Jerry Meredith, The Rev. Geoffrey Grubbs, Associate Pastor,
Mrs. Betty Heier, Congregational Care Minister, Mrs. Tiersa Laskey, Children’s Minister,
Mrs. Pamala Noone, Coordinator of Church Operations. In 2006 Rev. Meredith was appointed to St. James UMC in Athens, Georgia. In 2006 Dr. Kenneth Ray came to Loganville First and continues to serve as our Senior Pastor.
Julian Sellers: Church Historian