The History of the Smyrna Methodist Church

The following was submitted in 1974 by Pastor Kennedy Raley

Down in Southwest Toombs County, out from Cedar Crossing and Uvalda, stands a very proud Country Church. The church is the Smyrna Methodist Church of the John Wesley Circuit. This church is one of the five churches on this Circuit. The church is a frame structure and has been quite well preserved over the years. As you look out the windows you can see the burial grounds of the Church. Some of the markers date back to 1887 and continue a few days past.

The first Smyrna Church was erected on what is known as the Old McNatt Estate. In 1887 the church was moved to its present location. Through the generosity of Mr Johnnie Gray the land for the Church was donated and was moved and rebuilt. The Church structure at that time had only the sanctuary, with two entrances, one on either corner, and slat benches. The Rev T.C. G. Raburn was the pastor at this time.

In 1934 under the pastorate of Rev W.B. Taylor the corner entrances were closed and a center entrance was made. Also a pulpit and porch of wood boards were added. There the Smyrna Church stood for several years.

In 1952 the church building took on a new look again. A new roof and asbastus siding, was put on, also a concrete porch with brick columns were added. The Old slat benches were replaced with church pews, bought from the Uvalda Methodist Church. This remodeling and redecoration was done under the pastorate of Rev David Aycock.

In 1963 and 1964, the Rev Fred Foster saw the need for the Smyrna Church to have Sunday School rooms. So the present four rooms were added to the sanctuary.

Then in the year 1966, Rev Dan Overstreet saw the need for much improvement to be done. So a committee was organized and the work began. A new floor, new windows, new pews and new pulpit furniture was installed. The pulpit area and choir left was rebuilt. The interior of the church was painted.

Rev Billy Wheeler came to our church in 1968 and he saw the need for several improvements to be made. Thus under his pastorate a deep well was dug, restrooms were added, new heating system and a new piano was bought.

In 1971 we laid the foundation for more Sunday School rooms and social hall that was much needed. Plans are under way to brick the sanctuary.

So in the Fall of 1972 work began. The Sunday School rooms and social hall was completed in Spring of 1974. Also the new building and the old sanctuary took on a new look outside. Both of them were brick veneered, and a new porch was added. The latest addition to our church is a steeple. The steeple was donated and given in memory of Mr Ben F. Wolfe, Martha B. Wolfe, W.M. Moxley, B.H. Moxley and Franklin W. Moxley.

Now in May of 1974, Rev Kennedy Raley, and the Smyrna Church stands proud and growing for and in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The following was submitted in 1976 by Pastor Rev Kennedy Raley

Since Homecoming of 1975, the church has installed central heating and air conditioning and put new rug in the Social Hall and Sunday School Annex. Choir pews has been purchased for the church and the new front door has been added. The church plans to go half time preaching services the First of July 1976. Now in May of 1976, Rev Kennedy Raley and the Smyrna Church stands proud and growing in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Pastors who have served the Smyrna Methodist Church:

J.C.G. Raburn 1887

J.S. Lewis 1892

G.B. Allison 1893

J.M. Baland 1897

A.H. Bazemore 1900

H.G. Everett 1902

J.S. Lewis 1906

F.A. Ratcliffe 1907

Gus A. Davis 1908

H.D. Lee 1909

J.F. Yancey 1909

B.F. West 1912

George H. Turner 1914

E.W. Gray 1915

D.A. Lastinger 1916

Cecil B. Phillips 1918

J.M. Hancock 1919

B.C. Prickett 1921

L.T. Johnson 1922

E.C. Dowdy 1923

W.B. Chesire 1925

T.M. Luke 1928

W.E. Hightower 1931

E.R. Cowart 1933

W.B. Taylor 1934

J.A. Wiggins 1935

C.B. Ray 1937

W.E. Dennis 1938

W.B. Taylor 1940

Irwin L. Bishop 1945

F.J. Jordan 1946

A.J. Bruyers 1948

Harold Stinson 1949

D.A. Price 1950

David Aycock 1951

C.B. Studstill 1956

Bill Fordham 1957

Franklin Pierce 1958

Ira Dent 1960

Fred Foster 1961

Marshall Strickland 1964

Dan Overstreet 1965

Billy Wheeler 1967

John Ivey(3 months) 1970

Jim Hall 1970

Kennedy Raley 1972

Gean Baroff 1976

Louthen Pollan 1977

Evan East 1984

Marvin Legget 1985

Wayne McDonald