In 1884 a one-tract of land was given by L. M. Ford and L. A. Ford by deed to the Trustees of the Ohatchee circuit for the Eulaton Church. The first meeting place of the church was a one room log building located across the road from the present site. It was also a schoolhouse.
In 1902 the first church building was erected on the present site. This was a one room structure and was used until the church closed in the late 1920's. The first altar of the church was hand-made by H. S. Badders.
In 1931 the church was reorganized under the sponsorship of the McCoy Methodist Church of Anniston, Alabama. The Rev. O. A. Bonner was the pastor and conducted services on Sunday afternoons.
In 1934 the church was rebuilt with a large one room building that included a basement for Sunday School rooms. The Sunday School was started again with Mr. Coy Vernon as the superintendent. The young people were organized as the Epworth League under the leadership of Tyrus Vernon. The early church had oil lamps and in 1934 they were replaced with aladdin lamps. Mr. Delmas Foster did the maintenance and lighting of the lamps on Sunday nights with the help of a young man by the name of Bowden Brickhouse.
In the earlier days the church was heated by a pot bellied stove. Different members volunteered to build the fires on Sunday. There was a windmill at the first church used to have lights for church and if the wind wasn't blowing...had no lights.In 1941 the church was wired for electricity.
Remembering the past...On the 4th of July the men of the church started the cookout the night before and the day of the 4th would be Bar-B-Q and homemade ice cream. Some of the activities of the day was climbing a greased pole and catching a greased pig. You paid to climb the pole and catch the pig with the money going to the church. Mr. Hutto was the church treasurer in the early days and kept the money in a cigar box. The church paid the preacher with home grown vegetables, eggs, milk and would buy the preacher a new suit when he needed one.
The first parsonage was built in the 1940's and was located on the Eulaton Pike Road. A new parsonage was built and furnished in 1967 and this is the present parsonage.
The old sanctuary was remodeled in 1955 with the fellowship hall being built then. The church was incorporated in 1960 and a new sanctuary was built and the education building was remodeled. In 1982 the church built a new educational building. The church completed a sanctuary renovation on July 2000.
The church celebrated it's 100th year in 1984 with the celebration beginning in January and going through September. The second Sunday of each month was designated for special services with 7 former pastors, Rev. Clark Pope, former church member and a United Methodist Minister, the District Superintendent and the Bishop preaching. The services were followed with a luncheon and a time of fellowship.
The church had the first ever Camp Meeting Sundays starting in July 1994. The morning worship hour on these Sundays were with informal services, casual dress, congregation picking the hymns, personal testimonies and an amen corner.
On September 11, 1994 homecoming service was celebrated on this 110th year of our church. The Rev. Fred Fuller, pastor of Dalraida United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama was the guest speaker. He is married to former church member Eddie Ruth Starr. A luncheon followed the service in the Family Life Building across the street.
The church observed the first worship service in our beautiful renovated sanctuary in July 2000.
We have the past to look back on and realize the accomplishments and the present to build on. Our past, present and future is built on our Faith In God.
CAMP MEETING 2000
We concluded our seven weeks of Camp Meeting on August 27th. Our beautiful sanctuary, good attendance, great sermons and beautiful music made our Camp Meeting services memorable. We had great messages from Marshall Crow, Lamar Davis and Benny Cosper the first three Sundays. Brother Sam preached his usual great sermons for the remaining four weeks. Nathan Holcomb, Sybil Reaves, and guest pianist, Rachel Beverly outdid themselves on the piano. The choir almost raised the rafters with their rendition of the favorite oldtime camp meeting hymns. Along with the choir specials there were other specials by the following: Duets Jan Causey & Julie Gillies and Sam & Ida Graham. Solos Fred Self and Janice Beverly and a Quartet of Fred Self, Harold Aderholt, Joyce Curry & Janice Beverly. Our church's musical talent was never better. We expect to have repeat performances in the coming services.
Our final Sunday of Camp Meeting was extra special. Mike Dean and the children's departments observed Promotion Day. Brother Sam baptized Lily Katherine Graham and Homer Tidwell. Lily is Brother Sam and Ida's granddaughter from North Carolina. Mr. Tidwell is a member of the Susanna Wesley Class and our newest church member. What a wonderful way to end our Camp Meeting!
We had 24 pictures of our men and women of the armed forces on display for our Memorial Service. The pictures were identified by name, branch of service and years of service. The years of service range from the early 1940s to the late 1990s. It was an impressive display.
The youthfulness of the faces made the identification of some questionable? Some could not believe who they were looking at. Others could see family resemblance's that had been unnoticed. The five branches of the armed forces were recognized in the worship service. Each person who had served in the armed forces was given a flag to wear on their lapel and a poppy hand made by our United States Veterans. As each branch was recognized, organist, Sybil Reaves played their song. The patriotic music from the choir, Nathan's offertory and Bro. Sam's sermon "Like A Mighty Army" were the final touches to a service that caused us to leave worship feeling thankful to God and proud to be an American. The Memorial Day Service was organized and presented by Geraldine Brickhouse.
Evening worship on Memorial Day was a story/hymn service. Gerald Roberts was our guest organist for the evening. The story behind the writing of nine of our most familiar and loved hymns were chosen. The story was followered by the choir and congregation singing the hymn along with special music from Jeff Lenard and Nathan Holcomb. Jeff Lenard did a beautiful job on his solo, "In The Garden". Nathan's instrumental of "Just As I Am" was his usual superb performance.
September 30, 2001 was Laity Sunday for our church. Several of our church's lay speakers took part in the service. Fred Self brought us an excellent message that you could tell came from his heart. We at Eulaton are blessed to have so many lay speakers that are able to do such a great job. These same folks are active in many other services in serving the Lord in such way is to receive more from Him than we give. His blessings many times!
I want to personally thank, Fred, Janice Beverly, Geraldine Brickhouse, Rita Smith, Donna Crow, Vernard Hughes and Frank Hadder for their participation in the service. A special thanks to Lisa Holtman for the beautiful song she sang for us. Laity isn't just those members that have been to the Lay Speaker course. Laity is each and everyone of you. It is our church family from the youngest members to the oldest. It never ceases to amaze me how we have so many of our laity involved in so many ways in the church business and in serving the Lord. There is always somebody there to step forward and serve and I thank you for that.
I would also like to thank the Youth and Youth Directors for the evening service at Oxford Lake that day. We had a fine message from our Pastor, a good meal, great fellowship and perfect weather. It just doesn't get any better than that! Praise the Lord!
Your Lay Leader and Friend,
Marshall Crow
Crowmarshl@aol.com
On December 2, 2001 during the morning worship service we had Dedication Service for our new sanctuary flags.
The Susanna Wesley Sunday School Class purchased the complete flag set of the United States. The set includes the flag with sewn stripes and embroidered stars, along with gold fringe. The oak pole fits into a gold plated, sand filled base. A gold eagle and tassels are the finishing touches.
The Sam Starr Sunday School Class purchased the complete Christian Flag set. The Christian flag matches the US flag with the gold fringe, oak pole with gold plated base. A gold cross and gold cord and tassels add the finishing touches.
These flags are a beautiful addition to our sanctuary.
A Grandparent's Day Celebration was held on Sunday morning at the 10 AM service at our church on September 8, 2002. This marked the first year to recognize our grandparents who make such a difference in our childre/s lives. The attendance was fantastic with approximately 160 people present. We had lots and lots of grandchildren there in support of their beloved grandparents. Mr. & Mrs. Roy Dill and Mr. & Mrs. Ray Cash tied for the most grandchildren present with them. They had five each present. The excitement and all the children present showed a lot of life in our church. Rev. Virgil Bohn did a message that went along with our celebration. Ruth Ann Mitchell wrote a poem about what each letter of the word "GRANDPARENTS" means. This was read and distributed by the children in the form of a bookmark.Afterwards we had over 80 people stay for a covered dish lunch. The food just overflowed and all our spirits were high. The Johnny Cunningham Class are to be commended along with others who helped set up and cleanup for the dinner.
On Sunday, September 29 our church observed Laity Sunday. During the morning worship service the lay speakers of our church each conducted a part of the service. Rita Smith did the announcements, Charlene Daniel brought us the message, Fred Self brought us special music, Jimmy Cottle had a beautiful prayer, and Geraldine Brickhouse had the children's minutes. Janice Beverly led us in the Apostle's Creed, Donna Crow read the scripture for the message and Vernard Hughes had the offertory prayer. Everybody did extremely well and the service went smoothly. It never ceases to amaze me how the LOrd has blessed our church with so many talented individuals that are willing to step forward, when called upon, to have a message, devotion, prayer or participate in some other way. These same folks are involved in other functions of the church too. Several teach Sunday school, serve on committees, sing in the choir, or serve in some other way. And it is not just the lay speakers I'm talking about but nearly every member of our church. The "can do" attitude is tremendous. What a wonderful way to share our testimony to the Lord. Your brother in Christ, Marshall Crow Eulaton United Methodist Church Lay Leader
The church celebrated it's 120th year on March 28, 2004. We had a beautiful day and a full house (they had to bring chairs in). The day began with an enjoyable time of fellowship with cinnamon rolls and coffee.
The 10:00 A.M. service began with our pastor, Rev. Virgil Bohn, welcoming the people. The church historian, Elaine Lawson, presented the history of the church and Rita Smith, worship chairperson, did the Litany of Praise and Prayer. The District Superintendent, Dr. Oliver Clark, introducted Bishop Fannin. The Bishop, Robert E. Fannin, presented the message "Someone Called My Name". It was an honor to have Bishop Fannin and his wife Faye and District Superintendent Clark and his wife Elaine in attendance.
Our music was beautiful with the choir, Jeff Lenard directing the choir, Sybil Reaves playing the organ and Nathan Holcomb playing the piano.
After the service we enjoyed a time of fellowship and good food (lots of it) in the Family Life Building across the street.