Lithia Springs United Methodist Church

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The History Behind LSUMC
Est. 1885

The Methodists brought Camp Meetings to the place called Salt Springs Methodist Camp Ground in 1877 - 1880. These meetings lasted ten days usually and were days of consecrated religious fervor aimed at reviving backsliders and winning the lost. It is said that crowds of 3500 people from all over the area, traveling by wagons and buggies, came as families to attend these revivals.

The need for a church in the area soon became apparent to the residents of Salt Springs. Land was purchased near the railroad station and the plans were made to build. The deed reads: "In the year of 1885 a plot of land, 100 x 211, transferred to Salt Springs Methodist Church, South, by James A. Watson and Joseph S. James for the sum of $5.00, deeded to the following trustees and their successors: John B. Duncan, James A. Watson, Miles G. Mozley, Columbus Blair and Charles B. Love."

The founders of the church, the Mozley brothers, Glen, Miles and Zear, began the building process immediately and Salt Springs Methodist Episcopal Church South came into being in 1885, this was the first church built in the Lithia Springs area. The church was assigned to the Douglasville Circuit, Douglas being 1/2 station, Midway and Salt Springs being 1/4 stations. Rev. C. P. Marchman was the first preacher assigned to the new one room church.

During 1886 the church was used also as a school house for the area. Dr. John Bowden and Littie Quillian were the first teachers in the school.

In 1887 the church was blown down by a cyclone which totally destroyed, not only the church, but church records. This tragedy did not deter the enthusiasm of the congregation and they made immediate plans to rebuild. The one room church building, heated with a pot belly stove, lighted with kerosene lamps and surrounded by hitching posts for the horses was a monument to the community.

A new roll of 70 members was compiled and the church began to function again. In 1891 the church name was changed to Salt Springs Methodist Church. This building served the community until 1978.

The first parsonage for the area was built in 1937 and 1938 at a total cost of $1,000.00. It was built on the original lot adjacent to the Sanctuary. The parsonage housed the preacher who was assigned to Lithia Springs, Mt. Vernon, Midway, Winston, Bright Star and Flint Hill Communities.

In 1944 and Educational Building of 5 rooms was added on to the Sanctuary. In 1947 Lithia Springs and Clarksdale became a half station circuit and 2 years later (1949) Lithia Springs became a full station church - and that year, on June 21, 1949, the name of the church was changed to Lithia Springs United Methodist Church.

Between 1944 and 1949 much was done to make the church more attractive and worshipful. The installation of the first organ, new pews, pulpit furnishings and new carpet were added to the Sanctuary. In 1949 the renovation continued, with a new front entrance, memorial windows and adding a block building behind the church to make room for the growth in our Sunday School.

In the early 1950's the congregation continued to grow and it became evident a major long range building program would be necessary to accommodate the continued growth. In 1956 a new pipe organ was added to the Sanctuary and in 1958 a new brick parsonage was built at the corner of Gordon and Temple Streets.

In 1962 the church took a giant step in its' building program and built a two-story brick educational building, fellowship hall and kitchen. The building cost was approximately $90,000.00 and the loan was guaranteed by church by church members underwriting specified amounts. In January 1974 the final payment was made and a larger parsonage was purchased on Blue Sky Way.

After many agonizing meeting it was decided the original Sanctuary was not adequate to meet future needs of the Lithia Springs United Methodist Church. On September 11, 1977, final plans were approved by the congregation for a building program to include a new Sanctuary, a third floor addition, for additional Sunday School classrooms, and a Chapel. On January 15, 1978, the ground-breaking service was held following the 11:00 AM worship service, the last service held in the old sanctuary. On January 16, 1978, demolition of the old church building was begun and church members were given the privilege of taking wood from the building to build with or just as souvenir pieces.

The new sanctuary as completed and the first service was held on January 21, 1979, with a crowd exceeding 400, and the new church was consecrated the following Sunday. A Skinner organ, constructed in 1927 and rebuilt in 1976, was purchased. It is the only one of it's kind in the area. The focal point of the new sanctuary is a beautiful cross made from timbers from the original building constructed in 1887. The debt on the sanctuary was retired on July 24, 1992. The Chapel was furnished with furnishings from the original sanctuary including pews, windows, altar, pulpit, and Communion table.

The need for additional space in the Children's Center became apparent when the Planning Committee projected our space requirements for five years ahead. The new plan included and elevator, a remodeled kitchen, a remodeled Fellowship Hall, a new choir room, a music file room, and a beautifully landscaped prayer garden. The building was completed and occupied in September of 1993. A brick was installed to the rear of the sanctuary to memorialize donations made to the building program. During 1994, a new Planning Committee was assigned the task of developing plans for a new gymnasium. We are still in the planning stages and look forward to the day when it can become a reality.

It is interesting to note that the beautiful cross that graces our Sanctuary was created from timbers used in the construction of the church in 1877. The entrance to the Sanctuary is located in the same spot the original alter was located in the first church. These symbols serve as a reminder of those whose love for Christ and this community have kept alive His Spirit in this place and have passed that legacy and responsibility on to the future generations who make this their church home.

The pastors that have served Lithia Springs United Methodist Church are: