Liberty United
Methodist Church
Meet Liberty
Take a moment to get to know our Church. We'd love to get to know you too.
OUR SERVICES
We have Sunday Service every Sunday at 10:00 AM. (Easter Service is at 11:00AM.) We are also now uploading our most current sermons on our Facebook page for those who cannot attend; however, family worship is always encouraged!
Services are led by Pastor Chris Huskins and feature our wonderful and talented choir. We also have guest musicians regularly.
For times, updates, or our video library of sermons, click the link below.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1786, Liberty is one of the oldest Methodist churches in Georgia. The history of Liberty is something in which we take great pride and we continue to build on it today. Even though we have added a Sunday School/Fellowship building, made minor improvements, and modernized a few features, our 1903 sanctuary, with its twin spires pointing heavenward, still stands today.
Because of our historic significance, the Emory School of Theology has made a virtual historic walkthrough of our campus. For more information click here: https://www.hrcga.org/church/liberty-methodist/
OUR COMMUNITY
Liberty has a long tradition of community service, fellowship, and supporting both our congregation and local ministries. We have lunch together after service on the first Sunday of every month, regular events that raise money and provide support for those in need, and wonderful family-oriented celebrations that are fun for all ages.
To find out how you can sign up for an event, please use the link below.
The History of Liberty
It All Started in 1786...
shortly after the close of the American Revolution. There were only nine churches in the Georgia backcountry – three Lutheran, two Presbyterian, one Congregationalist, three Baptist, and no Methodist. In 1786, two young Methodist ministers, Thomas Humphries and John Major, came to Georgia to organize the first Methodist Circuits. Among the early converts of Humphries and Major was John Bush and, with the help of others, he erected a ‘brush arbor’ at what was then called “Crackers Neck”.
Great Revivals Were Held and...
out of great revivals grew a Methodist church called 'Liberty Chapel.' Organized in Greene County, Liberty Chapel was one of the first, if not the first, Methodist Church in Georgia. The name Liberty was likely derived from the fact that so many of the early settlers in the area were veterans of the American Revolution and members of the "Sons of Liberty". Liberty Chapel became the community center for periodic camp meetings and conferences where people came from miles round to have a week of worship and fellowship.
The Reverend James Jenkins...
was a circuit preacher of the Washington Circuit which included Greene, Taliaferro, Wilkes, Lincoln, Elbert, Hart, Franklin, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties. In his journal book entitled "Experiences, Labours, and Sufferings of Reverend James Jenkins (circa 1842), of the South Carolina Conference", Jenkins writes in 1797, "At one of our two meetings held at Liberty Chapel, near Greensboro, brother Enoch George stood in the door (the house not being large enough to hold one half the congregation) and preached a moving, melting sermon, so much so, that none of the preachers would open their mouths after him."
From James Jenkins Journal (Above)...
it appears that Liberty Chapel was a house and had a door in the year 1797 - two years before Bishop Francis Asbury's visit in 1799. Therefore, if Liberty Chapel had a house of worship in 1797, it is reasonable to suppose that an organized church had existed for some years prior to that date. It may have been a "brush arbor" originally, but it was a duly erected and duly organized house of worship before 1797. Liberty Chapel and only two other churches, a Baptist and a Presbyterian, were established in Greene County prior to the year 1800.
The Bishop Francis Asbury..,
as one of the stalwarts of early Methodist history, preached at Liberty Chapel on multiple occasions; one of which was on December 25th, 1806, to dedicate a new church building, mentioning that it was the second on the site. The new building, measuring thirty feet by fifty feet, was located a short distance back from the present church location. On July 27th, 1827,
Reuben Smith, an American Revolutionary soldier, deeded 7.14 acres to the Liberty trustees and is the site on which the Liberty campus and cemetery now stand. Mr. Smith died February 14th, 1836, and is buried a short distance behind the present church cemetery on private land.
At the End of the 19th Century...
the congregation felt that a new church building was needed so construction began in 1900. Sam P. Turner, the church treasurer at the time, did not believe in “going into debt”. With this principle in mind, construction began in pieces. When funds were available work would be done. When funds ran out work stopped. This "pay as you go" method delayed construction; but when the job was completed in 1903, the church building which still stands today was debt-free.
Improvements Have Been Made...
throughout the years including three Sunday School rooms added at the rear of the church, new pews replaced the old ones which changed the sanctuary from two side aisles to one center aisle, a fellowship building erected, central heat and air system installed, perpetual care of the cemetery initiated, beautiful stained-glass windows installed, vinyl siding replaced the wood siding plus many others. These improvements and continuous care show the esteem which all members hold in their hearts for old Liberty Church. May she continue to be a living and growing beacon to God in our community.
The Pulpit Bible
The history of Liberty Church would not be complete without relating something of the history of the Bible which once graced the pulpit and is now encased for protective purposes. This Bible is a large, black-bound volume which was presented to Liberty Church by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Smith of Roanoke, Virginia on March 24, 1940. The Bible had been inherited by Mrs. Smith from her father and mother, Dr. and Mrs. William Preston Hardin. The Honorable Alexander H. Stephens, who was Vice President of the Confederacy, was a frequent visitor in the Hardin home and it was his custom to read passages from this Bible. The family altar was an institution in the Hardin home as well as in most homes in older days. Mr. Stephens would read passages from the Bible and join in family prayers before retiring. The Bible was celebrated and rededicated to Liberty Church by the Leroy H. Smith family at our bicentennial celebration in 1986.