Vilulah Church

Vilulah Church, located in Randolph County, is near the Randolph-Clay County Line. The church, constituted Dec. 14, 1867 under a bush arbor, stands on land given by Robert "Uncle Bobby" Knowles. James N. Bigbie, who lost an arm during the Mexican War, and Capt. William Forsythe Davis of the Confederate Army chose the name "Vilulah".

Early members of the church included Albert Bailey, Jarrell Ragan, Abner Belcher, Judge Irwin Saunders, Baal Smith, Dr. Thos. Bigbie, Asa McLendon, Alexander Morgan, Andrew Balckburn, Benjamin Joiner, R. H. Dean, W. H. Bruner, L. J. Joines, James Knowles, Sisters Ammelia Dennington, Nancy McReid, Mary Knowles, Martha Knowles, Susan Knowles, Nancy R. Bruner, Elizabeth Dean, Phoebe Ingram. Sara Joiner, Sara Etheridge, Amanda Bruner, Sara Bruner. Rev. Matthew Page of Coleman was called the first pastor.

Copied from THE HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
with permission of the Library Board of Clay County.
Transcribed by Donna Eldridge

From "History of Bethel Association Including
Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller

"Vilulah Church, situated in the fertile corner of Randolph County, near the
lines of Calhoun and Clay Counties, was constituted December 14, 1867; under
a bush arbor about a quarter of a mile north of where the present church
stands. The arbor was near the home of Robert Knowles, a pioneer settler of
the community who gave the land for the former church and cemetery.

The presbytery constituting the church consisted of Rev. Matthew Page,
pastor and R. Y. Lofton.

There were seventeen charter members of the church as follows: Messrs.
Robert Knowles, R. H. Dean, W. H. Bruner, L. J. Joiner and James Knowles;
and Sisters Ammelia Dennington, Nancy McReid, Mary Knowles, Martha Knowles,
Susan Knowles, Nancy R. Bruner, Elizabeth Dean, Phelpy Ingram, Sara Joiner,
Sara Etheridge, Amanda Bruner, and Sara Bruner. All of the charter members
of the church have been dead for a great number of years.

Soon after the church was constituted Rev. Matthew Page of Coleman was
called as pastor. He served the church for three years. During his
pastorate a log house of worship was completed, this building being near the
grove beside the present church yard.

On November 3, 1868, Vilulah Church joined the Bethel Association which was
in session with Summer Hill Church, Stewart County. Rev. Matthew Page who
served the church from 1867-1879 was one of the delegates. R. Y Lofton,
Clerk and W. H. Dean were the other delegates.

The report to the Association that year is as follows: By Baptism 6, by
letter 5, restored 1, membership 29 -- all white.

During the pastorate of Rev. John Clay of Cuthbert, 1871-1874, the log house
of worship became too small to accommodate the crowds attending his
preaching. This building was torn down and replaced by a frame structure on
the same ground.

In August 1888 a committee was appointed to secure funds for a new building
and in 1890 the present church building was completed. The dedication
sermon for the new building was preached by Rev. J. G. Corley in April 1890.
The present building, a one room structure, is neatly painted and well-kept.
It has curtains to divide the classes of the Bible School and the Young
People's Organizations. Its value is estimated at $1200.00.

The following pastors were ordained by the church: E. S. Wade, October
1881. Presbytery--Revs. W. H. Cooper, James E. Parker, L. Culbreth.

J. S. Knowles, November 16, 1884. Presbytery, Revs. John Martin, John
Nichols.

Geo. Hugh Dozier was ordained in September 1930 by Shellman Church as
requested by Vilulah Church, since he received his first call from Vilulah.

The following deacons were ordained by the church.

B. F. Pearce, and J. C. Joiner, May 1885. Presbytery--Revs. John Martin, J.
S. Knowles, J. W. Nichols.

Seab Ragan and William Ragan in 1891 and 1892.

Eric Ragan, Ira Ragan and Joe Davis, February 1923. Presbytery, Revs. J. W.
Snelson, A. C. Wellons.

Robert White--1929. Presbytery--Revs. A. B. Metcalfe, Eric Ragan, and Ira
Ragan.

The following Clerks served the Church:

R. Y. Loftin--1867-1881; W. W. Joiner--1885; D. R. Ingram 1885-1887; T. C.
Sutton--1887-1892; B. B. Joiner 1922.

The following pastors served the church:

Mathew Page, Coleman, 1867-1870; John Clay, Cuthbert, 1870-1873; L.
Culbreth, Cuthbert, 1878-1881; E. S. Ward, Valulah, 1881-1882; John Martin,
Cuthbert, 1882-1886; H. R. McLendon, Ft. Gaines, 1886-1890; Thomas Muse,
Cuthbert, 1891-1908; M. B. L. Binion, Parrott 1908-1909; A. C. Wellons,
Plains, 1909-1912; John W. Martin, Cuthbert, 1912-1914; H. C. Fowler, Ft.
Gaines, 1914; A. C. Wellons, Plains, 1915-1922; Rev. Guise, Headland, Ala.
1922-1924; Rev. Snelson, Coleman, 1924-1926; J. W. Harper, Coleman,
1926-1928; Rev. Metcalf, Cuthbert, 1929-1930; Geo. Hugh Dozier, Shellman,
1930.

The Church's first Sunday School was organized in 1885 with D. R. Ingram as
superintendent. Rev. John Martin was pastor.

The Woman's Missionary Union was established in 1908 with Mrs. L. D.
McFather as president. Rev. M. B. L. Binion was pastor.

The Baptist Young People's Union was organized in 1914 with Byron Coram as
president, Rev. H. C. Fowler as pastor.

The present Sunday School is graded and has an enrollment of 66.

There are twelve officers and teachers as follows:

Supt., Robert White, Assistant Supt. Connie Ragan, Chorister, R. L. White,
Pianist, Grace Blackburn.

Teachers: Adult, --Mrs. G. W. Coram, Young People--Charlotte Rish, Int.
Boys--Annie L. Davis, Int.--Girls, Mrs. B. B. Joiner, Junior--Mrs. E. L.
Rish, Primary--Mrs. Felix Ingram, Beginners--Hilda Ragan.

At this place we wish to mention the name of Miss Annie L. Davis, who by her
consecrated talents has been a mighty factor in the church life, especially
among the young people. Persistently she has labored with that sweet
perseverance which only consecration and deep devotion can promote.

The Woman's Missionary Union with its officers and groups follows:

W. M. U. Number enrolled 14, Pres. Mrs. E. L. Rish; Vice Pres., Mrs. C. S.
Ragan; Secretary and Treas., Mrs. R. E. Joiner; Y. W. A. Number enrolled--6;
Pres., Ina Fay Ragan; Vice Pres., Charlotte Rish; Sect. and Treas., Grace
Blackburn; G. A. Number enrolled 10; Leader, Annie L. Davis; Pres., Ethel
Ragan; Vice Pres., Sara Bryan; Sect. and Treas., Carolyn Ragan; Sunbeams,
Number enrolled--18; Leader, Mrs. C. S. Ragan Pres., Naomi Ingram; Vice
Pres., Inez Lindsey; Sect. and Treas., Jarrett D. Ragan.

The W. M. U. lacks only group, the R. A.'s from being a standard
organization.

The Baptist Young People's Union has an enrollment of about 30. The unions
are as follows:

Senior: Enrollment 10; Pres.,--Annie L. Davis; Vice-Pres.,--Rebecca Joiner;
Sect. and Treas.,--Herbert Blackburn; Pianist--Grace Blackburn; Quiz Leader,
Mrs. C. S. Ragan; Group Captains:--Group No. 1, Ina Fay Ragan, Group No. 2,
Grace Blackburn. Junior: Enrollment 20; Leader, --Mrs. E. R. Rish.

The present church organization is as follows: Pastor:--Rev. Geo Hugh
Dozier; Deacons--Robert White, Joe Davis, Eric Ragan, Ira Ragan.

(This was in the year 1934.)

Charlene Parker <laurel43@bellsouth.net>

Churches of Clay County

Back to Clay County GAGenWeb