| Julia A. Porter United Methodist Church |
| History |
The North Georgia Conference appointed Rev. Firley Baum to be Pastor of “Porterdale Mission” along with his
other pastoral assignments. This took place at its annual meeting in November of 1903. At its founding
conference held on January 17, 1904, Pastor Baum reported having visited with many of the residents in The
Village, and that most favored organizing a church. According to the church conference records, following the
“religious services” conducted by the Pastor, the organization took place with thirty-five persons becoming its
charter members. Also, the following elections were made:
Two Stewards Mr. C. T. Lummus (Mr.Lummus also served as the 1st Sunday School Superintendent)
Rev. John Wesley Jay
Church Secretary Mr. W. P. Roseberry
The name of the church was designated as: “The Porterdale Church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.”
(In its 100 year history, the church would be known by three other names: Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist
Episcopal Church, South; Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist Church; and Julia A. Porter Memorial United
Methodist Church.)
The vote of the church to organize was recorded as being unanimous. Other business mentioned was the
receiving of an offering of $17 for charitable purposes.
The place of meeting for the new Methodist Church was The Community Building. A new brick school was built
in 1917, and it is thought that the church met in it until the present building was erected in 1925. Rev. J. J. Mize
(Pastor1921-1925) began a campaign to raise funds for the new building. The people gave from their wages, many
buying bricks on a regular basis. The Bibb Company gave the land for the building, and we know that Mr. James
Hyde Porter contributed $50,000 toward the project, and this with the gifts of the people enabled the building to go
forward. Cost amounted to approximately $80,000. Actual construction began early in 1925, and finished by
September.
The dedication service was held September 27, 1925, and was led by Bishop Warren A. Candler, Resident Bishop.
The request of Mr. Porter that the church be named to honor his mother, Julia A. Porter, was granted, and the
church was designated “Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South.” She was beloved in the
community as she tirelessly sought to help the people in their needs, as her husband Oliver had worked to develop
the mills. She turned the first shovel of dirt for construction and was present for the dedication. Her death came
the following year on September 27, 1926. Mrs. Porter lives on in the legacy bequeathed to this area through her
family. Her portrait, along with that of her son, James, hangs in the entrance of the church that bears her name, of
which she and her husband, along with Miss Charley Josephine Camp, James Hyde Porter, and John Anthony
Porter, are listed as Charter Members. She had two other children not listed, Mary Erin Porter who died of
pneumonia at the age of 14 and Oliver William (Wick) Porter.
Julia A. Porter is buried in the Covington City Cemetery. Her legacy is that she taught her children to have respect
and compassion for those who were less fortunate. Her children and their descendants helped to build a library,
schools, recreational facilities, and church in Porterdale and Newton County. They funded scholarships for local
students. Even today, the Porter Foundation contributes to the ongoing ministry of Julia A. Porter United
Methodist Church.
Charter Members (Given to Lucille Ivey Shaw by several on the list)
Dr. E. H. Adams and Wife Gertrude Harper
J. E. Cline John O. Harper
A. J. Carson and Canella W. T. Smith and Wife
C. T. Lummus J. E. Cline*
Annie Moore Lummus Effie King
Fleeta Lummus J. F. Hanson
W. P. Roseberry and Wife O. D. Johnson
J. W. Jay and Wife Alex Wheeler
S. J. Yancey and Wife Janie Wheeler
Oliver S. Porter Lee Wheeler
Julia A. Porter Pidie Hinton
Charley Porter Carrie Hinton
John Porter Tollie Hinton
James Porter J. D. Roseberry
*J. E. Cline is listed twice; possibly another member of his family.
other pastoral assignments. This took place at its annual meeting in November of 1903. At its founding
conference held on January 17, 1904, Pastor Baum reported having visited with many of the residents in The
Village, and that most favored organizing a church. According to the church conference records, following the
“religious services” conducted by the Pastor, the organization took place with thirty-five persons becoming its
charter members. Also, the following elections were made:
Two Stewards Mr. C. T. Lummus (Mr.Lummus also served as the 1st Sunday School Superintendent)
Rev. John Wesley Jay
Church Secretary Mr. W. P. Roseberry
The name of the church was designated as: “The Porterdale Church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.”
(In its 100 year history, the church would be known by three other names: Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist
Episcopal Church, South; Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist Church; and Julia A. Porter Memorial United
Methodist Church.)
The vote of the church to organize was recorded as being unanimous. Other business mentioned was the
receiving of an offering of $17 for charitable purposes.
The place of meeting for the new Methodist Church was The Community Building. A new brick school was built
in 1917, and it is thought that the church met in it until the present building was erected in 1925. Rev. J. J. Mize
(Pastor1921-1925) began a campaign to raise funds for the new building. The people gave from their wages, many
buying bricks on a regular basis. The Bibb Company gave the land for the building, and we know that Mr. James
Hyde Porter contributed $50,000 toward the project, and this with the gifts of the people enabled the building to go
forward. Cost amounted to approximately $80,000. Actual construction began early in 1925, and finished by
September.
The dedication service was held September 27, 1925, and was led by Bishop Warren A. Candler, Resident Bishop.
The request of Mr. Porter that the church be named to honor his mother, Julia A. Porter, was granted, and the
church was designated “Julia A. Porter Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South.” She was beloved in the
community as she tirelessly sought to help the people in their needs, as her husband Oliver had worked to develop
the mills. She turned the first shovel of dirt for construction and was present for the dedication. Her death came
the following year on September 27, 1926. Mrs. Porter lives on in the legacy bequeathed to this area through her
family. Her portrait, along with that of her son, James, hangs in the entrance of the church that bears her name, of
which she and her husband, along with Miss Charley Josephine Camp, James Hyde Porter, and John Anthony
Porter, are listed as Charter Members. She had two other children not listed, Mary Erin Porter who died of
pneumonia at the age of 14 and Oliver William (Wick) Porter.
Julia A. Porter is buried in the Covington City Cemetery. Her legacy is that she taught her children to have respect
and compassion for those who were less fortunate. Her children and their descendants helped to build a library,
schools, recreational facilities, and church in Porterdale and Newton County. They funded scholarships for local
students. Even today, the Porter Foundation contributes to the ongoing ministry of Julia A. Porter United
Methodist Church.
Charter Members (Given to Lucille Ivey Shaw by several on the list)
Dr. E. H. Adams and Wife Gertrude Harper
J. E. Cline John O. Harper
A. J. Carson and Canella W. T. Smith and Wife
C. T. Lummus J. E. Cline*
Annie Moore Lummus Effie King
Fleeta Lummus J. F. Hanson
W. P. Roseberry and Wife O. D. Johnson
J. W. Jay and Wife Alex Wheeler
S. J. Yancey and Wife Janie Wheeler
Oliver S. Porter Lee Wheeler
Julia A. Porter Pidie Hinton
Charley Porter Carrie Hinton
John Porter Tollie Hinton
James Porter J. D. Roseberry
*J. E. Cline is listed twice; possibly another member of his family.
| Julia A. Porter |
| James H. Porter |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
© Julia A Porter UMC 2007. All rights reserved. Site design by Stump Web Designs