History of First Presbyterian Church, Midway

1868-2004  Oral History Read At 136th Church Anniversary

On April 12, in the year nineteen hundred sixty eight in a small town called Midway, Georgia, God spoke to the spirit of one of his shepherds prompting him to do his will by bringing together a congregation of believers. This organization began with three hundred African American Christian believers who through the will of God organized Midway Temple Presbyterian Church. In A familiar Hymn we find these words:

You may build great cathedrals large or small
You may build skyscrapers grand and tall
You may conquer all the failures of the past
But only what you do for Christ will last.

Certainly those first three hundred worshippers formed this congregation as a lasting tribute to almighty God. So here we are today, on this fourth day of April in the year 2001, 133 years later in this same small town of Midway, Georgia, united together as a body of Christ to observe, to remember, to reflect, and to offer praise to God for bringing us through yet another year in His service.

And the word of God tells us in Jeremiah 3:15: "And I will give you shepherds according to mine heart who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." We have been blessed here through out the years to have many faithful shepherds who have come and provided us with great leadership and proclaimed the word of God. However time will not permit us to call them all name by name, but instead we share with you how God
worked through these men and the saints of old who set this "Old Ship of Zion." on it's voyage of work and worship in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After the formation of this congregation, God provided his people with a place of worship. The Old Historical Midway Congregational Church became the gathering place for the members. On October 21, 1892 after eighteen years, the doors of this church was closed to the members of Midway Temple, God opened another door and the congregation moved into the Old Midway Chapel, which had been built some years prior as a school for the membership and community.

In the word of God we find these word; The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.(Psalm 115:14) And God's word stands true for in the year 1875 membership had increased to six hundred members with fifteen Elders and fifteen Deacons.

"So built we the wall and all the wall was joined together to half of its height for the people had a mind to work." (Nehemiah 4:6) In the year 1893 with $2400.00 and a mind to work, under the leadership of Rev. James Thomas Waite, the Midway Temple edifice was erected and was dedicated to almighty God on December 29, 1895.
In the many years that followed, with God in the midst of it all, the church continued to struggle seeing both the joys and pains of a growing congregation. Following the death of Rev. Waite, there was an era of miscellaneous leadership from 1901- 1911. Twelve years latter in 1923 under the leadership of Rev. Walter Mclean the Midway Temple building was renovated, and membership continued to increase. In the year 1946, a second manse was built under the leadership of Rev. William Darsey Woods and 175 persons were added to the membership.

In the book of Psalms we find these words, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity." So in that spirit, the members of Day Memorial, Ebenezer, Midway Temple, and Riceboro Presbyterian churches united in a merger in the Midway Temple edifice on September 27, 1959. This union of churches became the Liberty United Presbyterian Church which resulted in a need for a larger edifice to accommodate these 220 members. In the book of Ecclesiastics we find these words; "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose... A time to break down and a time to build up." So in the year 1863 the Midway Temple edifice was disassembled and this present edifice was built under the leadership of Rev. Charles A. Maxell and on June 26, 1966 was dedicated;

To the Beauty of Holiness,
To the development of Christian Character,
To the training up of Children,
To the guidance of youth,
To the inspiration of strong manhood and womanhood, and
And to the Spirit of those who have grown in grace through long years of Christian service.

On November 5, 1989, the Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Sears was ordained and installed pastor of Midway First Presbyterian Church. In Psalm 37:23 we find these words "The steps of good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way." Rev Thomas Sears was truly a dedicated and faithful servant who inspired the people of God to continue in the work and worship of the church. The old church bell, a restoration project that he initiated was dedicated to his memory on April 16, 1989.

From 1993 - 1996 Rev. Alexander Porter served as first student seminarian and was ordained minister of the Gospel and installed pastor. Under Rev. Porter's efficient leadership the work of the Lord continued on major renovations were made to the interior and exterior of the church, monthly communion services were instituted, and many organizations of the church were revitalized.

The work of the Lord continued on, and in October 1997 Rev. James Richard Woodward was appointed supply pastor. Through his leadership membership increased, and twelve children were confirmed and accepted into the ministry of this church. At present Rev. Woodward continues to serve as Interim pastor under God's guidance he has continued to a faith shepherd of this flock.
In 2001 major renovations were made to our church and manse, and the word was brought forth by many dedicated servants of God. God In the book of Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 we find these words; "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint." We will continue to wait upon the Lord for it is he who has been our leader and our guide in the times of plenty and in times of want.

We are proud to share with you these few reflections and excerpts of our church's history and we are thankful for all that has been done. First we give thanks to God for giving Rev. Joseph Williams the founding pastor of this church a willingness to yes when he was called by God. We thank God for the spirit and determination given to those first 300 believers. We thank God for the many saints that have been a part of this congregation and have toiled in the army of God to keep this ship sailing down through the years. For if it had not been for the Lord on our side tell me where would we be. And although we look back we continue to press forward and look to the future for we have seen what God has done- but here at Midway First we are Getting Ready, Getting Prepared and Getting Excited about what God can Do!!