History of Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church

The Henry Memorial Presbyterian Church was organized on November 21, 1897 as a church within the bounds of Augusta-Macon Presbytery, under the directions and on the inspiration of the Reverend J. B. Mack and the Reverend C. H. Hyde of Macon, Georgia.  There were twelve charter members believed to include the Alexander Moffetts, the Alexander Akermans, J. D. Robertson, Alice Hicks, Corrie G. Mason and Seward Hicks.

The church was named in memory of riverboat Captain R. C. Henry, chief benefactor of the church in its early days.  In 1899, the membership occupied its first house of worship at the corner of Columbia and Jefferson Streets.  In 1919, plans were underway for a new church building on Bellevue Avenue, our present location.

Pastors of the church during those years were: W. F. Strickland, R. W. Alexander, W. O. Stephens, J. W. Stokes, C. H. Chumbley, and Dr. James G. Patton.

It was under the leadership of Dr. Patton, that the building was constructed and was occupied on June 21, 1921.  After Dr. Patton's resignation in 1924, the church was without pastoral leadership for the next several years due to economic conditions in the community.

Those pastors and stated supplies serving the church from the mid-20's to the early 40's included: W. C. Pease, Donald McIntyre, S. L. Morris, W. M. Crafton, J. D. McPhail, James Hazzelwood, Ralph Gillam, R. P. Walker, A. A. Talbot, and W. S. Porter.  The active church membership had peaked at 100 by 1949.

The arrival of the Reverend Glenn Dorris on November 26, 1950, ushered in a period of activity and progress.   Active membership increased to about 200.  Discussions of new educational facilities were begun.  However, the Reverend Mr. Dorris resigned during the summer of 1955 and his successor, the Reverend John D. Campbell, led the congregation to the fulfillment of these discussions.  The new Education Building was completed for occupancy in the fall of 1958.

After the Reverend Mr. Campbell's departure in late 1962, the Reverend Charles Franklin Beall was called to serve as pastor on March 17, 1963.  During his ministry, which ended with his resignation in January of 1967, the high level of activity and membership in excess of 200 continued.

It was during this time that Dr. Edgar A. Woods was called to serve as interim pastor until the arrival of the Reverend Samuel R. Nettles in September of 1967.  The Reverend Mr. Nettles was pastor until October 1972 and was succeeded by the Reverend Joe R. Rossman, who served until November 1975.

The Reverend Thomas Donnell Warters was called on October 10, 1976 and served until June 1985.  The Henry Vogel Memorial Library was dedicated in October 1976, early in his pastorate.  This library continues to serve our membership.  The Christian Life Center was dedicated in May of 1983.  This building is in constant use by our church as well as other religious and civic groups.

On August 10, 1986, the Reverend John Hopkins White was ordained and installed into the shepherding role.  He and his family rekindled an excitement about our ministry.  In December of 1990, he resigned to accept a call to Greenwood, SC.

The historic reunion of the Southern church (PCUS) and the Northern church (PCUSA) took place in 1983.  Henry Memorial is now a part of that union, the PCUSA.  Changes marked the reunion.  We became part of Savannah Presbytery under the boundary realignment.

Dr. Roger Charles Mackey was called to serve as pastor in 1992, and resigned April 2000.  Through his ministry we were made more aware of our opportunities to minister to others and there seems to be a growing sense of community.  We have also moved forward in practical ways, the sanctuary was renovated to be able to increase seating by forty people, the filling station on the corner was purchased, demolished and turned into a parking lot.  We have a small group ministry composed of eight groups - five serendipity and three Sunday school classes - designed to meet the various spiritual needs of the people. We have a minister of music, a growing choir, and an additional "youth group."

In 1997, we celebrated our "Centennial" Anniversary.  The Lord has blessed us with outstanding leadership, including the laity in the church and community.  The decade ahead will be important for our denomination and for our congregation.  We pray that we will respond in obedience to the call of the head of the church, Jesus Christ, our Lord.