History of McRae Presbyterian Church

1898-1998 - Centennial Celebration

Much like the giant pines which so embody the spirit of South Georgia, the roots of the McRae Presbyterian Church are deep within the community which shares its name. In fact, land for the church was given by the son of the town's namesake, D.M. McRae. Interestingly, D.M. McRae had long sought to affiliate with a Presbyterian Church but was able to do so only one month prior to his death. It should also be noted that he generously gave land to both the Baptist and Methodist churches for their use. Truly ecumenical, Daniel M. McRae is memorialized in the minutes of the 1898 session as a person "just and kind, good and benevolent to all those in need ... a ready helper".

On Sunday, September 19, 1898, seventeen people met in the chapel of the South Georgia College with Dr. J.B. Mack, evangelist for Savannah Presbytery, and The Reverend Charles Montgomery, to organize a church. At the close of worship services, Dr. Mack, by the power vested in him, declared them to be a church: The McRae Presbyterian Church.

At the time of its organization a building committee consisting of R. Oberly, Duncan J. McRae, Daniel M. McRae, and The Reverend Charles Montgomery, was elected. A sanctuary was constructed on the property given by D.M. McRae at the corner of College Street and Seventh Avenue. On Sunday, December 9, 1901, the first services were held in the new sanctuary. Worship services are held to this day — 100 years later — in this original building.

There is little detailed information about the first years of the McRae Presbyterian Church. We do know that, in spite of being without a full-time minister for the majority of those early years, the small but dedicated group stayed together and never ceased meeting and worshipping on a regular basis. In keeping with the Book Of Church Order, there are minutes of session meetings from the beginning of the church's history. Unfortunately, however, we have but little insight into what was surely the interesting daily life of the congregation. We are certain nonetheless that everything was handled "decently and in order".

The Reverend E.S. Winn served the church on the first and third Sunday beginning in 1939. In September 1953 he was asked, and graciously consented, to hold services every Sunday morning ("his health and weather permitting"). Two special events should be noted during his pastorate. In October 1949, several members endorsed a note at the Merchants and Citizens Bank for the grand total of $150.00 to install propane gas heat in the church. Thanks perhaps to this new luxury, on January 12, 1952, Mary Helen Milam wed William Robert Mason — the first wedding in the church!

In September 1953 Reverend Mr. Winn extended an invitation to The Reverend Ewell Nelson, Executive Seretary of Home Missions in the Savannah Presbytery, to conduct the morning worship on September 27th. This marked the beginning of the McRae Presbyterian Church as we know it today.

The Reverend Ewell Nelson was installed as pastor on June 27, 1954 by the Savannah Presbytery. He was the first full-time pastor in over 25 years. In six months the membership grew from 29 to 45. Under his leadership a Sunday School was started. By the end of his first year, membership grew to 66. New pulpit furniture and a communion table were bought and soon the frame house next door was acquired to accommodate the growing Sunday School. The purchase price for the house was $6,500.00. The first Vacation Bible School was held in the summer of 1956. The church continued to grow. It is interesting to observe that the income and expenditures in 1953 were $250.00. In 1956 they were $11,347.12, and by 1958 the membership was 103.

The Reverend Mr. Nelson left on June 15, 1960, and after a year, The Reverend Thomas Des Champs was called and began his ministry in McRae in June 1961. There were two major events in 1962. The congregation decided to buy a manse, a home on Graham Street. The price was $10,000. Also during Mr. Des Champs pastorate, the church became totally self-supporting, the officers had regularly planned meetings, and the church introduced planned and printed bulletins every Sunday.

Of interest is the fact that in September 1961 Colonel George Harris was elected Elder Emeritus. He had served as an elder since 1923! Also elected Elder Emeritus were John McRae Clements in 1957 and William C. Brownson in 1961.

There are several highlights in the life of this church that must be noted. On March 4, 1973, Mrs. Jack Best, Jr., and Mrs. Quentin Mullis were ordained and installed as elders. They were the first women elders in the McRae Presbyterian Church. On September 17, 1975, the church celebrated its 75th birthday. The Reverend Harry G. McDonell was the pastor. In 1976 Mr. H.B. Coker was elected Elder in Perpetuity, the first person so elected in the history of this church.

By 1978 the church had 78 members with an annual budget of $20,000.00, and was free of debt. It, therefore, petitioned the Savannah Presbytery for financial assistance in the amount of $30,000 to update the facilities. The full amount needed for the building project would be between $70,000.00 and $100,000.00. In February 1979 construction was begun on the present education building (with fireplace) which was completed in October of that year. The Reverend Jack Taylor was the pastor during this ambitious project. Then, early in 1984 the mortgage necessitated by this expansion was summarily burned (in the new fireplace) under the direction of Dr. Joe Tom Jeffries.

The Reverend Thomas J. Rogers was installed as pastor on April 26, 1987. In the summer of that year Mimi Tucker organized the first "real" choir and membership grew to 80. In 1988, the 90th anniversary of the church was celebrated with over 100 in attendance. This coincided with the Bicentennial year of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In 1990, the PW began a ministry to prison inmates at the Women's Correctional Center in Milan, Georgia, twelve miles from McRae. Once a month, several women prepared a meal and provided a Christian atmosphere for inmate's families and friends, thus allowing children to visit their mothers in the facility.

In 1993 McRae Presbyterian Church was nominated for small church of the year. On September 19, 1993, its 95th anniversary was celebrated. In addition to a brand new church directory, a special commemorative plate was designed and marketed. It was a wonderful occasion on a bright and beautiful day.

The Reverend Mr. Rogers announced his intention to retire effective July 10, 1994. A retirement reception was held and during that time the oil painting of the church, done by artist Rob MacGregor, was unveiled. It was generously commissioned by The Reverend Tom Rogers family and the E.B. Spann family. Cherished not only for its beauty, but also for the love and service represented by its donors, this painting hangs in a place of prominence in the fellowship hall today.

After being without a pastor for two years, the church was blessed. The Reverend Earle Sickels accepted the call and came to the McRae Presbyterian Church on June 9, 1996. The church family continues to be grateful to Earle and Lee Sickels for their devoted service and support.  The history of the McRae Presbyterian Church would not be complete without recognizing and thanking the Presbyterian Women. Throughout the years, the Presbyterian Women have remained faithful and steadfast — the one group that met continuously and saw to it that all the programs went forward, even when there was no regular minister. This has been the case for a full one hundred years!

They have been, throughout all those years, the most diligent, consistent, and copious record keepers. Two of their historians in particular should be recognized: Mrs. H.B. Coker, who died in 1982 and Mrs. E.B. (Marguerite) Spann. Mrs. Spann, who is our only recipient of the Presbyterian Women Lifetime Membership, moved from McRae in 1997 to a new home in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Directed by God, and in the spirit of those unflagging men and women of Telfair County who have gone before, the McRae Presbyterian Church stands now, as always, prepared to serve our Lord. Over the past one hundred years, through history's time and tides, the church has been here, giving witness to the glory of God. Our prayer would be that it be allowed to do so for another one hundred years.