Big Springs Methodist (Troup County, Ga.)

The history in the North Georgia Methodist archives suggests that Big Springs is one of the oldest Methodist churches in the conference. The history was "given first hand in 1933 by Mrs. Laura Hall, wife of the late John R. Hall, a Confederate Veteran. In 1828 , a young man by the name of Young Hall settled on the plantation that is now known as the John R. Hall home in Troup County, and about this time a log church was built on this place, East of the house and was named Big Springs, because of five big springs on natural water nearby. This was the first and only church at that time in this community." "In 1840 the church was moved to its present site and was a frame structure with plain wooden shutters for windows. Then in 1861, the present church was built on land donated by Nathanial Howell. Dr. Beasley got the contract for the church and slaves were used for labor. All the lumber in the church was kiln dried and prepared by hand; you may still find places on the backs of some of these pews, where a dividing line was used when the slaves worshiped with the white people. Sometimes the slaves would have their own service with the white pastor preaching and with the white congregation taking the back seats." The church has been improved over the years and does not appear to have been built in 1861. The original flooring, now covered, is still underneath the floor, supported by rough logs that bear the axe marks from 160 years ago. Several events have tried to bring the old church down but the congregation has always built her back. In 1928, the church was re-roofed with pine shingles. In 1935, it was painted inside and out and wired for electricity in 1937. The church was almost burned in 1943 when the roof shingles caught fire and the church was then re-roofed with asbestos shingles. In 1947, a cyclone blew the roof and gables completely off and left just the walls standing. In 1947, additional improvements were made at a cost of $4,000.