Legend Says Ellijay Church Site Was Once Gaming Place

(Published in The Franklin Press, 27 March 1958)

By Mrs Leslie Young

The first Ellijay Missionary Baptist Church, as near as can be determined, was formed in the late 1880's or 1890's and met in an old school building that stood on what is known as the John T Henry place.

Some of the present members recall hearing their parents say that Bard Angel was one of the Sunday school teachers of this first church.

On Same Hill

These old members decided to build a church and it was started in 1893, on the same hill where the Ellijay church now stands. Alex Moore, of Franklin, remembers that he and the late Charlie Mincey cut some of the first timber for the building.

Legend says that the hill on which the church was erected once was a gathering place for the young men of that time to drank (sic) and gamble around huge campfires.

Mother Watches

Across the valley, on another hillside, a mother, Mrs William Young, could see the campfires and knew her sons probably were in the group. It was her request that, at her death, she be buried on the spot so that no more drinking or gambling would occur there. She hoped someday a church would stand there.

Mrs Young died in her fifties in 1892 and was buried on the hillside she had chosen.

Started in 1893

The land where she lies was then owned by her brother, A J Moore (affectionately known in the county as "Captain Jack") who donated it to be used for a missionary Baptist church and cemetery forever. The church was started in 1893.

In 1948, the old white frame church, racked by storms and in rather bad condition, was torn down and replaced by a more modern block building.

Many Pastors

There were many pastors attending the old church. Of these, the names of two are woven into its history - the late Leander Young, son of Mrs William Young, and James Moore, of Florida, son of A J Moore.

Pastors Listed

Since the building of the present church in 1948, the following pastors have served it: the Rev Joe Bishop, the Rev Lee Crawford, the Rev Zollie Fox, the Rev Frank Reed, the Rev Walter Middleton, the Rev J T Underwood, and the Rev J O Nix, the present pastor.

The following officers are now serving with Mr Nix: Dan Bishop, superintendent; Walter Young, chorister; Mildred Bishop, Sunday school secretary; Walter Young, treasurer; and Mrs Leslie Young, clerk.

(transcribed January 14, 2006)