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Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church Jekyll Island, Georgia |
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Chronological History of Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church
1958 Following the construction of a causeway and bridge connecting Jekyll Island to the mainland in 1954, the state of Georgia began developing the island as a year-round residential and resort area. Early in 1958 a feasibility-survey was taken to determine whether a church on Jekyll Island was needed. First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick was eager to sponsor this church. Under the leadership of Rev. Robert McBath plans were formulated and in the summer of 1958 Presbytery secured the services of Mr. Robert D. Taylor, a ministerial student, to conduct worship services and develop a Sunday school. Services were held in historic Faith Chapel built in 1904 for the members of the Jekyll Island Club who owned the island until 1947.
1960 In January an arrangement was approved by Savannah Presbytery giving permission to Brunswick First Church to call a minister to serve half time as assistant at Brunswick, but to live on Jekyll and devote half time to development of the Jekyll Church. Rev. David E. Boozer accepted the call and began in June 1960.
1961 The Jekyll Island Commission of Savannah Presbytery convened at 2:15 p.m. Sunday April 9, 1961 at Faith Chapel for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian Church on Jekyll Island.
1962 All classes and services were being held in Faith Chapel while plans for a church were being made. On July 29, 1962 the contract to build a church was awarded to Edwards Construction Co. with ground breaking ceremonies held August 12th. Total cost of the church ran to $90,000.
1963 The first public service was held in the new church April 28, 1963. Sunday May 19th. A special service for the Consecration of the Church was held in the afternoon.
1966 The Charter for Incorporation of the Church was read and accepted by the Congregation at a meeting on Feb. 27, 1966.
1967 We had been searching for a pastor for over a year when Dr. Charlie Shedd visited the island in the summer of 1967 and "fell in love with the place." He agreed to leave the 3,000 member Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas to become our pastor. He was planning to join a multi-denominational organization dedicated to helping young, aspiring Christian writers. Because of this project, he chose a small church in order to devote maximum time to his writing.
1968 Dr. Shedd began his ministry with us on an early morning in July 1968.
1969 "Vacationers Worship Under the Oaks" was started and "Coffee Moments" were held after all worship services. Prayer Partners were assigned in November. Associate Memberships had been approved by Presbytery and Session voted that they be considered regular members but ineligible to vote in congregational meetings unless the congregation voted to permit it and were not permitted to hold office in the Jekyll Church.
1970 The fellowship hall was enlarged and closed circuit TV installed. Dr. Shedd donated 40 artists' conceptions of Christ to the "Heads of Christ Room” a meditation and conference parlor connected to the newly enlarged Missions Parlor, the former fellowship hall.
1973 Rev. Barnette Eby, retired pastor of Maryville Presbyterian Church, Maryville, Tenn. agreed to come to Jekyll and became our Co-Pastor in November.
1975 Dr. Shedd announced his resignation in early March planning to devote full time to writing his newspaper column, his radio feature and his books. Session accepted Dr. Shedd's resignation. During his tenure the church membership grew from 40 to 199. With Dr. Shedd's departure, Dr. Eby filled the pulpit until a full-time minister was called.
1976 Rev. Donald C. Fehr and his wife Peggy arrived in January 1976. His first sermon was January 4th and his Installation. Service was held on February 15th. We continued to be a praying church with Prayer Partners still made annually and the Prayer Chain grew. Sunday school progressed and increased. A fellowship hour followed the worship service.
The next 20 years were marked with great accomplishments and
successes. The enthusiasm for Worship at Jekyll was shown by the
need for a closed circuit TV in the Missions Parlor to accommodate
the overflow crowd on a Sunday morning. The Wednesday night Bible
Study group flourished; a Church Library was established in 1979
along with our monthly newsletter "The Bridge". 1980 - The 1st
Sunday of the month was designated as Loose Change Sunday with that
offering going to the Presbyterian Hunger Fund; in 1982 the church
was able to celebrate a Mortgage Burning Ceremony. 1983 was a very
busy year the foundation of the Endowment Trust Fund; Meals on
Wheels began in August; the Grandmother's Closet started to loan
cribs, playpens, etc. and most important Rev. Donald C. Fehr became
The Rev. Doctor Donald C. Fehr.
1995 A
Pastor Nominating Committee was elected to search for a new
pastor. The Session called Rev. Bob Allman of Brunswick and Rev.
Gil Clary of Richmond Hill to fill our pulpit on alternating Sundays
until a new pastor could be called.
2001 May 6, 2001 a luncheon was held to celebrate
the election of Dr. Donald C. Fehr as Pastor Emeritus of Jekyll
Presbyterian Community Church.
2002 In September 2002 the congregation accepted Rev. Dr. Richard H. Grice as our pastor and was installed November 17, 2002.
2006 In December of 2006 Rev. Richard Grice announced his resignation to accept a position as a pastor in Norfolk, Virginia. A Pastor Nominating Committee was elected. The session called Rev. Grady Allison to become our Interim Pastor.
2007
The Pastor Nominating Committee recommended to the Session and the
congregation that they request Savannah Presbytery to appoint the
Rev. Grady Allison as our Stated Supply Pastor. 2008 Reverend Allison became our Supply Pastor.
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