Our History

Our

History

Cornelia United Methodist Church History

This collection of memories and celebrations of the life of Cornelia United Methodist Church is a collective eﬀort of remembrances from long time church members, passages from the 125th Anniversary Commemorative, and recent events. Our generous thanks and appreciation to all those who have shared in service and witness with their heartfelt thoughts and tireless energy.

Before any church buildings were built in Cornelia, the various denominations held services in a school building on what is now N. Main Street across from the library. According to “The Hills of Habersham” a history written by Mary L Church, the Methodists were the first to build a church in Cornelia.

In 1888, Dr. H.P. Fitch, a Methodist minister and Piedmont College professor, led a group of Methodists to organize a mission church. The twenty members shared a worship site with the local Baptists until a small, white frame church was built on Gladys Street, now Summit Street. The land was donated by J.E. Barr. They shared that building with the Baptists until a Baptist church could be constructed.

From 1888 to 1896, the church was listed as a mission within the Elberton District. Austelle Martin (mother to Sue Popham) recalled, “My parents, Mr. & Mrs. D.A. Henderson, were among the early members who served as caretakers. They often told me that since there was no electricity oil lamps were used and an iron wood created heating. They were responsible for filling the oil lamps, washing the chimneys each week and during winter they always built a fire in the stove early on Sunday mornings so the building was warm for worship services.”

In 1903, the Gladys Street church building was converted into a residence and Ministers, Paul Ellis, J.O. Brand, C.C. Spence and W.S Robinson, assisted local Methodists in building a larger church. The white steepled church was built on Oak Street on land donated by the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-Line Railway Company (now Southern Railway). The church was called the Cornelia Methodist Episcopal Church, South and later, the Cornelia Methodist Church. In 1905, the Women’s Missionary Society was organized and Mrs. I.C. Wade became the first President. In 1924, Sunday school classrooms were added to the sanctuary.

The Oak Street building was destroyed by fire on April 9, 1955 which was the day before Easter. The congregation met for worship Easter Sunday morning, April 10, 1955, in Cornelia’s historic Community House.

Until new facilities could be constructed, worship services were conducted in the McGahee Funeral Home Chapel. Sunday school classes met in the City Hall and the annex building.

Under the leadership of Pastors Hoyt Henderson, Hubert Dodd and Marcus Martin, the congregation began the process of rebuilding. The new church, including the sanctuary, the fellowship hall and the educational building, was consecrated in June of 1967.

In 1988, the Cornelia United Methodist Church celebrated its Centennial year.

The theme was “100 Years United in Faith and Committed to Christ.” On February 23, 1992 the church celebrated the dedication of a new parsonage and the consecration of the Fellowship Center and Educational Complex.

In 1998, the church inaugurated an Hispanic ministry under the leadership of an Hispanic pastor. The congregation was consecrated in 2001, moved to a facility in Baldwin, and celebrated fifteen years of ministry in 2013. The Hispanic congregation is now celebrated and thriving in the Chapel of the main campus under Pastor Lorena Ortiz.

The 125th anniversary of Cornelia United Methodist Church was celebrated in 2013.

In 2020, with the onset of a world wide pandemic and the loss of millions of lives, churches across the country suﬀered due to doors of churches and businesses being closed as mandated by government and CDC guidelines. Online streaming services were fortunately oﬀered, but the experience of fellowship and church family were negatively impacted.

The challenges of disaﬃliation beset not only the Methodist Church system but many other denominations as well. During this period, Cornelia United Methodist stayed the course and remained part of The United Methodist Church, “a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world.” Our continued mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. (umc.org)” Though the church experienced declining membership, our congregation remained faithful and Sunday worship continued.

In the fall of 2024, the North Georgia United Methodist Conference and our Northeast Georgia District began conversations that resulted in the merging of Cornelia United Methodist with Grace United Methodist to fortify the faithful. In February 2025, the two churches formally merged and now worship as one on the Cornelia campus under the new name, Cornelia United Methodist Church: A Grace Filled Community, focused on growing together in service to God and our community.

Symbols in the Church

and Architectural Design

Architecture

The sanctuary is designed in a modified cruciform plan in the shape of a Latin cross. The altar is considered the “ecclesiastical east” following the ancient practice of facing Jerusalem when in prayer.

The narthex is considered the “ecclesiastical west” where, in earlier times, the unbaptized were allowed to stand and hear the first portion of the service. Today the narthex is used as an area of welcome and hospitality.

The main body of the church is the nave. The word comes from the Latin word for “ship.” The curved ceiling beams of the nave are reminiscent of the bottom supports for a ship.

Stained Glass:

In the Nave

The Anchor, symbol of hope in the salvation of the eternal nature of the Word of God
Open Bible with Alpha and Omega, symbol of the eternal nature of the Word of God
Grapes, symbol of the blood of Jesus in Communion
Kneeling Lamb Reclining on the Book of Seven Seals, symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus
Descending Dove with Nimbus and Circle, symbol of the work and presence of the Holy Spirit
Bible with Palm Branches, palm branches symbolize victory and the Bible symbolizes truth
The Cross and The Crown, symbolizes both the victory of Jesus through the cross and the reward of believers
The Three Fish, from the Greek word for “fish” forms the anagram for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”. The three fish represent the Trinity.

In the Narthex

The Ten Commandments, giving definition to the relationship between people and God.
The Baptismal Font and Red Drape and Descending Dove, symbolizes conversion and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The Chalice with Grapes Grapes, Wheat, IHS and Circle, symbolizing the presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. IHS is a monogram of Christ.
The Pulpit with Bible, preaching the truth from the Word of God

Nave Entry