Ben Hill United Methodist Church announced that the Ben Hill United Women in Faith celebrated its 50th anniversary in service.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Sept. 23, the United Methodist Women's successor organization, Ben Hill United Women in Faith, commemorated its anniversary.

The church invited the public to join and shared a photo of Sabrina Hixon, the current president of the Ben Hill UWF unit, and Bernice Anderson, the unit's founding president.

It added that this active group continues the Mission Work they began 50 years ago for the causes of women, girls, and young people locally and globally.

The church said they may contact Sabrina Hixon at shixonumw@gmail.com for more details on how you may join this group of committed women and use or develop their talents, gifts, and skills for the glory of God.

Church Members

According to the Ben Hill United Methodist Church, its membership consisted of a small number of obedient and consecrated men and women who were dedicated to the service of God. 

The church claimed post offices were built on Campbellton Road and Fairburn Road after the Civil War. 

It added that Ben Hill received this name in honor of the new United States Senator from Troup County, Georgia. 

The church said it believes that the best way to show how the church has developed and grown is by looking at how it has changed from her four itinerant church to a one-station church. 

According to the church's website, Wesley Chapel was founded in 1853 and is located in Niskey Lake Parish in Fulton County, Georgia. 

The church said that among its original members were John Waits, Sidney Robbins, and David Waits.

Waitz was also said to have been a famous music director, the church said. It added that he sang at both church and camp meetings.

Interested readers may learn more information as they visit the Facebook page at Ben Hill United Methodist Church, which is open to all readers and attendees.

Church’s History

The Ben Hill Methodist Church website stated that in 1950, it purchased an adjacent piece of land, increasing its size to about five acres, according to the church. 

Pastor J.R. Phillips claimed that by 1951 he had grown the congregation of 425 people beyond the structure of the church, the church said. 

According to the church, African Americans first began settling in southwestern Fulton County, Georgia, in the 1960s and early 1970s. 

Ben Hill Methodist Church claimed to have experienced a period of change during this transitional period. 

A predominantly white congregation is said to have fled the area, contributing to a decline in church attendance. 

According to the church, Reverend Paul Wolgomuth served as the lead pastor during this transition period. 

In the Ben Hill area, Wolgomuth regularly went door-to-door and asked immigrants to attend church services, he added.

After the parsonage was built, the church said Reverend Y.A. Oliver was appointed the church's first full-time pastor.

It added that Ben Hill continues to grow and continues to serve God and community by giving back.

 

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