THE HISTORY OF WILLIAMS MEMORIAL CME CHURCH
In 1873, a few devoted Christians worshiping together organized a church in the West-End Colored Cemetery, Hicks Street, in the Rollinville section of Augusta, Georgia. The faithful few served the Lord on the site until 1878. When they acquired sufficient funds, they purchased a lot on Telfair Street in the Old Harrisburg section. At this time the first edifice on this spot was built, and they named it Holsey Chapel in honor of Bishop Lucius Holsey, who was the Presiding Bishop at that time.
Lucius Holsey, the fourth bishop of the Colored Methodist Church, was born in Columbus, Georgia, on July 3, 1842. In spite of his environment, he forged his way to the front to become one of the most remarkable men of his race. After the emancipation, he did some hard studying by taking private lessons under Bishop Pierce of the C.M.E Church South. From a youth, he was called to the ministry, and in 1868, he was licensed to preach. As a delegate to the first General Conference, (organization of the C.M.E. Church in 1870, Jackson, Tennessee) he rendered valuable service. In 1871, Bishop Miles appointed him to Trinity Church, Augusta, Georgia where he served for two years. At a called General Conference, which met in March of 1873 at Trinity C.M.E. Church in Augusta, Georgia, he was elected to the Episcopacy. Being not quite the age of thirty-one, Holsey was licensed to preach in 1868 and elected Bishop in 1873. He wrote the Book of Discipline for the C.M.E. Church and used as his guide the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He also compiled the Holsey Hymnal. He was the prime factor in the founding and establishing of Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. Bishop Holsey served as Senior Bishop for eighteen years and died in August 1920.
The members and friends of Holsey Chapel enjoyed forty-two eventful years on Telfair Street. There were years of marching, years of singing, years of shouting, and years of praising God. Under the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, they shouted, “Surely God is in this place!” Through the vision and encouragement of resident Bishop Robert Simeon Williams during 1921-1922 under the pastorate of Rev. J.H. Hardaway, the members secured and moved to an old frame building at the present location on Fifteenth Street. They changed the name from Holsey Chapel to St. Paul. Approximately sixty members came from Telfair Street, and all now have crossed the Jordan River.
Rev. R.B. Shorts lead the congregation in the building of the present sanctuary. In 1935, he changed the name to Williams Memorial and dedicated it in memory of the late Bishop R.S. Williams, who loved St. Paul and gave much of his time and means to further its cause. While living in Augusta, he became an humble member of St. Paul.
Bishop Robert S. Williams was the sixth bishop of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born on October 27, 1865, in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. He attended the Community Schools at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He was converted in 1867 and joined the Louisiana Conference in November 1881. During that year he was also ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Isaac Lane. In 1883 he was ordained as an Elder by Bishop Beebe. In May 1894, while serving his third year at Trinity C.M.E. Church in Augusta, Georgia, he was elected to the Episcopacy. He served twelve years as Senior Bishop. He died on January 13, and was buried in Southview Cemetery on Williams Drive in Augusta, Georgia.
Forty-nine pastors have served this charge from its inception in 1873 to the present 2003. They are listed as follows: Reverends A.G. Smith, J.A. Stinson, J.W. Wingfield, Clay, Bailey, Livingston, Tious, Becham, Wingfield Allen, Paul Walker. T.C. Black, E.B. Martin, Ervin, Samples, Jackson, Moore, W.A. Dinkins, J.B. Dinkins, Victem, Titly, W.B. West, Poor, B.J. Jones, McGowne, Taylory. J.H. Hardaway(1921-1923), G.H. Evans(1923-1925), J.C. Pickens(1925-1927), C.C. Brawner(1927-1929), Belcher(1929-1930), McCuthings(1930-1931), A.C. Griggs(1931-1932), Singleton(1932-1933), R.B. Shorts(1933-1935), S.A. Thomas(1938-1939), W.E. Clark(1939-1940), J.A. Holman(1940-1945), U.G. Campbell(1945-1946), L.R. Williams(1946-1949), R.A. Larke(1949-1962), W.T. Smith(1962-1964), Gene R. Dean(1964-1984), J.L. Thompson(1984-1986), M.S. Cherry(1986-1990), J.E. Robinson(1990-1991), Paul Gardner(1991), C.G. Johnson(1991-1994), Alex R. King(1994-1999), Gene R. Dean(1999-2001), and Rev. Paul W. Gardner, Sr. (2001-Present).
Presiding Elders who have served this charge are: Reverends R.K. Harris, Adams, Holsey, J.H. Wiggins, Becham, J.D. Hutson, R.T. White, Smalley, Haywood, D.L.K. Miller, H.D. Denson, B.F. Pearson, Jones, Stinson, Irving, A.F. Bailey, R.P. Hutson, R.B. Shorts(1964-1974), A.T. Ashmore(1974-1977), L.R. Neal(1977-1983), Gene R. Dean(1984-1999), and J. Ronzell Maness(1999-Present).
Bishops who have served this charge are: Presiding Prelates L.H. Holsey, R.S. Williams, R.A. Carter, N.C. Cleaves, J.A. Hamlett, J.W. Mckinney, W.Y. Bell(1938-1950), A.W. Womack(1950-1958), P.R. Shy(1958-1974), Joseph C. Coles(1974-1994), and Othal H. Lakey(1994-Present).
Recently we have had the privilege to license three preachers: Reverends Charles Henderson, Ralph Moore and Willie Wiley. We have also licensed three exhorters: Kingsley S. Riley, William McFarlin and Cecelia Johnson. Others ministers that are affiliated with the church are Rev. Albert C. Redd and several aspiring ministers.
Local officers of the C.M.E. Church derived their duties from the discipline of the church. Some of the early Stewards and Trustees were: Campbell, Willie Green, Mason Flournoy Hill, Tom Ferguson, Carlos Jones, John Mackey and Foster Williams.
Stewards who have passed within the last four decades are Robert E. Blount, Sr., W.J.H. Jones, Oscar Moore, Ora Brawner, P.A. Mance, Dave Mack, Sr., Alvin Smith, Aaron Tappan, A.S. Dickson, Lucille Mance, Dixie Lovett, Hubert E. Wilson, Fred Williams and Kingsley Riley.
Presently serving in the capacity of Stewards are: Thomas Clark, Sr., Shirley Darby, John Franklin, Amos Johnson, Felix Kemp, James Kendrick, Dave Mack, Jr., Emanuel Mackey, Gregory Matthews, William McFarlin, Johnny Powell, Roy Pirtle, Tonethia Frails Beasley, and Kelvin Dunn.
The Trustees who have passed within the last four decades are: S.T. Maxie, Stewart B. Gandy and William Griffin, Willis J. Walker, Jr.
Presently serving in the capacity of Trustees are: Carol Babcock, Futhey Babcock, Ruth B. Crawford, Adna Stein, Tillman Wilson, Sr., Evelyn Griffin, Paul Kendrick and Robert Lowry.
Stewardess Boards I and II Members who have passed within the last four decades are: Florence Williams, Maude Maddox, Maggie Smith, Frances Brawner, Mary Andrews, Annie Pearl Holman, Leola Key, Georgia Dickson, Wylene Campbell, Nora Jordan, Sarah Lambert, Janie Bell White, Lena Avery, Estella Lewis, Thomasina Moore, Helen Gardenhire, Lucille Royal, Annie Chapman, Amelia Hutson, Marian Brown, Lizzie Burton, Anna Cokes, Eula Griffin, Willie Mae Murray, Margie Terrell, Mabel Smalley, Belle Wilson, Nancy Curtis, Curtis Roberts, and Nadine Wilson.
Presently serving are two Stewardess Boards. The members of Stewardess Board 1 are: Easter Archie, Janie Franklin, Lorena Gandy, Annette Johnson, Hattie Lowry, Carrie G. Parks, and Ruthye Kendrick. The members of Stewardess Board 2 are: Mary Burton, Dorothy Dicks, Bernice Henderson, Elizabeth Jones, Mary Travis, Evelyn Turner, and Martha Wiley.
For their extended and devoted services, the following are honored as Stewardess Emeritus: Hertha Blount, Alice Webb, Maude Williams, Elnis Kemp and Estelle Collins.
The present sanctuary was built under the leadership of Rev. R.B. Shorts. The following improvements were done under the leadership of Rev. R.A. Larke: the fellowship hall, the stained glass windows, the first electric organ and the present pews. The educational extension was built and the first van was purchased under the leadership of Rev. Gene R. Dean. He also established the Daycare Center in 1971. Under the leadership of Rev. Maurice Cherry, the chancellor rail was remodeled. Under the leadership of Rev. Christopher Johnson, the church’s finances were computerized, a second van was purchased and the pews were padded. Under the leadership of Rev. Alex R. King, the church purchased a new parsonage and it was dedicated on October 22, 1995. Improvements to enhance the church included the stabilization of the roof, removal of trees, new walkways, a second handicap ramp and a plan that would relocate and renovate the kitchen.
On July 30, 1999, Rev. Gene R. Dean was reassigned to our church. He completed the kitchen plans, and the new kitchen facility was dedicated on April 30, 2000. The church was re-roofed and the properties adjacent to the church were purchased. The Rev. Dr. Paul W. Gardner, Sr. was assigned as the pastor of Williams Memorial CME Church in August 2001. In May of 2002, the pastor and the congregation moved forward with the plans of renovating the church; it included replacing the floor, ceiling, lights, and the extension of the pulpit and choir loft with a public address system. Stained glass windows were also installed.
Now we have come to thank our Heavenly Father for the men and women who have passed on to us this great church. We are also thankful for the congregation who is now laboring and making sacrifices so that our works will serve the needs of generations yet unborn. For 129 years, this church has stood for the Christian ideals, principles and teaching of Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that it will stand and continue to serve until eternity. Then may all laborers of this vineyard find the true meaning of the words of Bishop L.H. Holsey: “Hallelujah! The race is run! Eternal life is gained. My happiness has just begun, The crown of life obtained!"
