Williams Memorial
C.M.E. Church
Augusta, Georgia

​

In 1873, a few devoted Christians worshiping together organized a church in the West-End 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 erected, 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 Episcopal 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 Methodist Episcopal Church South. As a youth, he was called to the ministry. 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, Holsey was elected to the Episcopacy at the age of Thirty-one. He was the prime factor in the founding and establishing of Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. He also composed the Holsey Hymn. Bishop Holsey served as Senior Bishop for eighteen years and died in August 1920.

​

The members and friends of Holsey Chapel enjoyed fifty-seven 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 farsightedness 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.

​

Under the leadership of Rev. R.B. Shorts, the present sanctuary was erected. In 1935, the name St. Paul was changed to Williams Memorial and dedicated 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 a 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, 1906, and was buried in Southview Cemetery on Williams Drive in Augusta, Georgia.  In 2023, Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. and Rev. Dr. Dwayne M. Crew, Pastor led the Sixth Episcopal District in dedication of a new marker for Bishop Williams's grave.

​

Fifty-One pastors served this charge from its inception in 1873 to the present. They are as follows: 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 W. Gardner, Sr.(1991), C.G. Johnson (1991-1994), Alex R. King (1994-1999), Gene R. Dean (1999-2001), Paul W. Gardner, Sr. (2001-2014), Marcus J. Rogers (2014-2017) and Dwayne M. Crew (2017-Present).

​

Presiding Elders who 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), J. Ronzell Maness (1999-2014), Rev. Dr. Willie J. Wiley (2014-2022), and Rev. Dr. Timothy Green (2022-Present).

​

Bishops who 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 (1994-2010), Kenneth W. Carter (2010-2018) and Thomas L. Brown, Sr. (2018 – Present).

 

From this congregation, under the leadership of Reverends Christopher Johnson, Alex King, and Gene R. Dean, three members: Ralph Moore, Charles Henderson and Willie Wiley were licensed by the Quarterly Conference to become local preachers and Kingsley S. Riley, William McFarlin and Cecelia Johnson were licensed to exhort.

​

Under the leadership of Reverend Paul W. Gardner, Sr. Brittany Jones was licensed as a local preacher. The following Paine College students served as assistants to the pastor while attending college: Bernard Jackson, Tyrick Warren, and David Patten.  Additionally, while assisting Rev. Gardner at Williams Memorial, Bernard Jackson was appointed by Bishop Lakey to serve as pastor of Holsey Memorial CME Church in Sparta, Georgia. Later, he was ordained Elder in 2007 by the 9th Episcopal District in California. In 2012, he returned to California to serve as Pastor of Phillips Temple in Los Angeles, California.

​

During the 2004-2005 conference year, Cecelia Johnson was licensed as a local preacher. In the 2005-2006 conference year, Exhorter William McFarlin was licensed to preach and in 2013, he was ordained an elder. In 2008, Jennifer Presley was licensed as a local preacher. Other ministers that were affiliated with the church are: Rev. Albert C. Redd and Rev. Dr. Jerry Welch. Both have since been called from labor to reward (Welch, 2012 and Redd, 2013).

​

During the 2009 Annual Conference, Cecelia Johnson was ordained as a local elder. William C. McFarlin and Jennifer Presley were admitted on trial. During the 2010 Annual Conference, Minister William C. McFarlin was appointed the pastor of the Neely Grove Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Waynesboro, Georgia. During the 2012 Quadrennial Annual Conference, Minister Myrtle Annette Bussey was admitted on trial and appointed to St. James C. M. E. Church in Warthen, Georgia. In 2013, Kelvin Dunn was admitted to preach on trial. In 2014, Kevin Howard was licensed as a local preacher. In 2018, Rev. Dr. Bernard Johnson joined Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church as an assistant to the pastor.

Local officers of the C.M.E. Church derived their duties from the Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal 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 passed 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, Kingsley S. Riley, Roy Pirtle, Emeritus Emanuel Mackey,  Emeritus Dave Mack, Jr., and Emeritus Felix Kemp. Presently serving in the capacity of Stewards are: Dr. Thomas Clark, Gregory Matthews, Johnny Powell, Tonethia Frails-Beasley, Frank Lewis, Saundra Hood, Courtnei C. Walker, Geneva Walters, and Shirley Darby.  For extended and devoted services, James Kendrick (2008) and John W. Franklin (2014) are honored as Steward Emeritus.  Tameka Simpkins, Donnell Holt and Amos Johnson, Sr. previously served as Stewards. Shirley Darby served as a Steward from 1986 to 2008.  She served as the first female Steward Chairperson in 2008.

​

Trustees who passed are: S.T. Maxie, Stewart B. Gandy, Jr., William Griffin, Willis J. Walker, Jr., Adna Stein, Carol Babcock, Robert Lowry, Emeritus Paul Kendrick (2010), Emeritus Futhey R. Babcock (2009) and Reginald Simpkins (2019). For extended and devoted services, Ruth B. Crawford (2005), Tillman Wilson, Sr.(2009), Evelyn Griffin (2009), Prince A. Burley, Sr. (2016), Eddie Royal (2019) and Gwendolyn Johnson (2020) are honored as Trustee  Emeritus. Presently serving in the capacity of Trustees are: Willie Mercer, Tillman Wilson, Sr. (reactivated), Solomon Hood, Tameka Simpkins (2018), Juriah Lewis (2018) and Shawn Simmons (2020). Glenn Holmes and Willis J. Walker, III previously served as Trustees.

​

In earlier years, there were two Stewardess Boards. On January 3, 2009, Stewardess Board I and II were combined.

Stewardesses who passed 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, Gertrude Evans, 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, Nadine Wilson, Hertha Blount, Maude Williams, Emeritus Elnis Kemp (2002), Emeritus Alice Webb (1992) , Lorena Gandy, Evelyn Turner (2014), Emeritus Mary T. Travis (2010), Mary H. Burton and Emeritus Ruthye D. Kendrick (2018).

The members of the Stewardess Board are: Easter Archie, Annette Johnson, Carrie G. Parks, Josephine Holmes, Mary Helen Burton, Dorothy Dicks, Elizabeth Jones, Linda Moore, and Martha Wiley. In 2008, Myrtle Annette Bussey and Carol McFarlin were added to the Stewardess Board. In 2010, Patricia Posey, Sandra W. Thomas, and Dorothy Moore were added to the Stewardess Board. In 2014, Catherine Bush, Keisha Clark, Debra Cummings, and Catherine Taylor were added to the Stewardess Board. In 2018, Nancy Crew was added to the Stewardess Board. For their extended and devoted services, the following are honored as Stewardess Emeritus: Estelle Collins (2002), Hattie Lowry (2008), Janie Franklin (2014) and Dorothy Dicks (2018).

​

The present sanctuary was built under the leadership of Rev. R.B. Shorts. The following improvements were made under the leadership of Rev. R.A. Larke: the fellowship hall, the stained glass windows, the first electric organ and the present pews. At the General Conference in 1954 during the pastorate of Reverend Larke, the name Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was changed to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The educational extension was erected and the first van was purchased by the church and spearheaded by the missionaries 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 which was dedicated on October 22, 1995, and later sold on December 21, 2002. Improvements to enhance the church building included the stabilization of the roof, removal of some trees, new walkways, a second handicap ramp and a plan that would relocate and renovate the kitchen.

Our Children’s Church Ministry began under the auspice of the Rev. Alex King When Rev. Cecelia Butler Johnson, answered her call to become an Exhorter in 1999, she was given a special assignment by Rev. King, to start the Williams Memorial Children’s Church Ministry. Rev. Johnson obeyed this request and the Children’s Church Ministry in now over 20 years old! The purpose of our Children’s Church Ministry is to give children the opportunity to hear and study the Word of God in a way that they can understand and apply it in their lives each and everyday. Several learning modalities are used: reading, lecture, questions/answers, drawing, coloring, painting and singing. Our Children’s Church Ministry assures that God’s Word becomes a real part of our children’s lives at an early age. We are following Proverbs 22:6 teaching them the way to go, so that when they are old they will not depart from the Word of God.

​

Initially, Rev. Johnson was the lone Children’s Church teacher, but was later joined by Gail Darby, Elizabeth Lewis, Keely Bass, Jacqueline Lawrence, Carol McFarlin, Brandi Frails, and Rev. William McFarlin.  The Children’s Church Ministry now includes Rev. Cecelia Johnson, Debra Cummings, Anthony Mack, Whitney Moore Walker, Courtnei Walker, Gabrielle Walker, Valeria Farmer, Alexis Farmer, Nyomi Crawford, Khalia Crawford, Serenity Burley, Jacqueline Lawrence and Destini Wilson.

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 an upgraded public address system. The stained glass windows were replaced in the sanctuary and the large picture window in the vestibule was refurbished. In January of 2003, The Williams House began a community outreach program to assist those in need. In April of 2003, a dedication program was held to renew our commitment to the building of God’s kingdom. In recent years, the Steward Room was refurbished in honor of Mr. Hubert E. Wilson (Steward). In November of 2007, our original church bell was restored and placed in the front of the church. This bell signifies the call to church worship. In 2010, a bell ringer was appointed to ring the bell for the call to worship. A marquee was erected in honor of Dr. William L. Griffin (Trustee). In 2008, additional property was purchased at 1638 Douglas Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901; and in 2009, the property at 1638 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, Georgia was obtained. In 2010, additional fire extinguishers were purchased, exit lights were installed, and the official church colors (maroon and white) were adopted.

​

In 2011, a church van and additional property was purchased. Two gray metal doors were purchased by Brother John W. Franklin for the Educational Building Annex.

In 2013, we replaced two four ton air conditioner units and replaced the roof on the Educational Building Annex

In 2014, a cover for the church van was purchased by Brother John W. Franklin.

In 2015, we replaced the roof on the church sanctuary, and replaced the sump pump underneath the church. We replaced the security system, and installed a fire system with pull stations and smoke detectors.

In 2016, renovations were done to the Florence Williams House. The White Altar Kneeling Pads were purchased and dedicated on May 1, 2016.

During the 2016-2017 Conference Year, the Ladies and Men’s Restroom were renovated. The regular floor tile was replaced with the designer floor tile in Fellowship Hall, the gas pack unit in the Educational Annex was upgraded, the ceiling and paneling in the Stewardess Room was repaired, the wall in the Fellowship Hall were repaired. In 2018, the kitchen was renovated and 2 new double ovens were donated. Also, the outside of the church was painted. During the 2018-2019 conference year, we made continued improvements to our church. Remodeling the Men’s restroom, replacing windows and refurbishing the pulpit furniture and pews in the sanctuary.

​

The Williams Memorial Senior Adult Ministry was initiated by Sister Margaret C. Armstrong in 2008-2014.  On July 19, 2017 it was reactivated with Sister Shirley Darby, Reverend Cecelia B. Johnson and Sister Sandra Thomas serving as coordinators.  Our mission is to provide educational programs, social interaction opportunities, recreational activities, health and wellness information and programs that empower, improve the lives of and assure the highest possible level of independence for persons 50 years and older.

​

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 150 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!  he race is run! Eternal life is gained. My happiness has just begun, the crown of life obtained