The majority of this material was taken from “A Brief History by Mrs. Dorothy Moore Alford
Crystal Springs Methodists like to think that their church is a descendant of one of Elisha Lott's successes for it was he who, according to early local writers of Crystal Springs, founded Old Crystal Springs Methodist Church" about the year 1820," though the first Methodist historian of Mississippi claims 1824 as the actual date the church was recognized.
The Old Crystal Springs church was situated south of the Old Crystal Springs Cemetery, just east of the springs that gave Crystal Springs its name. This church, though it survived well into the twentieth century, was the mother of the United Methodist Church on Georgetown Street in the "new town" founded in 1858 by the side of the infant railroad.
Not much later, in 1829, this statement was recorded in Methodist history: "A strong Methodist settlement had formed midway between Big Black and Pearl River, near the northwestern corner of Copiah County. (The county, having been organized in 1823, was only six years old at the time. ) At a place rich in pure spring water, they built a church and campground which became noted as the headquarters of Methodism in that region. They called the church and campground Crystal Spring (Note the singular form!) ; and as it was the most important point on Big Black Circuit, the name of the circuit was changed to that of Crystal Spring, and from this date the circuit was thought to be as healthy as any in the Conference."
An 1852 revival in Old Crystal Springs had added fifty-one new members; the Rev. Samuel L. L. Scott, whose body now lies buried in the Old Crystal Springs Cemetery; and the Rev. Richard T. Hennington assisted the pastor.
The Reverend Scott, of Trenton, New Jersey, helped to establish the church in the new Crystal Springs. Records show that, before the sanctuary was built, the Methodists worshiped in the new depot!
Immediately, the new church assumed a position of leadership; and in 1864, the Mississippi Annual Conference convened in the new sanctuary that had been begun in 1860. William J. Finn and George J. Mortimer were the pastors of the circuit to which Crystal Springs belonged, and Bishop Paine presided.
That same year the circuit lost Georgetown, leaving only Crystal Springs and Hazlehurst as its members.
In 1866 a memorable revival was held in the Crystal Springs church. The pastor was J. W. McNeil; and he was assisted by Presiding Elder Benjamin Jones and by "Messrs. Walker and Chamberlain" of New Orleans. The youthful Warren C. Black, a local preacher of the county, preached one sermon. The climax was the appearance of Bishop Paine on August 24.
(The second meeting of the Colored Mississippi Annual Conference was held in Crystal Springs in 1870.)
The strong church at Crystal Springs had a small but lovely sanctuary. Located on the site of the present church, it was a frame building, painted white. Its tiny entrance featured two iron columns, one of which can be seen today in the Dorothy Alford Sunday School classroom; and there was a simple steeple. Inside, there was one large room with a slaves' gallery in the back.
Four times, this small church was host to Annual Conference 1864, with Bishop Paine; 1870, with Bishop Doggett; 1882, with Bishop Wilson; and 1889, with Bishop Galloway.
Always, the Crystal Springs church has extended hospitality and Christian fellowship. Such meetings as the Epworth League State Conference in 1896, the second one held; and, a year earlier, the Mississippi Annual Conference of the Women's Foreign Mission Society were forerunners of countless group meetings in the church.
Many interesting stories could be told about the church. One, in particular, had a sad ending. Two months before the Annual Conference of 1870, Burwell B. Whittington of Georgia came to the neighborhood of Crystal Springs where the Conference was to be held. He intended to ask for an appointment; and in anticipation, he bought a horse to use on his new charge. But before he had ridden a mile, the horse threw him; and he died of his injuries several weeks later.
It was at this 1870 Conference that Crystal Springs became a station. Methodist history calls the town "the thriving and growing little town of Crystal Springs." That year there were only seventeen parsonages in the whole Conference; three of them were in the Brookhaven District, one each at Summit, Brookhaven, and Crystal Springs!
Seven months after the 1870 Conference, Crystal Springs proudly reported the use of envelopes for taking up the offering in the church. That year, 1871, Crystal Springs had 278 members whereas Hazlehurst had only 125 and Jackson. only 171.
In September, 1872, the Hennington Camp Meeting at Lake Chautauqua had its first thrilling revival. This Methodist meeting, held annually through 1918, was of much spiritual benefit to the local congregation as many of the great leaders of the church came there to inspire and to convert with their powerful messages.
During the Annual Conference of 1878, Mrs. Juliana Hays of Baltimore organized The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society at Hazlehurst; and soon afterwards, Crystal Springs organized her own Society.
Not only was the church thriving; but the town was growing, also. In 1879, the Conference Annual reported there had been no deaths in the Crystal Springs church and that "this thriving little city is busy growing strawberries, peas, beans, peaches, and apples for the market."
The year 1886 saw the little white church with fresh paint. When "C. B. Galloway" made an address on temperance in Crystal Springs, "the church, newly painted and handsomely furnished, was crowded."
Money for the pews, $2600, was raised by the Ladies' Aid Society whose members were happy to see them installed just in time to In 1919 the present church was begun. The first church in Copiah County to have separate classrooms, recreation room, and a parlor, it cost what was then a staggering sum: $40,0001 An interesting feature was the Susie Liddell classroom, built a little later, which the ladies excavated with their picks and shovels under the northeast part of the church.
The unusually beautiful stained glass windows are memorials to prominent pioneer Methodists: Solon and Mignonne Howell, S. H. and Joanna Willing Aby (daughter of the builder of the first house in Crystal Springs and mother of Emile Howell), the Porter and Folkes families, A. H. and Z. L. Lea, Hattie E. Sims, George and Kate Thompson, Mrs. Nannie E. Fogg, Mattie Barrington, the Eagan family, and the Sexton family. In the foyer, memorial windows are "To Our Mothers" and "To Our Fathers."
The altar is a memorial to Dr. and Mrs. R. E. Jones by their children; the Communion table and chairs, to Mr. and Mrs. Gadi Gibson by their daughter, Mrs. Walter Sims; the pulpit, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Lockwood; and the lighting, by H. F. Aby of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Many beautiful aids to worship have been presented by members and friends in succeeding years. Among these are memorials to fine young men who lost their lives in World War II: the Baptismal Font, to James Henry; the brass cross and vases, to Caley Eady; and the hanging illuminated cross to Dawson Hutchison. In honor of all who participated in World War II, carillon tower bells were installed.
During the years, other gifts have been made to the sanctuary, so numerous that some may be unwittingly omitted. They include brass candle lighters, in memory of Alton Funchess, Sr., by his family; brass tree candelabra, by the Steve Granthams, memorials to her father, J. R. Flint, Sr.; silver communion set, by Wesleyan Service Guild, memorial to Vivian Cook De Forest and Frances Cook; silver bud vase, by the Bedford Waddells, memorial to Palmer Lott; silver urn and floral arrangement, by the Ward Gallmans and Harold Whites, memorial to Jerry and Linda Lamar; altar kneeling pad, United States and Christian flags, and brass baptismal bowl for the font, by the Ladies's Discussion Class; outdoor bulletin board, by Pete Channell, Sr.; portable lectern light, by the Jerry Lamar Class; visual aid equipment, at the bequest of Vivian Cook De Forest; choir loft drapery, by the Dan Brelands; new lights in choir loft and over pulpit, by Harry Sims; many hymn books, including 100 Cokesbury Hymnals, given by W.S.G. in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones Parsons; dozens of library books, including Barclay's Bible Study books in memory of Mrs. Robert Carney; exquisite arrangement of silk flowers, to Jewel Garland.
And who can ever forget the beautiful drapes Bob Durfey made or the paint jobs done by painters of all sizes, or the hammering and sanding of the free carpenters? Also, think of all the chairs that individuals have bought!
Music is a great part of Methodist worship and has been since the Wesleys - John and Charles - composed hymns.
Once a beloved old organ was pumped by hand for the Crystal Springs Methodists; but in 1939, with the Rev. Hugh Castle as pastor, the church replaced it with a wondrous Hammond Electric Organ! Then, during the pastorate of Dr. B. L. Sutherland (1954-58), a newer model, still in use today, was purchased.
In 1970 the Heyward Greens presented the church a lovely piano, a Steinway Console, as a memorial to her father, Thomas J. Hailes. Mrs. Charley Haley's piano has served the Susie Liddell Class for years, and the Crusader Choir gave a piano for the sub-story. The Young People bought a portable organ, and the Walter Garlands presented the Youth a television set.
But instruments without people are of little use. The church has been blessed with fine music directors, musicians, and singers. As far back as 1945, Polly Wilson was directing the choir; J. H. Barron was "Congregational Song Leader"; and Robbye Clyde Henry was organist.
Through the years, some of the dedicated directors have been Calvin Smith, Robbye Clyde Henry, Coralie Sutherland, Nell Ross, Mrs. John McCauley, Mrs. A. S. Gordin, and Janet Thomas. It was a happy day for the church when, on July 20, 1958, the announcement was made that Mrs. Cliff Thomas, Jr. would become the new Music Director, a position she still maintains.
For many years "The Gospel Messengers of Song," a group of young people organized by the Rev. H. B. Hilbun and played for and directed by Robbye Clyde Henry, thrilled the local congregation's hearts and delighted audiences over the Conference. On April 23, 1978, "Robbye Clyde Henry Day" was observed when the faithful and beloved organist and director retired; a church-wide dinner was given, and loving tribute was paid Mrs. Henry.
All other musicians during the church's history could never be mentioned, but those recalled by various people - some for much longer periods of service than others - are Jo Ann Eady, Mary Belle and Julie Ervin, Carolyn Green, Eleanor Lacey Wright, Carol Alford, Tully Morrison, Ina Lamar, Jewel Jones, Nancy Speed, Sandy Williamson, Kathy Jones, Greg Brock, and the present organist and pianists, Charlotte Hawkins, Inza Calloway, and Dee Cameron.
In 1953 Nell Ross and Mary Belle Ervin organized an adult choir to sing on Sunday mornings and a children's choir to sing at Prayer Meeting; the Youth Choir was maintained to sing on Sunday nights.
In more recent times, the children have become the Crusader and the Cherub choirs, and their schedule is different.
Faithful choir members are appreciated and loved, and their contribution to worship can never be estimated. When, in 1966, new Methodist Hymnals appeared, they and the congregation had to work hard to adjust to the changes in some of the old hymns! The choir's anthems and special programs at Easter and Christmas are anticipated from year to year, and many people from other churches attend the church service to hear them.
As the years have passed, new groups have been formed; old groups have changed names and scopes; but the essentials remain, and the purposes of the church are not altered.
The women's work has been faithfully organized under different names and patterns as designated by the larger church. From the Ladies' Aid Society to the Foreign Missionary Society and, then, to the great celebration on October 7, 1968 - the charter meeting for the new Woman's Society of Christian Service -, it traveled. But the journey was not over! On February 17, 1973, the announcement was made: "The W.S.C.S. and W.S.G. are now united into the 'United Methodist Women.'
Meanwhile, new circles had been born. The Fidelis, a sort of Mother Circle, then with eleven members, sponsored new groups and is still an inspiration to all. On March 9, 1944, under the presidency of Mrs. R. H. Jones and with the help of Mrs. Billy Martin, eight charter members were organized into the Wesleyan Service Guild. Today, under the name of the Wesleyan Circle, this group has twenty-three members.
The W. S. G., in turn, needed a younger group. In November, 1971, Annie Laurie Carney and Dorothy Alford, Guilders, organized the very young women of the church in the home of Phyllis Chan�dler. Eight charter members were present, all of whom assumed an office, Marilyn Hennington being the first president. Because a coordinator from the W.S.C.S. was needed, Alexine Bennett became that important person and has served faithfully. Now the group, with fourteen members, has become the Friendship Circle, a name suggested by Dorothy Alford when the group, in session, called her.
The Susanna Circle, named for John Wesley's mother, and now twelve strong, was organized in 1949 in the home of Kathleen Ford with Ondine Breland, President of the Woman's Society, presiding. Several others known to have been present were Carolyn Breland, Mayfred Boleware, and Dorothy Alford. Mrs. Boleware was later to receive the honor of being the first recipient in the Circle of a lifetime pin. The name of the Circle was suggested by Dorothy Alford, and it is remembered by several that quite a discussion of the spelling of Susanna ensued. Mrs. V. L. Barlow became the first chairman of the Susannas.
On August 24, 1953, in the home of Martha Brignac who was president of the women's work at the time, three ladies - Dorothy Channell, June Brent, and Eleanor Wright - met to organize a new circle. Mrs. Grover Bennett gave an inspiring devotional program; Mrs. Brignac and her mother, Mrs. Belle Moody, served refreshments. Dorothy Channell suggested the name - Mary-Martha Circle; the name was adopted and Mrs. Channell was made the first president of the group. Today the circle has eleven members.
The work done by the women is of inestimable value to the church and to local and foreign mission fields. Total disbursements of all five circles for 1982 amounted to $2,736.45. Locally, the women are responsible for flowers for church services, for M.Y.F. suppers, and for countless other duties that arise. The capable and dedicated head of all the circles is Ernestine Pevey.
The Methodist Men's Club, organized in February, 1946, has not been so consistent in its existence as the women's work but has flourished at times and has made excellent contributions of service and fellowship. At present, the club is not active.
The Men's Bible Class, composed of the older men of the church, has been of invaluable service through the years as has the wonderful Susie Liddell Class, whose origin and work has already been discussed.
The Dorothy Alford Class was organized in the choir loft in 1935 as "The College Students' Class" with eight charter members:
Ethel May Didlake, Henry Hardy Didlake, Mary Mackey, Phyllis Mackey, Polly Crews, Nellie Haley, Ross McCluney, and Flave Russell. Later, having grown somewhat, it moved to a classroom and, in 1936, at the request of Brother Leggett, the young married couples joined the class. The teacher named it the Aldersgate Class, but some members thought the name difficult to remember; and, about 1946, it was named for the teacher on her birthday at a party at the Lake. The first president was Edwin Carney. The top enrollment was 166 with the class meeting in the sanctuary. Then it was divided into several classes by age groups.
The Messenger, edited originally by Mrs. C. H. Parsons as The Bulletin, began keeping the church organized and informed on January 7, 1945. One of the endearing features of the publication has been the evident interest in the people served and the loving concern for them and those whom they hold dear. Notes through the years have stated such points as: "Bud Carney elected President of the Student Body at Millsaps" (1960); "The Messenger extends congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cook Jones on the arrival of a dainty little daughter" (1954); "Andy Breland, a second grader, gave the scripture and quoted the 100th Psalm from memory; we were all carried away with the poise this young man possesses" (Susie Liddell Bible Class news in The Messenger; "Henry Carney was elected President of the Brookhaven District Methodist Youth and Bonnie Brister, Secretary, at Assembly at Co-Lin this week; we are very proud" (1951); "We had 87 present at the party; Mrs. Edwin Carney was really 'on the ball' so if she wants, she can have a job from now on" (D.A.S.S. Class report, 1950); "Eric Evans and Alice Stockett are art competition winners" (1974); "Take your pink slip to school and get your Sabin Oral Vaccine"; and various other notices such as honor roll members at school, beauty contest winners, recital participants, athletic honors, illnesses, and graduations.
The Messenger, with that title, originated in the D. A. S. S. Class in the late 1940's and for several years was only a class paper. Ondine and Gabriel Breland were responsible for running off the two-page long-sheeted paper, complete with class news; a "Krazy Korner" by the teacher, giving a mystery rhyme about one member each week; highlights of the lesson; anecdotes; and notable columns by Gus Redding, Pete Johns, J. T. Lingle, Pack Griffin ("Pack Sez"), Eloise Carney.
In 1965, the Education Building was completed. I had no brick and had a flat roof. Then, in 1968, Crystal Springs Methodists had to adjust again to a brand new name - "The United Methodist Church." The reason for this change was another great union when the Evangelical United Brethren, an old and distinguished church, united with The Methodist Church.
The new name for the church was easier to remember, though, than the switch in districts. For many years in the memory of the present congregation, Crystal Springs was in the Brookhaven District; then the church was put into the Vicksburg District; and then it was returned to the Brookhaven!
Affecting it greatly was another organization dear to the Crystal Springs United Methodist Church: Camp Wesley Pines. The Mississippi Conference Camp, only a few miles away, was dedicated on April 30, 1966, with Roger Cameron's parents, the Rev. and Mrs. J. R. Cameron in charge!
In 1975, the original Family Center was built. This addition had a gym area, 2 classrooms, kitchen, small parlor, bathrooms, and stage
One more very important organizing process has meant much to two churches. During the fourth year of the Rev. Cecil Jones's pastorate, 1978-79, the great old Mount Pleasant Church with its fine congregation became a second church for the Crystal Springs appointment. This union has been of mutual benefit to the participating churches.
Always, local Methodists have desired beautiful and adequate housing. The first little white church on the site of the present one had a lovely weather vane atop its steeple, a decorative bit that showed a love of the beautiful. Today the weather vane can be seen at the top of the tall pole in front of The Mississippi Bank.
In 1999. as the church grew, new facilities were opened. these included a new sanctuary, administration offices, choir suite, nurseries, conference room, fellowship hall, parlor, commercial kitchen, and lots of bathrooms. In the same year, various facilities were renovated. These included the exterior of family center gym area and educational building [bricked and interior modifications]. Good lighted parking lots were also built.
