By Rachel McDaniel
news@pikecountygeorgia.com
“We may be small in number but we are large in love,” say members of Free Liberty Methodist Church in Williamson. The group is working to re-open the historic black church that was established in 1856.
According to longtime member Shirley Starks Ali, the church was locked unexpectedly in December and put up for sale after the pastor moved to Florida and the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church put locks on the doors. The church members still need around $10,000 to purchase the church building and surrounding property. A bank account has been set up at United Bank and donations can be made from all branches. Donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-save-free-liberty-methodist-church.
“We know our church is at least 166 years old and it’s probably older than that. We are in the process of finishing raising the funds to purchase the church so we can re-open the doors and continue to worship in this historic place,” said Shirley Starks Ali who has a bachelor’s degree in theology. “Just because we are small in attendance does not mean we are small in influence. We were not even given any time to turn things around to the conference’s satisfaction.”
“We are a small church but all the members have close relationships with each other and I have enough faith and enough trust in the Lord that He has brought us thus far and He is not going to lead us wrong. I just think about my mom and my grandmom and all the people who have attended here. A lot of good people have been a part of this church,” said Sister Ali, noting that the conference closed the church less than two weeks after meeting with members.
Established in 1856, the grounds of the historic church also serve as the final resting place for pioneering families in the community as well as veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. No burials are permitted until the land is purchased.
“We have veterans and so many historic family members buried here. My uncle was a war hero who was recognized in Life magazine in 1965. A black man from Pike County featured in a mainstream magazine during the 1960s was saying a lot. I still show my kindergarten students the story and tell them that people remember how you treat them. And it’s a small world, you just don’t know who you are going to cross paths with. My cousin [the son of Josiah ‘Doc’ Lucier] went into a nail shop years ago with his wife. One of the young ladies who worked there saw the name Lucier and said she knew a Doc Lucier when she was younger. My cousin was shocked and asked how. She told him she was from Vietnam. We are worried about what will happen to the cemetery if it is sold to someone else.”
The church was established before the abolishment of slavery and the land was donated by the Coggins family. Freed men and Native Americans would walk or ride in horses and wagons to attend services. In addition to special Easter and holiday services, the church would host a huge event Saturday night before the second Sunday in May. A May Pole plaiting was held and the road was lined with vendors and food booths from barbecue to fish frys to homemade ice cream and specialty cakes. The main draw was for Shape Note Singing which was passed down from generation to generation with few churches around still able to sing in the original style.
“If 50 people or churches donated $250 or 100 people donated $100, we would reach our goal by the end of the month!” said Starks. Donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-save-free-liberty-methodist-church
To find out more, call Shirley Starks Ali at 404-933-9829.
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