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History of Winona Park
Methodist Church From little acorns great oaks grow. Winona Park Church is not yet the mighty oak, but it is on the way. Two men with a vision! These enthusiastic forces culminated in the decision for a church in the community. But where? The two men with a vision, the Rev. F.M. Gaines, Supt., Waycross District, and the Rev. J.C.G. Brooks, pastor of the First Methodist Church, Waycross, and the obedient pastor, Rev. W.A. Sedgewick, began the search. Suddenly, there it stood! The old Odum Commissary! When contacted regarding its use, the owner, Mr. I.W. Odum, naval store operator, gladly consented. It was the perfect location to serve the people of the area, on the corner of Albany and Augusta Venues. As soon as the building could be readied, services began. On September 10, 1939, the first service was held. The Rev. Gaines conducted a church conference and the church was organized. The name Winona Park Methodist Church was agreed upon. The Rev. Sedgewick was appointed pastor. In that irst Sunday's service thirty-seven people were welcomed into the fellowship of the church. A revival began with the Rev. Gaines preaching and William "Bill" Cribb leading the singing. The people of Winona Park community responded; they came from various denominations, all loving the Lord and uniting their hearts in His service, realizing a church in the community would be an asset. Charter Members
The first Board of Stewards was composed of
the following: In 1940, eight beautiful lots were purchased on the corners of Ben Hill Street and Augusta Avenue. Retis Cadenhead drafted the plans for the church, which were sent to the Methodist Conference ARchitect for approval. The men of the church and neighborhood began pouring cement blocks with which to erect the building. Rev. W.A. Sedgewick was secured as the pastor with Rev. R.F. Owens, who departed this life in 1943, acting as assistant pastor of the infant church. During this very profitable pastorate, worship was held in the old commissary while work was in progress on the new building which was started July 4, 1941. The building started with absolutely no money in hand. But when the pastor and his faithful flock made the start, many were ready to give the Lord's work a hand. Members began clearing the site, installing a well, preparing to erect the church, and pouring cement blocks. God honored their efforts, and the church was completed. On April 11, 1943, the church family marched from the Commissary to the new church, singing, "When the Saints Go Marching In." Bro. Sedgewick used as his sermon topic, "Have faith in God." The fact that Rev. and Mrs. Sedgewick went about their Master's work wholeheartedly was evidence by the full working program which was in operation within a month after the church was organized. The Sunday School and Methodist Youth Fellowship began immediately, and the Woman's Society of Christian Service was organized on October 29, 1939. When first organized, the Winona Park Church was placed on a charge with three other churches namely, Raulerson's Chapel, Ward's Chapel, and St. John's Methodist Church (as well as Ruskin Methodist Mission, on Sunday afternoons). About this time the Rev. and Mrs. J.W. Hitch, former missionaries to Korea, came to Waycross as District Superintendent. They were indeed inspirational and supportive of the work, often filling the pulpit while Rev. Sedgewick was busy serving other churches on the charge. The Sedgewicks and the Hitches completed their tenure with their faith evidenced in the beautiful Sanctuary and Education Building here.
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