Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Churches of Christ

Church of Christ in Pyatt

Page 504-505

By: Mrs. George Young

In 1944 or 1945, near the close of World War II, a small group, for the most part elderly people, began meeting in the Pyatt Community Hall on Sunday afternoon for worship service. There was no preaching service in the beginning but Bible Study and the Lord's Supper were observed. Among the early members were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Benton, Mrs. Fitzgerald, and Mrs. George Young. Others in the community, though not members, attended services. Mrs. Young taught a Bible Class but later went to Camp Peary, Virginia, to be with her husband, George, stationed there, and the small group disbanded before she returned to Pyatt.

In the spring of 1951 the church was reorganized under the leadership of Bro. Tommy Richesin and met for about a year in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Chaney. Attending these services were: Mr. and Mrs. George Chaney; Mrs. Ben Chaney and Richard; Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Ply and Mardell; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Tippit; Mrs. Earl Foresee; Mrs. Maureen Wolfe and Rocky; Mr. and Mrs. Will Sharp; Mrs. Monty Ply; Miss Ona Tabor; Charlie Tabor; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cheek and Jimmie; Mr. and Mrs. Owen Ingle; Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Nowlin and daughter; Mrs. George Young, Penny and Judy; and Miss Mabel Leeds. These were not all members.

On January 11, 1952, lots were purchased from Ben Chaney and a house purchased from Clomer Gilley on Georges Creek was moved to and erected on the lots and remodeled into a church building.

With the new church building, the congregation began to grow and to the number were added Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Stanley and Viola; Mr. and Mrs Warren Rose and daughter; Mrs. Ola Rose, Miss Josie Young; Mrs. Hattie Young; Mr. and Mrs. Berry Melton; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Gunther, Bucky and Bobby; Mrs. J. D. Roger and Gary; Mrs. Everett Young; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rose and children; Mr. and Mrs. Ewell Sharp and children; Alice Cheek and Mrs. Annie Cheek; Pierce Ply; Talmadge Richardson; and Mr. and Mrs. Alva Stanley and Nancy Ruth and Helen.

In 1963 the congregation purchased land on Highway 62 back of the Pyatt School building and constructed a concrete building. This was completed and ready for services in May 1964. A number of the earlier people in this congregation have passed on to their eternal reward; others have moved out of the community. The present congregation includes many of those already mentioned. In addition, the present members include: Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Rodenwald and Kathy; Mr. and Mrs. Charley Burgess and daughters; Mrs. Alma Chopin, Mrs. Kenneth Harris and sons; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Phillips and Keith; Mr. and Mrs. Brice Emerson; Mr. and Mrs. Bingham Dodd; Mr. and Mrs. Truman Rose; Mrs. Bob Brown and baby. Others in the community who have attended include Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Tabor, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Ronal McClean, Joel Tabor, and Mrs. Willard Tabor.

Among the early preachers who labored with the congregation were: Tommy Richesin; Delbert Wilson; Roy Lee Wilson; Bro. Denny; George Elkins and, perhaps, others for a short time. Evangelists who have preached in revival services were: Johnny Carter; Pierce Adams; Louis Fullerton; Bro. Arnold. At this lime of writing Bro. David Watts is engaged in a revival effort and hopefully souls will be saved.

(This information was written by Mrs. George Young)