|
Virtual
Tour
Mission
Statement:
"Empowered by the
Holy Spirit, guided by Scripture, and faithful to
the Reformed tradition, the mission of Madison
Presbyterian Church is to share God's transforming love
by continuing the reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ."
 |
Madison
Presbyterian Church
1821 - present
Early in the nineteenth century, the
Presbyterians in Morgan County and Madison began
meeting together. They worshipped with
spiritual leaders and elders, holding their
services in the courthouse and the Male Academy.
This group is first listed in the records of
Montreat in 1821. It is a matter of record
that the Reverend Remembrance Chamberlain, a
native of Vermont and fresh from the Seminary,
came as a missionary to Georgia. The
Reverend was a colorful figure who became
thoroughly captivated by the southern way of
life. He was well known throughout the
state for his wit and diplomacy. He was
the stated supply for the Madison Church in
1825. The Church membership was recorded
as being between ten and twenty people very soon
after this time. |
|
MPC first land
purchase was recorded February 14, 1825.
The property was on what is now Porter Street
and sold January 17, 1842. This present
Wester Tract was purchased by Francis McKinley,
John G. Rivers and John Wingfield who acted as
agents for the MPC. It cost the sum of
$500. |
 |
|
 |
Daniel Killian, a skilled mason and
a member of the church, constructed the
sanctuary, and the new building was dedicated on
the first Sabbath in May, 1842. The
Church is Greek Revival and in the style of
Doric. The balcony was at one time
designated for the slaves of the Church members
until the time of the Civil War. The pews
are the original with a partition that separated
the men from the women. The cherry
furniture above is original and remains today in front
of the pulpit. |
| Many distinguished
worshippers have visited MPC. Alexander
Stephens who later became Vice President of the
Confederacy worshipped here. Reverend
Wells, former minister, served as Chaplain to
Congress. Reverend I. S. K. Axson supplied
the pulpit here. He was the father of
Ellen Axson, the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. |
 |
 |
The silver communion service was
taken by the Federal troops of General Sherman
during the Civil War. It was found later
in Savannah and returned. It is on display
at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center when not
being used during communion service at the
Church.
|
| In 1908, Miss Elizabeth
Speed contributed the seven beautiful Tiffany
windows that now make the sanctuary so unique. |
 |
 |
The church was closed in 1942 and remained
closed during WWII nearly to be sold. In
1954, a door was cut in the rear of the
sanctuary because a new Christian Education
building was built and dedicated. The pot
bellied stove that originally stood near the
door was removed and gas heaters were installed.
Now a Chrismon tree sits in place of the pot
bellied stove during the Advent Season. |
| In October, 1992, the
Madison Presbyterian Church celebrated 150 years
of worshipping in its Sanctuary |
 |
|
