Committed Members - Energizing Growth

The Founding of Haygood

1925 Even before Haygood was chartered, property was purchased at the corner of Highland Avenue and Lanier Place.

1926 Haygood was chartered at the March 1926 Quarterly Conference, and Mr. N. C. McPherson, Sr., was appointed to construct a building on the lot. The building was ready just after the first of June. It consisted of one large upstairs room—with 225–250 opera seats —used for church services. A hallway and several rooms were downstairs.

March 14, 1926—the official birth of Haygood Memorial Church Our congregation was formally organized with 39 charter members and a constituency of more than a hundred people who were willing to stand by and help the infant congregation get under way.

Growth in the little church was phenomenal. Sunday School was formally opened on the first Sunday in June 1926, and the Women’s Missionary Society was organized September 13, 1926. Mrs. Kendall, wife of the retired minister instrumental in our founding, led the first opening devotional. At the business meeting in December 1926, the Society was divided into Circles, including a Business Woman’s Circle. The other Circles agreed to take turns preparing dinner for the Business Woman’s Circle at their monthly meetings. It was said that Rev. McKibben watched the construction of every new home in Morningside, and if a purchaser moved in one day, Mr. McKibben would be standing on the doorstep the next morning inviting the family to Haygood.

To help finance the Highland/ Lanier Place building, Haygood borrowed $9,500 from the Life Insurance Company of Virginia with the loan secured by a deed dated November 2, 1926. The deed was signed by seven Trustees, with the added requirement that the note for the debt be personally endorsed by four of those Trustees and also by three others, which included two women.

On November 10, Rev. J. W. O. McKibben was appointed to Haygood Memorial Church as its pastor. “Brother McKibben was young, full of energy, and also of religion. He at once entered wholeheartedly into the promotion, developing, and building of Haygood church.” 1928 The church purchased a two-story, seven-room dwelling on the lot adjoining the church lot, which was used for Sunday School. The loan for this property was designed to be paid off in three years but “the depression in business which began in 1929, probably helped to break this promise.” The congregation did its best and the loan was paid off 10 years later. 1929 Haygood decided to construct another building adjoining its first. Designed as three stories, the foundation and one story were built.

1931 The enrollment of Haygood’s Sunday School was 650. It was one of the few Sunday Schools in the North Atlanta District where the enrollment in the Sunday School was larger than the membership of the church. A later report noted 805 Sunday School members, including 53 officers and teachers.

“In order to provide this number of seats, it was necessary that the seats be not too wide and the rows of seats not too far apart. A large person or a six-footer had hard maneuvering to get all of himself into one of these seats. Even so, this auditorium served the members for more than twenty years.”

“We all agree that our people, our children and young people especially, are entitled to a suitable and adequate place of worship and a proper center for their Church activities. We also believe that it is the will of our Heavenly Father that we should have a decent place for divine services.”

Forward Thinking - Dedicated & Creative Financing

1939 Especially from the beginning of 1939, members of Haygood were interested in building a new church building.

Raising the money for this was, of course, a large problem. The Board was informed of another church which with success had tried a plan of buying government bonds and decided to try out this plan. The plan was for all who could to subscribe for a bond in such amount as they thought they could pay. If they wished, they could buy stamps in small denominations weekly until the stamps amounted to the value of the bond and to then exchange the stamps for the bond and present this bond to the church.

When World War II began, this plan of buying bonds came in well because, if the Church had the money with which to build, the material was not available. So the bonds were bought and allowed to accumulate for future use, and in the meantime these bonds were accumulating interest. When the bonds were finally used toward financing the new church building, they amounted to about $45,000.

“It is our prayer that by continuing our sacrificial giving to this fund we may soon be able to start actual construction.”

The treasurer of the building fund constructed a small portable booth, just large enough for one person to enter, and stationed this booth on the church lawn each Sunday morning with all the government stamps on hand that might be needed. Stamps were purchased each Sunday by many from the Beginners Department up and in all amounts from a dime up.

1941 On April 16, 1941, our current Rock Springs property was purchased for $4,500, paid in full at the time of purchase. A month later we purchased a lot facing Cumberland Road for $650 and deeded it to the city, along with a right of way to Rock Springs Road, on condition that the city build a street. That street is the extension of Sussex Road, between our sanctuary and our parking lot.

1944: Would You Hesitate To Buy a Car? Rev. W. Rembert Sisson was sent to Haygood with the express intent of building a new church. Labor and materials were very high in price at the time material became available, but the times for business were good and the members were making some money.

In one of his sermons, Rev. Sisson—stating that it would be necessary for everyone to give as much as he possibly could in order to do the building—also stated that not a member of the congregation would hesitate if he wished to purchase an automobile. The lowest priced car (at that time) was $1,000, and Rev. Sisson said he believed that if such a member really desired to contribute $1,000 to the building of the new church, he could do that also. Some who possibly had not thought of giving that amount did so and then more.

1945 The Building Committee was elected at the first quarterly conference, held on February 9, 1945, in the old building and first met on February 22, 1945. Barili &Humphreys was chosen as architects.

1946 “Our architect has finished plans, working drawings, and specifications for our new building. We also have cash and tangible assets of approximately $75,000 to be used in the building.”

In June 1946, the Church purchased a lot on which to build a parsonage. This lot, bought for $2,200, was directly across the street from the new church. It was paid for in cash from the regular budget without drawing on the building fund. During the latter part of 1946 and the first part of 1947, this first parsonage was built at a cost of $26,000. Today’s parsonage, purchased in 2002, is at 815 Cumberland Road NE. 

“The members of Haygood have always been a helpful and a friendly people and willing to enter upon any program suggested to them for the development of their church. May they always be so.” —1951

A True Sanctuary - Building the Future

1947 The cost of our current sanctuary building, started in 1947, was approximately $385,000. Services were first held in the sanctuary in November 1948. Some services had been held in the “recreation room” prior to this date, but getting the pews delayed the opening of the sanctuary. Many of the furnishings of the church and Sunday School rooms were donated by different families of the church.

1948 On February 20, the old church property at the northeast corner of North Highland Avenue and Lanier Place was sold for approximately $29,000 in cash, with the right to retain certain personal property or furnishings, including 14 pianos.

1952 The Gaston building, which provided both classrooms and a place for our Scouts, was built and dedicated to Britt Gaston, a member who “never faltered in his conviction that God would find a way for us to complete and pay for the church.” Later the building was razed to build our Family Life Center (gym). 

1955 We built the Youth Activities building, dedicated to Harvey C. Holland, who had recently completed his pastorate at Haygood. This building has served our youth, our Scouts, and Weekday Children’s Ministries. If you know it as the Hut...it was a Scout Hut.

“As we come to the close of our Fiftieth Year and look back on the blessings that Haygood has brought to all of our families, we renew our pledge that we will support our beloved Haygood Church with our time, our talents, our gifts and our service. We pledge that all of these shall be manifest in our service to the Morningside Community and to our city and the world, to the honor and glory of our Savior.”

1961 Our entire debt was liquidated, and our property was dedicated by Bishop John Owen Smith. Many members confidently expected that with the building debt behind us, the enthusiasm which had sustained the membership would wane. But Walter Lipps, our Official Board Chairman, was determined that this was not to happen.

Walter said to the Official Board: For years, we have had to direct a large portion of our money to the liquidation of our debt. We have had to spend our money on ourselves. Now it is paid. The time has come for us to do something for others. We should put this money we have been applying on a debt to missions. His dedicated leadership, backed by the appeals of Mrs. Birdie Moore, caught fire and instead of reducing our budget we increased it for missions.

Howard Wise served Haygood for 42 years as custodian. A kind, caring man, he was a mentor to many of our youth and a friend to all.

Changing Times - In Our Church and In Our World

Beginning in the mid-1960s, a number of houses had been acquired by the Georgia Department of Transportation by eminent domain for building a freeway through the neighborhood. Plans affected Yorkshire, Cumberland, East Rock Springs, and other streets, and it adversely affected Haygood. Flight to the suburbs began. Houses were vacated, awaiting the bulldozers. Some neighbors who vowed to stay and fight finally won their case in the early seventies, but the repercussions of the proposal lasted for years. Our history notes that ministers Rudisill, Sneed, Nysewander, and Moore served Haygood valiantly during those years.

In 1987 Haygood experienced its first growth in membership since 1976 and its greatest growth since 1968. 

1968 The Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren to become the United Methodist Church. UMNEWS.org published an article in 2018 with the head, “Amid tumult of 1968, a church came together.” Separated by historical differences in language and, in some cases, practices, the denominations merged and “United” became part of the new church’s name.

1970 Associate pastor Rev. Willis Britt saw the need for care for children with working parents and proposed that the church start a Day Care Center. Women of the church supported the Center by forming an auxiliary with responsibilities for music, reading, pantry, kitchen, linens, art, and publicity.

1972 Malone Dodson, “a young man of 35 with boundless energy and charisma,” was appointed to Haygood, as was full-time associate minister Woody Spackman. “Together they stopped church attrition and made real gains in membership.” The community stabilized, and Haygood was able to start new programs.

1975 Bert Oliver and his friends started the first Haygood softball team, with Bert’s father as coach. Future teams may be most remembered for their name “Haygood Lookin.”

1979 Our Preschool opened its doors to seven 3- and 4-year olds. Phyllis Mitchell chaired the first board. Marie Boatright served as director 1982–1985. By 1984 there were 51 children attending the Preschool and more on the waiting list.

1982 Our United Methodist Men’s group was chartered—meetings had begun several years earlier. They are known for periodic church breakfasts and weekly Bible studies.

1987 In December Haygood member Jim Rogers gifted the church two octaves of handbells. A handbell choir was quickly established and—with one week of practice—played at the 1987 Christmas Eve candlelight service.

An Active Congregation - A Revitalized Community

1990 The Family Life Center was completed, a year after the movie Field of Dreams debuted. Haygood quickly learned the meaning of “If you build it, they will come.”

1991 Haygood began Disciple Bible Study, with some meetings held in members’ homes—a worthy connection to our first years when prayer meetings about forming a new church were held in homes in this new neighborhood.

1992 Like many good ideas, our Christmas tree lot came out of a question and a discussion—this time about ways to raise more money for missions. The United Methodist Men’s group has run the lot since a few years after its opening. The tree lot is a delight and a core way we reach out in our community. 1993 A pivotal year. Our first female minister, Rev. Martha Forrest, wore gym clothes, read the same story from the pulpit every Halloween, and helped us understand that we are family—church family.

1995 We launched our first website—and recognized the need for another renovation for offices, classrooms, a nursery, and music suite.

1999 Haygood restructured the Child Development Center and Preschool under the umbrella of Weekday Children’s Ministries. Church member and ordained United Methodist deacon Rev. Faye Hudnall was chosen as director of the new organization. Today more than 200 children are served in three programs.

The 2000s - A New Millenium

According to the Gregorian calendar, the third millennium began on January 1, 2001. However, many of us celebrated “the turn of the century” on December 31, 1999, ushering in the Year 2000. 

Our church was moving forward too. Haygood is connectional. As part of a district (South West), conference (North Georgia), and jurisdiction (Southeast), Haygood submits a report to the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church each year. Our Pastor’s Reports for the past 25 years reflect our growth, issues, and celebrations.

In the Words of Our Senior Ministers:

2003: “I hope you will read through this report and marvel at the number of lives that are being touched with God’s grace through Haygood Memorial.” —Rev. Dr. Jim Higgins

October 2002–October 2003, Haygood baptized 27 infants.

2004 “Our reputation in the Morningside community is that we are a congregation dedicated to providing the very best in children and youth ministries.” —Rev. Dr. Bob Winstead

Rev. Dr. Winstead guided Haygood through 2006, a year the AJC called our “Year of Despair.” We lost not only older people but also young parents and college-age members.

2009 This has been a year of growth, with our largest Confirmation class ever: 26 sixth graders. During our Stewardship campaign, [t]he financial commitment of individual youth was impressive and when it was discussed with one preschooler that her pledge would mean attending church each Sunday and giving some of her money, she replied that she would “have to lose more teeth,” her only apparent source of income.—Rev. Mary Lou Gilbert

In the rainy fall of 2009, we began to deal with water problems in our 60-year-old building. Our “new” property needed attention.

Haygood adopted the United Methodist Safe Sanctuaries Policy in 2010 and moved Confirmation from 6th to 8th grade.

2012  “This year has brought changes, challenges, and celebrations. There were major changes to the church plant as we renovated the gym, a hub of a number of important ministries within the church and community. Also, we struggled through half of our parking lot being closed as we fought with the city of Atlanta over responsibility for a sinkhole. Amazingly both of these projects helped us to embrace our value of community and have a broader sense of where people experience sacred spaces.” —Rev. Dr. Sheila Bookout

2015 Rev. Dr. Bookout wrote, “The building continues to be a big issue and large determent to growth. Hopefully we will have some relief by January 1, 2016. The sanctuary is the soul of the building. However, we have been operating without the heart (fellowship hall, kitchen, office, conferencing rooms) for almost two years. In spite of the challenges, the community has continued to impact the world. During the school year we have been very successful in having one family mission project per month. We also sponsored a refugee family for the first time. There is hope and talk of a foreign mission trip in the near future.”

2017 Haygood’s warm and attentive congregation is encouraging to a preacher. There are a number of visitors looking for a church home, and our music ministry is a major asset to our church. —Rev. Dr. Tommy Green

2019  “In order to live out our theme of “There’s A Place for You,” we focused on three areas: Next Generation, Radical Hospitality, and Small Groups. We can look outward and see the impact of Haygood in the broader community in the 120 children at VBS, the 60 visits to homebound members, the 280 hours building Habitat houses, and the more than 200 people who witnessed our Christmas Live Nativity. Our church is growing and new people are finding their place to flourish in this community.” —Rev. Will Zant

In 2019, Trustees reported: The HVACs have been repaired and are currently working. In addition, the ceiling in the sanctuary looks great (no more spots!). Goats are currently working to clean up the Grizzard property, and a fallen tree has been cleared.