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.