Nov. 17 proclaimed Cornelia United Methodist Day

CORNELIA - Cornelia United Methodist Church is celebrating its 125th anniversary today, Nov. 17.

For that reason, the Cornelia City Commission authorized Mayor J.C. Irby to proclaim today Cornelia United Methodist Day in the city.

Over the years, the church has had a role in both city and county leadership.

Former Cornelia Mayor J.C. Golden and former Cornelia Mayor Hubert Ritchie both were members of the church.

The proclamation goes on to tout Cornelia UMC members Dean Swanson, Alton Wingate, Charles Sherwood David Borrow, Milton Stewart Jr. and Jim Johnson for their roles as president of the chamber of commerce.

In addition, "Paul Reeves, founder of Habersham Hardware and a life-long member of the church, made many contributions to the development of downtown Cornelia by serving as the
economic anchor for Cornelia retail business for over 65 years," the proclamation states.

The church's former white steepled building, constructed in 1904-1905, was destroyed by fire on April 9, 1955, but the church rebuilt and continues to flourish.

Cornelia UMC has been active and even pioneering in several ministries through the years.

"The first adult ESOL classes in Habersham County were initiated and taught at Cornelia UMC by Jim Miner and a group of community volunteers; and the Church further established a United Methodist Hispanic ministry with its own pastor and facility, celebrating 15 years of continuous service to the Latino community in 2013," the proclamation states.

The church's social ministries in the community include active roles in The Sharing and Caring Place and the Soup Kitchen.

Cornelia UMC also "helped initiate and continues to support the community's city-wide Thanksgiving and Easter Sunrise services; gave leadership to the establishment of the Habersham Christian Learning Center; and, in 2013, established a local Disability Resource Center for those needing assistance," the proclamation states.

Irby and the city commission paused recently to be reminded of the church's contributions, then Irby signed the proclamation.