Kresge Methodist Church

Kresge Methodist Church has a rich history of nearly 120 years of ministry in Cedartown, Georgia. We are a Methodist church in the Wesleyan tradition and affiliated with the North Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church. We support a variety of ministry and programs both locally and internationally. Our local support includes the Polk County School District, Murphy Harpst Children’s Home, Life Matters Outreach, Our House Women’s Shelter, the Cedartown United Fund and the Cedartown Clergy Collaborative. Beyond the local community, we support the programs and ministries of the Global Methodist Church through our Connectional Giving which includes ministries in Nigeria and around the world. We also directly support the Hopkins Family, TMS Missionaries to Nicaragua. We are continually looking for new and refreshing ways to share the Gospel and make an impact in our world.

Early Beginnings (1905–1917)

In 1905, the Methodist Episcopal Church assigned Miss Bertha Addington and Miss Laura Hayes as representatives of the Women’s Home Mission Society from Boaz, Alabama, to serve the families of the Paragon (textile) mill. An abandoned building was provided by the mill, and a primary school was established there. In addition to weekly education classes, Sunday school classes and Sunday worship services were also held in the same building until 1913. To provide for the growth of the mission programs, the McCarty Settlement House was built, and in 1914 Miss Ethel Harpst succeeded Bertha Addington as superintendent of the school. Another result of the mission programs was the establishment of a Methodist congregation. A separate church building was completed and dedicated in 1917, free of debt, after campaigns and fundraisers organized by Reverend Martin Sivilis. The West End Methodist Episcopal Church became the West Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and was located on the corner of 3rd Street and West Avenue, adjoining the McCarty Settlement House/Children’s Center.

Growth and Transition (1939–1951)

In 1939, the Methodist Church was formed through the merging of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Methodist Protestant Church. With this merger, the church was renamed West Avenue Methodist Church. In 1947, Mrs. Anna Kresge visited Cedartown, Georgia, through her connections with the Women’s Home Missionary Society and a special relationship with Ethel Harpst. Along with Miss Florence Vann of the Detroit, Michigan WHMS Conference, these ladies recognized the need for a new church building. Upon her return to Detroit, Mrs. Kresge sent a check for $5,000 to begin a building fund for West Avenue Methodist Church. Sadly, she passed away before the check was formally presented to the church. However, Mrs. Kresge’s children continued her legacy by sending generous donations. In 1951, the church was renamed Anna E. Kresge Memorial Methodist Church in honor of her life devoted to missions and her service to Christ.

Expansion and Relocation (1949–2005)

The new church was completed in October 1949 and formally dedicated in 1951 by Bishop Arthur J. Moore. The sanctuary seated 250 people and was adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows. A large picture window, depicting Christ praying in the Garden, was installed on the wall behind the choir loft. These features gave the sanctuary a distinctive radiance. When the congregation later relocated, several of the stained-glass panes, along with the picture window, were carefully removed and transferred to the present-day location on Booger Hollow Road. In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren merged to form the United Methodist Church, and the church was renamed Anna E. Kresge Memorial United Methodist Church. In 1999, the church purchased 10 acres of land on Cave Spring/Booger Hollow Road for $100,000. Through barbecues, bake sales, and other fundraisers, along with the faithful and generous giving of members, the land was paid for in full before construction began. On September 26, 2004, members carried the flags, cross, and altar Bible from the West Avenue location to the new church under the guidance of a police escort and Rev. John Giglio. The following month, on October 27, the steeple was placed on the church. The first worship service was held on October 3, 2004, followed by a consecration service on October 31, 2004, with members of all ages—up to 99 years old—present to celebrate this historic day. In 2005, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary with a homecoming service, marking a century of faithful ministry in Cedartown.

Community Outreach: Anna Kresge Children’s Center (2005–2011)

In 2005, the church opened the Anna Kresge Children’s Center as a weekday outreach for families in the community. The program provided care for children from six weeks to five years of age, offering preschool instruction in the mornings until noon and an after-care program for working parents from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The center welcomed families from across the community, extending the church’s mission of service by nurturing children in a safe and caring environment. The program continued until 2011.

Community Outreach: Kresge Kids (2010–2020)

The church launched Kresge Kids in 2010 as a ministry to serve children in the community, with a special outreach to families in the South Cedartown area where the congregation had its earliest beginnings. Each week on Wednesday evenings, volunteers drove the church van into the old neighborhood to bring children to the program, where they received Bible instruction, art, music, cooking, science, and recreation, along with a meal. In addition, special events were occasionally held on Sundays as an opportunity to involve parents and encourage their participation in church life. The program continued faithfully for ten years and became a meaningful part of the church’s mission outreach, concluding in 2020 due to the impact of COVID.

A New Chapter: Joining the Global Methodist Church (2023–Present)

In February 2023, the One Board of Kresge United Methodist Church voted to seek disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church. In April 2023, the Board and other members met with representatives of the Global Methodist Church to learn more about the denomination. On August 24, 2023, with District Superintendent Beth Sanders presiding, a Called Charge Conference was held at Kresge United Methodist Church for the purpose of discussing and voting on disaffiliation. By a vote of 30 to 11, the congregation approved disaffiliation, and the appropriate paperwork was signed by One Board Chair Terry Simpson. On November 18–19, 2023, the North Georgia Conference held a Called Annual Conference for the purpose of reviewing and approving over 180 churches requesting disaffiliation. Kresge United Methodist Church was approved, ratified on November 30, and released effective January 1, 2024, pending all obligations, including pension liability, benefits owed, and apportionments. In January 2024, the church partnered with Linda Stanton, a Certified Lay Speaker/Lay Servant, who faithfully preached the gospel at Kresge Methodist Church during this transition period. On April 12, 2024, at a Called One Board Meeting, the Board voted and agreed to move forward with becoming a Global Methodist Church(GMC). In that same month, the church refinanced its mortgage and was incorporated as Kresge Methodist Church, Inc., located at 15 Booger Hollow Road. On April 14, 2024, Keith Boyette of the Global Methodist Church verified that Kresge Methodist was approved as a Global Methodist congregation, the only one in Polk County. On May 26, 2024, Kresge Methodist completed and submitted its Church and Pastor profile in seeking a GMC pastor. On December 1, 2024, Rev. Mike Broome, a GMC pastor, joined Kresge Methodist on an interim basis for the Advent Season. On December 17, 2024, by congregational vote, Kresge requested Pastor Broome as its first GMC Pastor. On January 8, 2025, the appointment of Rev. Mike Broome was approved and set by Bishop John Auta of Nigeria and communicated by Rev. Dr. Kenny Ott, Superintendent for the North Georgia Conference of the GMC. On January 5, 2025, Rev. Broome was formally voted in as the church’s full-time pastor, marking the beginning of a new season of ministry.

Celebrating 120 Years (2025)

On October 19, 2025, Kresge Methodist Church celebrated Homecoming and the 120th Anniversary of its ministry with Superintendent Rev. Andy Postell preaching. This milestone marked 120 years of mission, ministry, and faithfulness, honoring the legacy of those who came before while looking with hope to the future.

Pastoral Leadership – Following is a concise list of the pastors who have served this faithful community for over 120 years:

Various Clergymen (1905–1915); Rev. Benjamin H. Garret (1915–1916); Rev. E. J. Williams (1916–1917); Rev. M. L. Civils (1917–1918); Rev. G. W. Ridley (1918–1920); Rev. B. A. Chastain (1920–1922); Rev. Finas Wade (1922–1924); Rev. William C. McGarrity (1924–1926); Rev. Fred O. Coffin (1926–1927); Rev. Lorin Parker (1927–1929); Rev. W. H. Bowman (1929–1931); Rev. Forrest Linder (1931–1932); Rev. George Davis (1933); Rev. T. F. Cook (1933–1934); Rev. J. R. Poteet (1934–1936); Rev. Carl Thomas (1936–1941); Rev. W. A. Woodruff (1941–1942); Rev. Herman Smith (1942–1945); Rev. J. Ray Stewart (1945–1946); Rev. Lamar Cherry (1946–1947); Rev. Roy Neal (1947–1951); Rev. J. E. Holbrook (1951–1952); Rev. J. M. Perryman (1952–1953); Rev. Clyde Blackstock (1953–1955); Rev. Edward “Ed” Cadle (1955–1959); Rev. Clyde Lee (1959–1964); Rev. Landon Carey (1964–1967); Rev. J. Shelby Cook (1967–1977); Rev. Scobie Branson (1977–1980); Rev. Richard “Rick” Long (1980–1983); Rev. Dewey Bailey (1983–1986); Rev. Larry Pearson (1986–1990); Rev. William “Billy” Lewis (1990–1992); Rev. Michael “Mike” Gunter (1992–1995); Rev. Thomas “Tom” Bridges (1995–1998); Rev. J. O. “Steve” Arnold (1998–2000); Rev. John Giglio (2000–2006); Rev. Michael Mimms (2006–2007); Rev. Kenneth Kulp (2007–2008); Rev. Rebecca S. Holmes (2008–2013); Rev. Allen Carmichael (2013–2017); Rev. Ed Dickens (2017–2023); Rev. Freddie Apecena (2023); Mrs. Linda Stanton, Interim Lay Speaker (2024); Rev. Michael S .Broome (2024–Present,first GMC pastor).

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