Wayside Presbyterian Church - PCUSA

The seeds of the Wayside Presbyterian Church were planted when the Wayside community Sunday School was organized in March, 1921, at the inspiration of Miss Maude Childs. The old schoolhouse in the center of Wayside was the meeting place. Mr. Willie Whitehead was the first Sunday School Superintendent and he was followed by Mr. Freeman Whitehead.
In the fall of 1921, a series of evangelistic services were held by the Rev. John Goff, an evangelist from the Macon Presbytery, assisted by a Dr. Anderson. In December, the Presbytery organized a church with four charter members: E.M. Davis St., Henry B. Davis, and Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Marquess. Others joined very soon after. Rev. John Goff and Rev. R. E. Douglas from First Presbyterian in Macon had charge of the organizational meeting. Soon afterward officers were appointed. E.M. Davis and Henry B. Davis – trustees and henry B. Davis and a new member, J. F. Rogers were ordained as elders.
Plans for a new church building were made. When asked by the people “Why a Presbyterian Church since there aren’t many of those here; where is your congregation?” The answer was, “We’ll raise some up!” Our church today testifies that just what was done! Mr. Rogers, Mr. Marquess, and Mr. E.M. Davis furnished most of the lumber and a good bit of the money. Mr. Rogers was a traveling salesman (living where the Otis Redding home is now) and he got many contributions from interested people in his travels. The lot was given by Mr. Dauph Barfield, a devoted member. The plans were drawn, at no cost, by Elliot Dunwoody, Macon architect. Rev. Goff and Dr. Douglas asked for and received $1000 from the Home Mission Board. This amount was more than doubled by members, residents of Jones County, and other interested people. The building was built by Mr. Hapgood and a Mr. Wood. The church dedication was held May, 1923.
In 1941, the first wedding was performed in the church by Rev. Jay M. Davis. Tommie Russell and Ralph Hall were united in marriage on December 24, 1941.
During the years right after World War II, improvements were made in the church. New benches were bought for the sanctuary and donated by members, Vernon and Carroll Shaver. New floor covering was put in the church and an oil circulating heater was bought for the sanctuary to replace the wood and coal burning one. The ladies raised money for these improvements by giving cake and pie sales and two barbecues. Most of these ladies had been reared Methodist and Baptist and were unaware that “good Presbyterians” did not raise money in this way. However, even though they were obtained in an “un-Presbyterian” way, the heater and floor covering added to the comfort and warmth of the sanctuary.
In the summer of 1949, the Ladies Auxiliary sponsored and taught in a Bible School at St. Paul A.M.E. Church near Wayside. It was very successful with several of the Presbyterian ladies teaching and other members and friends furnishing and serving refreshments each day. This took place before integration and we had a visit for the local deputy asking why we were eating and “mixing” with blacks. We explained about the Bible School and named several prominent ladies in Gray who were helping, so he “hummed and hawed” around and left us to our “good works.”
The decade of the 1950’s brought several firsts for Wayside. In 1951, a record number of children had been baptized. In early 1954, the supply minister from Columbia Seminary, Charles Foshee, was ordained at Wayside. In 1957, Wayside Church won first place for the covered wagon float entered in the Jones County Sesquicentennial parade.
In 1973, we began having bulletins every Sunday for the first time. One of our members, Harvey Chase, agreed to do the printing.
The church sponsored a softball team from 1974-1979. The team, which played in the church lead, was coached and managed by Gerald Bryant.
The greatest strength of Wayside Presbyterian is the support and believe in its children and youth. The Sunday School, the seed of our present church, had remained active and vital since the beginning with willing leaders, teachers, and superintendents. Even more notable is the fact that successful Vacation Bible Schools have been head every year since 1947, except for two years, 1959 and 1974, when we transported children and teachers to a nearby church to help with and join in their schools.
Every year since 1943, a Christmas program has been held at the church involving children and youth. Also during Christmas week, Santa Claus has visited all the children at the church’s community Christmas tree. Easter Egg hunts have been held every year since the 1940’s.From the early youth work started by Rev. Manning in the 20’s to the youth program we have today, Wayside Presbyterian Church has said to its young people, “We care about you!”
As we move forward toward our 100th year, Wayside Presbyterian Church continues to care about others of all ages. Wayside is a loving, caring, welcoming faith community ready to reach out at all times and in all places to share the light and love of Christ into the Wayside community, Jones County, and beyond. The congregation is made up of some of the kindest, warmest, disciples anyone could encounter.
Currently, we have several ongoing programs. We have Sunday School every Sunday from 9:30 am until 10:25 am for children, youth, and adults with truly amazing teachers! We have a children’s moment each Sunday during worship and Children’s Church every Sunday. Our Presbyterian Women’s group meets on the second Tuesday of each month. This is a time of great fellowship, discipleship, inspiration, and study. We sponsor a food pantry and collect plastic grocery bags for Meals on Wheels. And we welcome any and all who would like to join us!

(Church history items copied and adapted from a written church history by the late Coxie Davis, beloved member of Wayside Presbyterian Church for over 60 years)