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[Newspaper Article]
WHITWELL
UNITED METHODIST 50 YEAR HOMECOMING
The first week of August 2004 Whitwell United Methodist Church celebrated
their 50 year Homecoming and Revival. In the year 1901 on Marsh Creek in
Perry County, TN, a United Brethren Church was organized with 17 charter
members. In 1915 this became known as the Linden Mission. In 1916 the
membership grew to 74. By the year 1921 the family of Mrs. G. D. Whitwell
(Agnes Warren Whitwell) had been received into the church.
In 1925, a total of 95 people had united with the Church but in 1926 the
church records were revised with 53 resident members in good standing. Soon
after this, Byrds Chapel Church (as it was known) disbanded and the deed was
returned to the heirs of the Whitwell Family. The Lord laid it on the heart
of Rev. Dewey Whitwell to build a church in the lower Marsh Creek community.
He shared this burden with many friends and relatives Among them was his
father George D. Whitwell, who agreed to give the land, which now belongs to
the local Board of Trustees of the Church. However Mr. Whitwell (1868-1953)
died before he could convey this property to the Board of Trustees. Later
his youngest daughter, Mrs. Eva Petty purchased the land and carrried out
the wish of her father by executing a deed to the church site, the parking
lot, and the cemetery to the Board of Trustees. In the summer of 1954 Rev.
Dewey Whitwell and the late Rev. T. B. McGinnis, of Lancaster, Ohio, broke
ground for the church building.
Rev. Dewey Whitwell, who had been appointed business manager and treasurer
by the Tennessee Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, had
$11.42 in the treasury when they broke ground. The church cost approximately
$6,500 in cash for materials and more than 1200 hours were donated by church
members and the community. In a little over a year the Whitwell Chapel
Church was completed and dedicated debt free.
During the 50 Year homecoming, the grandson of Rev. Dewey Whitwell, Rev.
Scott Bradford, gave the Homecoming message. His message was well received
by the over 90 Homecoming members and guests in attendance. After the
homecoming service, the current Pastor, Ron Jones, and several Whitwell
Chapel members, notably Bro. David Newsham and Bro. Jack Westbrook, helped
opened the 50 Year Time Capsule, placed in the cornerstone at the dedication
of the church June 26, 1955.
Living members of Rev. Dewey Whitwell's family were in attendance: his
daughter Wanda Sue Whitwell Bradford Suggs. Rev. Scott Bradford's son
Daryl Bradford from Texas and Rev. Whitwell's daughter Cindy Bradford Sabo
and her husband from Ohio. After the Homecoming services a great dinner
was served, prepared by the members and guests of Whitwell Chapel United
Methodist Church. Some 120 people were fed.
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