Georgia County Heritage Books
Miller County
COOK'S UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Cook's Union is a young church, but it has an
historical background dating to about 1868. At that time William Henry Cook and his wife, Annie Kelley Cook,
had bought land and were building a home near where the church now stands. Just before the completion of
the home, their young daughter, Eliza Cook, became ill and died. The grief-stricken parents wish to keep her
near them, even in death, so they buried her in the yard of their new home. Thus was the beginning of what
became known as Cook's Cemetery.
The family lived here a number of years and the younger children played around their sister's grave, always keeping it swept clean. As time went on, the family dissolved, with each going his separate way. But each time a loved one died they brought them to the old homestead for burial. The house decayed, but each year the family gathered, usually on July 4th, to clean the cemetery. The tradition is continued today at Cook's Union Cemetery.
During these years they often discussed the need of a church at this spot, and at one time some of the lumber was bought and hauled in, but this was near the Depression, and this effort failed. Later, about 1940, the idea of a church was resumed, and Mrs. Annis Haire and James Haire began collecting money for a church, but construction was not begun.
On July 4, 1946, Charlie Willis Cook suggested another effort be made to build a church. He offered to supervise the work and it was decided it should be a Methodist church. Pledges were made for raising money, and work was soon begun. By this time, the Babcock Brothers Lumber Company owned the land, and they donated the land for a church. Work was begun under the direction of a Building Committee.
At first, contributions came from family members, but soon the people of the surrounding community and city of Colquitt began to give financial help. Even before the building was completed, Buck Bell and E.W. Rawlings of Colquitt, on different occasions came out and spoke to the congregation. The first minister to hold regular services at the church was the late Rev. J. W. Patterson who, once a month, held services under the pines. Fortunately, Rev. Nathan Williams, known as "Uncle Nath", came to fill the unexpired appointment of Rev. Patterson. Later, the Rev. Jimmy May was sent to the Colquitt charge, and he began preaching twice a month.
Work, under the supervision of Charlie Cook, continued, and as soon as walls were up and the roof on, benches were obtained from Old Providence Church in Baker County. In 1947, when windows and doors were added, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cross gave the church a piano. Soon after this, the funeral of Carl Lynwood Cook, son of Charlie Willis and Vera Thornton Cook, was held in the church.
By September of 1947 the building was sufficiently finished so that a revival, under Rev. Nathan Williams and Rev. May, could be held. During the week of revival 60 persons asked for membership in the new church, with Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey Kimbrel being the first to join. The revival closed on September 7, with all-day services, dinner being served on the grounds. A baptismal service was held, and 31 members were received into the church. At this time, Dole Hamilton Cook, Jr., infant son of Dole Hamilton, Sr. and Eunice Davis Cook, was christened, with little Dole becoming the first child to be christened in the new church.
(593 words)
Note: A charge of 10¢ applies to each of 343 additional words.
Submitted by: Sheila Cook Williams, 1219 Hwy. 91 North, Colquitt, GA 31737.
