E. W. Blackburn served as pastor

The sanctuary, built in 1927, was made completed with the gift of a steeple, erected as a memorial to Irma Croker McCutchen by her husband, sons and friends which was completed December 28^th.

E. W. Blackburn served as pastor

The Church needed additional parking and the general appearance of a garage across Church Street, which was directly in front of the Church entrance, and opens for work on Sunday, encouraged the Church to buy the property. The purchase price of some $50,000 was high for the time, but through the cooperation of the people it was met and the debt paid off in good order. This sale was accomplished September 1^st

C. Layne Jenkins served as pastor

He was pastor when the lot adjoining the Educational Building was purchased, and by 1979 was fenced for use as a playground for children. With the tacit decision to remain in ministry at this present site, WATKINS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH does have an active committee looking to the future so that when surrounding real estate comes on the market the Church will be interested.

C. Layne Jenkins served as pastor

C. Layne Jenkins served as pastor

A. "Gus" Cole served as pastor

At nearly the same time, the Rev. Benson Barrett retired and moved into our community. He has been of a great value to us, having served as a chaplain in the Navy, and serves as our Associate Pastor duly elected by our Church Conference. His wife, Fay, has been a valuable asset to our ministry, also, having served as President of the United Methodist Women, as Church Secretary, and as Financial Secretary.

Concurrently, Mr. Bob Martin became our Minister of Music. He was the Gilmer High School Band Director, and greatly expanded our music program to include youth and instrumentalists in our worship and work for the LORD. (Many have served as our musical directors in the past – among them: Mrs. L. B. Caywood, "Hank" Forbes, and Lionel Clark.) Mr. Jim Carson returned as our organist after an absence for study. (Many have served in this capacity, also; among them: Mrs. Patsy Poindexter Wimpey, and Mrs. Mary Jo Lowery.) The musicianship, ability, and devotion of our music staff along with the choir adds much to the worship of God at Watkins Memorial.

The choir, all volunteers, demonstrated the musical possibilities of a Church in the Town and Country areas of our North Georgia Conference at a meeting of the conference chapter of the United Methodist Rural Fellowship. They also provided the special music for the Saturday evening service of Pine Log CAMP MEETING. In addition to our adult choir, we had an active YOUTH Choir – those of High School age – and a JUNIOR Choir – those in third grade and up in elementary school. Mrs. Janelle Greer is directing, and Mrs. Miriam Ward accompanying the JUNIOR Choir, and Mr. David Davis – the new High School Chorus Director – was directing and accompanying the YOUTH Choir.

One of the major items of accomplishment is the "face lift" of our Sanctuary. This included re-painting inside, added light fixtures, and re-carpeting throughout the building. This was carried on through the TRUSTEES, under the chairmanship of Mr. Norman Gibbs and Mr. Bill Green. The TRUSTEES continue to seek to upgrade and care for our property as evidenced by the recent repairs on the parsonage and the continuing work on the care of the Church. We have switched to natural gas at both places. Other persons serving are: Harry Puckett, Albert Harrison, Elise Johnson, Glen Snider, Norman Gibbs, Evelene Watkins, Tom Lowery, and Dale Lingle. The Sanctuary is now – without doubt- one of the most beautiful places of worship, leading one to feel awe and a sense of joy in His presence. And we have added a new Baldwin 635 electronic pipe organ, which was a fine addition both to our music quality, and to the service of worship among our people. It has been completely paid for, leaving our church free of any debt.

A special gift of a 15 passenger Dodge VAN allowed our Church to have a greater freedom in planning our fellowship together and for providing a vehicle for use by any of our church sponsored groups - and community groups under certain guidelines.

We had begun to emphasize MISSIONS in a way not seen here before. Mrs. Anne Wood chairs MISSION. The other committee members are: Mrs. Jannelle Knight, Mrs. Carol Barrett, Mrs. Nannette West, Mrs. Lucile Ward, Mrs. Eveline Watkins, Mrs. Lucille Ray, Mrs. Maureen Mock, Mrs. Frances Tabor, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Steiffel and Mr. & Mrs. Harry Winship. The Winships and the Steiffels have provided good help for many of the activities of the Committee – though the entire committee has worked. We are not only paying all apportionments, but we have supported our share of a missionary to Brazil – Marion W. Way, and have contributed to all six lanes of mission special giving. We combined all special offerings in ONE GREAT DAY OF SHARING and received more money for each and every cause than was received last year with numerous days and special offerings. We do work through established community and denominational groups, not seeking to compete, but to cooperate. We work with the Community Action Agency, the Mountaintown Association, the Gilmer Chaplains, etc. Our cooperation is not limited to mission. We work with other churches of our community in an Easter Sunrise Service held each year at the City Cemetery, and a Thanksgiving Eve Service held at First Baptist Church. We also work with our other Methodist Churches in providing a central place for activities and services, and a "Dial-A Prayer" telephone daily devotional through the United Methodist Men (organized as a joint group by the men of all the Methodist Churches, meeting in various Churches by turn or by invitation).

We are a Church on the move – and in mission for the Love of Christ.

Paul Davis served as pastor

Steve Lyle served as pastor
During an October evening thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning struck the parsonage. Propane gas in the hot water heater was ignited causing a fire on the second floor. With God’s grace the pastor and his family escaped without harm. A decision was made to rebuild the parsonage. Tom Lowery served as overseer of the project and Betty McCutchen and Jackie Dimmock made sure that the restoration was to its original quality or better. A long-range planning committee was formed to explore alternatives for expansion of the Church.

Steve Lyle served as pastor
The rebuilding of the parsonage was completed and our pastor and his family re-occupied the home in March.

Steve Lyle served as pastor

Ken Ray served as pastor
A contractor was selected and a contract negotiated for the first phase of construction at the new building site on Library Street. The contract was for an Educational/Administrative building. Later in the year at Church Conference, it was approved to also construct the sanctuary. A separate contract was negotiated and work continued on both projects.
Sale of the old Church property was negotiated with the Catholic Church.

Ken Ray served as pastor
The education/administrative building was completed in November. On November 12^th a Service of Relocation was jointly held with the Good Samaritan Catholic Church congregation at the old Church location. It was quite an impressive affair and after its conclusion the doors of the old Church were closed and the congregation proceeded on foot through town to the new building where they worshiped in the fellowship hall for the first time.

Ken Ray served as pastor
On March 15^th the sanctuary was completed and the first worship in the new facility was held. Dedication of the education/administrative building and the sanctuary was held on May 21^st.
Over the past 9 years the congregation had accomplished many great things. They had purchased and paid for a new parsonage at the cost of $ 130,000. They had purchased and paid for 7 ½ acres of land to be used for a new church facility. They built a new church facility at a cost of $2.2 million, raised $800,000 toward the mortgage and financed the remaining $1.4 million.

Ken Ray was our pastor and served through June
Ray Camp became our pastor in June

Ray Camp served as pastor
Jim Hemmingway became our Staff Minister to youth and children. This is a big step toward realizing our future ministry to children.

Ray Camp served as pastor through June
Sharon Watkins became our pastor in June
Our Church family has grown to about 500 members. We are in the transformation stages from a small to a medium size church. We are optimistic that we are in the will of God in this place.