Let's Learn About Bascomb History...

For Ordinary People Who Seek Extraordinary Faith, Hope, and Love

2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock, GA 30189  (770) 926-9755

By Gene Tyson, a life-time member of Bascomb

The history of BASCOMB METHODIST CHURCH began with a small devoted group of Christians in the year of our lord (1830) eighteen hundred and thirty, led by a gentleman by the name of William K. McCanless who was a millwright. Services began in either his house or mill on Noonday Creek, some three or four miles from where the church is today. Soon a building was built across the road from where the church is today and served as the church and a school. Later another log building was built in the area of the present cemetery which was used only for religious services.

It has not been established the time frame that this took place but it is evident that the church was increasing in membership and being a vital part of the community. However records show that by about 1880 plans were being made for growth, in that two acres of land was obtained from W.R. PAGE and two and three fourth acres from J.T. HUEY. Soon plans were made for a new sanctuary and were completed in 1883. This building was of more modern construction, high walls, steep roof with wood shingles, hand planed (I have some of the planes that was said to have been used in the planing of the boards) weatherboarding installed and tongue and grooved ceiling boards were installed inside on the walls and ceiling and painted. It was furnished with handmade pews, altar rail, lectern or pulpit (a pulpit that was said to be built by JOSEPH MACKEY is still in existence at the church today) and other furnishings.

The facilities have undergone many renovations and changes over the years as needs arose and met. In 1933 the structure underwent its first renovation, the roof and ceiling was braced in order to remove the row of post in the center of the church. A single entry was formed on the front and a stoop and marble steps added. A choir loft, balcony and four classrooms were added inside.

In 1953 a two story addition was added to the rear of the building consisting of a fellowship hall on the lower level and two classrooms above. In 1959 the existing wood tongue and grooved walls and ceiling were changed by installing sheetrock on the walls with wood wainscoting, the ceiling was covered with Celotex tiles and some new lighting fixtures installed. In 1960-61 the existing structure at that time was brick veneered, water well was drilled and pump installed, and a fence installed around the cemetery. This was done through a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Lowe after the tragic death of their son. In 1965 a one story flat roofed addition was added providing four additional classrooms, (one of these by conversion of the existing fellowship hall), rest rooms, and a larger fellowship hall with kitchen facilities. In 1974 a second story was added to the above mentioned addition, providing five additional classrooms with office space created in two existing classrooms. In 1982 a complete renovation of the original sanctuary was done, removing the classrooms, enlarging the choir and altar area, rebuilding the balcony, new ceiling and carpet installed, new recessed lighting and chandeliers installed, along with moldings and painting. After the death of Rev. Richard Arnold, in 1983, stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary as a memorial to him.

In 1998 another long awaited addition was built, this was a two story addition. A new fellowship hall, kitchen, restrooms on the upper floor with the old fellowship hall converted into a classroom and storage space. The lower level consisted of restrooms and five classrooms. The addition provided much needed space for the enlarging, Mothers Morning Out / Preschool program.

In 2003 the largest and most extensive addition was planned and built, consisting of a 500 seat sanctuary, restrooms, choir rehearsal area and classrooms.  The new sanctuary provided much needed space for the growing congregation that had outgrown the existing sanctuary, and the classrooms providing much needed space for the Nursery, Church school and Preschool Programs.

After 1933 Renovation

In 1963 After Brick Veneering