BIRMINGHAM METHODIST CHURCH
In the 1830’s there lived in what is now the Birmingham Community, one Thomas Jeremiah Darter, who was a practicing physician, merchant, and local Congregationalist preacher.
In about 1835 this Congregationalist preacher organized a church, which was located two miles southwest of the present village of Birmingham, a short distance east of Little River.
This congregational church was known as Darter Chapel for some 18 years. About 1847 a large family by the name of Hook, from Orangeburg, South Carolina, moved into the vicinity of this Darter Chapel, some settling on the west side of Little River and some on the east side of the stream.
In this family of Hooks was Dr. J. C. R. Hook who lived near Darter Chapel and practiced medicine in the vicinity until the time of his death in 1872. Dr. Hook had a sister named Mary who taught school in the vicinity for several years.
These Hooks were devout Methodists. They, with the aid of Jonathan L. Pruitt and his two brothers, Frank and Taylor, and perhaps others, changed Darter Chapel into a Methodist Church about 1853 and named the church, Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. Dr. Darter became a member of the new church.
After the death of Dr. J. C. R. Hook in 1872, the church was moved to the young and growing village of Birmingham. The church was located on a beautiful two acre tract of land donated by the community near the center of the village. The church in its new location served the community for a place of worship and school.
Johnny Johnston, a local Methodist preacher, educator, and later State Senator, was one of the early teachers in this new school and church.
Rev. J. O. Brand was sent by the North Georgia Conference in 1897 as pastor of the church and superintendent of the school. Out of this school came a Baptist educator and preacher, Rev. W. U. Ballew, two prominent attorneys, one doctor and several school teachers.
Around the turn of the century the church was moved from near Little River to the community of Birmingham.
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Copyright 2007-2009 by Betty Turner