Our History
Established in 1785, Turkey Branch United Methodist has a long and rich history. One of the oldest Methodist churches in the State of Georgia and the oldest in Effingham County. The name of the church is taken from the branch that runs nearby. The first worship services were held under a brush arbor in the area where the cemetery is now located. In June of 1785, Gideon Mallette came over from Purysburg, a French Huguenot settlement in South Carolina. He built a home on the Middleground Road, about a half mile from where the church now stands. He took up residence with his wife and immediately thereafter began to build a house of worship nearby. The structure, which was made of logs, was complete in the fall and was named The Turkey Branch Meetinghouse. The church was organized as a part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and it is presumed that Gideon Mallette was also a preacher. Some of the other original members of the church were Luke and Jerry Wilson, who lived west of the church, and Elder Tyrune Pace who lived several miles from the church near Run's Creek. Turkey Branch Church became a part of the "Savannah Circuit" in 1793. This circuit also included Chatham, Screven, and Burke Counties.
Construction of the church sanctuary as it stands today began in 1858, just before the Civil War. The timber was sawn at a nearby water mill, and a framed weatherboard house with floor and ceiling was built. In 1894, construction resumed after a committee composed of Bud Mallette (grandson of Gideon Mallette), J.A. Wilson, J.T. Mingledorff, G. S. Pace and N. H Morgan raised donations of $500. Pews were arranged with an aisle down each side and a partition down the center. The men sat on one side and the women sat on the other. In the 1940's the pews were changed and an aisle was made down the middle of the church. The shingled roof was replaced with a metal roof and two Sunday School rooms were added onto the front.
A complete renovation of the church was undertaken in 1951 under the direction of the following Trustees and Stewards: N.H. Morgan, C. W. Edwards, Glenn Morgan, Lester Morgan, Irvin Edwards, Howard Wilson, Rudolph Wilson, Frank Arnsdorff, and Wilton Arnsdorff. Extensive improvements were made both inside and out. A social hall and additional Sunday school rooms were added.
In 1962 Turkey Branch joined Clyo, Mizpah, and Silver Hill to form the North Effingham Charge and became a member of the South Georgia Conference, Coastal District of the United Methodist Church.
With a faithful membership and a cooperative spirit, The Church at Turkey Branch takes great pride in its heritage and looks to the future with renewed faith.
Construction of the church sanctuary as it stands today began in 1858, just before the Civil War. The timber was sawn at a nearby water mill, and a framed weatherboard house with floor and ceiling was built. In 1894, construction resumed after a committee composed of Bud Mallette (grandson of Gideon Mallette), J.A. Wilson, J.T. Mingledorff, G. S. Pace and N. H Morgan raised donations of $500. Pews were arranged with an aisle down each side and a partition down the center. The men sat on one side and the women sat on the other. In the 1940's the pews were changed and an aisle was made down the middle of the church. The shingled roof was replaced with a metal roof and two Sunday School rooms were added onto the front.
A complete renovation of the church was undertaken in 1951 under the direction of the following Trustees and Stewards: N.H. Morgan, C. W. Edwards, Glenn Morgan, Lester Morgan, Irvin Edwards, Howard Wilson, Rudolph Wilson, Frank Arnsdorff, and Wilton Arnsdorff. Extensive improvements were made both inside and out. A social hall and additional Sunday school rooms were added.
In 1962 Turkey Branch joined Clyo, Mizpah, and Silver Hill to form the North Effingham Charge and became a member of the South Georgia Conference, Coastal District of the United Methodist Church.
With a faithful membership and a cooperative spirit, The Church at Turkey Branch takes great pride in its heritage and looks to the future with renewed faith.