Development of

The Church of Jesus Christ

Of Latter Day Saints in Cobb County, Georgia
Missionary activity began in the Southern States before the Civil War. Elder Wilford
Woodruff was one of the first missionaries sent to the South. Of this he writes: This
brings the year 1835 to a close, the first year of my mission. I had traveled three thousand
two hundred and forty-eight miles, held one hundred seventy meetings, baptized fortythree personsassisted Elder Warren Parrish to baptize twenty more, confirmed thirtyfive, organized three branches, ordained two teachers and one deaconhad three mobs
rise against me-but was unharmed, wrote eighteen letters, received ten, and finally closed
the labors of the year 1835 by eating Johnny-cake, butter and honey at Brother A.O.
Smoots. (In Leaves from my journal, 4th ed.)
Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, the missionaries in the South were called back to
Utah and the converts to the Church were encouraged to accompany them. Two hundred
and twenty members from Mississippi left in a group and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley
shortly after Brigham Young arrived with the first group of saints from the east.
In 1876 Elder Henry G. Boyle became the first President of the Southern States Mission.
When Henry Boyle was eighteen years of age Samuel Carter baptized him on the 20 th of
November 1843 in Tassel County, Virginia. He was told by his father to either quit the
Mormons or leave his house. Henry packed a few clothes and left. Later he was called to
serve a mission in the Southern States. This area was organized as the Southern States
Mission in 1875 and ratified by the General Authorities in the October Conference in
1876. President Boyle served from 1875 to 1878. This Mission included Tennessee,
Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Virginia. Later the Mission was enlarged,
for a time, to fifteen states including Texas and Ohio and reaching northeast to Maryland.
Elder John Morgan succeeded Henry G. Boyle in January 1878 and served as President
for ten years, ending his term in 1888.
Long before John Morgan ever heard of the Church, he
was a sergeant in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Some time after the war, John was employed in a cattle
drive from Kansas City to Salt Lake City. While in Utah
he stayed in the home of the Heywards. He dreamed one
night he was walking and came to a fork in the road.
Brigham Young, standing beside a large tree near the
road, told John to turn to the left. The next morning Sister
Heyward interpreted his dream. She told John Morgan the
dream meant that he would one day join the Church and
serve a mission. He would come to such a fork in the
road. Brigham Young wont be there but you will
recognize the place.

All this came to pass as Sister Heyward predicted. John Morgan joined the Church and
later as a missionary in Georgia, Elder Morgan came to the fork in the road. He had
intended to proceed straight ahead but Elder Morgan remembered his dream and Brigham
Youngs admonition to turn to the left. He turned to the left. This led him into Hayward
Valley where twenty-five families lived. He stopped at the first home and was invited to
come inside. After telling the home owners family of the Restoration of the Gospel the
owner stated that a few days earlier a distinguished gentleman had come to their home
and underlined verses in his Bible. The stranger told them another man would visit them
shortly and explain the meaning of these verses. The passages proved to be prophesies
pertaining to the restoration of the Gospel. Twenty-three of the twenty-five families in the
valley, every family that was visited by the stranger, were converted and baptized into the
Church by Elder Morgan including the Methodist minister. The ministers church
building became the meetinghouse for the new converts and he, himself, became the
Presiding Elder of the Haywood Branch. (Details of these miraculous events were
obtained from Sister Watts, secretary in the Atlanta Georgia Mission, November 2001.
The Heywoods in Utah were progenitors of Sister Watts husband)
Missionary work in the South rarely went this smoothly in the early days of the Church.
Elder Joseph Standing was murdered near Dalton, Georgia on July 21, 1879. A member
of a mob shot Elder Standing in the left eye. His companion, Elder Clauson, though
threatened, was allowed to go for a coroner. While Elder Clauson was gone mob
members fired nineteen rounds into the face and neck of Elder Standings body. Twelve
of the murderers were cited in the coroners verdict; three were caught in Tennessee
where they had fled. The three were tried for murder, manslaughter and riot, respectively.
All three were acquitted. (Comprehensive History of the Church, Chapter CXLIX vol. 5).
Elder James Larsen was the brother of Berkeley Larsens Grandfather. James and his
companion were taken by a mob. They were tied in a wagon and hauled to the edge of
town where they were stripped naked. First the companion was tied to the raised wagon
tongue. A rope was tied around his neck and behind his knees. He was secured on the
tongue of the wagon with his bottom side up. He was then beaten with a tug from a
harness. The companion cried out at each blow, and the members of the mob roared with
glee. Next it was Elder Larsens turn. He had determined that even if they killed him he
would not utter a sound. The first blow was murderous but Elder Larsen made no sound.
One member of the amazed mob called out, Hit him again, he couldnt feel it. A large
man came forward asking for the tug, saying he knew how to administer a beating. The
man, who had hit Larsen bent down and asked, Didnt that hurt? Elder Larsen replied
he had never been so badly hurt in his life. Whereupon the man with the tug reached
down and untied Elder Larsen, pushed the big man back and announced that when he had
struck with all his might and the man didnt cry out, that was enough. There were many
atrocities committed against the Elders in the early days in the South.
The worst single massacre of missionaries and members of the Church took place
August 10, 1884 at Cane Creek, Lewis County, Tennessee when Elders John H. Gibbs
and William S. Berry and local members Martin Condor and J. R. Hudson were cruelly

murdered by an outraged mob. Here is a brief, summarized account of the Cane Creek
massacre:
Elder Gibbs and William Jones had met William Berry and Henry Thompson at the
home of James Condor, a recent convert. The next morning a Sunday meeting was
planned for 11:00 AM at the Condor home. Elder Jones decided to stay behind at the
home where he and William Berry had stayed for the night to study for a sermon. As he
was headed toward the Condor home a group of about fourteen men surrounded him and
wanted to know where the others were. One guard was left behind to guard Jones while
the others proceeded to search for his companions. Elder Jones was friendly with the
guard and this eventually saved his life as he was allowed to escape unharmed. The other
men came upon the house as James Condor, at the gate, tried to warn the missionaries
inside. The mob entered the house and the leader immediately shot Elder Gibbs. William
Barry was killed while helping Henry Thompson escape out the back door. Martin
Condor, a son of James Condor, was killed in an attempt to save the missionaries and
revenge their death. J.R. Hudson, a half brother of Martin, had obtained a gun from the
attic and as the mob left he shot their leader dead but was in turned killed by the others.
Not satisfied with their deed, they fired volleys of shots into the body of Elder Gibbs.
One of the shots wounded the wife of James Condor during the firing.
Through the use of a good disguise President B.H. Roberts, who was temporarily taking
charge of the Mission, was able to go down and successfully recover the bodies of the
missionaries and bring them back to Nashville, TN for transportation to Utah. Due to the
indifference of the Governor of Tennessee nothing was done about the crime although a
reward of $1,000 was offered.(A Brief History of The Southern States Mission by Dr.
Richard O. Cowan. Page 8)
It appears that at this time Headquarters for the Southern States Mission was wherever
President Morgan might be. However the work prospered. As the year 1887 ended there
were 92 missionaries, 28 organized branches and 1,084 Church members in the Southern
States Mission. (A Brief History of the Southern States Mission by Dr. Richard O. Cowan,
pages 10-12))
Following President Morgan were Presidents William Spry, 1888-1891, J. Golden
Kimball 1891-1894, B. H. Roberts 1894-1898 (There is a conflict, Dr. Cowan shows
Elias S Kimball as president for the 1894-1898 period. However, on page 9, Doctor
Cowan indicates B.H. Roberts was temporarily in charge of the mission.) Ben E. Rich
1898-1902 and E. H. Nye 1902-1903. President Nye died in 1903. The Mission was
divided in 1902 but the division lasted only one year. With the death of President Nye the
divided Mission was again united under President Rich who served until 1908.
Headquarters was originally established in Atlanta June 30, 1902 by E. H. Nye but with
his death headquarters reverted to President Rich. Mission Headquarters was again
established in Atlanta in 1910. (Page 93, The Southern Miracle by Vera E. B. Kimball).
After President Rich, President Charles A. Callis served twenty-five years, 1908-1934.
Succeeding President Callis were Legrand Richards 1934-1937, Merrill D. Clayson 1937-

1940, William P. Whittaker 1940-1943, Heber Meeks 1943-1948, Albert Choules 19481952, Peter J. Ricks 1952-1955, Berkeley L. Bunker 1955-1959, J. Byron Rausten 19591963, Fauntleroy Hunsaker 1963-1965, Roy B. Evanson 1965-1968, Charles W. Nibley
1968-1970, J. Orvin Hicken 1970-1973, (The name was changed to Atlanta Georgia
Mission June 1971), Seth D. Redford 1973-1976, Russell C. Taylor 1976-1979, R. David
McDougal 1979-1982, W. Brent Edman 1982-1985, Wayne A. Mineer 1985-1988, John
E. Fowler 1988-1991, Evertt S. Pallin 1991-1994, Monte N. Stewart 1994-1997, Richard
Jones 1997-2000, Micheal Glauser 2000There was important missionary progress in Buchanan, Georgia about the time of the
astounding events taking place in Haywood Valley. Wyatt N. Williams, a man of wealth
and position was baptized July 25, 1879. The next year he built a small chapel for the
Buchanan Branch. The history of the Buchanan Branch is admirably presented in a book,
The Southern Miracle written by Vera Edna Browning Kimball. Unfortunately, growth
in the area has been slow.
The Chapel in the Southern States Mission Complex located near the intersection of
North Avenue and Boulevard was the sole place in Metropolitan Atlanta for the saints to
meet as late as 1950. The Mission property was sold to the Unitarian Church; later the
buildings were razed.
The John G. Millsapps family played a significant role early in the Church in Georgia.
Members of Johns posterity were key figures in the establishment of the Church in the
Cobb County, Georgia area. His descendants constitute considerable numbers and
strength to the Church in this area. Genealogy charts are shown in the appendix.
John was born May 4, 1847 in Monroe County, Tennessee,
the son of Jonathan E. Millsapps and Cassie A. Tucker. His
father and mother had both died, three months apart, and
John was but thirteen years old. John and the four younger
children were placed in four separate homes by order of the
court.
John Millsapps was an independent thinker. Although he was
raised in Dixie, his sympathies were with the North. At a
young age he joined the Union Army and was engaged in the
battle for Kennesaw Mountain. His Commanding Officer
removed him from the area of the fiercest fighting, perhaps
in deference to his tender age. This act of kindness possibly
saved his life. The Lord had work for him to do; it was very
important that he live. He survived the battle and the war.
Roughly 3000 Union and 1000 Confederate soldiers lost the lives in this battle and many
more were wounded, missing or captured.
John married Salina Hooper April 2, 1866. They had five children, but Salina was not a
dedicated mother. Coming home after a short time out of town John found his children in

a pitiful condition. He left Salina and took four of the five children. The baby was a
breast-fed infant. A year later John got a message from Salina saying to come get the
child or she would give it up for adoption. John had no transportation so he walked from
North Carolina to Tennessee and carried the baby home on his back. They were divorced
in 1878. Later John married Sally Armanda Gardener. They had seven children giving
John a total of twelve.
William A. Wilson, (his wife, Margaret Sullivan) Venna
Millsapps grandfather, asked John to attend a Cottage
meeting with him to hear the Mormon Elders speak. This
was in Robinsville, North Carolina September 21, 1900.
After hearing the Elders, John said, This is what I have
been looking for all my life. He joined the Church that
very night and led some of his children to Church
membership. John died December 5, 1922. He is buried at
Midway Presbyterian Church cemetery on the Dallas
Highway. His is the only Union grave marker in the
cemetery. It is interesting to note that John Millsapps,
though born in North Carolina, spent his last days in The
Shadow of Kennesaw Mountain where he had battled in a
furious war as a youth.
William A. and Margaret Wilson

Three of Johns sons, William Clayton, Columbus and

London figured prominently in the establishment of the
Lords Church in this area. William Clinton joined the
Church in 1905. As a measure of his faith, his tombstone
reads: I am a Mormon. Williams son, Homer was the
grandfather of Jennings Bristol, our current Stake Patriarch.
Homers daughter, Rena, is Jennings mother. Homers
family moved to Haysville, about sixty miles from
Robinsville. A TVA dam being built would flood their home
place. The missionaries lost contact with Homers family due
to this move but found them accidentally a few years later. In
about 1928 Rena and all her siblings were baptized because
their father, Homer, was a member. They were all youngsters
and knew very little about the Church. There were no
meetings held and they had only infrequent visits with the
traveling missionaries, still Rena had a testimony the Church
was truly the Church of Jesus Christ.
William Clayton Millsapps

Years passed; Rena was married and had a family. Occasionally missionaries would come
through Haysville, but Jennings father, George, was very much opposed to the Church in
those days. Jennings father and his uncle, Bob Birch donated the land and built a church
building for the Baptist denomination. Later George Bristol and Bob Birch, over some
disagreement, were booted out of the church they had built.

The Spirit was working on Rena; these are her words: I was taught the scriptures by my
parents as a child and I knew my parents would not teach me anything that was wrong,
because I knew they loved me. After they passed away I tried to find certain passages in
the Bible-about the Urim and Thummin, the name of Christs church, baptism for the
dead, the Stick of Joseph and the Stick of Judah, etc. but I didnt know where to look. I
was very frustrated. George (her husband) taught Sunday School at another church, and
told me that all those teachings I had learned were just a mans writings. I asked George
to take the children away for a day. I had to think and to pray. I asked God to help me find
those scriptures and to help me understand them. I soon felt at peace and did not worry
anymore. I knew the Lord would soon help me.
Shortly a Bible salesman knocked at the door. George Bristol tried to dismiss the
salesman, but he persisted, pointing out a remarkable reference section in the back of the
Bible. This reference seemed to have the key points of the Latter Day Saints Doctrine
outlined. The section was titled, A Collection of Spiritual Passages and included such
headings as Administering to the Sick, and gave chapter and verse where the Apostles
healed the sick by the laying on of hands, America, Early Inhabits of, The seed of
Joseph to become a multitude of nations. Antemortal existence of Spirits, The
Apostasy, Authority in the Ministry, Baptism for the Dead, The church should be
named The Church of Jesus Christ, Faith and Works, Gathering of Israel, Latter Day
Revelations, The Restoration of the Gospel, The Stick of Judah and the Stick of
Joseph and a number of other headings peculiar to the teaching of the True Church.
Following each heading were listed several chapter and verse references to support the
heading.
Rena, resting on the couch, heard this discussion from the front porch through the screen
door. She couldnt believe it! These were the references she had been trying to find. She
started crying and said, I have to have this Bible. Rena read all day and into the night.
She said, I was so happy that I felt like shouting because I knew this was the answer to
my prayers. I knew then that it was all true what my parents had taught me. From this
marvelous Bible she taught the Gospel to her family and friends. When the Elders made
the next visit Rena greeted them with We were waiting for you. You can judge what a
marvel, or miracle, this Bible is when you read further about it in a later paragraph.
The Mission President in Roanoke Virginia had received questions from some isolated
members in western Carolina. He sent Elder Philip Hansen and Elder Kessenger some
two hundred miles to find and talk with these people. The Elders were unable to find the
people, so they asked in town if there were any Mormons in the area, or anyone wanting
to learn about the Church. The townspeople knew that Rena and her sister, Violet, were
members. These girls had married local men and lived out of town. They didnt have
telephones, but the Elders were directed to their homes.
These two families and members from two other families took part in the discussions and
thirteen were baptized October 9, 1955. Jennings Bristol was one of the thirteen. His
mother Rena had taught so well that these people were ready to accept the Gospel.

Left to Right: Judy Bristol* Sandy Bristol* Nancy Millsapps Gray* Linda Sawyer, Bobby
Birch* Gloria Bristol* Ginger Burch* Wayne Sawyer, Nora Sawyer, Jennings Bristol*
Bob Burch, Jerry Burch* George Bristol, Elder Leon Kessinger, Elder Phillip Hansen.
Those eight named, followed with (*), are great, great, grandchildren of John Millsapps.
Jennings got suggestions from the Secretary of Admissions at the Emory Dental School.
He followed the advice and was accepted with just three years of college. In most earnest
prayer he promised the Lord if he could pass the entrance tests he would pay tithing.
Brenda Nicholson was not a member of the Church when she married Jennings. They
were struggling financially while Jennings worked his way through school. A bishop
called one day and asked Brenda what he should do with a tithing check for $8.00 that
had bounced. She was irate! By the time Jennings had explained his way out of that
fracas, Brenda was ready to join the Church.
Jennings had not been attending church but found the Ponce De Leon building by
accident. He turned into the parking lot and read The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints. He thought to himself I have found my church. (From taped interview
with Jennings Bristol and records presented by Martha Pearson).
Jennings became a true disciple. Among other callings he has been Bishop of two
different wards. He has served on High Counsels sufficient to become the senior member
four different times. In 2001 Jennings became the Patriarch of the Powder Springs Stake.

The Elders Hansen and Kessenger were so impressed with the references in Sister Renas
Bible they asked the Mission President to get some of these Bibles for them and perhaps
for the Mission. This book is identified as The Golden Key Edition of the King James
Version. The President reported that the referenced publishing company knew nothing of
such a Bible. They did not print a Bible like that, nor had they ever. The Mission office
was never able to find a similar copy nor have the Bristols. Sister Rena believes the
Bible salesman was one of the Three Nephites. Others also believe. (Jennings Bristol has this
Bible.)

Many branches were established over the years but generally these branches collapsed
when the Elders were transferred. Typical is the Dallas Branch established September
22nd 1935 in the homes of Columbus and London Millsapps.
London Millsapps had taken
some produce to sell at the
Farmers Market in Atlanta.
It was 1934. While doing
business there, he started
talking to an old gentleman
about
religion.
The
gentleman was a Mormon
and told London about the
active Branch in Buchanan.
He started naming some of
the members of the Branch.
One was Canary Wilson,
son of William A. Wilson.
London recognized William
A. Wilson as the man who
introduced his father, John,
to the Gospel.

Left to Right: Elder Adams, Julie Millsapps, London & William Millsapps,
Paul Crowe, Neppie, Elder Jones. Children: Dellie, Pauline, Pauline, Mary
Bell, Lonnie.

London went to Buchanan and asked for some Elders to teach his family. London, his
wife Julie Davis and daughter Mary Belle were baptized in a stream October 25, 1934.
Londons son Lonnie and daughters Neppie and Pauline joined at a later date. His sons
Clyde and William were baptized with their Uncle Columbuss family three months later.
Columbus asked the Mission Office for Elders to teach his family. President LeGrande
Richards sent Elders Jones and Adams. The result was that on January 12, 1935 these
Elders baptized eleven persons at the Southern States Mission on North Avenue in
Atlanta. Those baptized that day were: Columbus, his second wife, Carrie, his son Luke
and Lukes wife Lorraine, daughters Bessie and Pearl, sons Floyd, Lloyd and Nolen Sr.
and nephews (Londons sons) William and Clyde.

Elder J. Petty Jones report of this conversion was published in the Liahona The Elders
Journal. Elder Jones writes:
Last October Elder James C. Adams and I received word from President (Le Grand)
Richards to visit Lundon Millsapps who lives in Dallas. He had been investigating our
teaching for a number of years but had not been able to come in contact with the elders.
We visited him and after holding a cottage meeting in his home, he and his wife and his
daughter applied for baptism. At the baptismal service we had a large crowd of
investigators. Among them were his brother, Columbus, and his wife. We were invited to
visit Columbus Millsapps, who treated us very kindly although his wife said she didnt
want the elders around. After attending a series of cottage meetings, she said she was
sorry she talked that way about the
elders and was the first to apply for
baptism. On January 12, Elder
Adams and I brought the Millsapps
to Atlanta and baptized eleven
people, including some of their
relatives. Sister Millsapps now says
that the elders do not talk long
enough in their meetings for her.
As Elder Adams was shortly
afterward released, the baptism of
this large family put a fitting touch
to his labors in the mission field.
(LIAHONA THE ELDERS JOURNAL
page 450)

Top: Elder Jones, Nolen, Loyd, Floyd, Luke, Columbus, Pearl,

London, Julie, Unknown, 2nd Row: William, Loraine, Bessie, Carrie
Marry Bell. Children: Clarence, Rachael, Luther, Howard, LaRue
Baby, Dellie, Pauline, Lonnie.

It is always a thrill to hear the missionaries relate their experiences. Elders Lamar B.
Sessions and Charles E. Shaffer have just opened the little town of Marietta to missionary
work. Of this they write: Todays incidents have brought much peace and consolation to
us, so we cant refrain from relating them. We found the Chief of Police wouldnt give us
consent to do our missionary work here. When we told the lady, at whose home we are
staying, of our predicament, she said she had influence in the town and, after reading our
literature, presented our case to the city officials.
She took us to her church and introduced our work and us to her Bible class. She
explained that we dont use tea, coffee, etc. and said, The thing that impresses me most
about these young men is that they do this work free; their church does not pay them.
How many of you would give two years of your life to further the work of the Lord?
We were invited to speak in the general assembly and were announced as visitors from
Utah. We were complimented and invited to return. We believe we were sent to this
ladys home because of the interest she is taking
. While tracting only two blocks we had seven profitable conversations out of fifteen
homes visited.(From writings submitted by Martha Pearson.)

Actually the branch established in

Columbus and London Millsapps
homes with the help of Elders Adams,
Jones, Imlay and Erickson was a
Sunday School. It was named the
New Hope by a vote of the nearly 30
members. Elders Refell Erickson and
LeRoy Clark Imlay met each Sunday
with this branch. The place where
these meetings were held alternated
Sunday to Sunday between these two
brothers homes. A meal was served
each Sunday after the religious service.
Sadly, when the Elders were moved
three months later, the branch died.
Floyd, Loyd, Elder Jones, Nolen Sr., Elder Adams, Luke
Baby LaRue, Columbus, Carrie, Bessie, Pearl, Lorraine
holding Howard. Front: Clarence, Rachael, Luther Millsapps.

Nevertheless, the Spirit was ignited in Paul Crowe, the Millsapps families and others.
Though that spirit smoldered for a time, of these some would become future Church
leaders. All of this Church activity resulted from the conversion and faith of John
Millsapps some thirty-five years earlier. (The above was drawn from material in Martha
Pearsons possession. Martha received much data from Aunt Pearl who married Canary
Wilson. Canary was the son of William A. Wilson, the man who invited John Millsapps to
the cottage meeting. There are many active Church members in this area who are
descendants from the Millsapps or the Wilsons. Some are descendants from both
families.)
Twenty years elapsed between the demise of the New Hope Sunday School and the next
effort to organize a Church unit in this area. The first lasting Church activity in Cobb
County started as the Marietta Sunday School.
Frank Millerd and his mother joined the Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. Frank received
the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Deacon. He was a young man in the military
service and shortly after his baptism was sent to Korea. He spent two years in that war.
He made his home in north Cobb County after being released from the service.
Franks mother, who lived in Texas, kept after Frank to become Church active. In
response he contacted the Mission. One day an Atlanta branch president told Frank
Millerd that Le Grand Richards, wanted to see him. Frank had never heard the name and
had no idea who Elder Richards was or what he might want. Elder Richards bestowed the
Melchesidic Priesthood on Frank, ordained him an Elder and set him apart as the
Presiding Elder in North Georgia. Frank was instructed to find all the members that could
be found in North Georgia excepting the Buchanan area. (There was an established
branch in Buchanan). He found about ten.

10

The first Church meeting in Cobb

County that had a continuance, was held
Sunday, December 11, 1955 in a Little
House where the Cobb Civic Center
now stands. There were twelve persons
at this meeting including Brother and
Sister Millerd, Brother and Sister
Wilson two missionaries, perhaps
another couple and some children The
little house was The Crestwell School for the handicapped at 517 Fairground Street in
Marietta. Initially Frank Millerd was the Presiding Elder. Sanford Bennetts father,
Arnold, and Samuel Forrest Raymen were counselors. Later James Paul Crowe was
called to be the Branch President. Paul had been active in the New Hope Sunday
School. He was married to Londons daughter, Neppie.
Frank Millerd was not certain of the cause but soon the little
house was no longer available for the Church meetings. He
remembers, We met in various places; got kicked out of
some, burned out of others. Often we wouldnt know where we
were to meet from Sunday to Sunday. The Crestwell School
was available for only one meeting a week. Sacrament
meetings, Primary and cottage meetings were held at Frank
Millerds home. Frank and Paul Crowe would pick up the
children for Primary. Paul had a pickup with a camper cover.
He would deliver a truckload. Brother Millerd, who ran a
store, would leave the store in the care of his wife, Barbara,
and pick up all the Millsapps cousins who lived on Fords
Road.

Paul Crowe and wife Neppie

Martha Pearson says, One of the highlights of

our life was the day Catherine and E.B. Harris
came to our branch. They brought with them
Sister Harriss daughter Helen Kelly and her
sons, Tommy and Larry. It was wonderful to have
new members who were not your cousins.
Brother and Sister Harris were in the first
Investigator Class.
With the loss of the little house, meetings were
held in about six different locations including
Frank Millerds home. It was a long drive for
members living in south Cobb to Franks home.
The Millerd Home
After several months the Church rented a building at 722 Atlanta Street, about one halfmile south of the Marietta City Square. A Church member returning home from work one
evening noticed a bulldozer poised threateningly near this rented place. He queried the
tractor driver and was told that the house was to be pushed down in the morning. A

11

number of the saints were summoned

and they removed all the Church
property, including a piano, to a
commercial shop Frank owned. This
building is near Frank Millerds home.
The rented place was indeed destroyed
the next morning. The Church
continued to meet in Frank Millerds
building until the facility was built on
Cunningham road in southwest
Marietta in the mid 1960s.
The event of building the Cunningham
road Church was headlined in a local
newspaper dated December 1962.
Mormons To Build Church In Fair
Oaks and some of the text follows:
Frank Millerd's Commercial Building

Cobb Countys first and only Mormon congregation is about to find a permanent home
at last. Since 1955 when 14 members of the religious group banded together to organize a
Sunday school here, the congregation has had no lasting roof over its head.
It has met in a private school building and in converted residences. Currently the groupknown as the Marietta Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meets in a
house at 722 Atlanta Street, Marietta.
Last Tuesday (December 4) the church obtained a county permit to build a $65,800
church on Cunningham Road in the Fair Oaks area
northwest of Smyrna.
Dennis J. Hancock, a church member who is also
superintendent for the building project said the $65,800
would be only the first stage of a long-term construction
program. The initial building will contain eight
classrooms. The church has over 200 members included
in some 95 families. ---Heading the congregation is Lt.
Col. Leroy Wilcox of the U.S. Air Force, now stationed
at Dobbins Air Force Base here. Colonel Wilcox has
been named bishop of the Marietta Ward---.
Kenneth and Linda Brantley tell an interesting story of
their first encounter with the man who would become
their Bishop. They and a number of the branch members
were standing outside the building at 722 Atlanta Street
one Sunday. This rented building where they met was a very plain little house with no
sign or notice to indicate that LDS services were held there. They noticed a man dressed
in a Sunday Suit riding a bicycle up the street. Soon he was seen pedaling back in the
opposite direction. After a few moments he returned again, came to the group and asked,
12

My church is supposed to be around here someplace. Do any of you know where the
Mormon Church is located? With Col. Wilcox in regular attendance, the needed strength
was added. The Branch became a Ward. Leroy Wilcox was the Marietta Wards first
Bishop.
Succeeding bishops followed Bishop Wilcox in this order, Maslen Cain, William K.
Farrar, Jennings Bristol, William A. Allen, Leonard J. Apostelo, J. Berkeley Larsen,
Herbert Lindsey, Kelly Cecil Barton, Douglas Reid, Terrence Lenahan. During Bishop
Lenahans tenure the wards name was changed to Kennesaw Mountain Ward in August
1996.
It was required in these early days that the Branch or Ward raise thirty percent of the
funds to build the church and supply a percentage of the labor. Only the first stage of the
Marietta building was constructed at this time. The Branch had become a Ward. The
Ward boundarys included about four counties. The Ward membership had grown; many
of those members from the New Hope Sunday School, that had been defunct for twenty
years, added strength and numbers to the Ward.
The first meeting in this new building was on May 18, 1969 with two hundred and sixty
people in attendance. How nice for the Ward to have a home.
The new Church building was soon pitifully over crowded. What was to become the
general propose room served as the chapel. The portable pulpit could be moved, curtains
drawn, and the chapel became three or four classrooms. Classes also met in hallways, and
weather permitting, on the concrete pad outside the rear (west) door. The Marietta Ward
was part of the Atlanta Stake.
Members of the Marietta Ward were a spirited group. In 1969 the Marietta team won the
All Mormon Church Softball National Tournament. Marietta, judged the best sports in
the tournament, came out on top of twenty-five other Mormon Church teams from across
the nation in the four-day contest. The team was led by center fielder Emerson Lynch and
player coach Clint Douglas. Other members of the team were Paul Danneman, Gene
Blunt, James Daves, Leon Pearson, Tom Dodson, Ted Floyd, Jake Tillman, Jennings
Bristol, William Farrar, David Legg, Al Banks, and Tom Ashworth. (Reported by the
Acworth newspaper.) At least four of these players became Bishops in subsequent years.
The Marietta Ward performed unimaginable feats, as did other wards, to raise funds;
everything from making and selling Hot Tamales to taking inventories for large stores.
There was also the Church Farm to operate and harvest.
Several times Marietta Ward members, and other ward members, were called to assist
neighboring branches. Robert Borg and Leon Pearson were attached to the Rome Branch,
1967-1969 to serve as Branch President and Branch Secretary respectively.
George Regas, Robert Gagnon and Dave Yandow were called to support the Buchanan
Branch, 1979-1980. Brother Regas served as President of the Branch, Brother Yandow,

13

counselor to Brother Regas; Brother Gagnon was Elders Quorum President. In this case,
Stake President Winder called the entire family and each member of each family
individually accepted the call. Bret Gagnon, just a young boy, was quite hesitant but
finally agreed. President Winder said this call would be for one year and Bret thought he
was to die after the one year. Even though they were not to die at the end of the year this
was still a heavy assignment. All were to be in attendance every Sunday and some of the
team was to be there every Wednesday. They also had Home Teaching and Visiting
Teaching assignments.
A large contingent was sent to assist the Cedartown Branch. This included Lonnie and
Reba Quinn, LeRoy and Ellen Krough, Billy and Marilyn Turbyfield with their son and
daughter, Tom and Angie Dickens, and Leslie and Demerest Travis with their four
children. That was a total of 16 people. The call was for one year but the Quinn's and the
Krough's call was extended to three years. They drove this hundred mile round trip at
least twice each week. They each had their assignments. For two years Brother Quinn
was the Branch President.
The Saints called to these assignments understood the Law of Sacrifice.
As the Ward grew, and additional phases were added to the building, lack of parking
space became critical. Bishop Jennings Bristol was friends with three of the Cobb County
Commissioners and learned that the property immediately to the south of the Churchs
boundary had been designated for a road right of way, but the road would never be built.
He asked a commissioner if the Church could use that land for parking space. The answer
was Yes and that the County would donate some gravel after the trees were cleared and
the area was leveled. The Commissioner neglected, or forgot, to tell Bishop Bristol the
land belonged to a Mr. Wilson. The Bishop assumed the land belonged to the County.
This right of way was covered with a stand of large pine trees, up to 16 inches in
diameter. Bishop Bristol asked Berkeley Larsen to clear the area, haul the logs away and
to push the stumps into a hidden draw behind the property.
Berkeley brought his heavy equipment to the spot and was blissfully pushing down the
trees when a very angry Mr. Wilson stopped him with Who gave you the authority to
push down my trees? Being angry, he said other things mentioning that Berkeley might
be going to jail. Berkeley was defensive. His Bishop, Jennings Bristol, had asked him to
prepare the place for Church parking. It was his understanding the County owned the
land. That it had been acquired for a road right of way but plans changed and the road
would not be built. Please talk to Bishop Bristol he said.
Mr. Wilson was still red eyed with anger when he called Jennings. Bishop Bristol, a
prominent dentist in the area, had his receptionist cancel all appointments and he rushed
to Mr. Wilsons office. He was surely led by the Spirit in his reply to Mr. Wilsons thrust.
I am wrong, I will do whatever you ask to make things right. Bishop Bristol handled
the mix-up so skillfully that in the end Mr. Wilson deeded the property to the Church at
no cost.

14

Soon after the Cultural Hall addition to the Marietta Ward building was complete
members of The Earlier Days held a reunion. Here they are:

Front L to R: Helen Hendrecks, Sr. Pope, Vera Owens, Reid Elliott, Bessie Millsapps, Neppie Crowe, Paul
Crowe, Frank Millerd, Catherine Harris, Floyd Millsapps, Venna Millsapps, Margaret Abernathy, Ruth
Crider Morris, Ruth Hogsed.
Second row: Benny Hendricks, Bro. Pope, Sr. McBride, Linda Brantley, ---------, Trula Simmers Newsome,
Peggy Pearson, Martha Pearson, Caralyn Millsapps, E. B. Harris, Marlyn Millsapps Hamby, Maggie
Sawyer, Janice Collier, Emily Millsapps Hutchin, Billy Crider, Anna Travis,
Third row: Charles McBride, Kenneth Brantley, Tommy Millsapps, L. C. Drake, Louise Millsapps Procter,
Peggy Kimball, Horace Kimball, Talmadge Millsapps.
Top row: Jerry Yarbrough, Jan Giddens, John Giddens, Leon Pearson, J. C. Millsapps, ---------, Doug
Gorman, Sanford Bennett.

Martha Millsapps and Leon Pearson were

the first young couple from this area to
have their marriage sealed for eternity.
Pictured with them is Bishop Wilcox.
In June 1971, ninety-five years after this
famous title was coined, The Southern
States Mission, as the name of a mission,
was retired much as the jersey or number
of a famous ball player is retired, with
honor and fond memories. From a mighty
boundary once including fifteen states, the
mission had shrunk to include Alabama and
South Carolina and the major portion of Georgia. Later Alabama was included in the
Alabama Florida Mission and the Southern States Mission became The Georgia-South
Carolina Mission. Shortly this became the Atlanta Georgia Mission. This is indicative of
the sudden rapid growth of the Church in the southeastern part of the United States.

15

The word sudden is emphasized. Consider that missionaries were in the South in 1835.
The first Church unit in Cobb County to survive started with twelve members in 1955.
The Church, with seven Stakes in the Atlanta metropolitan area, now has a very
significant presence in Cobb and surrounding counties. There was one hundred and
twenty years with almost no growth, but exciting growth in the past forty-six years.
The Symrna Ward, the first unit to be organized from within the Marietta Ward
boundarys, was established on Mothers Day, May 1972 with Gerald Day as Bishop.
Three years later (1975) the Powder Springs Ward was organized. Jennings Bristol who
was then the Bishop of the Marietta Ward was called to be the Bishop of this new ward.
His advise to William A. Allen who succeeded him as Bishop of the Marietta Ward, Go
about this assignment as if you were to be the Bishop for the rest of your life.
This division took all the organists from the Marietta Ward and most of the musical
talent. Sister Liegler of the Sandy Springs Ward, responding to Mariettas plea for help,
made a number of trips to the Cunningham building. There she met with several young
women who played the piano and introduced them to the organ. Sister Liegler was a
recent convert to the Church. She was a professional organist, under contract to play for
the services at a sectarian church. A threat of legal action for Breach of Contract held
her as their organist, even though she had quit that church and joined The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Rome saw missionary activity in the 1880s while John Morgan was Mission President
but, as with much of the South, the people in the Rome area were very resistant to the
message of the Restored Gospel in the early times.
In 1958 a Home Sunday School was started in Rome. Meetings were held in Earl Nixons
home, dependent on the Buchanan Branch. For all other meetings the saints traveled to
Buchanan. Rather than face this traveling Brother Nixon proposed a branch be created in
his home. The Branch was formed January 8, 1961 as part of the Atlanta Stake with Earl
Nixon the first Branch President. Stake President William L. Nichols presided in this
meeting held in the YMCA Hall in Rome, Georgia. Charles Dubose, President of the
Buchanan Branch was present.
Earlton B. Youngblood was set apart as the Rome Branch President March 17, 1974 by
Richard P. Winder, President of the Tucker Stake. The average attendance at Sacrament
Meeting for the year 1974 was 76 persons.
Ground breaking, on a lot at the Northwest corner of Garden Lakes Boulevard and
Huffaker Road, for the Rome Chapel was held April 22 1976. There were 238 members
on record in 1976. The first meeting in the new building was held May 15, 1977. Richard
P. Winder, President of the Sandy Springs Stake, organized the Rome Branch as a ward
on September 11, 1977. Earlton B. Youngblood became The First Bishop of Rome.

16

The Douglasville Branch was formed in April 1975 with Richard Clifford Bullard as
President. A little more than six years later, August 2, 1981, the Branch became the
Douglasville Ward with Cassel Jennings Nutter, Jr. as Bishop.
The Cedartown Branch was created September 11, 1977 from the Buchanan Branch.
Roland Berry was the first President, Gary Milkwick and Dan Lester were his counselors.
The Branch was housed in the former residence of Dr. Raymond Spanjer, a prominent
Cedartown physician. The property, containing approximately eleven acres, was located
at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and John Hand Road in North Cedartown. Later
the Cedertown Church was built and the Dr. Spanjer house was sold to the Presbyterians.
The first service in the new building was held December 15, 1986.
The Acworth Branch was created December 14, 1975 with Louis Campbell as President.
Roger Bechenhauer and Gene Smith were his counselors. Prior to this the Acworth saints
were in the Marietta Ward. The new branch included Acworth and Kennesaw and all of
Cherrokee and Bartow counties. The Acworth Branch was transferred to the Sandy
Springs Stake December 14, the same day it was organized. It must have seemed to these
people that they were starting all over, as though it were 1955 again. A number of the
members in this new branch were in the old Marietta Sunday School that met in Frank
Millerds Commercial Building. The new branch met for a time in Brother Frank
Millerds Commercial Building.
In just two years and four months, April 16, 1978, Acworth became a ward. Louis
Campbell was the Bishop; Gene Smith and David Legg were counselors. Leon Pearson
was secretary. This unit met for a time in the Kennesaw Elementary School. Ground
breaking for the Acworth Ward building was March 15, 1980. The first meeting in the
new building was February 20, 1981.
About six months later, September 12, 1982, the Woodstock Ward was created from the
Acworth Ward. Roger Bechenhauer was ordained and set apart as Bishop, David
Ashworth and Bob Bains were the counselors. The Church growth in this area has been
phenomenal.
The Carrollton Branch, near the western boundary of the state, had its beginning when
Evans Dwain Porter, his wife Marge and their six children moved to town from Atlanta in
1964. He was hired as head of the Biology Department at West Georgia College. The
Sunday School Brother Porter started in his home was organized as a branch dependent
on Buchanan in 1966. The Branch flourished in the fall of 1967; there were seventeen
active LDS students at West Georgia College. The following year nine of these students
went on missions; three or four others relocated. Two very remarkable conversions
occurred in the Branch. Cora Elizabeth Moore accepted the Gospel the first time she
heard it. Pearl White dreamed two ladies walked up the street to her door and introduced
themselves as missionaries. The next morning the Sister Missionaries did come to her
home. She accepted the Gospel.

17

Ground breaking ceremony for the Carrollton Branch Chapel was on May 19, 1984 with
President William K. Farrar presiding. (History of the Carrallton Branch 1964-1995 by Arthur Gardner)
President Spencer W. Kimball dedicated the 13-acre site for the Atlanta Temple March 8,
1981. Members from several states gathered making a very large audience for this
momentous occasion. The first Temple built in the South and the second Temple east of
the Mississippi River, the Atlanta Temple would, after its dedication June 1, 1983, serve
10 states: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Arkansas,
Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida. Growth of the Church accelerated markedly in the
southeast after this area was blessed with the presence of a Temple.
Paul Crowe died June 7th 1981. He was a skilled toolmaker; the highest paid hourly
classification at Lockheed. He served as Branch President until the branch became a
Ward. Paul Danneman read Pauls personal account of his conversion and testimony at
Pauls funeral. It follows:
My wife was baptized in July in the late 30s. I didnt join at that time because of
persecution from my family. I was determined to know for myself, after weeks of study,
whether or not it was the true church. Sunday afternoon in early October some relatives
and friends were baptized. I felt that I should be baptized but didnt do so at the time.
This bothered me very much. After returning home Sunday evening I was studying. The
thought struck me like someone had hit me-if the Lord could answer Joseph Smith, He
could answer me as well.
So I went a long way from the house. I knelt by a log used for leveling the field. I
prayed as earnestly as any man ever prayed. I had a manifestation. The night was dark,
but when I was through praying, as I made my way back to the house the path was light.
This was proof to me that the Lord had answered my prayer. Since that time there has
never been any doubt in my mind of truthfulness of the Gospel
Elders David B. Haight, Marvin J. Ashton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, General
Authorities from Utah, and local leaders addressed members from 11 stakes from 3
regions, at the Atlanta Convention Center January 22, 1984. Staging this conference was
a tremendous undertaking and it was eminently successful. Many members spent a night
in Atlanta hotels to facilitate attendance at this splendid conference. Such planning and
effort by area Stake Presidents did much to promote Church growth.
The Lost Mountain Ward was organized in July 21, 1987 with Kelly Cecil Barton as
Bishop. This was formally announced in a meeting in the Atlanta Civic Center. Elder
Dallin Oaks presided. Lost Mountain met in the new building located at 2595 New
Macland Road, Powder Springs. Bishop Barton had been Bishop of the Marietta Ward up
to the time this new unit was organized. (Church Records give June 9, 1987 for Lost
Mountain Wards creation.)

18

In September 1987 the

Marietta Stake office
was moved from the
Cunningham
Road
building to the new
building located at
2595 New Macland
Road. An Open House
was held September
12-13. The Marietta
Stake was organized
November 23, 1980
with
William
K.
Farrar
President,
William A. Allen and
James
Leonard
McAlpin
as
counselors.
The
meeting place for this
announcement was the
Cobb Civic Center.
Elders Marvin J. Ashton and Joseph B. Wirthlin from the Quorum of the Twelve and Rex
D. Pinegar of the Seventy led a Multi Regional Conference held in Atlanta November 8,
1987.
William K. Farrar was released as President of the Marietta Stake and William M. Gray
became the new President October 15, 1989. William Gray was released and William A.
Allen was set apart as President September 26, 1993. Marietta Stake Presidents must
have the given name, William.
Hurricane Andrew swept through Southern Florida in late August 1992. This was a
terrible storm wreaking more damage than any previous storm. Our Church asked for
volunteers to go down with their tents, food, work tools etc. to help patch roofs of
damaged homes; to remove trees and other cleanup on the Labor Day weekend. Many
drove all night Friday and arrived ready for work early Saturday morning. We were under
the direction of the Kennemore Stake Center personnel. The entire bishopric of
Douglasville was there as were many other men, a few sisters and some youth. We
bivouacked on a high school football field in our tents. Since there was no electricity,
thus no street lights; the National Guard worked all the intersections. The military set up
a temporary cold water shower outside the school building with plastic privacy screens.
On Sunday morning our Powder Springs Stake organized a sacrament meeting complete
with sacrament administration. Afterwards everyone worked the full Sabbath day in the
blistering heat. The next Sunday, September 13, 1992 the Douglasville Ward was split
and the Lithia Springs Ward was formed with William Columbus Dunn as Bishop. (This

19

story submitted by Michael W. Warren. September 13th was Brother Warrens first Sunday
home from the clean up work in Southern Florida).
The Lithia Springs Ward was created by a split within the Douglasville Ward August 18,
1992. This was announced September 13, 1992. Bill Dunn, Bishop of the Douglasville
Ward, was set apart as Bishop of the new Lithia Springs Ward. These Wards share the
Douglasville building. Rick Kirby succeeded Bishop Dunn.
Powder Springs Georgia Stake became the new name of what had been the Marietta
Stake on September 26, 1993. The Stake office had previously been moved to the new
building at 2595 New Macland Road. The beautiful new building was designed for a
stake center. This site had a Powder Springs address.
The circumstances associated with the purchase of this land on New Macland Road
certainly indicate the Lords help. President Winder gave Jennings Bristol, then Bishop of
the Powder Springs Ward, an assignment to find land for a new multi-use church
building. Jennings, with the help of Jerry Williams, a real-estate agent from whom
Jennings had bought his home property, searched for about three months. They had seen
the property on New Macland Road but the owner would not sell. He said that land was
not for sale. Jennings continued to ask the Lords help to find suitable property for the
new building.
Jerry Williams raised tomatoes and had a little stand at the side of the road to sell them.
One day the owner of this prime property stopped to buy some tomatoes. He told Jerry he
had been thinking about the land, and decided he would sell it after all. He offered it at a
very attractive price. President Winder walked over the property with Bishop Bristol and
very quickly said, This is the place, secure it immediately. (From taped interview with
Jennings Bristol)
July 14, 1996, the Marietta Wards name was changed to Kennesaw Mountain Ward. All
this growth started with the Marietta Sunday School. The Marietta Sunday School
became a Branch, then a Ward. Now the Seed word, Marietta, was gone. (An
adjoining stake to the east, the East Marietta Stake retains Marietta in its name and
includes some of the people who were in the old Marietta Ward.)
The Dallas Branch, created October 13, 1991 with Stevan Crews as President, grew
Rapidly. The Branch became a Ward with Joseph Alan Danneman as Bishop October 13,
1991. The Ward continued to grow and was divided to create the Ensign Ward. David
Carl Whorton was set apart April 8, 2001 as Bishop of the Dallas Ward.
The Ensign Ward was created from the Dallas Ward April 8, 2001. Bishop Danneman
was released as Bishop of the Dallas Ward and set apart as Bishop of the Ensign Ward.
This is another area marvelous growth.

20

(Note: The dates recorded for the creation of various wards or branches may be at odds
with that recorded in personal journals. There is a time span between when The Church
creates the unit and when that action is announced.)
The rapid expansion in this area came from what was once the Marietta Ward as all seven
Stakes now organized here came from the area once included in the old Atlanta Stake.
The Atlanta Stake was organized with William L Nicholls as President in 1957. The Stake
boundaries included much of the north half of Georgia. Subsequent Atlanta Stake
Presidents followed in this order: James O. Mason, Jack Joyner and Richard P. Winder.
The Sandy Springs Stake was divided from the Atlanta Stake and organized May 12,
1974 with Richard P. Winder, President, Gerald Scott and Gerald Day as his counselors.
The Marietta unit was now in the Sandy Springs Stake. (Later the Atlanta Stakes name
was changed to The Jonesboro Stake)
Gerald Scott succeeded President Winder on November 23, 1980 with Max Kimball and
Eugene Clay as counselors.
The Marietta Georgia Stake was divided from the Sandy Springs Stake and organized on
this same day, November 23, 1980, in a meeting at the Cobb Civic Center. William K.
Farrar was the President of this new stake with William A. Allen and Lynn McAlpin as
counselors. Marietta Ward members were now in the Marietta Georgia Stake. The Stake
Center was the Cunningham Road building. For a time this building served as the Stake
Center and housed the Marietta Ward, the Symrna Ward and the Powder Springs Ward.
The Power Springs Georgia Stake Presidency was reorganized September 22, 2002. Elder
H. Aldridge Gillespie presided at this meeting. President William A. Allen was released
after nine years of faithful, dedicated service. President John West, the First Counselor
and President Thomas E. Owens, the Second Counselor, were also released.
Keith Giddens was set apart as President of the Powder Springs Georgia Stake with
Thomas E. Owens as First Counselor and Ronald Cheney as Second Counselor, Sept 22,
2002.

21