1897 Georgia State Universalist Convention

The Annual Convention of Georgia Universalists was held in Walesca, beginning Thursday, the 2nd of September, and closing Monday night, the 6th.
The first day was devoted to the Young People's Christian Union and was helpful and encouraging. New unions have been formed and those already existing have been strengthened. The new officers are: President, R. U. Wright of Winder; secretary, Elijah Love of Atlanta; treasurer Fredonia Rhyne, Walesca.
Reports on the "state of the Church" given Friday, showed that three new Church edifices have been erected in the past year and fully paid for, and twice as many new organizations perfected.
Rev. Thomas Chapman of Winder, state missionary, rendered encouraging accounts, and $260 was raised to assist his endeavor.
On Saturday the new church recently built in Walesca was formally dedicated. W. H. McGlauflin, D.D. of Atlanta, preaching the sermon. After the dedication, all services were held in the chapel of Reinhardt College, an auditoriam seating a thousand people, and kindly offered by the Methodists.
Sunday, Rev. D. B. Clayton D.D., of Columbia SC offered the occasional sermon to a great audience.
The convention closed Monday night with a sermon by Rev. Thomas Chapman. There was a deep religious interest all through, and nineteen new members were added to the Church.
The new officers are Thomas Weaver, of Lithonia, president; Ella House of Winder, secretary;
M.C. House, treasurer; committee on fellowship, ordination, and discipline, W. H. McGlauflin, D.D., Atlanta, J. H. Parks, Gratis; Thomas Chapman, Winder. The next convention will be held in Lithonia.

- Atlanta Constitution; September 12, 1897


2009 Notes:
Reinhardt Academy was founded in 1884 as a post-primary Methodist school in Waleska Georgia. At some point, it begain offering college level courses, and was accredited as a Junior College in 1953. Accredited as a 4 years school in 1994. I see no reason to doubt the AC of 1897 that it was a college in 1897.
Waleska Georgia. It is located in Cherokee County, settled by the Reinhardt, Sharp, Rhyne, and Heard families; and a town by 1856. The spelling was changed from Walesca to Waleska to avoid confusion with another town with that name. Incorporated in 1889 - it is today a college town. It is located in the center of the top 1/4 of Georgia.
Lithonia, Georgia is located in Dekalb County Georgia, near Stone Mountain Georgia in what is now the metro Atlanta area.

Lodusca Fredonia Rhyne (October 1873-January 1968) daughter of Hosea B. and Maggie Rhyne. I would suspect his middle name is probably Ballou. Both were born in Georgia, his parents were from Lincoln County, North Carolina. Like many southerners, she went by her middle name. Married a Smith, died in Birmingham, Alabama, might have lived in Atlanta in the 1930s.

Elijah Love (July 1876 -1901+ ) born in Nebraska, cigar maker and secretary of the local Cigar makers union in Atlanta. In Atlanta.

R.N. Wright is the correct name for the article's R.U. Wright.

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