HISTORY of LIBERTY CHURCH MACON, 1834 to 2022

On June 6, 2022, Liberty began a new chapter in its 188-year history (1834-2022). The original Houston Rd location in the Rutland community in south Bibb County began worshipping in a log cabin in 1834 and later to a two-story wooden structure until 1901. With continuous additions and renovations, the current building continues to serve the Rutland community as a place to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether with denominational connections with THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (MEC) (1784-1939) or with the METHODIST CHURCH (1939-1968) or with the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (UMC) (1968-2022), Liberty continues to open its doors for worship. Liberty UMC officially disaffiliated from the UMC on June 6, 2022, with the approval vote during South Georgia Annual Conference. Liberty is now an independent church officially known as Liberty Church Macon and continues to follow the doctrines of John Wesley in the Wesleyan Orthodox heritage.

Between 1822 and 1834, a log building located on the “left-hand side of a ditch on the East Side of the highway near the eight-mile post from Macon” (current Houston Rd. location) provided the first location for visiting Methodist itinerant preachers in the fourth district of Houston County, Georgia that is presently a part of Bibb County. The itinerant preachers had no churches but went from cabin to cabin, holding services every day of the week, excluding Monday.

In 1834, a lady from Virginia named Laurany Atkinson Lundy donated ten acres to the church trustees. After the original log cabin burned, a second building was soon erected in the style of architecture found at Midway Church near Savannah and other famous old churches of that period. The Liberty Chapel Society was formally organized in June of 1846.

The record of 1869 shows the membership consisted of 168. Prominent laymen of this time and in years to come included Cherry, Carlos, Holmes, Lancaster, James, Cowart, Avant, Willis, Skipper, Dozier, and Vinson. Many south Bibb roads continue to be named after several of these families.
For 105 years, Liberty was in a district with the Fort Valley circuit and later with the Byron circuit. In 1939, Liberty became a full station with a full-time minister.

Through the years, as the membership of Liberty increased, additional space and updated facilities were needed. In the 1960s, the Vinson Fellowship Hall was built in honor of two devoted members, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Vinson, Sr. Later, a new educational building was erected along with a chapel, parlor, and classrooms. Expansion of the sanctuary and choir loft was completed in 1979.
In 1984 members celebrated the Sesquicentennial year for Liberty (150 yrs.) by dressing in clothes of the late 1880s. The Macon Telegraph, March 1984, covered the event with an article and photographs. The building program in 1998, known as “Give to the Glory,” improved the Narthex, Sanctuary, and the addition of an enclosed courtyard with a fountain.

Today, Liberty Church Macon consists of a body of believers who love the Lord and want to serve God by being obedient to His commands given to us through His holy word. The church accomplishes this by joining together for a contemporary or traditional Sunday service where God’s living word is taught under the direction of Reverend Jack Osburn. Fellowship with one another through praise and worship also presents itself through Sunday school classes for all ages, Wednesday night Bible studies, and weekly studies for men, women, and children.

Liberty Church Macon also has a heart for the community locally and afar through its involvement in numerous mission opportunities. Some ministries supported include Day Break, Loaves and Fishes, Camp Grace Youth Camps, Macon Rescue Mission, Home Port, House of Heroes, Samaritan’s Purse, and Upward Sports.

Liberty Church Macon would like to extend an invitation to worship with us as we serve our Lord together.