Another plane on display outside
Displays inside
Sunday, 3-25-07
In our first blog posted 3-23, we talked about the Perry UMC we had attended. We returned today and heard a real good sermon taken from John regarding the tongue and the damage it can do. Wayne Watson in his song called Sticks and Stones sings much the same message; however, it can be said that this message cannot be repeated enough. Hearing both today, they were equally powerful.
While waiting for the service to begin we struck up a conversation with Raymond Gornto, a member of the JOY Choir. The choir was performing at the service along with some of the cutest cherubs who did their own song. One girl, maybe age 7, give or take a year, had a real big voice and clearly knew the words and belted it out. She should have a musical future of some kind given time and good fortune.
Back to Raymond, he told us about the church’s history; not what is posted on the historical marker in the front yard. It was founded in 1826 at a location that is now the church cemetery. In the very early 1800s, a very religious man was given a large land grant in what is now Perry, so he brought about 200 slaves with him and built buildings to live in, then clear this new land. He wanted to build a church, so he looked to his slaves and selected two who he felt could be educated. He sent the two to New England to study architecture and building techniques. They were to return in two years after completion of their studies.
Contrary to expectation of the most local citizens, the two men did return as promised. We must remember that these men had been sent to a non-slave state, but they returned to a state that survived on slavery and slave labor. The landowner told the two men he was setting them free, but in exchange he wanted them to design and oversee the construction of a church. In 1826 the church these men designed was dedicated. This was actually the fourth church building this congregation had occupied, but it is now the final building. About 1969 it underwent a significant renovation, but the appearance of the building, things like the exterior, ceilings, stain glass windows and balcony retain the original appearance.
It is truly a joy to attend here and recognize the history of this church. The congregation has now purchased a whole city block and constructed multiple educational buildings to support their ministry. The congregation can take pride in having fostered 33 pastors and 2 foreign missionaries since 1826.
After a real good buffet at the Green Derby, the restaurant within the Holiday Inn just west of I-75 at exit 136, we headed for the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB at Warner Robins, a town located about 15 miles NE of Perry. If you wish to go there, take exit 144 off I-75 and drive east about 10 miles. We were there last weekend, but due to the size of the facility we were unable to see two of the three buildings. This museum does not charge an admission instead they only request donations. All this made for a very inexpensive afternoon.
Hope you find this as interesting as we did.
