     
Pastors Since 1925
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1925-26
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J.R. Walker
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1925-26
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Cecil A. Baker
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1926-28
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J. Noble Wilford
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1928-31
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William Slaton Evans
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1931-33
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Chester L. Holmes
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1933-35
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J.W. Lewis
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1935-39
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W.A. Swift
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1939
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W.D. Pickens
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1940
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R.F. Wiley
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1941
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J.W. Pursell
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1942-44
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Charles E. Stewart
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1944
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A.M. Thomas
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1945-47
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L.L. Broadus
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1947-49
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J.E. Weir
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1949-51
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Walter E. Newburn
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1951
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Charles A. Tripp
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1952
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Whitesell H. Harpole
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1953-57
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Berkley L. Poole
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1957-59
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J.N. Forbes
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1959-63
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James W. Holmes
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1963-66
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W.T. Jackson
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1966-71
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O. Everett Roseberry
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1971-73
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John E. Stavely
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1973-76
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Carl E. Rhoades III
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1976-79
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Jerry L. Jeffords
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1979-83
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Paul L. Phillips
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1983-88
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E.H. Barnes
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1988-92
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W. Glenn Hill
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1992-98
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W. Kent Bailey
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1998-2001
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C. David Shettles
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2001-2002
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Joseph E. Moseley
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2003 -
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L. Ray Chandler, Jr.
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Church History
1865 - The Methodist people in this area became a worshipping congregation. Their meeting place was the Old Black Jack School located on Old
Medon-Malesus Road approximately one-fourth mile north of the present Ebenezer Cemetery.
1867 - On September 28, 1867 the trustees of this congregation purchased a 3 1/2 acre tract at the present site of the Ebenezer Cemetery from William N. Shelton for $36.75. A deed was made to the following trustees and their successors:
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Nathan M. Price
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George R. Scott
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George W. Nanney
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John L. Harton
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W. McKnight
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Charles W. Hudson
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William Booe
1869 - The congregation relocated to the new property and named the church and cemetery
"Ebenezer," a biblical name (1 Samuel 7:12). Early families of the church in
addition to the above named included: Newsom, Raines, Black, Peters, Dais,
Robley, Shelton and Sherwood.
1894 - Under the leadership of Rev. R. H. Hood an acre of land at the present location was bought from
R.T. McKnight for $50. The Harris Public School for this area had been located at Malesus (on what is now known as Fitzgerald Road.) The railroad station, post office and doctor's office at Malesus were also influential factors in the move. The old church building at Ebenezer was taken apart and moved on flat wagons and reassembled at the new location. This original church building had additions and alterations through the years but was used until July 1981 when it was demolished to make way for the building of the new Sanctuary.
1948 and 1959 - Additional land was bought adjacent to the church property.
1960 - A development program was begun under the leadership of Rev. James H. Holmes. The Ebenezer wing was completed 1960.
1965 - The Wesley Wing was completed.
1975 - The Mack Watlington Fellowship Hall was completed.
1982 - The Sanctuary was completed. The Ebenezer Chapel was furnished with pews, pulpit and dossal from the old church. Wainscoting from the old building was removed and installed in the chapel. Memorabilia was placed in an antique bookcase. The chapel is now used for small group meetings and for the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
1990 - The Church celebrated the 125th anniversary with
former pastor Dr. James Holmes speaking.
1993 - The Church burned a note of debt on the Sanctuary. Bishop Kenneth Carder dedicated the building,
assisted by the District Superintendent, Dr. Cecil Kirk and the pastor, Rev. Kent Bailey. Dr. William S. Evans, Jr. (assistant to Bishop Carder) and seven former pastors were present.
1994 - The Church purchased the land behind the church to ensure future growth.
1995 - On May 21, 1995, Malesus UMC celebrated its 130th year of ministry with a special morning fellowship followed by a potluck. That evening a Vesper Service was held at Ebenezer Cemetery, with different colored flags marking the gravesites.
The church has played an important role in the life of the Malesus community. Other information from 1865-1925 is available in the historical record of the church,
Raised from Ebenezer, printed in 1990.
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