More About the Stilson Chapel
Article # 14.
The work at Stilson was always called “The Stilson Outpost” until the chapel building was constructed in 1952- after that the name was officially “The Stilson Chapel”.
A recent interview with former member, Don McDougald, at Montreat gave some interesting insights about the fund-raising for the Chapel building. Don tells about Colonel Albert Deal’s fund-raising techniques. Some of you may have known Col Deal, and many of you may have heard of him. He was a very interesting man.
Col Deal was a lawyer by profession, and the first of the Deals who have been members of this church. Although a member of a staunch Primitive Baptist Family, he became a Presbyterian while a student at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA. When he returned from college and set up his legal practice here in Statesboro in 1897, he joined Statesboro Presbyterian Church. It is said that he became a Presbyterian because he wanted his children to be able to attend Sabbath School. He and his wife and family always drove to church services in a horse-drawn buggy and wagon, even up into the 1940’s. From the pictures that we have, he must have looked a lot like Colonel Sanders of KFC fame.
He was always an extremely active church member, and when ever the congregation decided to raise funds for any reason, he had his own unique way of raising money. He knew everyone in Statesboro, and on Saturdays he would “go up town” and he would ask everyone he met for a donation for whatever cause for which money was needed. Then he would come to church on Sunday and turn in hands-full of dollar bills given to help the cause. He was probably raising money for the building of the chapel at Stilson, when he was injured from a fall from his horse and died in 1951. (Read more about Albert M. Deal in Virginia Russell’s “A Century of Presbyterianism in Bulloch County”)
That the Stilson Chapel did not become a full time church like Metter and Swainsboro was not for lack of interest on the part of Statesboro Presbyterian Church. Rather it was probably because of the lack of Presbyterians in the Stilson community.
In 1951 BI (before inflation), dollars went a lot further than they do now. Money was raised in many ways. The church had an extra piano, which was sold for $25.00 and the money given to the Stilson funds. In early 1952, the Session approved a building fund of $2500 for Stilson Outpost. In March of 1952, the Session appointed a committee to complete a plan, obtain prices, and to report back. In April the report of the committee was approved, and work was to proceed immediately. Don Thompson (Donell Akers’ father) was the prime mover in the construction effort. In May, a full report was made to the Session about the building at Stilson Chapel, the first time that name was used. The new building was dedicated on July 13, 1952. (See pictures on page 209 of Virginia Russell’s history)
That summer, a Vacation Bible School was approved for Stilson Chapel, and a worker named Ann Perry was approved to be the leader. In appreciation of the fine work she did, the Session gave her a $25 Us Savings Bond. Also that summer, a seminary student names George Powell, was hired to work at the Chapel.
But there were problems that summer. Evidently John Strickland was not happy with Mr. Powell’s work and he resigned his post as Sunday School Superintendent in protest. Mr. Powell must have improved, because the Session applauded his work in September, and Mr. Strickland was again back in the Chapel work.
Plans were being made for revival services at the Chapel that fall, and the revival was finally held in November. Something that may have delayed this service was the need for heating in the Chapel. Money had to be raised for stoves. Also in October of that year, a bus must have been purchased, because the Session discussed payment for the bus in their October meeting.
The Statesboro Church had high hopes for Stilson Chapel and many members worked very hard on the project. However, it was not meant to have a Presbyterian Church at Stilson. Perhaps the community there will continue to grow, and someday there may yet be a need for a Presbyterian House of Worship in that beautiful town. In that case, First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro stands ready to back up the effort in every way.
Dot Odom, FPC Historian