Above:  First Presbyterian Church, Athens, Georgia, After 1933 and Before 1965

Image Source = Library of Congress

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John Dodson Taylor, Jr. (1905-1976), my paternal grandfather, studied law at The University of Georgia (UGA) in the late 1920s.  He was a lifelong Presbyterian.  Presumably he attended church while in Athens.  He might have worshiped at the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1820.

The physical plant has expanded since the construction of the present sanctuary in 1855-1856.  I have lived in Athens since August 2005, and I have noticed additions to the structure.  The interior of the sanctuary retains box pews, which families used to rent; I have noticed the names of prominent people on small plaques inside box pews.  The session of the congregation has done much to maintain the historic nature of the sanctuary while updating the physical plant to keep up with the times and the needs of the congregation.  (The elevators in the educational building are quite nice!)

I am an Episcopalian and an active member at St. Gregory the Great Church in town, but I have had occasion to visit the First Presbyterian Church, most recently on a Sunday afternoon for a concert of fine organ music.

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

The historic and active nature of the place impressed me, a fan of old buildings.  As a former priest of mine said, many congregations are functionally memorial societies.  The First Presbyterian Church is not a memorial society, fortunately.  Furthermore, according to the self-appointed rankers of church choirs in Athens, First Presbyterian has the best church choir and St. Gregory the Great has the second best church choir.

One reason for my interest in First Presbyterian is the possible link to family history.  Have I been in the same space in which my grandfather worshiped during his law school days?  Have I perhaps sat in the same box pew?   The UGA School of Law is on North Campus (with the famous arch), which opens up onto downtown Athens, where First Presbyterian is located.  One can walk from UGA’s North Campus to the front doors of the First Presbyterian Church in just a few minutes.  My theory is plausible, if unproven.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 6, 2016 COMMON ERA

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Photograph Scanned by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

In the dining room at the family house in Summerville, Georgia

All Scans by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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EUGENE STODDARD TAYLOR, JR. (1928-2012)

Eugene Stoddard Taylor Jr., 83, of Summerville, Ga., died Thursday, January 12, 2012, in the local nursing home.

A native of northwest Georgia, he was born to the late Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Sr. and the late Adeline Wright Taylor on May 22, 1928. Mr. Taylor was a member of the Presbyterian Church, served in the U.S. Marines during Korea, and was a retired attorney-at-law.

Surviving are daughter, Elizabeth Taylor Archer of Chattanooga; son, Eugene S. Taylor, III of Atlanta; granddaughter, Hannah Archer; and grandson, Jamie Archer.

Graveside service will be held Sunday, January 15, at 2 p.m. in the family lot of Summerville Cemetery with Rev. Mike Penson officiating.

The family will receive friends Sunday, January 15 at the Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Jr.

Source = http://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/1/13/217245/Taylor-Eugene-Stoddard-Jr.-Summerville.aspx

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Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Sr. (1890-1944) was the elder brother of my grandfather, John Dodson Taylor, Jr. (1905-1976).  Thus Eugene, Jr. (1928-2012), and my father, John Dodson Taylor, III (1943-2014), were first cousins.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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This is an undated photograph of the John D. Taylor, Sr.-Jr., house in Summerville, Georgia.  It seems to come from the 1960s.  The car is a 1959 Mercury which my grandfather, John Dodson Taylor, Jr. (1905-1976), bought in 1962 or 1963.  The Volkswagen belonged to Eugene Stoddard Taylor, Jr. (1928-2012).  The context seems to be a family reunion.

This was the house into which my grandfather, John D. Taylor, Jr., entered the world in 1905.  My grandmother, Nell Barrett Taylor spent most her life there also.  My father and uncle grew up there, and my mother, sister, and I lived there for a time.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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To the left:  George Washington Barrett (1973-1956), my great-grandfather

To the right:  Sterling Hunter, Pastor of Summerville Presbyterian Church, Summerville, Georgia, from 1932 to 1938; he was pastor to my grandparents, John D. Taylor, Jr. (1905-1976), and Nell Barrett Taylor (1915-2001)

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor

This is the best scan I can make of the photograph, part of which seems to be overexposed.

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My father and his father, behind the old house in Summerville, Georgia, in June 1944

Those interested in the architectural history of the structure might want to pay attention to the back of the north wing.  That wing has not existed since the early 1960s.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

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