How it all began...
The Church of God of the Union Assembly at Dooley’s Chapel is believed to have held its first service September 21, 1947. The land that the church sets on was donated by Fred and Dora Emert. Olan Brewer was the first pastor and asked G.E. Wiggs and T.R. McIntyre to be at the first service to help set the church in order. At this first service, J.L. “Leslie” Moody and Claude West were ordained to the office of a deacon. The first secretary of the church was Elizabeth Buffalo.
The early years...
The new church building was built under the direction of Brother Jack Giles, and the first service was held in the sanctuary on November 5, 1967. It was later dedicated on December 3, 1967. Brother John Shelton built the altar for the new sanctuary. Unlike the first church building, this facility had indoor plumbing, running water, electrical outlets, and wooden floors. With the addition of a dining hall in 1970 and central heat and air a few years later, the church thrived for several more years.
Changes...
There were two remodeling projects in the 1990s that consisted of cosmetic changes. The first renovation included casing in the stained glass windows in the entryway, repainting the walls, and replacing the altar. A hallway was built to connect the dining hall with the sanctuary.
The second renovation began in 1994. During this renovation, the dark paneled walls were painted, the carpet replaced, the lighting fixtures and pews were updated, and the gravel drive was blacktopped. The name was changed to Claxton in the 1990s to represent the community.
Growing pains...
The church was blessed to purchase adjacent property in 2002. This consisted of two houses setting on approximately two acres. Through God's grace, many members were added to the church throughout 2004 and 2005. The church leaders had been considering the need to build a new church for several years. Because all avenues in that direction had been exhausted, it was time to begin a major renovation of the current facility. Within 5 years, the congregation hoped to renovate the sanctuary, brick the exterior of the building, expand the parking lot, construct a fellowship hall, and install a baptistery and a handicap entrance to the church.
There was a lot of work to be done. The subfloor on the rostrum was replaced. The walls were sheet rocked and the benches reupholstered. A new heating and air unit, light fixtures, carpeting, and ceramic tile were installed. The new sanctuary was dedicated on
November 20, 2005.
Working on a building...
Considering the growth to attendance and membership, the church needed an updated facility for fellowship. In 2007, the church added over 1,700 square feet creating a Fellowship Hall. The old dining hall was remodeled to house two Sunday school classrooms and a new baptistery. A handicap entrance to the sanctuary was also added, and the exterior of the building was bricked.
Continued growth...
Soon, the church began discussing the need for additional seating in the sanctuary, and the church began yet another addition in 2009. Approximately 800 square feet was added to the front of the building, which created additional seating in the sanctuary, an enlarged foyer, and updated restrooms. The exterior was also updated with a steeple, sidewalks, porch, and landscaping. The expanded sanctuary was dedicated on August 23, 2009.
Another addition...
In 2011, the church was once again given the opportunity to expand its footprint and purchased an adjacent property. The congregation recognized the need for a more handicap-accessible entrance to the facility, and the church went to work again. In 2013, a brick awning and drive-thru was added to the church.
Still working...
Recognizing the potential for a greater impact on our area, the church began the process of building a family center in March 2021.
The Family Life Center's anticipated completion is December 2022.
Looking ahead...
