When we restored the inside of the old building back in 1985, many of the modernists felt that there were too many old books and papers stored in the church. As we were taking the trash off, I discovered some old documents in the trailer load of trash. I then realized that not all of the old books and papers were actually trash. I found that some of the documents were part of my grandmother, Laura Harmon Goin, and Rachel D. Harmon, Uncle Will and Aunt Nettie Harmon’s efforts of work in the old historical group.

Other fine families listed as registered members were: Zelda Man, 1901; Jennie May 1890; Thomas Mullins, 1894; F. Piepelman, May 3, 1897; R.G. Piepelman, 1897; Lille B. Piepelman, 1897; John Piepelman, 1897; James W. Romack, August 1891; Minnie Romack, August 1892; Thomas L. Simpson, February 1, 1891; Mary J. Simpson, February 1, 1891; Mary Steel, 1897; Alfred E. Broyles, 1900; Ella Dyche, 1897; Will Harmon, 1890; Nettie Harmon, 1890; Rachel D. Harmon, 1890; William H. Tatum, 1899; Eliza A. Tatum, 1891; Willie S. Tatum, 1897; Minnie Tatum, September 24, 1893; Mary Tripp, 1894; Linnie J. Wilcox, 1894; Laura Harmon Goin, 1886; J.C. Sanders, Mrs. Lizzie Sanders, 1895; Mrs. Linnie Lybass, 1892.

Also there are many others that I suspect were in the 1880's, but they don’t have dates by their names. The above list does not include the original charter members of the church that met in the log house at the Key Church that was located a half mile to the southwest of where the building is located today.

There are many present day citizens that are descendants from the above group that has resided in the Aubrey community for all of these years. The Wilson family has been a member of the old church organization; however, the old records are scanty and not a complete source of information.

The current pastor, Lyle Benson, is very interested in the history and background of the church. The church is initiating an effort to repair the old stained glass windows. They are in the process of raising funds for the window restoration.

The way I understand it, the effort to restore the windows is accepting funds for the repair. Donations of $2,500 will allow the giver to place a family name in the block in the upper portion of the stained glass windows, where memorials have not been placed. There are approximately twenty windows that have a section leaded in which will be available for these memorials.

I also understand that the window restoration will include new leading in the seams that will allow the windows to last for another 100 years. In the event that the church is ever expanded or a new sanctuary built, the windows will make the move to the new structure. The present age of the windows is about 85 years old.

The old wooden structure that was a landmark in the community during 1918 was destroyed by a tornado. The present building cost $15,000 to build. When the funds became limited, the building was built with a flat roof. The roof remained flat until the volunteer crew repaired it in 1985.

The sanctuary has a ceiling that is taller than fourteen feet tall. Above the ceiling is a twelve-foot tall attic. The attic has two massive trusses. The top roof with a five-foot slope was added in 1985 to create better drainage.

The building is a very strong stable building made of cinder brick which is so hard that we had a difficult time drilling the holes for the electrical conduit to pass through, when the building was remodeled in 1985.

Angela McDonald, the daughter of Denton and Sheva Brumley McDonald, is doing a very fine job with her talented voice in our music program. She is supported by Pat Harmon Brockett who is a pianist and key board operator. Pat is blessed with a lot of musical talent which enriches Angela’s voice.

A gospel music concert was held last Saturday. The crowd was very musical and energetic. Angela and Pat were joined by M.L. Melton, Dale Bruce, Denton McDonald, Gary Sweatman and the Mullens singers from Sanger. The musicians were very talented and it was wonderful to see so much talent in one program. The talent of these musicians reminds me of the mountain music that was so prevalent when the Cherokee Nation was disbanded back in the early 1800's, just before the Methodist ministry was started in the log cabin some 146 years ago.

The pastor, Lyle Benson and his wife Kris (she teaches the Sunday school classes) are performing an excellent job. Attendance has steadily grown since his appointment a year ago.

The music reminded me of the music I heard in the old church some 70 years ago when I was a youth. They are simple in truth and rhythm with a little bounce. This is the music we are enjoying every Sunday morning. It tides me over till we meet again. I will be keeping you up to date on the progress as we approach the year 2008 when the church will celebrate its 150^th anniversary.

I am reminding myself that the occasion is nothing more than a continuation of a giant family reunion that we enjoy every Sunday.