In 1909 a group of people came together under an oak tree to worship God. One hundred years and many changes later, Guy’s Chapel United Methodist Church is celebrating its centennial.

The celebration will be Saturday at 10:30 at the chapel, 55080 Rabun Road in Bay Minette. Dr. Thomas L. Butts, who pastored the church from 1950 to 1953, will be the guest speaker. Chosen Witness will provide special music and the service will be followed at noon by a covered dish luncheon.

That first worship service was established by the Rev. W.E. McConnell, Guy McGowan and Cynthia Hadley. The tree was located near Hadley's home in Clare, Ala. which is now Rabun.

The new year brought a new blessing to the congregation, as Benjamin and Cynthia Hadley donated an acre of land for a church building. The one room building was completed in 1910 and the Rev. McConnell officiated the first service in the new church.

The congregation decided to name the church Guy's Chapel after Guy McGowan, "who had been very influential in the erection of the church," church member Jeanne Newton said.

Attending that first service were 17 charter members: Cynthia, Weekley, Benjamin, Clayton and Ida Mary Hadley; Annie, Daw, Mary Jane and Abe Paul Jr.; Sarah Doran; Moncella Stewart; Lula Stacy; James Smith; Stanley and Era McKenzie; Connie and Joseph Gentry; and Alex "Nip" McDowell.

Descendants of some of these families still attend the church today.

According to Newton, church records indicate that at one time or another, nearly everyone who lived in Rabun during that time had been a member.

"Over a period of time, some branched out, forming other churches and denominations," she said.

In 1912, while the Rev. E.W. Roberts was pastor, the church cemetery was established, and Benjamin Hadley was the first to be buried there. Today more than 200 members have been buried there.

In 1952, under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Lane Butts, Jr., the one-room church was expanded.

"A larger block building was built which housed the sanctuary and four classrooms," Newton said.

During the 1970s, more renovations were made during the Revs. Billy D. Chavous and Leon Cook's terms. "Wayland Hadley was instrumental in getting two bathrooms added to the back of the church," she said.

By 1976, under the leadership of the Rev. Dolphus Jones, a kitchen was added. To raise funds for the addition, Jessie Mae Hall and Beatrice Hadley published a cookbook featuring recipes from members of the church. Members Calvin Stewart, Eddie Hall, Paul Weekley, Wayland and Vern Hadley and Robert Jones built the new kitchen.

Three years later a mobile home was bought to serve as a parsonage.

Numerous projects were completed during the Rev. William F. Funchess' five year time as pastor, 1980 to 1985. Six Sunday school rooms were added, a drive through area framed by white columns was built onto the front of the church, a foyer with bride and groom rooms on either side and new pews were added and the first steeple was placed atop the church.

The Rev. Phillip Mitchell served as pastor from 1986 to 1991 during which time a newer mobile home was bought to replace the old parsonage.

The longest serving pastor, the Rev. John Johnson III, served from 1995 to 2004. Still more improvements and additions took place during his tenure.

Eddie Hall and other members built a fenced in playground with a swing set for toddlers and adults. A 40 feet by 50 feet metal building was erected to house the Family Life Center, which is used for youth activities and church social events.

In 2003 tragedy turned into rebirth after Hurricane Ivan damaged the church structure. All services were moved to the Family Life Center as the main church was rebuilt.

"The entire interior of the sanctuary was remodeled with a cathedral ceiling, new stained glass windows that were donated in memory of loved ones, new pews and ceiling fans were added and the sound system was upgraded," Newton said.

The new church was dedicated Aug. 30, 2003.

The next year a double-wide was purchased to serve as the new parsonage. Newton said the congregation is hoping to buy a piece of property for a permanent parsonage site.

The latest project, completed this year, was a new and improved kitchen planned by the United Methodist Women's Group of the church.

"The old kitchen was torn down to the foundation and a new one was erected, doubling the size of the old kitchen," Newton said. "The new kitchen is complete with cathedral ceiling, two new bathrooms, new cabinets and appliances, including a dishwasher, new tables and chairs."

Again congregation members completed the work. "Eddie Hall did the heating and air conditioning, Donnie Hicks plumbed, and Billy Sanders and Eddie Hall did the electrical work. Barry Demko did the flooring," she said.

Throughout the years the church has averaged from 40 to 82 members. The Rev. Harry Giles is the current pastor.

"The success of the church during its 100 years goes to God for the many blessings He has allowed the church to achieve and to all the hard-working and dedicated members and to those who have given monetary gifts. We are forever grateful," Newton said. "These are your accomplishments."