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By Rose Hooper
Isabelle "Izzie" Buchanan Cabe might
be thinking about her circuit-riding great-grandfather Bernard
Wilde when the Rev. Dan Stiles rides in Sunday morning, Sept.
21, to Wesleyanna United Methodist Church.
Astride Glen Watson's 8-year-old sorrel quarterhorse, Pistol-packing
Shesa, Pastor Stiles will recreate the role of circuit rider for
the church's sesquicentennial celebration.
"I'll even deliver an old-fashioned John Wesley sermon,"
said Stiles, an experienced horseman and the church's pastor since
1999.
Appropriately attired for the occasion, the congregation will
be dressed in styles of the 1850s. Stiles' 11 a.m. entry will
follow special singing at 10 a.m. featuring the Deitz Family and
John Havener and precede dinner on the grounds.
As the church, located in Sylva's Savannah community, celebrates
150 years, church historian Izzie Cabe attributes its long-standing
success to "being built on a solid foundation." The
red brick building with a tall white spire nestled beneath the
majestic Jones Knob is actually built on solid rock.
Cabe points out that she was also referring to the love.
"Our church was built with such love, and it's always been
filled with love," said Cabe, whose father, "Crippled"
John Buchanan, helped build the current structure.
Organized in 1853 by the Rev. J.R. Long, the church carried two
names at first – Savannah and Wesleyanna. In 1957, the name
Savannah was lost.
William Tatham, who built a corn mill there in 1837, gave the
land for the church. In 1906 a new church, similar in design to
the Methodist Church in Wesbter, was built on the spot. That building
was also used as a school house.
Around 1930 Wesleyanna, with the Rev. Frank Kiker, and New Savannah
Church, with the Rev. Jonathan Brown, held a joint revival. It
is still remembered as the greatest revival ever held on Savannah.
In the coming years the congregation grew and Sunday school rooms
were added to the back of the church.
"One Sunday night in 1958, after the Rev. Carl Sorrells came
to be our pastor, Papa told the congregation that our church was
in bad need of repair. He suggested we build a new church,"
said Cabe.
"Papa said, ‘If we all put our shoulders together and
work very hard, we can do this.' And work they did!
Elizabeth Higdon gave the first $100 and from there the money
grew by leaps and bounds. The men all donated their labor. Uncle
Bastian designed the pulpit, built the cabinets in the basement
and helped Papa build the altar. While the men worked, the ladies
carried lunches to them. Even the young children helped,"
Cabe said.
The church has 14 stained-glass memorial panels, which cost $78
then and are worth 10 times that much now, she said.
The first service in the new church was held Aug. 2, 1959, and
this was the message she gave for opening that service: "This
morning we would like to remember that by the favor of God and
the labor of man, this building has been thus far completed. It
is to be a place were men and women, boys and girls, may find
opportunities for instruction, for fellowship and for worshipping
God.
"Let us therefore bring to the Heavenly Father our praises
for his guidance and aid in this undertaking, and our prayers
on behalf of those who, by their gifts and their service, shall
unite in fulfilling the purposes of love and good will for which
this building is being prepared."
The new church was built right behind the old church; 10 days
after that first service, the old church was torn down, according
to Cabe, now 82, who "remembers the day and how some people
cried."
In 1952, Wesleyanna, Love's Chapel and Wesley Chapel were taken
off the Webster circuit and became the Sylva circuit. A new parsonage
was completed in 1964, and the Rev. William Clodfelter and his
family were the first to live there.
A new roof was placed on the church in 1989. The outside woodwork
was wrapped in vinyl and new guttering was installed. The church
was repainted inside in 1990 and the floors were refinished and
new carpet was put down in the aisle and on the chancel.
"Wesleyanna is more than a church; it's been the center of
our community," said Cabe. "For many of us, it has been
our life."
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