The Rev. P.H. Crumpler is more or less given credit for founding the Effingham County Sunday School Association. It is said that at the close of Methodist Campmeeting he expressed a desire to invite other churches and Sunday schools to join together for a meeting.  Some pastors accepting the invitation included Rev. R. B. Reppard, Rev. J. N. Derrick and Rev. Jacob Austin.  

The first Convention of the Effingham County Sunday School Association was held on Wednesday, May 28, 1879, at the Methodist Campground. Fifteen of the 25 Sunday schools in the county were represented. Rev. Crumpler took the chair and announced the exercises for the day including songs, scripture, prayers and speeches by the various schools. Baptists present included: Rahn’s School House, Corinth, Pine Grove, Turkey Branch and New Providence. Methodists were: Union, Goshen, Antioch, Mount Pleasant, Andrew Chapel, Marlow and Turkey Branch. Lutherans were: Laurel Hill, Goshen and Zion. (It is of interest that Goshen Methodist Church was organized in 1820; the Goshen Lutheran Church sold Goshen Methodist their church building years later, according to “River to River, the History of Effingham County”.)

According to an early newspaper report (undated), attendance was noted as 1,200 and about half of them were children, which the reporter referred to as intelligent, articulate and well behaved.

The Sunday School Convention became an annual event and delegates were elected and sent to the State Convention including David Reiser of Laurel Hill in 1897, according to a certificate of attendance found in his Bible.

The same format of the program has been used throughout the years with part of the Sunday schools singing before the sermon and part afterward. The Sunday Schools are called in for seating by the marshals with the denomination of the year in front. They are then seated in order of rotation of the denominations. The president and vice-president come from the denomination of the year.  

It is of note that there have been only eight secretaries in the history of the Convention.  Those serving were: Angus Bird, 41 years according to the first minutes found in May of 1921; L. Neidlinger, 1922-23; W. A. Gnann, 1924-31; George S. Metzger, 1932; W. A. Gnann, again, 1933-42; M. W. Bragg, 1943-66; S.W. Zipperer, 1967-83; James Dasher, 1984-2001; and Stuart Exley has been secretary since 2002.  

In 1933, a new feature presented was “Sacred Harp Singing,” which left quite an impression upon those who still recall the day.
The Association paid for a deep well on the Campgrounds in 1924-25 at the cost of $217. In 1935 an appointed piano committee had purchased a piano and built a box in which to store it at a cost of $74.

According to a report to the 74th Convention, Mr. Hinton Morgan stated that the first address at convention was given by Gov. Alfred Colquitt, a former brigadier general in the Civil War and later Georgia governor. It is of note that Mr. Hinton Morgan had not missed a convention in the 74 years. At that point, the only home boys to deliver addresses were Melvel Morgan and Rev. Walter Reiser.  

Finally, after many years of discussion and defeated votes, in 1970, the day of Convention was moved from Wednesday to the first Sunday in May. Prior to this time, the Wednesday of Convention had been a county school holiday and following this action, the holiday was then rescinded by the Effingham County School Board.  

The 100th Celebration was held in 1979 with a splendid celebration planned by the centennial committee. The 100-year history was presented at the time.

In 1982, the first radio broadcast began on a local radio station, WGEC.  It was also the first year to recognize the oldest and youngest in attendance. Mr. Cohen Kessler, at 90, was recognized, along with Charlene Heidt at 6 months.  

The year 1986 marked the first time a woman served as president; Lillis Johnson held the position, representing the Methodist denomination. The first woman speaker for Convention came in 1987 when the Rev. Mary B. Haven of Lutheran Theological Seminary gave the morning address.
In 1994, Mazzie Arnsdorff was honored for serving 28 years as pianist, having begun in 1967.

In 1995, the first nursery was provided for Convention. Prior to this, each congregation had provided its own care. This was also the first year a children’s sermon was included in the program, and it was presented by Mrs. Pat Kennedy.

Choristers listed from 1921-79 included: N. H. Morgan, J. H. Robey, J. B. Kessler (15 years), B. C. Nease, C. W. Edwards, Herbert Kessler (19 years) and current in 1979 was James Snooks.

Marshals serve to call the order for the individual Sunday schools for procession into the Convention and assign their seating and assist under the Tabernacle. Some marshals listed in the 1979 100-year history included: B.K. Shearouse, N.H. Morgan (33 years), G. H. Berry (10 years) and Virgil Zoller (11 years; he served a total of 22 years, receiving a service plaque in 1991). Assistant marshals included: B.K. Shearouse, J.E. Exley, Leon Exley (25 years), Virgil Zoller, G.P. Rahn, Edwin Exley, David W. Seckinger, H.A. Anderson (18 years), J.I. Moore (Mr. Moore was later recognized in 2003 for 29 years of service, including executive committee member) and Varnie Wilson.

In addition to contributing funds to the roof replacements at the Tabernacle over the years, the organization donated flood and disaster funds, donated an ice machine for the nursing home and furnished a room when Effingham Hospital was built.  A resolution appealing to the voters of the county was made to stand by and support the “Dry Law.”

Many have served over the years in office and all cannot be mentioned in this brief column, but each has been an important part of the Convention.

For 130 years, this ecumenical group event follows tradition. All denominations come together to worship and mingle in Christian fellowship. In times gone by, if new clothes or a new hat were purchased during the year, people did so for Convention, much as many do nowadays for Easter.

On May 2, each Sunday school will be called and children in their Sunday best will proudly carry their Sunday school banner on a pole encouraged by their Sunday school superintendent. Each Sunday school member wearing ribbon badges on their shoulders will sing their chosen and practiced verses from their hymn. Special music will be presented and an address by Pastor Fernandez will resound through the old Tabernacle.

Paper hand fans and a gentle wind from overhead fans will enhance God’s breeze in the open air covered building. This “old time religion” will take people and their minds to tunes like “The Sweet By and By”, “Victory in Jesus” or “On a Hill Far Away”. Although no one any more sells dinners on the grounds, iced bottled sodas from galvanized tubs, cake or pie slices or homemade ice cream from churns, you will see some denominations or churches meet in the tents or on the grounds to share basket lunches and good conversation.  

On Sunday afternoon, the Executive Committee will convene at the time announced at the close of convention and faithfully plan the 132nd convention as the 131st annual convention closes for the day.  

You can be a part of history by taking part in the 131st annual Sunday School Convention at 10 a.m. on May 2 and as always, everyone is welcome.   

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org