The oldest Methodist church in the county goes back to 1828 and the newest one, Providence United Methodist Church was born in 1995.

The Peachtree City United Methodists recognized that its area was growing quite fast and in 1993 appealed to the powers-that-be to create a new church.

The Rev. Jimmy Ellison was tapped to do this and in June, 1995 he got together seven de-churched couples, or people who had belonged to a church at one time or another, and along with his wife, Beth, created the nucleus of a new congregation. It was this group that selected the name Providence.

By September of that year, 95 worshipers were meeting at Braelinn Elementary School. They felt it was important to be located in an area convenient for many and chose 105 acres on Bernhard Road that is 10 minutes from Fayetteville and Brooks, five minutes away from Peachtree City and 12 minutes away from Senoia.

The first phase of a four phase building program was begun and in December, 1998 they entered their new home. The other three phases are expected to be completed in 12 years. They are looking forward to a pavilion and ball fields and have structured the facility to take care of the sports needs of its young people. The fact that among its 100 congregants are three school varsity coaches is also helpful.

During any given week, there will be 75 active young people taking part in various activities and studies. As a part of the Sunday School rooms for its toddlers, there are six rooms that all have a door opening out into a common playground.

"We believe in emphasizing small groups so that everyone can feel a part," said the Rev. Ellison. "We have examined the demographics of the area and feel that it is important to appeal to the de-churched. On an average, they will be in their late 30s, have two children, one of whom is active in sports. We definitely have created an atmosphere in which they will feel at home," he added.

The Rev. Jimmy Ellison is a rather unique minister in Fayette County. He is a native of the county, having been reared in Tyrone. He graduated from McIntosh High School, received his Associate in Religion from Young Harris College, his Bachelors of Religion at LaGrange and his Masters of Divinity from Emory University.

While at LaGrange, he served for two years as the Youth Minister at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church, where he met his wife, Beth. She is the daughter of its minister, Gary and Ann Parrish. The couple married in 1990 and have two boys, Will, age four and Ben, age one.