Nearly 150 years after its founding, Pine Flat Methodist Church will once again celebrate Homecoming and Decoration Day at its historic church and cemetery. On Sunday, October 3, the descendants of the church’s pioneer founders and their friends will gather at the simple white frame church and its cemetery to celebrate a special part of Butler County history as they worship, fellowship and remember their forefathers together.

Founded in 1858, the original white-columned structure underwent a revamping in 1967 when descendants of Pine Flat’s early families and their friends came together to carefully restore the historic church’s pews, altars, pulpit and other areas. Today members of the church and cemetery association work diligently to maintain the building, grounds and cemetery.

&uot;We are very proud of what we have been able to do to keep up this wonderful old church and cemetery and we all look forward to our annual Homecoming and Decoration Day each fall,&uot; says Mae Poole, a member of the Pine Flat Cemetery Association.

The day will begin with a special worship service at 11 a.m. featuring Rev. William A. Earnest of Pineapple Methodist Church as the guest speaker. Earnest, a retired principal and teacher, serves currently as the director of Hunan Center, Montgomery Association for Retarded Citizens.

He has been serving the Pineapple church charge since June 1991 and the Farmersville UMC since 2000.

Rev. Earnest’s planned sermon title is &uot;The Heavenly Homecoming&uot; using text from John 14:6 and Ephesians 7:11.

Presiding minister for the day will be Rev. Cletice C. Ingram, retired from the West Florida Methodist Conference. Mrs. Kenn Renfroe, Mrs. John Foshee, Mrs. Hubbard Smith and Mrs. Charles Terry III will provide special music for the service. Mrs. Hinote Watson will give the memorial service with Mr. and Mrs. McDuffie Stallworth serving as registrars.

Charles R. Terry III will serve as acolyte with Mary Helen Terry and Catherine Ann Walker serving as usherettes.

Following the worship service an old-fashioned &uot;dinner on the ground&uot; will be served. Attendees are asked to bring a basket lunch, folding chairs and folding tables. &uot;This day also serves as our official ‘decoration day’ for our historic cemetery,&uot; Poole adds.

The trustees of Pine Flat Cemetery Association cordially invite family and friends of Pine Flat Methodist to attend the Oct. 3 event.