A place to share happenings in Macon & what the Mulberry community is up to!

Something you'd like highlighted? Email to Millie Thompson.

The Wesley of Macon invites us to join them for a PRE-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE on Tuesday, August 5th, from 6:00-8:00PM. They'll have coffee, light refreshments, and time to fellowship at the Wes House, before we welcome students back for the fall semester. Come visit with the board, the new Executive Director (Hannah Pye), and other Wesley supporters from the Macon/Warner Robins community!

Location: The Wes House (1280 College St. Macon, GA 31201)

Wesleyan College is getting ready to welcome the Class of 2029 to their campus very soon, and is anticipating 12 new international students! They are asking for help from community members who are willing to foster connection and provide intentional hospitality to these students, like inviting them over for a meal, attending a campus event together, and even simply staying in touch throughout the year. If you are interested in being a Friendship Family host, please fill out this form by August 2.

A Bicentennial Moment

In anticipation of Mulberry’s upcoming Bicentennial Celebration in 2026, the Leonard Hill Cochran Historical Room presents a moment of Mulberry history.

"The Great Fire"

On Monday, April 26, 1965, a raging fire at Mulberry Street Methodist Church roared through the attic and roof of the sanctuary, totally destroying that part of the church.

It was considered a “5 general alarm fire” with 15 units of the Macon Fire Department battling the flames for more than two hours, successfully preventing the spread to other parts of the church.

The fire was restricted mainly to the ceiling of the sanctuary, attic and roof.  Damage in the floor level of the sanctuary was due primarily to falling debris which filled aisles, pews and the balcony.

The cause was contributed to the use of a blow torch by a painter on the outside of the church underneath one of the stained glass windows.  It was being used to burn off old paint on the wooded framing around the windows and sparks entered a crack on the side of the window framing and spread upward through a narrow vertical opening, being fed with combustible materials located inside that space.  The fire reached the attic and gained headway because this opening was concealed. The flames were first noticed by someone leaving The Grand building who reported that “it looked like heat waves on the roof of the church.”

The sanctuary was considered a total loss but fortunately the stained glass windows except for minor damage survived the event.  However, a week later, a large beam from the burned out ceiling fell to the floor, bounced upwards, then through two of the stained glass windows.  A spokesman from the Payne Speirs Stained Glass Studio of New Jersey credited the Macon with fireman with saving the windows during the fire by sprinkling water against the glass and the lead surrounding them.  He said “if the firemen had used the full force of water on the windows, they would have shattered them and it was their good work that saved these beautiful windows.”  He estimated that the restoration of the windows would cost at least $30,000.

Fortunately, no life was lost in the fire and the extensive educational building, youth center and chapel adjacent to the sanctuary were spared.

On that same Monday night, the official Board of Mulberry met and began work on plans to rebuild the church sanctuary.  On May 2nd, the Sunday following the fire, Mulberry began their usual 11:00 a.m. worship service in the Fellowship Hall with hundreds of folding chairs set up for the occasion.  

To be continued.

"The Saints of Mulberry" Recipes

As part of Mulberry's Bicentennial Celebrations in 2026, we are sharing recipes from some of the saints of Mulberry's past.

Melba Stout's Micro Potatoes Parmesan

• 2 T. butter or margarine
• 1/4 tsp. salt 2 med. potatoes, unpeeled and sliced 1/4" thick
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 C. chopped onion
• Paprika
• 1/2 C. green pepper chunks
• Chopped parsley

Melt butter in shallow 9" dish in micro-oven. Add potatoes and onions and toss. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and place in microwave oven on full power for 5 minutes. Stir in green peppers, salt and pepper; toss, cover and microwave on full power for 3 minutes. Gently mix in cheese. Toss and dust with paprika. Microwave on full power, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 2 to 3 servings.

Easy.