Brenda Harris Tustian's watercolor painting of the old Methodist church building in downtown Canton, Georgia, was donated to the Cherokee County Arts Council to assist in raising funds for renovation of the building to become an Arts Center. Thus her gift supports both historic preservation and development of the arts.

The genesis of the Canton Methodist Church goes back to the year 1842. The land where this building sits was the original site, measuring 100 feet by 150 feet, and was donated by the late Judge Joseph Donaldson for this specific use. The structure is the third church to be erected on this same plot of ground.

Contracts for the construction of this building were awarded to L.J. Bennett & Son of Dalton, GA in 1925. An estimate of the cost including fixtures, heating and art glass windows, was given at approximately $45,000, and on Sunday, May 2, 1926, Bishop Warren Candler dedicated this building.

As the membership grew, it became necessary to relocate the church. On Sunday, July 12, 1992, the church was deconsecrated. The stained glass windows, pews, cornerstone, bell and lighting fixtures were later removed to the new church location.

Cherokee County purchased the property for $125,000 on December 18, 1992, with plans to install offices. When the new commission determined the project to be too costly, work was abandoned and the building stood vacant.

In 1996 the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners agreed to lease the building to the Arts Council for 30 years at $1.00 per year. Quickly, renovation design, functional plans and fund-raising strategies were set into motion, but the issue of ownership of the building kept cropping up. The Arts Council responded to these concerns by lobbying the county to give rather than lease the building. After a time the Commission voted on September 25, 1998 to transfer the title of the historic building to the Cherokee County Arts Council.

From "A History of the Old Methodist Church Building" by Edna S. Morgan

Would you like a print of Brenda Tustian's painting "Time of Renewal"?
The original image size is 16" X 20", print sheet size 19" X 25-1/2".
Unframed Print ($55)--Edition of 500 or Artist's Proof ($80)--50 only
Email us to order a print • Find out more about Brenda Tustian on her website