In 1886, the first church building was completed on the corner of Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue.  However, it was not listed in the city’s directory until 1888; it was listed as Everett Chapel.  The church was undoubtedly named in honor of Newton Everett, founding member and trustee.  Newton Everett would later enter the ministry, and eventually became the pastor of Everett Chapel in 1891.  The pastor of the at the time was Reverend P.W. Powell, and worship services were held at 11AM and 3:30PM, with Church School convening at 9:30AM.  In 1894, the church was re-organized under the name of Holsey Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (named in honor of Lucius Henry Holsey, 3rd CME Bishop elected 1873, who was born near Columbus, Georgia, and the presiding prelate at the time).  Rev. C.T. Shatteen was pastor of the church during this era, and pastured the church into the 20^th century (1894 – 1904).

In 1915, the church building was destroyed by a storm.  It was said that the church was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire result of the storm.  The members would be faced with a significant challenge to reconstruct the church and reestablish records undoubtedly lost in the fire.  On July 19, 1916, the trustees of Holsey Chapel CME church went to the commissioners of the commons of the city of Columbus, Georgia to ask for a replacement of the deed given to the trustees in 1885 for the property on which the church sat.  The preacher in charge was Reverend F.L. Bouey.  Trustees Robert Harris, James H. Caster and W.J. Caulton received a second deed replacing the lost deed.  In 1919, the new church structure was completed and once again the pastor was Reverend L.D. McAfee.  Holsey Chapel would receive a new pastor in 1921, Reverend Samuel A. Dunbar, who would be the first pastor to occupy the new parsonage which was built adjacent to the church in 1919.

The next three pastors of the church would be Reverend Lewis J. Pearcey in 1923; Reverend Talton C. Cunningham in 1927; during which a church newsletter was established – The Home Circle; and Reverend Lewis J. Pearcey in 1928.  Reverend M. Means became pastor in 1931 and would move the evening worship to 7:30PM.  He would be followed by Reverend John T. Cochran in 1934, who was succeeded by Reverend Edward Roberts in 1936, when he was assigned to Holsey Monumental.  In 1941, Holsey Chapel would receive new leadership when the Reverend Frank R. Rowe.

In 1950, the Reverend John D. Parham was designated as pastor.  Reverend Parham believed that the church should come together at least once a year for fellowship.  The idea for an Annual Fellowship with Family and Friends was designated for the second Sunday in December.  He would also organize the Harvest Tea for the purpose of raising Annual Conference Assessments and other financial obligations.  The Harvest Tea still serves that purpose today.  Prior to Reverend Parham’s departure in November 1953, the mortgage was paid off and a mortgage burning ceremony was held.

The weekly radio broadcast on WOKS 1340 AM was started for the 11AM worship services during the late 1950s.  Services were broadcast on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  The broadcast still remains a blessing today to listeners in the community.  Many sick and shut-in members and friends of the Fortress benefit from the weekly broadcast.  The evening worship service which was began at the inception of the church was discontinued in the late 1960s, during the civil rights movement.  Reverend Bryson and Holsey Chapel played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as a meeting place for a number of local civic group meetings, and working with other civic leaders to desegregate the Columbus city bus system.  During this time Reverend Bryson was also involved in the promotion and development of the A.J. McClung YMCA.

Under Reverend Bryson’s leadership improvements were made to the physical plant of the church.  Land was purchased located at the rear of the church; additional meetings rooms, pastor’s study, fellowship hall and kitchen area was added as well as a parking lot.  In August 1980, a cornerstone was laid for the new annex to the church.  Several other improvements were made under his administration to the heating and air conditioning units, pews were added, and pew bibles and hymnals were upgraded.  A van ministry was also begun under Reverend Bryson’s leadership in order to meet transportation needs of parishioners and those in the community who desired to worship.  Holsey Chapel sponsored a trip to the Holy Land for Reverend and Mrs. Bryson in 1980; Mrs. Bryson died the following year.  During the latter phase of Reverend Bryson’s tenure urban renewal projects changed the dynamics of the community, and many members who once lived in the church community relocated to outlying areas, thereby making Holsey Chapel a true commuter church.  However Reverend Bryson continued to make progress at Holsey Chapel, while serving as the Chairperson of the Joint Board of Finance for Southwest Georgia Annual Conference.  He refocused the church on improving the Christian Education efforts; he assigned Mary Cook as the Director of the board of Christian Education, and led improvements to the Sunday Church School.  Several classes were added to appeal to youth and young adults.  Holsey Holloman served as Superintendent of the Church School during Reverend Bryson’s early tenure, however was later succeeded by Robert Turner, who still serves as the superintendent today.  The Buds of Promise, a children’s choir, was started under the leadership of Deloris Doleman, and initially sang during Church School, but later became part of the Sunday morning worship services.  Additionally, a feeding ministry was started under the leadership of Dorothy Hardy and Jewelene Morris – the ministry would offer meals once a month.

There were a number of key leaders who served under Reverend Bryson’s administration.  They were Leroy Baker, Steward Board Chairman; George Jones, Chairman of Board of Trustees; Henry Hicks, Secretary, Maxine Lee, Treasurer; Sarah Ashe, Wilma Dillon, and Marjorie Covington, Presidents of Stewardess Board #1; Dollie Barber, Eranga Ware, and Jacuelyn Jones, Presidents of Stewardess Board #2.  Other key leaders were Mason Bloodsaw, Arlanza Cook, Johnnie Cook, Daniel Covington, Eugene Crawford, Willie L. Crawford, Dan Doleman, Joseph Francis, Hubert Glenn, Johnny Hardy, Jimmie Harris, Ann Hart, Dennis Holland, Robert Holloman, John Hughley, Arthur James, Paul Ingram, Johnny Jordan, Eddie Jones, Logan Jones, Ernest Merritt, Samuel Nash, Malachi Porter, Roy Simpson, Robert Turner, Catha Williams, roger Wise, Bertha McKay, Bessie Hardy, Malinda Stovall, Mamie Pickett, Lillie Cook, Annie Hardrick, Mary Nash, Earlene Frazier, Shirley Harris, Mildred Jones, Dorothy Simmons, Nellie Smith, Barbara Carter, Louise Hughes, Evelyn Goss, Martha Shumpert, Barbara Smith, Barbara Jones, Jimmie Alexander, Louise Hughes, Carolyn Lott, Johnnie Bradley, Lula Baker, Alna Porter, Helen Spence, Betty Boynton, Emma Washington, Mary Cook, Alberta Amos, Fannie Davis, Alma Cook, Ann Garner Bryson, Ruby Merritt, Martha Turner, and Mollie Barber.  Musicians who served the church during these years were Troy McCall, Dorothy Darling, Dorothy Howard, Mattie Bryant, and Herman Shaffer.

At the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference of July 1991, Bishop Joseph C. Coles, Jr. appointed Lindsey P. Napier as pastor of Holsey Chapel.  He arrived to Holsey Chapel with his wife Phyllis and daughter Kelsey.  Under his leadership to church began to regain its strength both spiritually and financially.  Pastor Napier conducted spiritual growth workshops and Tuesday night Bible Study.  He would initiate a Youth Bible Study under the leadership of Shirley Harris and Paul Davis.  He also began an 8AM worship service on the first Sunday in each month.  The service would expand to every Sunday morning.  He would also revived the Lay Council with 22 members, began a nursing home ministry at the Fountain City Nursing Homer, and initiated a Young Adult Ministry.  Under Reverend Napier’s leadership the Pastor’s Aide Board was begun with Marjorie Covington as President.  He also worked to develop a new member orientation manual with the help of the Board of Evangelism.  The Feeding ministry which was begun under Reverend Bryson was expanded to twice a month, with Elnora Gamble, Ruby Merritt, Ruth Ogletree, Susie Toliver, Helen Spence, Robert and Martha Turner, and Louise Hughes serving as the staff.

Reverend Napier worked to strengthen the financial structure of the church.  He would name Arlanza Cook as the Recording Steward and Samuel Covington as Treasurer.  He also led the church into the refinancing of the mortgage inherited from the Bryson administration, thereby saving the church approximately $90,000 in interest.  The church would also purchase three vans from 1995 through 1999, to expand the van ministry.  This would aide in the transportation of parishioners to Sunday Church School, worship and other church related functions.  In 2000, the church purchased additional property behind the church’s south end for $15,000, for the expansion of church parking.  Fundraisers would be decreased from twelve to three under his administration.  Property insurance was increased from $150,000 to $800,000 to more accurately reflect the value of church property and assets.

Reverend Napier would strengthen the leadership of Holsey Chapel by adding new members to already stable leadership.  Stewards and Trustees added were Bernard Spicer, Otis Hervey, Bernard Cliatt, Shelly Key, James Lowe, and John Thomas.  Stewardess added were: Bernadette Thompson, Lorene Williams, Eula Mae White, Dorothy Howard, Valerie Alexander-Spicer, Priscilla Davis, and Alisa Cliatt.  Shirley Harris, Paul Davis, and Shiann Williamson served as Youth Directors, while Hester Thomas and Bernadette Thompson served as advisors for the Youth Choir.  Musicians who served during the Napier administration were Mattie Bryant, Robert Lewis, Margaret Miller, Kenneth Bonaparte, and Herman Shaffer, who presently serves as the minister of music.  Holsey Chapel has been fortunate to have a number of members serving at the District and Annual Conference levels:  Robert Turner, Martha Turner, Dorothy Howard, Barbara Story-Jones, Alna Porter, Elizabeth Hammond, Tommie Simms, Johnnie Cook, Ernest Merritt, Ruby Merritt, Elnora Gamble, Bessie Holloman, Eranga Ware, and Valerie Alexander-Spicer.

Reverend Napier was known for strong administrative skills and his support of young people within the church.  He continued to support the youth programs and brought greater stability to the already strong “Fortress.”  Reverend Napier’s tenure at Holsey Chapel concluded in July 2001, when he was promoted to office of Presiding Elder of the Macon/Barnesville District of the Central Georgia Region.

Improvements totaling $95,000 were made to physical plant of the church.  Land purchased under the Napier administration was paved and adjoined to existing parking in the rear of the church.  The church grounds were landscaped, new flooring was placed in the vestibule of the church, improvements were made to restrooms within the church, and new equipment and other improvements were made to the kitchen area.

The Lord continues to move mightily within the Fortress, and we pray that God will continue to make his face to shine upon us and give us peace.