103-Year-Old Woman Banned From Church For Speaking Her Mind
A 103-year-old woman was banned from her lifelong church for criticizing her pastor. Genora Hamm Biggs said she attended Union Grove Baptist Church in Elberton, Georgia, for 92 years. Although she admittedly disagrees with Reverend Tim Mattox’s “Holiness style,” she was stunned that she was banned for speaking her mind.
As reported by Fox 8, Genora’s family actually founded Union Grove Baptist Church. Ezell Land, who is a former member, said the Hamm Biggs family used a mule-drawn wagon to transport the small building to Elberton “from the country.” The family name is still clearly displayed on the church’s original foundation.
According to Genora, Reverend Mattox is “not following the covenant of the Baptist Church, and is trying to change the denomination to a Holiness Church.”
As reported by Fox News, Genora Hamm Biggs was specifically disturbed by Mattox’s “Holiness style.”
“At one point, he had a crew in here and they were hollering and falling out in the middle of the floor… We don’t do that in the Baptist Church.”
Genora said her complaints against Reverend Mattox are nothing new — as he has been pastor for the last six years. However, the 103-year-old woman never expected to be banned from attending the church.
A 103-year-old GA woman was banned from the church she’s attended for the past 92 years: http://t.co/zTiwov0SVa pic.twitter.com/DP7QvFT8xp
— KLTV 7 (@KLTV7) September 15, 2015
The formal revocation of Genora Hamm Biggs’ membership was delivered to her home via certified mail, and was signed by “the members and officers of the Union Grove Baptist Church.”
“This letter is to inform you that according to the by-laws of the Union Grove Baptist Church, and by vote of the active members, any membership or associations that you have had with this church are now officially revoked. Therefore, you cannot attend Union Grove Baptist Church for any reason whatsoever.”
Although the 103-year-old woman was formally banned, she refuses to stop attending services at her lifelong church.
103-year-old says she’s had to do some extra praying after her church kicked her out>>http://t.co/s7MfmgkkSj pic.twitter.com/wGaXEUlEcG
— WLBT 3 On Your Side (@WLBT) September 15, 2015
Reverend Mattox reportedly contacted authorities to have Genora forcibly removed from the premises. However, the officers told the pastor they do not have jurisdiction in civil matters.
Despite the fact that she does not agree with Mattox’s “Holyness style,” Genora Hamm Biggs said she will continue to attend the church as long as she is able.
The 103-year-old woman said she was shocked to be banned for expressing her opinion. However, she simply wants to “get [her] church straight like it has been.”
[Image via Shutterstock]
