History of
Simpsonwood

The Gift of Land

Just as Simpsonwood uses its natural beauty and handsome buildings to teach and expand the horizons of its guests, so did Anna Louise Simpson devote her life to teaching and inspiring her students. "Miss Ludie" began a teaching career in 1910 that spanned 35 years.

Ludie Simpson taught in the Atlanta and the Gwinnett County school systems. She returned to Norcross after her retirement from the Atlanta Public Schools to live. She taught at Norcross High School in the Gwinnett County public school system until the age of 70.

The land that is now called Simpsonwood is land on which Miss Simpson's family had its farm. She decided in 1971, at the age of 84, to give the land to the Presbyterian Church. The Presbyterian Church could not agree to the condition that the land always be kept in tact and Miss Simpson approached the United Methodist Church with her offer.

After Bishop John O. Smith talked with Miss Simpson, he asked Dr. Candler Budd to visit her and discuss the offer. Within 24 hours, Dr. Budd was in her home, assuring her that the United Methodist Church wanted the property and on her terms.

Her vision was to keep the land intact so all people could enjoy God's beautiful creation. During frequent visits, Miss Simpson, Jamie Mackay, Conference Lay Leader, and Dr. Budd walked the grounds together and focused on seeing that vision implemented.

By 1973 the North Georgia Annual conference constituted a committee to study the feasibility of developing a conference center on the property.

Within the month, the 227-acre tract was deeded to the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church for the sum of one dollar. By the next year, 1974, the conference went with Jamie Mackay'ssuggestion to form a nonprofit corporation guided by ten key ex officio leaders and 20 others elected by the conference.

Miss Simpson died April 29, 1975 without seeing Simpsonwood developed. She is buried with her mother in the Mount Carmel United Methodist Church cemetery in Norcross, Georgia.

John Wesley Pittman, a volunteer caretaker of the property who had become close to Miss Simpson in her last years came up with the name for Simpsonwood shortly after her death. The name inspired by Ludie Simpson became the official name with a conference resolution that year.

The conference center's development was slow during the 1970's due to economic downturns.

Rollins Center, Hagan & McDavid Lodges

Finally, under the direction of contractor Kelly S. Barge construction, Inc., construction of the two 32-room lodges and the conference center was begun.

The conference center included: a kitchen and dining room with the capacity to feed 240 guests at one sitting, two 150-seat conference rooms, and small meeting rooms for committee use. While work was underway for the center, Mrs. Mary Watson, wife of the Reverend Ralph Watson, concentrated on its furnishings with the help of interior decorator Mrs. Kathy Green. The swimming pool and tennis courts were constructed during the same time period.

Lucille and Arnold Hughey presented Simpsonwood with the gift of the Christ doors and glass panels which were installed at the entrance to the Rollins Center in 1987.

Consecration ceremonies for the Rollins Center were held on September 21, 1985. The first lodge was named the McDavid Lodge for Bishop Joel McDavid who led the fund-raising campaign for initial construction of the center along with lay persons Dan Pattillo and James Paine.

The second Simpsonwood lodge was built in 1986 thanks to the generous contribution of Mrs. Blanche Hagan who requested that the new Hagan Lodge be dedicated in memory of her late husband, Mr. Harold Hagan.

The gathering room in the McDavid lodge was dedicated in 1988 to Daniel B. Pattillo, first Simpsonwood Board of Directors Chair-person from 1983 to 1986.

The Rollins family presented Simpsonwood with a generous gift in 1989 that went to complete the Rollins Center basement level. This new addition was named the Budd-McKay level to honor the hard work of Jamie MacKay and Dr. Candler Budd who were so influential in Simpsonwood's early years. Steve Hicks was the general contractor for this addition that was dedicated September 21, 1989.

Mary H. Watson, who worked hard on the rollins Center interior furnishings during its contruction, was honored when the Hagan Lodge gathering was named for her. Furnishings for the room were given by Epworth United Methodist Church and the consecration service was held December 15, 1991.

The Chapel

The conference had covenanted with Miss Simpson to build an English style field chapel near her family's home-site with construction costs not to exceed $300,000. The chapel is named in memory of her mother, Elizabeth Jane Sanders Simpson. There is a stained glass window in the chapel dedicated to the memory of Miss Simpson's Grandparents, Thomas McGregory and Mariah Jackson Sanders. Design, construction and funding for the chapel came from the Mr. and Mrs. Peter Knox, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs Robert E. Knox of Thomson, Georgia in 1985. Bishop Ernest Fitzgerald dedicated the chapel September 14, 1986.

Laundry & Maintenance Facility

Integral parts of any conference center are maintenance and laundry. Those services are centered today in the Herbert Mullinex Maintenance and Laundry Building, built at a cost of $100,667 and consecrated the same day as the Watson Gathering Room. This building is named for Herbert Mullinex honoring his gift of time and financial contribution. Herb was the Board of Directors Chairperson from 1989 to 1993. Steve Hicks was the general contractor for this building.

Brooks Complex

The Hickman-Post Lodge project began in 1992 with a one million-dollar donation from Richard and Barbara Hickman, given in honor of their parents. The Hickman-Post Lodge is part of the D. W. and Ruth Brooks Complex which includes two lodges liked by central meeting rooms. Project architect was Lowell Kirkman, a member of Dalton First United Methodist Church and second Chairperson of the Simpsonwood Planning Committee. Swofford Construction Company of Smyrna, Gerogia was the contractor. April 1992 marked the groundbreaking of the Hickman-Post Lodge. The building was consecrated by Bishop James Lloyd Knox October 20, 1993.

The final phase of the Brooks Complex, the Morgan Lodge is named for Dorothy Pope Morgan. Ground breaking for this building occured in 1995 and was completed in 1996. Flagler Construction Company was the general contractor for this addition to the Simpsonwood facility.

Gibson Lodge

Offices for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church came to Simpsonwood December 2001 with the completion of the Woodlands Lodge. The Woodlands Lodge was named the Gibson Lodge in November 2005. The lodge houses 36 overnight rooms, 5,000 square feet of meeting space, several Simpsonwood offices, the offices of the North Georgia Conference and the resident Bishop's office.

Other Facilities

Other facility enhancements in the early 2000's include a lighted, covered full court basketball pavillion and a playground in the recreation area by the swimming pool. A prayer labyrinth is located between the Gibson Lodge and the Brooks Complex.