The stained glass windows shine brightly inside The Syd.
Part of the extracurricular activities included the burning of several wooden buildings throughout the small town, particularly churches, by saloon owners. That included a church that previously stood where the Syd stands today.
The Methodist congregation that occupied original church wasn’ t deterred. They built another church at the same location.
That church building had a much more successful life. It served as not only as the home for the Methodist congregation but also the town’ s Baptist congregation. For over 16 years, that church withstood the constant threat of arson from the saloon owners who burnt down churches.
Henry Tift, a philanthropist known for also helping create several landmarks in the town, decided to fight the arsonists. He enlisted in building a church made not out of wood but out of brick to combat those who burnt down churches. Thus, in 1900, Tift donated the funds and helped build a Methodist church, Methodist Episcopal Church South.
M. E. Church South, built in the Victorian Gothic style, is grandeur in its design. Its stained glass is one of its most distinguished features and etched into the frame of the glass is a date marker that confirms the Syd’ s long history.
Featuring 24 of these stainedglass windows, the church served as a beacon of light within the community both figuratively and literally. The glass is believed to have been made in Italy, with it being constructed here in the United States, as much of the décor in the windows was available only in Italy when the building was originally built.
22 TiftonScene | JANUARY 2026