103-Year-Old Woman Banned from Her Church

Genora Hamm Biggs has been attending Union Grove Baptist Church in northeast Georgia for nearly 92 years. She was one of the founding members and even served as the church's secretary for 40 years. But she's not welcome at her own church anymore.

"I was unhappy and shocked," Biggs told local reporters. "I joined the church when I was 11 years old."

On August 2nd, the 103-year-old received a letter from the church's pastor Rev. Tim Mattor saying she could no longer attend services.

The letter obtained by WAGA-TV stated in part, "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 officials revoked."

The controversy reportedly started after Biggs disagreed with Mattor's preaching style and the overall direction of the church.  She described Mattor as a "holiness preacher" and argued the church had Baptist roots since its early beginnings.

Union Grove, which has less than 20 members, says Biggs is not allowed to attend church "for any reason what so ever."

The story made national news and fellow Union Baptist members released the following statement defending their decision. 

"It was determined by the congregation during a church conference meeting, which Mrs. Biggs was present at the time of the meeting, that the behavior of Mrs. Biggs and others was detrimental to the church at large and could no longer be allowed," according to the statement obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald.

But Biggs said nothing will stop her from attending.

"This is my church, I love this church, and he cannot stop me from going," Biggs told the WAGA-TV.