Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church will never challenge Hershey’s for supremacy in the chocolate market, but for 35 years, the chocolate-coated Easter eggs church members make annually to raise money for the church’s local missions are a favorite in the community.

Since 1981, when the fundraising project began, church members have made more than 50,000 eggs, church member Mary Westbrook said. Presently, she said, members make about 1,500 eggs each year in seven flavors — peanut butter, vanilla, coconut, maple nut, almond, almond coconut and raspberry. And peanut butter, she said, it the top seller.

“Out of the 1,500 eggs we make, half of them are peanut butter,” she said.

Westbrook said the project was suggested by the sister of the church’s former organist, Gene Woodman.

“She said they made the eggs at her church. She thought it would be something we might want to do,” Westbrook said. She said Mary Grayson, another church member, got the recipe for the eggs’ filling, and the project began — fitfully.

“We weren’t sure how well they would sell, so we only made about 200,” Westbrook said. “When those sold out, we made another 200. It would take us several weeks to do orders.”

Eventually, she said church members decided to make a specific amount of eggs and streamlined the manufacturing process from two to three weeks to a day-and-a-half.

“It’s more efficient,” she said.

The process of making the eggs is done in several steps. The thick filling for the eggs is mixed in the fellowship hall kitchen and moved to a crew of church members who roll it into the shape of an egg.

The rolled fillings are placed on paper-covered tables to wait to be dipped in chocolate. Once the egg is dipped in the chocolate, it is decorated with leaves and a flower, placed in its own box and placed with other eggs stacked according to flavor.

Each egg weighs 4 ounces, and sells for $2 each. An egg can be personalized at no charge.

Eggs can be ordered calling 601-636-2605 or 601-415-4428, or by email at at gibsonmumc@att.net.