BURKE COUNTY, GA - Church McCullers Covenant Baptist Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Howard E. Griffin" Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/burke.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm The History of McCullers Covenant Baptist Church This church was organized on lands granted by Father Adam and Mother Henrietta McCullough on the second Sunday in May 1876 and was named McCullough Covenant Baptist Church. The Rev. Henry C. Lane was the first pastor. He was ordained and became pastor the same day. The four members who came from Pine Hill were Sisters Henrietta Lane, Henritta McCullough and Brothers Guilford Chance and Williams Campbell. During his years as pastor, Rev. Lane baptized 26. Meetings were held under a brush arbor until a small frame structure was erected. When this structure became inadequate for the increasing number of worshippers the present structure was erected. The Rev. Anthony Clark succeeded Rev. Lane and served one year. Rev. Reuben Scott served two years, Rev. J. C. Hickman served two years and baptized 26, followed by Rev. Paul J. Major who served two years baptized 26 and ordained one deacon. The Rev. Hickman returned and served one additional year. In 1890 Rev. Grant P. Singleton was called and served for 18 years. He was greatly admired by his members and the community. He added to this church by baptizing 86, by letter 10, ordained 3 to preach and 6 deacons. In 1908, Rev. G. M. Sapp was called and served three years, baptized 10 ordained 4 deacons, Jasper Nash, James B. Fisher, James B. Gregory and Wesley Stokes. In October 1910, Rev. Grant Kilpatrich was called. He baptized 43 and ordained 2 deacons, R. E. Lanier and Clarence L. Jones. Rev. Kilpatrick served 6 years and 6 months. The Lord saw fit to call Kilpatick from labor to reward on April 14, 1917. The Rev. T. J. Corher carried out the unexpired time of Rev. Kilpatrick and baptized 5, but he was not elected as pastor. In December 1917, Rev. James A. Kirkland was called to serve the church. He served in the best of his ability for 3 years, He ordained 1 to preach, Rev. Jason Dukes, baptized 19, licensed 1, Rev. James Lewis and ordained 1 deacon, Amos Laster. In October 1920, Rev. T. H. Holmes was called. He served in parts 3 years and 6 months. During this time he baptized 20, ordained 1 to preach, Rev. James Lewis. and ordained 1 deacon, Grove Norman. In April 1924 Rev. Holmes resigned and we were as sheep without a shepherd, but the good Lord guided us and various ministers preached until October 1924. It was then that Rev. Lenyon L. Williams was called. He served 3 years and baptized 6. In October 1927, Rev. Norris W, Walker was called. He served faithfully and was much loved by this community. During his administration he baptized 9 received by letter 4, ordained 3 deacons, Albert White, Abe Dukes, and Robert Inman. On June 6, 1931, the Lord called Rev. Walker. He had served the church 3 years and 6 months. Rev. Walker's mantle fell on Rev. D. Green Smith, who served from June 1931 to July 1936, 5 years and 1 months. He then left this church for a larger field of labor. In those five years, he baptized 18, and ordained 3 deacons, Sidney Jones, Lee Devine and Carlton Hart. In August 1936 Deacon Sidney Jones, already having been licensed, was ordained by the Ministerial Board of Waynesboro. Rev. Mach Green served from July thorough September 1936 and in October he was elected as pastor. Under his leadership the church was enlarged by extending the pulpit. A new roof was installed and the church was painted twice. A baptism pool was built and a well was bored. Rev. Green baptized 47 received by letter 1, ordained 3 decons, Woodrow Shubert, Joe Louis, Calvin Norman. Rev. Green served faithfully until June 1949, 12 years and 11 months, after which he resigned. Rev. C. R. Golden began serving in July 1949. During that month he baptized 8 received by Christian experience 2. Then on the 4th Sunday , September 25. 1949, he was elected as pastor. He served two years, two months and baptized 21. In November 1951, Rev. Golden resigned. Rev. John Coleman acted as pastor from November 1951 until the 4th Sunday in March 1952, at which time he was elected as pastor. He served faithfully from 15 years. During those 15 years he added to the church by baptism 30, by letter 1, by Christian experience 2, by restoration 1. He ordained 3 deacons Sidney White, Willie Walker, Albert Pooler. Licensed and ordained 1 to preach Rev. Berry J. Williams, September1958. Under his administration the church was repainted and re-floored. Due to declining health, Rev. Coleman in February 1967, Rev. Cyrus A McCloud having served for Rev. Coleman from August 1966 was elected as pastor on March 26, 1967, and served faithfully and diligently until December 7, 1971. When his summons came to join that innumerable caravan and take his chamber in the silent halls of death after having the children for 5 years and 5 months. Under his administration 8 members were added by baptism, by restoration 1, by letter 2, by Christian Experience 1. Ordained 1 deacon, Levi Wilherson the 4th Sunday in June 1968. Also under his administration gas heating and new lighting and carpeting were installed. Once more in our history we were as sheep without a shepherd, but during the months that followed we were ministered to by Rev. T. W. Blount, H. W. Phinizy, T. H. Hudson and S.T. Thompkins. Then on April 23, 1972 Rev. S. T. Thompkins was elected as pastor and is still serving. Under his administration the front of the church was remodeled, a new well bored, bathrooms added, the exterior of the church renovated, walkway constructed, new pulpit furnished and alter furniture purchased, the church organized, a fellowship hall built. He has added 22 members by baptism and 1 by letter. During the past 116 years those person who have played a major role in recording important event, our church secretaries, are as follows, Bro. Wash Hirch 5 years Bro. Doch Jackson 22 years Bro. R. E. Lanier 10 years Bro. Clarence L. Jones 10 years Sis. Marie Shubert 34 years 7 mos. Sis. Minnie Bruno 24 years 8 mos. Sis. Azalene Young 7 years 11 mos.