Elbert County GaArchives Churches Fortsonia Baptist Church ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by Chandler Eavenson 4 April 2006 Churches Fortsonia Baptist Church The following was taken from a Church history wich appeared in the Elberton Star newspaper on 14 Feb 1975: "Fortsonia Baptist Church was originally called New Bethel. In 1910, Bethel Church, Elbert County, by invitation, voted to extend an arm of Church work to the people in and around Dry Fork Schoolhouse, located just north of Dry Fork Creek in Eliam District. Leading the establishment of the work in this new field was Rev. E. N. Sanders, Pastor of Bethel at that time. In September, 1910, the new Church was organized and Rev. T. J. Rucker served as the Church's first pastor. "In October 1916, the membership voted to move the Church from its location to Fortsonia. The move resulted in a substantial increase in membership. On January 21, 1917, the Church name was changed by the congregation to Fortsonia Baptist Church. Pastors J. H. McManaway, J. C. West and L. T. Weldon served for short periods until August 1920 when Rev. J. C. West was again called as Pastor. He served continuously for the next25 year. F.B. Fortson, Guy T. Bell, H. H. Madden and Dr. G. A. Ward were ordained as deacons in May, 1920. "In July, 1927, the church building was destroyed by wind storm and for some time the Church held its services at Eliam Methodist Church, whose people opened their doors and hearts to the Fortsonia congregation. In place of the demolished building, a brick structure was erected of the same architecture and appearance as the present Rock Branch and Dewy Rose Baptist Church buildings. This building served as the congregation's meeting house until July, 1972.....Construction began in June, 1970 and the new and present church building was dedicated on September 10, 1972." Contributed by: Chandler Eavenson