Elbert County GaArchives Churches Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs Baptist Church The following is taken from a Church history shown in the Elberton Star newspaper in 1973, compiled by Rev. Jimmy G. Tidwell: "Holly Springs Baptist Church is situated in the extreme northwestern portion of Elbert County, about two and one-half miles north from Bowman, and only a few hundred yards from the line seperating Elbert and Hart Co.This is the second oldest church in the Hebron Association, and probably the third oldest in Elbert Co., having been first organized as an arm of Dove's Creek Church on May 9th, 1795. Among the leading families in the establishment of the church were Duncan, Parker, Rice, Rodgers, Harbin and Meritt. One custom prevailed with this church, in its early days, which seems especially worthy of note: Whenever it became necessary for the church to call a new pastor, the day before the one on which the election was to take place was spent in fasting and prayer. One of the Church's outstanding early leaders was Reverend Thomas Maxwell, in 1814. "Holly Springs Church was a member of the Tugaloo Association until 1840, and 1840 to 1883 was a member of the Sarepta Association, at which time the Hebron Association was organized, with Holly Springs as one of the first members. Around the turn of the century, the Church membership was 156.....In 1971 the Church voted to hire a fulltime minister and build a pastorium." Submitted by: Chandler Eavenson