Gwinnett County GaArchives Church Records.....Sweetwater Primitive Baptist Copyright Date 1911
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Sweetwater.

	Sweetwater was constituted December 8, 1824. The movement leading to its
organization originated at Camp Creek, an older church. The presbytery was
organized by electing Tyre Landers moderator, and G. B. Waldrop, clerk. The
membership included Alsey Waldrop, Benjamin Waldrop, Bodie Waldrop, James Wells,
Prudence Wells, Thomas Mason, James Doneyhoo, Elizabeth Doneyhoo, John Hendrix,
Nancy Hendrix, Elley Davis, Editha McDaniel, Cynthy Barnett, Margaret Minchem,
Sarah Shamblee, Heziah Lawrence, Elizabeth Niblet, Hannah Spradlin, Mary
Hedrick, Precilla Woodruff, Sah Morgan, Clarissa Woodruff, Frances Lander.

	This church was organized in the Wells school house which was used for holding
services until 1829, when a church building was erected. The present building
was erected in 1909 and is worth $700.

	Only eight pastors have served this church since its organization 87 years ago.
James Hale was the first pastor and served sixteen years. Simon Edwards was the
second pastor and served two years. James Hale, the first pastor was again
called as the third pastor, which position he held for twelve years. D. T. White
served three and a half years. He was succeeded by H. D. Teat, who served three
years. B. Daniel then preached three years and G. T. Bradley and Wm. L. Beebe,
one year each.

	J. T. Jordan, the present pastor, was called July 14, 1866, and has served the
church continuously since, period of 45 years.

	The church is 87 years old, and the first and present pastors have served it
for 73 years. It is doubtful if any church in America or in the world, can show
such a record in point of ministerial service.

	The present membership of the church includes Margaret C. Franklin, Zippeah
Hopkins, Phoebe Mathis, Eliza Massey, Mary McDaniel, Ophelia Atkinson, Emma
Huff, Mattie Wynn, Caroline Arendell, G. W. Hopkins, W. A. Huff, S. A. Huff. M.
H. Nash, J. E. New, J. E. Summerlin, Josie Summerlin, Callie Snmmerlin, E. L.
Cooper, N. O. Hanson.

	In addition to the names given above, the church has two colored members, viz:
Perry Gholston and Frances Gholston. They have been members of this church since
the days of slavery. They are regular attendants, enjoy the esteem not only of
the church but of the community and belong to that almost extinct type of old
time southern "darkies" who flourished in the splendid civilization of the Old
South. And when the pastor, at the annual meeting during the summer months, when
the church observes the ordinance of footwashing, girdles himself with a flowing
towel of immaculate white and washes "Uncle" Perry's feet, the scene is one that
melts the stoniest heart to tears.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

GWINNETT CHURCHES
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF EVERY CHURCH
IN GWINNETT COUNTY, GEORGIA,
WITH SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF ITS
MINISTERS
BY
J. C. FLANIGAN
1911


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