JONES COUNTY GA CHURCH - Elam Baptist File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Copied with permission from "History of Jones Co., GA," by Carolyn White Williams Typed by Barbara Shore ELAM BAPTIST CHURCH Henry HOOTEN, a pioneer settler of Jones Co., GA was born in Bertie Co., NC and came from Washington Co., GA to Jones Co. in 1807. Mr. HOOTEN, early in life was a Methodist and leader in that denomination. Later he became a member of the Baptist Church and through his efforts the Elam Baptist church was established. According to early records, this Church was established between 1808 and 1810 and was known as Hooten's Meeting House. The deed made 8 Jul 1812 by Henry HOOTEN to the church designates Elam as the name of the Church (Deed Book E, page 219, Clerk Superior Court, Jones Co., GA). Upon this original trace of 3- 3/4 acres is located the present church building. Henry HOOTEN lived on his farm near the church and was pastor for a number of years. During his leadership, three great revivals brought many into the fold and he was instrumental in bringing into the gospel field six or seven ministers. Little is known of the early history of the church.. As a member of the Ocmulgee Association for a half century, the church entertained this body in 1817, 1833 and 1852. Elam's messengers to the association in 1834 were George DUNKEN and John FRENCH; from 1842 through 1854, the Associational messengers were Joseph STALLWORTH, Oliver H. MORTON, Taylor MORRIS, Chapman COX, G. WRIGHT and J. MIDDLEGROOKS. A split occurred in the church previous to the Civil War period, over the question of foreign Missions. Many who objected to the cause of foreign missions withdrew and formed a separate church known as Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist. Those remaining constituted themselves as the Elam Missionary Baptist Church. The number of members in 1854 is given as 86; in 1867 there were 12 white and 12 Negro members. There is a gradual increase in the past 72 years and today approximately 150 members are enrolled. Of those serving as pastors prior to the foreign missionary development, scarcely anything is known. Henry HOOTEN is believed to be the first pastor and Edmund TALBOT another Jones Co. pioneer Baptist minister probably served this Church during the first years of its existence. The names of Joshua CALLAWAY and Jno. M. GRAY appear in 1821 and it was by Rev. Jesse CAMPBELL that Thomas SLADE was baptized at Elam in 1832. Mr. SLADE then a noted educator in Georgia was afterwards ordained as a minister of the gospel. The ordination took place in Clinton in 1835. Those serving the church as missionary Baptist ministers were: A.J. FREEMAN 1867-1870 B.H. SUMMER, 1890 L.W. SMITH 1876-1878 A.F. SELLERS, 1908-1912 J.H. ALLEN 1879 W.B. UNDERWOOD, 1921-1922 Jno. F. EDEN 1880 C.H. ANDERSON, 11 Nov 1928-Mar 1930 R.E. MURROW, 1881 W.M. BURNS, 1930 E.W. SAMMONS 1882-1884 J. Fred EDEN, Jr. 1931 W.C. FELTS, 1885-1889/1892-1894 E.W. SAMMONS, 1895-1907 It is known that two buildings have been used for houses of worship. The present structure, a substantial frame meeting house type of architecture, was built in 1893, having replaced an old frame building of similar type and construction. In 1928, an annex to the present building was made to take care of the church school needs and other repairs and improvements were made of the church property. Elam, along with many other Georgia churches was mutilated by the invading Northern Army in the fall of 1864. The pews were used for horse troughts and other abuse was suffered by this old church from the hands of the public enemy. Two pastors, E.E. STEELE and C.H. ANDERSON have gone from Elam to serve as missionaries to China. A daughter of the church, Leila Burnette STEELE, also spent many years as a missionary to the Chinese. W. c. FELTS was ordained as a minister at Elam, 8 July 1877. Mr. FELTS afterwards served as pastor of the Church. For 144 years this Baptist Church set among a background of old trees and green shrubbery just off the highway from Gray to James has been doing its part towards ushering in the Master's Kingdom on earth. An air of quiet grace and serenity, the Crown of a long and useful life seems to eminate from this historic spot. Those serving Elam Church as clerks are: W.C. FELTS, 1874 E.K. GRIGSBY 1892-1893 S.M. BOZEMAN 1875-1880 H.P. EMERSON 1894-1911 E.K. GRIGSBY, 1881 J.W. WATSON, 1912-1914 J.B. EDWARDS, 1882-1884 J.C. BALKCOM, 1921-1930 J.C. EMERSON, 1884-1885 Claude WATSON, 1938 J.W. OWENS, 188 J.P. OWEN, 1887-1891 ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.