MACON COUNTY, GA - CHURCHES Red Hill Primitive Baptist Church (Hepzibah) ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: traceradams@cox.net John Adams Red Hill Primitive Baptist Church has been known as "Red Hill" or "Hepzibah" since it's constitution in 1829, and was represented at the Constitution of the Echoconna Association January 17-19, 1829, by messengers: Elder Isaiah Langley and Wilson Collins. Church reported 11 members. Just down the road, and north of Andersonville on August 15, 1831, Union Church was constituted with 7 members: Elder Sampson English, wife Frances, George Waltrip, wife Roda, Wilson Collins, Annie Eubanks and Elizabeth Johnson. These two churches existed as sister churches for many years. The Apostolic Association was constituted at Union Church on November 4, 1837. Union Church was represented by John Walker and Isaac Callaway and reported 16 members. Hepzibah Church was represented by Elder Sampson English and Warren Dykes and reported 44 members. Hepzibah Church, Macon County was host to the Upatoie Association which convened September 11- 14, 1841. The Association had changed her name in 1839. Messengers from Hepzibah were Elders Sampson English and Warren Dykes. Church reported 46 members. Union Church was represented by Isaac Eubanks and John Lane and reported 11 members. Union Church hosted the Upatoie Association on September 2- 5, 1865. It was represented by S. H. English and B. H. Gwine and reported 21 members. Hepzibah Church was represented by J. Clark and F. Williams and reported 29 members. On August 5, 1871 Union Church voted to change its name to Bluff Springs. Bluff Springs Church hosted the Upatoie Association on September 8-10, 1874. It was represented by Thomas English and James Duke and reported 44 members. Hepzibah Church was represented by James Clark and reported 19 members August 16, 1884 the Church at Hepzibah met in conference and decided to grant her members letters of dismission and discontinue her meetings at this place. Elder Bennett Stewart, Moderator. Eli Nelson, Church Clerk. Church had 14 members. Some of these members moved their letters to Bluff Springs. Bluff Springs Church hosted the Upatoie Association on September 7-9, 1886. It was represented by Elder S. J. English, S. H. English and M. English and reported 66 members. Bluff Springs Church was dismissed from the Upatoie Association In September, 1888 over a dispute concerning Harmony Church, Pike Co., Ga. This problem caused a big split in the Echeconna and three churches in the Upatoie. There is a minute on this problem that would make enlightening reading to our churches. On August 10, 1918, Bluff Springs Church moved to our present location and changed their name to Red Hill or Hepzibah. Hepzibah or Red Hill was a member of the Harmony Association until 1954 Hepzibah Church Schley Co., Ga., petitioned to join the Upatoi Association convened at Columbus Church, Muscogee Co., Ga. September 10-12 1954. Messengers were Brethren G. W. Walls, B. A. Lee, R. V. Dillard and Frank Head. Elder J. W. Hartley was Pastor and Emory English was clerk. Church reported 54 members. Hepzibah Church Oglethorpe, Macon Co., Ga., was host to the Upatoi Association September 7-9, 1956. Messengers were G. W. Walls, Frank Head and R. V Dillard. Church reported 54 members. Hepzibah Church was host to the Upatoi Association September 11-13,1970. Messengers were R. V. Dillard, T M. English and Emory English. Church reported 42 members. Hepzibah Church, Oglethorpe, Macon Co, Ga was host to the Upatoi Association September 9-11, 1983. Messengers were Riley Dillard, Cullen Battle and Emory English, Alternate. Church reported 31 members. Red Hill in Oglethorpe on the Ellerville Highway. It has been Red Hill, Hepzibah and Union. Compiled by Sister Anita Johnson and Deacon John R. Adams, Sr.