MCDUFFIE COUNTY, GA - CHURCHES History of First Baptist Church Thomson Ga. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jam66inGA2@aol.com JAmes Malone Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/mcduffie.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm History of First Baptist Church Thomson Ga. Transcribed By James Malone (from information provided in the book History of First Baptist Church of Thomson c 1984) In 1859 the Village of Thomson ,formerly Known as Hickory level, was growing fast . With a population of nearly 300 and a Railroad Depot, the small Town was a growing center of Business activity in North Columbia County. However the Nearest Baptist Church was Located At Sweetwater over three miles away . Many Residents were forced to miss weekly Worship due to bad weather and nearly impassable roads In November of that year Dr William Pitts and a dedicated group of Five men (Virgil M Borrum, William G Green, Augustus M Johnson, William J Steed , J H Stockton) met for the purpose of organizing a new Church for the Town. Having agreed as to the Formation of the Church all present Presented their letters of membership as well as letters for two of the Wives (Mrs Pitts and Mrs Johnson) Giving the New Church Eight members. Two deacons were elected (Dr Pitts and Mr Steed), A Church Clerk (Mr Green) and Mr Green and Steed were selected as a Committee to draw up a Church Constitution and Bylaws. During its First year the Church held services in the Male Academy The Six Male members serving as a Building Committee soon made plans for construction of a Sanctuary on a Main street lot deeded to the Church by Mr J. H. Stockton a prominent Businessman and local Pastor. On April 4 1860 construction was started on a wood frame building, probably 30 feet by 40 feet. The first services were held there in Late 1860 or early 1861. The Modern Church Sanctuary still stands on the site of this original wood Structure. Reverend Thomas B West served as first Pastor of the Church until 1864. The Early Church held regular Meetings, A weekly Prayer meeting, Organized a Sunday School and Baptized a Convert, Moses a Slave of Josiah Stovall. During the War Between the States the Church granted letters of Watchcare to members called to Military service as well as Supporting a Committie to Visit Camps. First Baptist along with Sweetwater and Union Church sponsored a Missionary to the Army. On July 15 1865 letters of Dismission were granted to all Colored members at their request. The First Baptist Church has from time to time been active in the Organization of other Churches in the area and sponsored Missions to Establish Congregations in outlaying areas of the County such as Washington Heights and the Old Mill Village. Through the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Congregation many men were Ordained as Deacons and Pastors and Missions established during these Early years . In 1907 due to a pressing need for space a new building Committee was formed . With a Donation of Five thousand dollars and another Ten Thousand to be raised by a Canvassing Committee ( Mrs Eva Haraway , W S Mobley, and Mrs Clara Lazenby) The New Building Would have Office as well as Sunday school space and a much larger Sanctuary When Funds became available The Old Wooden Building was Moved to make way for the New Construction and in the Fall of 1909 a Handsome New cream Brick Building was ready for occupancy at a reported cost of 16,958. Some architectural features of this Building that survive today are the beautiful large Stained Glass window of Christ Praying in the Garden and the Distinctive rooftop Dome. In 1911 a Pipe organ was Built and Installed in the Sanctuary by Dr W H Young Dr Young would serve as Pastor for Seven years and was much Loved by the Congregation . The Thomson Church was a Member of the Georgia Baptist Association until 1914 when it became a Charter member of the Kilpatrick Association. The Kilpatrick Association held its first meeting at the church on October 14 1914. By the early 1950's The Growing Church had once more become pressed for space and after several previous additions to the Building ,a Major Expansion was planned in 1952. During this Phase the Auditorium was expanded by bringing the front of the Building forward towards the Street, New stained glass windows and respacing of the Distinctive white Entrance Columns gave the Church a more Modern appearance while keeping the Beautiful Lines of the old Building intact. An Educational wing was also constructed at this time parallel to the Warrenton Highway . The New Sanctuary was dedicated on December 19 1954. H Grady Wheeler Came to serve as Pastor in 1958, one of his first actions was to lead the Church in the continuing fight to oppose the sale of Beer in McDuffie County. The Deacons sent a resolution to the County and McDuffie Progress suggesting that "... More rigorous action by the officers enforcing the Law should be evidenced." On November 15 1959 The Church celebrated its 100th birthday with over 600 in Sunday School. Dr Pope Duncan, son of former Pastor Pope A Duncan preached the morning service. Former Pastors, J.D Matheson, C.C. Kaiser, and Dr Albert Howard returned for the occasion. On November 13 1960 the Church honored Carolyn and Mack Mobley who had been appointed Missionaries to Japan. They were the first foreign missionaries from the Church family. With the Acquisition of additional land adjoining the Church Property and the growing Church membership, a need was felt for More Educational and fellowship space than the Present building could provide. In February 1962 Construction was begun on a Chapel and Education Building to the South of the Sanctuary. The Finished Building was Dedicated in May 1965 and for many years the Two Buildings would be separated with a Street running between them . During the 70's and 80's First Baptist Church expanded both its membership and outreach to the Community with many programs such as Preschool Ministry, Second mile Club for Seniors and a revival of interest in Missions. In 1984 the Church celebrated its 125 Anniversary , a Church History Committee created a Book chronicling the History of the Church . Its dedication reads From the small group of eight who formed the first congregation of the Thomson Baptist Church to the present membership of 1413 and the Hundreds who have been a part of this Church in its 125 years. In the late 1990's an ambitious building program was started to join the two Church Properties and add additional spaces for fellowship and youth activities. A Spacious Family fellowship hall and Gym were added and an attractive atrium and new main entrance Joined the Buildings. The New Building was dedicated in 2000