PIKE COUNTY GA Church - Flat Rock Primitive Baptist Church File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lynn B. Cunningham" http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike/church/ballard.txt The Early History of Flat Rock Primitive Baptist Church Flat Rock church had its origin in a school building located about six miles north of Zebulon on Highway 19, where Patton's Road joins the highway. The site, on the east side of the highway, was part of the Cicero Gresham estate, and adjoined the Gresham Cemetery. Soon after Pike County was established, Cicero Gresham donated land for a school. It was given the name "Flat Rock" by one of the early teachers, Mr. Hartford Green, because nearby there is a large flat rock approximately twelve by twenty feet. The church was established in 1869, and was organized by Elder W.T. "Bill" Goddard. On Friday, November 12, 1869, brethren, sisters, and friends met at Flat Rock Post Office, for the purpose of organizing a Primitive Baptist Church. Elders present by invitation, Edmond Dumas, John Mullins, John E. Duke, and W.T. "Bill" Goddard. After a divine service by Elder Edmond Dumas, the Elders present formed a presbytery, went into the house, and called for the members desiring to form a church by Constitution. The following persons responded: Wm.H. Harden and wife, Richard Green and wife, John R. Sikes, Mrs. Elizabeth Pitts, Mrs. Nancy Billingsley, and Mrs. Mary J. Seagraves. After an examination of these persons according to Baptist order, they were found orthodox and orderly. Therefore at their request, they were pronounced a Baptist Church of Christ by the name Flat Rock Primitive Baptist Church of Christ. The aforesaid action being taken and recorded, the Presbyters signed their names as F. Dumas, John Mullins, John E. Duke, and Wm.T. Goddard, and the assembly was dismissed. The next day, Saturday, November 13th, 1869, the church held the first meeting. In conference, Elder W.T. Goddard was called as pastor for the coming year and he agreed to serve the church. Services were held in the school building from 1869 until 1898. The following pastors served "Old Flat Rock" church: Elder W.T. "Bill" Goddard, Elder John Mullins, Elder Isaac Nichols, Elder James Freeman, Elder Gunter (Dr. I.L.), Elder Lions, and Elder J.A. Wright. Elder Wright was ordained at "Old Flat Rock" Church. Pastors serving Flat Rock Church in later years included: Elder A.C. Elliott, Elder Dan Henderson, Elder Geo.D. Goddard, and at present time Elder Charlie F. York. Among the charter members were Mr. Gilben Greene, Mrs. Melvinie Gresham, Mr. Jim Bevil, Mrs. Ann Bevil, Mr. Berl Aikins, Mrs. Emma Aikins, Mr. W.P. "Wash" Harden, Mrs. Ginnie Harden, Mrs. Lizzie Kendrick Reeves, Mr. Ben Hawkins, Mrs. Margaret Kendrick Hawkins, Mr. & Mrs. William Kendrick, Mr. Newton Wilson, Mrs. Bethena Kendrick Wilson, Mrs. Martha Kendrick Milligan, and Mrs. Pitts, Mother of Martin Pitts lovingly called "Grandma Pitts." Although Mr. Cicero Gresham and Mr. John Gresham attended the early church, they left their membership with old Harmony Church. I feel that the following story belongs in the account of the early church. One night Mr. John Gresham was checking his slave quarters, he heard a young slave girls voice, he asked her what she was doing, and she answered, "Praying." He talked with her, and learned that she wanted to be baptized. The next preaching day, he took her behind him on his horse to old Harmony Church, where she joined the church and was baptized. After the war ended, she had no way to go to her church, so she asked for membership at Flat Rock. She told the congregation: "My ole Marster give the land for this church, and I'se too old to walk to my church." She was received into the church and was lovingly called "Aunt Millie." On the first communion after she became a member, Mrs. Ann Bevil washed Aunt Millie's feet. In 1898, the church was moved to its present site. Land for the present church and a school house was donated by a Mrs. Morgan and he husband's niece, Miss Betty Madden. The first service in the new church building was held in September 1898. The first hymn was "Lenox" by Charles Wesley, The Year of the Jubilee Is Come, Return Ye Ransomed Sinners Home." Elder W.T. "Bill" Goddard preached the first sermon. Note: This history was copied from a document found in the Pike County Library. Author unknown and run on an old mimeograph machine, I estimate it was written in the late 1950's or early 1960's. From the list of original members I found my great grandparents, Jim and Ann Bevil, and her brother Ben Hawkins and his wife Margaret. Note: Ancestry of W.T. Godard is in "History of Lamar County". ======================== 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. ==============