Quitman County GaArchives Church Records.....Georgetown Baptist Church ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Eldridge DonnaEldrid@aol.com June 25, 2004, 1:15 pm GEORGETOWN BAPTIST CHURCH In writing the history of Georgetown Baptist church, I am carried back to the days of our Forefathers, before Quitman County was established. From the best information I have, in the days of the anti-missionaries; they worshiped in a church some eight or nine miles out from Georgetown, known as "Old Pataula". The spirit of missions "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" grew so strong in the mind and heart of some of these great men and women, until they split from Old Pataula and constituted a Missionary Baptist Church known as Old Liberty Church. This church was only a few miles out from the little village of Georgetown which was settled with only a few men of wide vision and strong conviction. These few men saw the need of a church in their midst. They sent Major Bill Crawford, who was a Baptist minister out to Old Liberty inviting them to come to Georgetown so they may have a church. Just here, I would like to say Uncle Thomas Muse was a young man and Old Liberty's first pastor. A few of those members came to Georgetown; and constituted a church. The finance committee with Mr. Delaware Morris as chairman, collected money for building the house. After the house was completed, there was some indebtedness due on same. This was paid by Captain James Harrison who gave the building to the Baptist with the understanding that other denominations were to have the privilege of using the house so long as they saw fit. This was in the early Forties, about 1842 or 1843. This church was used by our Methodist brethren, until 1902 and since then it has been entirely Baptist. During the early life of Georgetown Baptist church she was served by some of our most noted pioneer preachers, such from the best information we can get, Brother Crawford was Georgetown's first pastor, followed by Bro. Thomas Muse and Stout. We find the oldest member of Georgetown Baptist Church was David Johnson, joined by letter in 1843. While the church was still fostered by these staunch men of God, we have no complete record until 1882, when Dr. F. M. Bledsoe united with the church under the preaching of Rev. W. H. Patterson, after Dr. Bledsoe's baptism, he was made deacon and clerk of Georgetown Baptist Church, which place he served, with the exception of one year as clerk until his death in 1901. Georgetown Baptists owe a great deal to Dr. Bledsoe for his loyalty to this church, at one time he was almost the church. I would like to make mention of Mrs. D. M. Davidson, who united by letter in 1883. When the Baptist were weak in number, she has stood for Baptist principles at all times, then oone other member Miss Mollie Johnson, known as "Aunt Mollie" should be mentioned. She is the oldest member we have, having joined by baptism in 1862. She is an invalid and has been for years, but her life is a ray of sunshine, always speaking for the Master. As to our Pastors, they are many. Georgetown church has used a number of Mercer Students. These men usually come to us in their last years of college life. We wish to thank Mercer for what she is and for what she has given us in the way of Preachers. I feel proud to be able to give the list of God's noble men who have served Georgetown Baptist Church since 1882. W. H. Patterson (1882 to 1884), J. W. Watson (1910), W. S. Rogers (1885 to 1887), J. A. Ivey (1911), Z. T. Weaver (1888). H. L. Driskel (1914 to 1916), W. H. Norton (1889), V. T. Johnson (1918 to 1919), W. R. McLendon (1890 to 1892), E. R. Palmer (1920), J. H. Corley (1893 to 1895), W. J. Wood (1921), W. N. Reeves (1896, 1897), J. W. Farmer (1922 to 1924), J. I. D. Miller (1897 to 1899), D. T. Buice (1924, 1925), W. S. Rogers (1900), C. E. Rogers (1925, 1926), J. W. Newsome (1900 to 1904), Winfred Davis (1926 to 1928), W. W. Mabry (1904, 1905), J. W. Farmer (1928 to present), J. E. White (1906, 1907), L. L. Lyon (1908), J. F. Eden (1909). Georgetown Baptist Church entertained Bethel Association in 1910 and 1924. Br. J. W. Farmer, our present pastor, came to us first in June 1922 remaining during 1923 and 1924. He left us for a period of four years and went to Demorest and Clarksville. Due to the great love the church had for him, he was called again to be pastor in October, 1928. The church has been wonderfully blessed under his pastorate. The greatest revival Georgetown has ever had, was through his earnest preaching of the Gospel and Mr. C. A. Lanier's singing of the Gospel to our people. Our church membership has been more than thrice doubled since he has been with us. We have now enrolled 206 active members and 97 inactive members. May Bro. Farmer's life be long and beautiful in the service of doing good to mankind and holding up Jesus as the Saviour of the world. We only have a full record of church clerks since 1882, as follows: Dr. F. M. Bledsoe (1882 to 1884), E. A. Keese (1885), Dr. F. M. Bledsoe (1886 to 1900), Chas. E. Kaigler (1901 to 1905), W. B. Tye (1906), H. M. Kaigler (1910 to 1915), A. A. Hasty (1918 to 1922), Mrs. H. C. Smith (1923), J. F. Castellow (1924, 1925), A. B. Cross (1926 to present). DEACONS Dr. F. M. Bledsoe (1885 to 1901, deceased), John Chambliss (1887), Chas. E. Kaigler (1905), W. W. Green, Sr. (1905), J. D. Carlton, J. S. Anderson, H. A. Gay, J. C. Moore, I. L. Balkcom, C. E. Banks. PRESENT BOARD OF ACTIVE DEACONS Dr. L. Gary, H. G. Bynum, A. B. Cross, T. N. Balkcom, L. P. Guilford, Albert Guilford, H. M. Kaigler, Chairman For years Georgetown Baptist Church was only one large room as most churches were in past days, this room was used as Auditorium and Sunday School rooms. In recent years the Auditorium was wonderfully improved with Baptistery built in the church; Sunday School rooms built with a corridor to main building; the front being finished with a large cement porch with brick columns the valuation of this property is $4,000.00 August 28, 1887 the following resolution was read as adopted: Wherein we have recognized gifts in our Bro. E. A. Keese, which we believe if exercised would be to the Glory of the Savioiur and advancement of his cause and feeling impressed that these gifts indicate a call of the Holy Spirit to the ministry if the Gospel's truth therefore resolved that, We the Georgetown Baptist Church do authorize and encourage him to exercise his Gifts in preaching the Gospel, at such times and places, as may be prudent, and as the Holy Spirit may indicate; Resolved we recommend him to the confidence of the Brethren and to all others wherever his lot may be cast. W. S. Rogers, Mod., F. M. Bledsoe, Clerk WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNON In the year 1885, the Baptist Woman's Missionary Union was organized in the Georgetown Baptist Church with Mrs. William Harrison, president, who served in this capacity until 1903, when she moved from this state. Mrs. Harrison's consecrated life and loyalty to Christ was ever a guiding spirit during the early years of the organization. Mrs. D. M. Davison became president of the W.M.U. in 1903 and faithfully performed the duties of this office until 1925. A Sunbeam Band was organized in 1909 by Mr. J. Fred Eden, Pastor with Miss Gussie Crumbley as Leader of the Band. In 1927, the W.M.U. was organized with Mrs. Fred Castellow, President, Girls Auxiliary, Mrs. C. A. Wade, Leader; Royal Ambassadors, Mrs. H. G. Bynum, Leader; Sunbeam, Mrs. Emmie Bledsoe Lester, Leader. The Union has at all times cooperated in the State Programs for W.M.U. work. In the 75,000,000 campaign the W.M.U. pledge liberally and every member paid her pledge in full. The present officers are: Mrs. J. F. Castello, President Mrs. J. W. Farmer, Vice President Mrs. T. N. Balkcom, Sec'y. and Treas. Miss Ophelia Balkcom, G. A. Leader Mrs. H. G. Bynum, R. A. Leader Mrs. W. W. Grady, Sunbeam Leader THE SUNDAY SCHOOL At first our Sunday School was a Union School with Dr. F. M. Bledsoe, Superintendent. About 1869 we organized a Baptist Sunday School using our literature. Dr. F. M. Bledsoe was the Superintendent until his passing. After Dr. Bledsoe's death in 1901, Mr. Chambless was superintendent for a long time. For some years, we were without a leader, but we did not let our school close. The faithful ones toiled on. Mr. D. M. Davidson and Mr. H. M. Kaigler were our leaders for some time followed by Mr. G. O. Kaigler, Mr. H. S. Gay and Mr. A. A. Hasty, who were Superintendents for a while. In 1919 Mr. J. D. Carlton joined our church and has been our leader since. Under his leadership the school became A-1 in 1930. The present officers are: Mr. J. D. Carlton, Supt. L. P. Guilford, Sec'y. Mrs. Emmie Bledsoe Lester, Acting Sec'y. Mr. H. M. Kaigler, Treas. (pages 199-202) "History of Bethel Association - Including Centennial Meeting" Centennial meeting held with Baptist church at Edison, Georgia, October 25, 26, 27, 1932 A. L. Miller, Edison, Ga., Moderator. W. H. Joyner, Coleman, Ga., Clerk Compiled and Edited by Alexander Lee Miller Moderator of Association 1909 -- 1934 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/quitman/churches/nbb43georgeto.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 10.1 Kb