Quitman County GaArchives Church Records.....Green Grove 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 July 2, 2004, 4:54 pm GREEN GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH (African American) The original Green Grove Baptist Church was about a mile west of the church site as it is today. It was destroyed by a fire, the year of this tragedy is unknown. The officers and members seeing the need to secure a new church house made inquiries to the availability of Patula Church as it was no longer in use. It was deeded to the members of Green Grove Church as a gift by J. E. Methvin on February 28, 1903. This deed was recorded at the Georgetown Courthouse the second day of August in 1910. The Reverend Cunningham is believed to have been the first pastor at this site. The Deacons were: John Bland Sr., Wiglie Upshaw, Calvin Oliver, Lee Massey and Jim Chatt. The second pastor was Reverend Jewell. In 1917 Reverend C. R. Ross was called as pastor. The Deacons were: John Tarbet, Isaac Williams, Lee Massey, Pig Bland and Wiglie Upshaw. Reverend Tiger, Reverend Russel and Reverend John Bland followed Reverend Ross; during this time Lucious Lewis was ordained as Deacon, Reverend Smith was the next to pastor at Green Grove. His Deacons were: Charlie Passmore, Herman Lewis, Willie Bullard, and James Lewis. Reverend James Bolwin and Reverend O. B. Brinson followed as leader. The Deacons were: Lee Rumph, Pig Bland, Edwin Lewis, Charlie Passmore, James Henly, and A. C. Lewis. The Reverend K. W. White was called as pastor in 1952. His Deacons were James Lewis, Loren Thomas, Jimmy Linsey, Marshall Rumph, and Will Lane. He remained as pastor until 1969, when the Reverend A. C. Lewis was called. In 1970 Reverend Lewis and the members decided to tear the old building down and rebuild as extensive and costly repairs were needed to keep the old building open. A new structure was erected through faith, prayer, patience, and hard work. The new building was dedicated in October of 1975. Reverend Sherman Williams was called to preach in 1979 and remains with the church as pastor in 1987. Reverend Williams entered the ministry while attending church at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Georgetown. In April of 1981 a kitchen was added to the church building. In 1982 Rufus Thomas and Lucius Thomas were ordained as deacons and the first church sponsored picnic was held in August of that year. A new well was drilled in 1985 and in 1986 and addition was made, consisting of bathrooms and storage space. In 1987 the church has begun the project of cleaning the cemetery. Trees, bushes and poison oak have been cleared away and the grounds swept. Mrs. Mollie Lewis Mrs. Clara Lewis "Cemeteries and Churches of Quitman County, Georgia" by Jacquelyn M. Shepard (page 53-54) Additional Comments: Transcribed and submitted by Donna Eldridge with permission from Jacquelyn Shephard File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/quitman/churches/nbb59greengro.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb