Randolph County GaArchives Church Records.....Rehoboth 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, 12:43 pm REHOBOTH BAPTIST CHURCH Sunday, August 17, 1839 witnessed a notable event. This was the constituting of Rehoboth Baptist Church, located about one and one half miles north of where Shellman now is. Bros. Jonathan Davis and Jas. S. Livingston formed the first Presbytery. The Church was constituted under a bush arbor in the grove where the church now stands. This arbor continued to be the place of meeting for three years, at the expiration of which time a small log house was built on Mill Creek, about one and one half miles North from the site of the present house. In 1844, Gen. Bazil Graves built the first frame house on the spot where the church now stands. About this time a school was established here, the building being about one hundred yards north of the church. This school was known as "Rehoboth Academy" and became a boarding school of note in those days. In a letter written to The Index about Uncle Tommy Muse says this of the church. "The membership is intelligent, industrious kind and hospitable and as pious as you will find in the country churches. They enjoy a large meeting such as protracted meeting and an Association -- they glory in having the pleasure of entertaining it." Up to the year 1880 the church had had eleven pastors to serve them, the names being as follows: J. S. Lunsford, Thomas Muse, M. L. Crawford, Richard Thornton, E. W. Warren, Jessie M. Davis, Jas. O. Cumby, M. B. L. Binion, W. M. Pope, B. F. King, R. A. J. Powell, Thomas Muse, who again, after forty years had elapsed since his previous service as pastor to this church was again called and served from 1874 to 1885. About the beginning of this call or in 1873, the present house was built. This house is 40 x 60, ceiled and painted. From about 1885 the records are somewhat incomplete, but will give the names of such pastors as I have been able to obtain. These are as follows: Bro. Simmons, J. O. Nowell, M. B. L. Binion, J. W. Martin, J. P. Sauls, W. L. Culbertson, J. G. Corley, about twenty five years, W. O. Young and our present beloved pastor J. C. Grimes. Throughout this long span of years many souls have found their Saviour within this grand old church. Long may she live and prosper! (pages 232-233) "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/randolph/churches/nbb33rehoboth.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb