Taylor County GaArchives Church Records.....New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, History ************************************************ 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: John Adams, Sr traceradams@cox.net ; February 11, 2017, 4:22 pm SEPTEMBER 2001 TAYLOR COUNTY TRACER PAGE 17 HISTORY OF NEW HOPE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH Compiled by John R. Adams, Sr. I wish that time and material would allow for a more detailed history of this dear old Church. By church I mean the baptized believers known as the Church at New Hope. I have seen some references to this Church as "Little Vine" but I did not find it in the Minutes of the Associations that I researched. I have been told that the Minutes of the Church were destroyed by fire in the home of the Clerk. I believe that some minutes after the loss of the original minutes are in the possession of past members. I will begin with a history published in the BUTLER HERALD on Sept 19, 1929. I have added abstracts from the Minutes of the Echeconnee and Upatoi Primitive Baptist Associations. I have copies of these minutes in my possession. There may be other Association records but they were not available to me at this time. Information about the Church could be obtained by careful research of the BUTLER HERALD. Obituaries and news articles about meetings held at New Hope would provide valuable information about the history of the church. New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Constituted September 13,1829 Read by Mr. H. E. Saylor at Centennial Celebration Held Friday, September 13, 1929 The Church of Christ at New Hope Taylor County, Reynolds, Ga., September 13, 1929, Dear brethren and sisters and friends; We have met today for the supreme purpose of worshipping God and thanking him for our spared lives and for the dear old church (New Hope), that has been standing for one hundred years, according to our church record. We want to thank Him for the many dear old servants that have occupied this stand and have given their entire life for this cause that we are now trying to honor today. We also want to thank Him for the many Deacons, Clerks, and Christian members of this church, and beg His indulgence with those who are trying the best they know how to keep house for the dear people of God. We want to thank Him for the many past records that we find recorded in the Church Book, where trouble would arise and those dear servants of God would stand for the right thing, and God has blessed them for their obedience and efforts to serve Him who is all-wise, powerful and is the God of heaven and earth, and is the same God who bled and died on Calvary's Cross and arose for our justification and to save poor sinners. Now we bow in humble submission to Him today, asking him to continue the dear old church, and especially to bless those who are here, trying in their weak way to keep house, that their light may shine so bright that others may see it and know that it is none other than the house of God. We now come to the first efforts of those who wanted to keep house for God, and here they came together and asked for a presbytery to constitute them into a church. Below are the names of the brethren and sisters who met together one hundred years ago today to form this church: Georgia, Marion County, Sept. 13,1829: Bro. William Underwood, Bro. Thomas Bloodworth, Bro. Thomas Pickard, Bro. Powell Benton, Sister Martha Underwood, Sister Frances Bloodworth, Sister Elizabeth Newsom, and Sister Linney Hale. The above named members of the Baptist church of Christ met at the house of William Mitchell, having called for help as a presbytery to constitute themselves into a church on the above date according to an appointment. The brethren Bell, Norris and Bateman met, and finding them orthodox, constituted them into a body in the Apostolic order. This done and assigned the date above written. Presbytery: Elders Benjamin Bateman, Henry Bell and Isaac Norris. Mitchell meeting house. After sermon being delivered by Bro. Powell, the church sit in conference, received by letter Bro. Solomon Bloodworth. Committee appointed by the church to select a place for the meeting house. The committee was follows: Thomas Bloodworth, Joshua Newsom, John Moulton, Solomon Bloodworth, William Underwood. Underwood, Clerk. October 10, 1829. Mitchell meeting house. After public worship the church came into conference, Bro. Hiram Powell, Moderator. Conference was opened with prayer. 1. Opened a door for the reception of members into the church by any way the Gospel directs, when came forward Bro. Solomon Bloodworth and Sister Lucy Bloodworth, his wife, by letters, and were received. 2. Appoint a committee to look out for a place for a permanent seal for the meeting house and report to next conference. November 7, 1829. William Mitchell meeting house. After public worship the church came into conference; Bro. Thomas Bloodworth, moderator. 1. Opened the door for the reception of membership into the church by any way the Gospel directs, when came forward Sister Francis Moulton by letter and received. 2. Inquiry for reference. 3. Took up the reference with regard to the selection of a place to build a meeting house. The committee appointed to look out for a place reported that they have done so, and think that at a spring near Mr. Posey's is a proper place. The church agreed to approbate the report. 4. Moved and seconded that the church set apart Friday before the next meeting as a day for humiliation and prayer and that God may give us a preacher. Soloman Bloodworth, C. C. The next record shows February 6, 1830. The church met at Posey's meeting house. Bro. Bloodworth, moderator. We have no record from 1830 to 1834 with Bro. Bowden, Moderator. At this meeting there were three additions and at the same meeting the church made choice of two deacons. Brothers Amos Adams and John Moulton, Sam Givens, Church Clerk. Now in 1835 the church of Christ at Posey's meeting house met with Bro. Bowden, Moderator and Bro. Sam Givens, C. C., with some additions to the church all along. September 5th, 1836 the church appointed a messenger to the Association. Also at the same time made choice of a preacher and Bro. Bowden was called and agreed to serve. On January 2, 1836, Sereno Haynes Dwight was selected and began his service as church clerk, and on this date with Brother Bowden, Moderator. They held their quarterly communion meeting. S. H. Dwight. C. C. Brother Bowden continued his services as Moderator of the church from his call in 1835 to the year 1838 inclusive. On Saturday, May 6th, 1837, the test of fellowship was raised in conference and we find the following recorded in the minutes: The Baptist church of Christ at New Hope met in conference, Bro. William Bowden, Moderator. 1. Invited visiting brethren and sisters of the same faith and order to seats with us. 2. Opened the door of the church for reception of members in any way the Gospel directs, and none came. 3. Moved and seconded that the members composing the church at New Hope designate themselves by claiming a resolution to designate this church's members by the same of claiming the faith of Primitive Baptists. 4. Then the church offered the same for its adoption or rejection when it was unanimously resolved that the members composing this church do hereby declare a non-fellowship with what is now known or termed the NEW LIGHT BAPTIST, claiming themselves Missionaries, and all other new names, and do hereby say that any person posing one article of faith cannot have any membership with, nor receive any encouragement from or by us, and further say that if any member of this church shall after this, become attached to, or in possession of the new scheme faith, they shall no longer be entitled to membership with us. Done in conference, and by order of the church. The meeting adjourned by the Moderator. E. H. Calhoun, C.C. protem. We find inscribed on the minutes a form of Church Constitution as follows: "We, a few of the scattered sheep of the household of God's elect having covenanted together and have agreed to give ourselves to each other and to the Lord for the purpose of trying to keep house for the Living God as a branch of the church of Christ, we have, therefore, called for A, B, C, D, E and F as a presbytery to constitute or pronounce us a legal church to enjoy the privileges of other churches of our faith, or of the Primitive faith and order." Friday, October 3, 1849. The above mentioned brethren came forward and, according to our request, after enquiring into our faith and order, they did pronounce us orthodox in faith and order and as such, declared us to be a branch of the church of Christ bearing the name New Hope church. Signed: AB, CD, EF, OMG, OMG and OMG. In April 1839, Bro. John W. Bassett was licensed to exercise his gift in any way he felt impressed. Bro. Bowden, Moderator, Bro. S. H. Dwight, C.C. On January 4, 1840, the church expressed a unanimous voice to ordain Bro. John W. Basset to the ministry. In February 1840, he was ordained by Brethren Benjamin Webb and Bowden. In the years 1842 and 1843 the church was served by Eldei John Bassett. S. H. Dwight C. C. In 1844 Brother Alien Wood was called to serve the church. Gideon Smith, C. C. protem. In the years 1845 and 1846 the church was served by Elder Phillips. S. H. Dwight, C. C. In the years 1847, 1848, and 1849 the church was served by Elder J. B. Hamilton, Moderator. ' ' Elder James Murray served the church during the years 1850 to 1854 inclusive. Elder John Bassett was again called and served the church in the years 1855 and 1856, being succeeded in 1857 by Brother William Hubbard. In 1859 Brother Shaderick Meeks was called to serve the church. In 1860 Brother W. C. Cleveland was called and served the church. In 1861 Elder John P. Glover was called to serve the church and continued to serve this church as Moderator until 1875 as long as he was actively able to do so. We find in the minutes of March 13, 1869 during his administration as Moderator, where two colored members of New Hope church, namely, Daniel Towns and Harry Watts requested license to preach, and the church having no knowledge of the extent of their gift, put them off until they could hear them and adjudge their gift. On April 22, 1869, Elder John P. Glover and S. H. Dwight, after hearing the colored brethren, Daniel Towns and Harry Watts, preach, and judging to the best of their ability, we believe they preach the doctrine contained in the Bible, and therefore recommend and agree to give the men license, liberating them to preach where their lot may be case among their race of people. Committee: J. P. Glover and S. H. Dwight. In 1876 Elder J. F. Sykes was called and he continued to serve this church until 1890 inclusive. In 1883 during his administration as Moderator, Brother J. L. Ogburn was ordained as Deacon of New Hope church and served as such until his death in 1885. On October 4, 1884, Brother F. E. Glover and his wife came forward and were received into the church at New Hope by experience. After the death of Brother J. L. Ogburn in 1885 Brother Grover was chosen and ordained Deacon of New Hope church which office he held until his death. The presbytery at his ordination was composed of Elder J. R. Respess, Samuel Bentley and J. F. Sykes. On January 5, 1891, Elder Jack English was called to serve the church and served same continuously until 1901. October 13, 1918, Elder J. M. Woodward was called and he has continued to serve this church unto this good day. We pray for him that God will bless him and that he will continue to serve us. On May 2, 1920 H. E. Saylor asked for a home with New Hope church and was received. In June he was chosen Clerk and in July was chosen a Deacon of the church and ordained on August 29, 1920; Presbytery; Elders W. J. Heard, D. Y. Hicks and J. M. Woodward. On Oct. 1, 1921, Brother G. L. Dwight, a nephew of Serene Haynes Dwight, who served this church as Clerk from 1838 until 1883, was elected Church Clerk, an office he still occupies. Since the reorganization of the church in 1916 with only four female members and one male member it has enjoyed a steady growth in membership and grace under the guidance and leadership of the able and Godly Elder who has now been with us for nearly 11 years. Our church in a larger measure, probably, than at any time since its institution 100 years ago, is promoting Christian fellowship among its members and serving the Master's call in the entire community. Thus briefly, brethren, sisters, and friends, I have touched the important events in the life of our church which today rounds out a century of service tot he community. I have mentioned the names of only a few of these Christian men whose devotion to their fellow man and consecration to the cause of the Master has made their names an honored memory to many who are gathered here on these hallowed grounds today. Among this gathering I recognize the children, grand-children and many other relatives of many of those men whose labor and sacrifices in time of adversity has perpetrated this church. We are indeed fortunate that in our church conference record, practically complete and intact from the beginning of this institution, we are now able to give them just recognition and praise. Among the names inscribed on this old record we find those who were leaders in every line of business in this prosperous and thriving community. The history of world is the biography of its great men. The history of Taylor county, and particularly of this section of the county, is made up of the activities of these Godly men. I would that I had the time to tell you in detail of the life and wonderful influence, local and nationwide, of some of the men mentioned so briefly by me in this short history. The literary attainment and broad scholarship of men like J. R. Respess, Samuel Bentley and other whose names I could mention, has received recognition not only in our denomination but among all other denominations. While some have attained national recognition because of their labors in other fields, I would recall that all the information we now have of others long since returned to their reward is what is contained in the written record of this church. Less than two miles from this church, overrun with briars, weeds and undergrowth, forgotten of man and entirely neglected you can find a solitary tombstone with simple inscription "Thomas Bloodworth." The solitary slab of marble, erected by some loving relative or friend, in its lonely location, excites the curiosity of the passing world,, but how many in my audience knows anything about the men whose bones rest there? This slab marks the resting place of his body; the record of his service to his fellowman is inscribed in the records of New Hope church as one of the original founders of this church on Sept. 13, 1829. This record will live and be perpetuated and his name will be honored as long as this church shall live, long after any marble or granite slab shall have decayed. NOTE: BLOODWORTH CEMETERY (In pine thicket behind Whatley Home) The Bloodworth Cemetery is located behind the Whatley Home on a county road off of Hwy 96. Turn south at the National Guard Armory in Reynolds. About 1 mile out the Road. No other houses on the road. Thomas Bloodworth was the son of John Bloodworth and Tamsie Exum. His grave is no longer marked. It was found in 1980 and the maker was moved to Liberty Hill, Georgia and placed beside his wife's grave, Tamas Proctor Bloodworth Thomas Baptist M.G. 24 Jun 1773 23 Jan 1836 =============== May the events of this day, and the occasion of this gathering, inspire us, and each of us, with a determination to carry on the purposes of the founders of this church with new zeal and enthusiasm, and to the Master's will be all the praise forever. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/taylor/churches/newhopep419gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 16.3 Kb