First Baptist Church

The church selected a seven-member pastor search committee in November 2005. Members of the committee included Tom Duggan, Bill Grant, Shirley Gunter, Barbara Hearn, Smythe Newsome, Barbara Roberts, and Jeff Treadwell. The committee began work and proposed Dr. Charles Strickland of Ailey, GA, as interim pastor for election by the church on January 22, 2006. Dr. Strickland is a staff member of Brewton-Parker College, an institution of the Georgia Baptist Convention at Mount Vernon. As Executive Assistant to the President of Church Relations, he travels over the state to promote the college. He is an experienced pastor, having served several churches in Georgia and North Carolina. His most recent pastorate was First Baptist Church of Centerville, in the Warner Robins area. Centerville has more than 1200 resident members and a budget of about $1.1 million. The church elected Dr. Strickland interim pastor by a vote of 201 to 7.

Dr. John M. Childers became pastor of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia on March 1, 1999. His desire is that First Baptist Church would become a vibrant missions-sending church. He agrees with the statement that the strength of the church is determined not by its seating capacity, but by its sending capacity. After several years of service to the church John was called by the South County Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO, and accepted the call on November 1, 2005.

Biography of J. M. Childers

John received his Bachelors degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia in 1983. While at UGA, he was Sports Editor for "The Red and Black" student newspaper. He continues to enjoy sports. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1987 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998. John's doctoral emphasis was on Spiritual Leadership. "One of the greatest needs in the church today," John says, "is strong, servant-driven leadership".

Before coming to Washington, John served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vienna, Georgia for six years. His greatest memory of that time was watching FBC of Vienna give birth to a new Hispanic Baptist Church in Vienna. The Iglesia Bautista Filidelphia now averages approximately 100 in worship each Sunday. John also served as associate pastor of the First Baptist Church of Monroe, Georgia from 1988-1993.

John Mark Carpenter served as interim pastor of the Washington church from 1997 to 1999.

Biography of John Mark Carpenter:

He was born October 16, 1929, in Toccoa, Georgia.

Albert Warren Huyck, Jr. served as pastor of the Washington church from 1974 to 1997. During his pastorate Terry Blackmon was ordained to the ministry in 1975. In March 1977, the church voted to redecorate the sanctuary, including new carpet throughout. Also, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary that year. In June 1980, the church approved purchase of a building across the street for use primarily as a youth activities center. It was named The Ark and has become an important part of the church's total ministry. The church started a pre-kindergarten program in 1980 with Laurie Granade as teacher. In the decade of the 1980s there were 131 professions of faith, and the church gave a total of $422,365 to missions. In 1983 the church launched its largest building program to date. A Together-We-Build campaign had a goal of $400,000 and in the end approximately $500,000 to pay for renovation of the Nancy Mercer Annex and new construction to include a church library, rest rooms, an office suite, a kitchen, and a fellowship hall. The new fellowship hall was dedicated and named the Mary Callaway Burton Fellowship Hall. Mrs. Burton's portrait, painted by George Mandus, was hung in the church office in 1986. A new bus was purchased in June 1988 at a cost of $88,060. The church adopted a rotating system for all church committee members in 1989. A modern record of 559 persons attending Sunday School was set on October 29, 1989. In July 1991 the church approved purchase of land across the street from the church for parking and future developement at a cost of $75,000. Under Mr. Huyck's leadership the church enjoyed one of its finest periods of varied ministries, united fellowship, and spiritual growth. He was instrumental in developing Penfield Christian Home into a part of the Georgia Baptist Convention. He has been chairman of trustees for Tift College and a director of the Alumni Association of Furman University. In 1971 he visited Bible lands and in 1980 he went on a preaching mission to Japan and the Republic of China.

Biography of Albert Warren Huyck, Jr.
Albert was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Warren Huyck, Sr., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Augusta. Albert attended ARC - Academy of Richmond County - in Augusta; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He was pastor of First Baptist Church of Royston, GA, and pastor of First Baptist Church of Swainsboro, GA, before coming to Washington in 1974. After leaving Washington his retirement was short lived and he became pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Aonia community nine miles east of Washington.

J. Harold Rowland served as pastor of the Washington church from 1969 to 1973. In 1972 the church built a new pastorium on Tignall Road and the Rowland family moved into it that summer from a house rented from Mr. and Mrs. Troupe Harris. Also in 1972 a set of handbells was purchased with memorial gifts, and three handbell choirs were organized. That year, also, the church voted to add three stops to the organ, using money given by the Nabors family. During his pastorate James "Jim" Marion Newsome, Jr., was ordained to the ministry.

Biography of J. Harold Rowland:

J. Harold Rowland was born Sunday, December 13, 1931. He died Friday, March 5, 2004. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 7, 2004, at First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia, and were conducted by Dr. J. Truett Gannon and Rev. Father Gary Abbott, both friends and associates of long standing. The concluding service was held in Magnolia Cemetery, Waynesboro, Georgia.

Montague Cook was pastor of the Washington church from 1965 to 1969.

Tom O. Kay served as pastor of the Washington church from 1957 to 1965. In 1959 the parking lot was paved, the sanctuary was renovated, and air conditioning was installed throughout the building.

Law M. Mobley served as pastor of the Washington church from 1953 to 1957. In 1956 the church constructed a new Sunday School building on the NE corner of the sanctuary.

John C. Busby served as pastor of the Washington church from 1947 to 1952. In 1948 the church built a new pastorium on Poplar Drive on a lot given by Mr. and Mrs. Will Wynne. In 1949 the church paid out in expenditures $18,364.52. The church reported $30,108.60 as grand total gifts for all causes in the associational letter to the Georgia Association.

Raymond Collier served as pastor of the Washington church from 1945 to 1947. During 1945 the children of D. W. Key gave new pulpit furniture to the church in memory of Dr. Key. Also in 1945 work was begun in remodeling the sanctuary. During his pastorate the church began supporting Miss Margaret Collins as a missionary to China.

Waymon C. Reese served as pastor of the Washington church from 1939 to 1945. During this pastorate the church constructed what is known as the "Nancy Mercer Annex" and dedicated it on March 7, 1943. Dr. Reese was known in the state convention for his interest in associational missions and led many to see the value in having an associational missionary. As a matter of interest, the total church budget for 1941-1942 was $6474.16. Of that amount the pastor's salary was $2700.00 and the amount for the Cooperative Program was $1618.51.

Biography of Waymon C. Reese

Before coming to Washington W. C. Reese was pastor of Ghent's Branch Baptist Church, three miles SE of Denmark, SC.

Durward Veazey Cason served as pastor of the Washington church from 1935 to 1939. He developed relationships with blacks in the Georgia Association and later became head of this work with National Baptists in the Georgia Baptist Convention. In addition to Washington he served churches in McCormick, SC, and Waycross and Hapeville, GA.

Biography of D. V. Cason

Durward Veazey Cason was born in Warren County, GA, May 27, 1901, and died in Clinton, TN, July 25, 1990, at age 89. His wife Ossie Spooner Cason, died June 6, 1983, and his oldest son D. V. Cason, Jr., died in 1957. D. V. Cason had established memorial funds for them. He was survived by sons Dr. J. H. Cason, Jefferson City, MO, and D. Lamar Cason, Clinton, TN, and a brother, Herbert Cason, Warrenton, GA. Funeral services were conducted at First Baptist Church, Hapeville, GA, by Rev. Ronald M. Hinson and other ministers. Burial was in Melwood Cemetery.

William Thomas Evans served as pastor of the Washington church from 1930 to 1935. Mr. Evans represented the church as a messenger to the annual meetings of the Georgia Association at Williams Creek church Oct 14-15, 1930; at Union Point church Oct 12-14, 1931; at Washington church Oct 11-12, 1932; at Danburg church Oct 10-11, 1933; and at Double Branches church Oct 16-17, 1934.
In 1931 the church gave $2,800.00 to the Cooperative Program. In 1932 the church took a special emergency missions relief offering.
Mr. Evans died from cancer in 1935.

S. H. Bennett served as pastor of the Washington church from 1925 to 1930.

Homer Lamar Grice served as pastor of the Washington church from 1915 to 1924. In 1912 Mrs. R. A. Oslin, Sr., voluntarily organized a Cradle Roll Department and operated it alone until 1916 when she presented it to the church with 27 babies enrolled. In December 1916 the church presented its first White Gift Service. During this pastorate the church conducted perhaps the first vacation Bible schools in the denomination and constructed a new Sunday School building and significant modifications to the church sanctuary. In 1916 an individual communion set was purchased. In 1919 the church adopted a five-year budget for local expenses and began the single-envelope system. The collection plates were found to be too small and larger ones were bought. During his pastorate the church supported Mrs. I. V. Larson as a missionary to China in 1919. Also in 1919 the church bought 82 feet of the Hogue property to the west of the church and began extensive additions to the brick church. In 1920 the additions were completed, the sanctuary was modified, memorial windows were installed, and a central heating system was installed. During the weeks of July 8-22, 1922, the church conducted Daily Vacation Bible School, one of the first in the convention.

VBS seeks to provide a fun-filled spiritual adventure for boys and girls involving concentrated Bible study and encourages real-life application. A doctor's wife in New York is credited with the VBS concept. In 1898, she began renting out a beer hall on New York's east side to conduct what she called Everyday Bible School. LifeWay began producing VBS resources in the early 1920s under the direction of Homer Lamar Grice.

W. S. Dorsett served as pastor of the Washington church from 1912 to 1915. In 1913 the sidewalk was paved in front of the church.

Daniel Webster Key served as pastor of the Washington church from 1906 to 1912. The church elected him to serve as pastor Oct 15, 1905. On Nov 5, 1905, he accepted the call of the church effective Jan 1, 1906, from his home in Greenville, SC. On Feb 4, 1906, Dr. Key, his wife Sallie Key, and his daughter Carrie Lou Key were received into the membership of the church. In 1907, with expenses paid the books showed a balance of $132.46. During 1909-1910 the tracker-action pipe organ was installed. On Jan 7, 1912, Dr. Key resigned his pastorate effective Feb 1, 1912. On Jan 21, 1912, the church accepted his resignation, effective Feb 15, 1912.

Biography of D. W. Key

He was born Apr 14, 1854, in Panola County, TX, the son of Isaac Miller Key, who died Apr 2, 1862, and Lodeema C. Hoskins. He was known in his family as "Webster." He earned an A.B. degree at Carson-Newman College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He died Mar 12, 1927.

Eldred John Forrester served as pastor of the Washington church from 1902 to 1905. He served as a messenger from the church to the association at its meetings at Greensboro, Oct 14-16, 1902; at Carters Grove, October 13-15, 1903; at Beaverdam, October 11-13, 1904; and at Kiokee, October 10-12, 1905. Dr. Forrester preached the dedication sermon of the new building for Rehoboth Baptist Church in October 1903. Upon the creation of a minister's conference of the Georgia Association in the Washington church on January 10-11, 1905, Dr. Forrester was elected chairman. He resigned his pastorate effective October 1, 1905, having accepted a call to the Chair of Theology at Mercer University.

Biography of E. J. Forrester:

He was born November 14, 1853 and died November 11, 1932. On May 30, 1878, he married Bessie P. Dargan, daughter of Rev. J. O. B. Dargan, in a service performed by Rev. R. W. Lide. After the death of his wife Bessie he married her sister Maggie L. Dargan on January 22, 1885, in a service performed by Rev. Lide and Rev. John Stout. He served as pastor of the Washington Baptist Church of the Georgia Baptist Association from 1902 to 1905. He was a professor of Bible at Mercer University from 1905 to 1918. In May 1915 the pastoral committee of the Washington church conferred with him about serving the church again, but Dr. Forrester declined and the committee reported that he was not available. After this he served as pastor of the Sparta Baptist Church of the Washington Baptist Association from 1918 to 1920.

F. W. Barnett served as pastor of the Washington church from 1899 to 1901.

The campaign proved effective. In one year, significant collections of books were given by the first president, Dr. Samuel S. Sherman, Mrs.. Charles Manly, and F. M. Molton, totaling over 2500 volumes. Frank Willis Barnett, editor of the ALABAMA BAPTIST gave "for the use of students a large number of popular magazines and papers." He continued giving these sources and providing periodicals as a broadening resource. (Howard College Catalog, 1906-07, 1914-15)

Joseph L. Gross served as pastor of the Washington church from 1893 to 1899. During 1895 the church was lighted with electricity. In 1897 the church organized a Baptist Young People's Union (B.Y.P.U.), later Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.), with Dr. Gross as its first president.

A. L. Tull served as pastor of the Washington church from 1892 to 1893.

W. M. Harris served as pastor of the Washington church from 1887 to 1891. In 1888 the church voted to pay all monies into a common fund, which was then to be distributed by the treasurer. On September 2, 1889, the church organized a Woman's Missionary Society with Mrs. W. M. Pope as its first president. In 1890 the church sent $2,745.49 to the convention.

Shaler Granby Hillyer served as pastor of the Washington church from 1881 to 1887. During his pastorate a new building was planned, built, dedicated, and largely paid for.

The New Building

On June 1, 1882, the church authorized the building committee to take such measures as they may think to raise funds for the purpose of building a new church.
On August 1, 1882, the building committee reported that in accordance with instruction from the church the committee had considered the expediency of taking steps to build a new church, had decided that it was expedient and preachable in consideration of the prosperous times, that then was the time to begin, with a view to its completion within the next twelve months, and had decided to open a subscription list at once. On motion Brethren Binns and Lemuel Wooten Sims and their sisters were added to the committee to aid in the work.
On Nov 2, 1882, the building committee reported building fund subscriptions had reached $975.00 and amount in cash was $53.00.
On Nov 30, 1882, the building committee reported subscriptions had reached $3,250.00.
On Jan 12, 1883, upon recommendation by the building committee, the church resolved to: (1) Increase subscriptions. (2) Collect and invest subscriptions. (3) Build a brick church. (4) Begin gathering building materials. (5) The building committee should present a plan as soon as possible.
On Feb 12, 1883, the church instructed the building committee to place funds at interest.
On Mar 1, 1883, the building committee reported that it was in correspondence with an architect.
On Jun 18, 1883, the building committee reported that it has received plans and the church authorized the committee to continue.
On Jan 3, 1884, the building committee reported $4,324.16 collected from subscriptions, rebates and other sources, and $4,697.25 paid out. The committee reported that it would require $1,500.00 more beyond subscriptions to put the building in safe condition.
On August 14, 1884, the church chose Brother J. H. Kilpatrick to preach the dedication sermon of the new church and Dr. Hillyer to serve as alternate.
On November 6, 1884, the church decided to dedicate the new church at the first service which will be the second Sunday in the month.
On April 2, 1885, the church tendered a note of thanks to the building committee and especially to L. W. Sims of the committee, who superintended the work and building of the church. Also this year forty-one members of the church gave $24.55 to missions. The church was badly in debt because of the new brick building.
On February 3, 1887, the church noted that it still owed $4,800.00 on the new church.
On August 18, 1887, the church referred the question of building a parsonage to the old building committee with power to act.
On January 3, 1889, the church noted that it still owed $3,275.00 on the principal of the loan for the new building.
On January 5, 1890, the chuch noted that it still owed $2,871.00 on the principal of the loan for the new building.
On January 30, 1890, the church noted that it still owed $771.00 on the principal of the loan for the new building.

Association's Centennial

A significant event of the pastorate was the Association's Centennial Celebration of 1884. The celebration began on Wednesday, October 8, in the afternoon at the Washington church's original building and ended on Sunday night with prayer by the local pastor, Dr. Hillyer. Services were scheduled at the other churches in town also.

Biography of S. G. Hillyer

HILLYER, Shaler Granby, educator, was born in Wilkes county, Ga., June 20, 1809; son of Shaler and Rebecca (Freeman) Hillyer. He was taken with his brothers, John Freeman and Junius, to Athens, Ga., in 1821, by his mother, and was graduated at Franklin college (University of Georgia) in 1829. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but did not practise. He was tutor in a private family in Florida for one year; principal of Sunbury academy for one year, and preached his first sermon in Sunbury, Ga., in 1832. He was tutor in Franklin college, Athens, Ga., 1834; professor of rhetoric and belles lettres at Mercer university, Penfield, Ga., 1847-55, and of church history, homiletics and the Greek Testament, 1859-61; and president of Monroe Female college, Forsyth, Ga., 1867-72, and again, 1880-81. He was regularly ordained a minister in the Baptist church in 1835, and was pastor at Milledgeville, Ga., 1838-45, and later at various churches in Georgia. After resigning the presidency of Monroe Female college he was pastor at Washington, Ga., 1881-87, and at Decatur and Clarkston, Ga., 1887-92. He then retired from active work on account of the infirmities of age, preaching only occasionally by invitation. He received the degree of D.D. from Mercer university in 1850, and was a trustee of that institution in 1838. He was a regular contributor to the Christian Index up to the time of his death. He died in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 19, 1900.

H. A. Whitman served as pastor of the Washington church from 1878 to 1880. He resigned because he could not lived on $700.00 a year.

John Joyner Brantly served as pastor of the Washington church from 1876 to 1877. He was a messenger from the church to the Georgia Association at its meeting at Bethlehem church Oct 8-9,11, 1875, and at Union church Oct 6-7,9, 1876.

Biography of J. J. Brantly:
Rev. J. J. Brantly, the polished and learned Professor of Belles Lettres in Mercer University, was born in Augusta, Georgia,December 29, 1821. When John was about five years old his father, Dr. William T. Brantly, the elder, moved to Philadelphia, and there he spent the next twelve years of his life, enjoying the best educational advantages of the city. He removed with his father to Charleston in 1838, where he entered the Sophomore class of Charleston College, of which institution Dr. Brantly, Sr., became President at that time. Before the completion of his college course, and, while on a visit to relatives living at Scottsboro, near Milledgeville, Georgia, in the summer of 1839, he professed conversion in the progress of a revival in the Milledgeville church, of which Rev. S. G. Hillyer was pastor. He was batized by his own father, in the Ocmulgee River, not far from Milledgeville, and joined the church in that city.
Graduating in 1841, he taught for four years, part of the time as an assistant of his half brother, Dr. William T. Brantly, the younger, in the Richmond Academy, Augusta, Georgia, and part of the time as Principal of the Male Academy at Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina.
On a visit to his father, who was stricken down with paralysis in the year 1844, in the city of Charleston, he decided a point which had long agitated his mind, and resolved to enter the ministry. The First Baptist Church of Charleston licensed him to preach, and the last official act of his father was, as pastor of the church, to sign his certificate of licensure. Returning to North Carolina, he remained in Pittsboro until November, 1845, when he moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and there married. Soon afterwards he was called to the pastoral charge of the church in Fayetteville, and was ordained by a Presbytery consisting of Rev. Thomas Meredith and Rev. James Finch. In the spring of 1850 he moved to Newberry, South Carolina, and became pastor of the Baptist church there, sustaining that relation most pleasantly for himself and most profitably for the church, until January, 1867, when he removed to Penfield, Georgia, to take the chair of English in Mercer University, to which he had been elected the preceding summer.
For nearly twenty years he filled his chair with an ability to which no exception could be taken. Painstaking and faithful, he was rigid in exacting a full discharge of duty on the part of his pupils. Gifted with a superior mind, and having been a life-long student, it was needless to say that he did honor to the University, and would have done honor to any literary institution in the country. Soon after the removal of the University to Macon, Dr. E. W. Warren having resigned the pastoral care of the First church, Dr. Brantly was invited to serv3e as temporary pastor, and held the position for several months, much to the satisfaction and edification of the church.
Dr. Brantly was not what might be called a popular preacher; for his style of delivery was unimpassioned, perhaps even cold; his utterance and elocution were not such as caught the ear of the multitude; but his sermons were full of thought, well matured and elegantly expressed. Through all his thinking ran a semipoetic vein, which to minds of a more refined order, was very attractive. To an audience of literaturs, he would always prove a most acceptable preacher, and had he lived and preached in a community of highly cultivated taste, he would have attained to distinguished eminence.
Quiet, retiring, and exceedingly modest in his disposition, he loved the seclusion of his study. With an insatiable appetite for books, he was never so happy as when closeted with them. Especially was he fond of the ancient classics, and probably read a portion of them in the original Latin or Greek, almost every day of his life since he left college. He was also fond of patristic literature, and read it largely. He studied constantly, and yet he studied not as the means to an end - the study itself was the end; he studied for the mere love of study, and for nothing else. In his retirement and mostly without a teacher, he mastered the French, German and Spanish languages, so far as those languages can be learned from books, and would have been at home, in that regard, at Paris, Berlin, or Madrid. While his scholarship was broad, it was also peculiarly exact; for his mind was of the critical cast, and his habits of thought were precise and accurate. His style of composition was surpassingly elegant, and his productions evinced an intimate acquaintance with English literature - with the characteristics of its best authors, among whom, if he had sought it, he might have won a niche for himself. He ranked among our ablest theologians in this State; with a culture too thorough and an intellect too well-balanced to be visionary or extreme; while purity of feeling and depth of experience made him conspicuously evangelical in doctrine and spirit. If he had had more self-assertion, in the better sense of that term, no member of the distinguished family to which he belonged would wear the laurels of a higher distinction, as none were worthier - perhaps, in compass of mental gifts and scholarly attainnments none as worthy of it.

I. M. Springer served as pastor of the Washington church from 1874 to 1875.

B. W. Whilden served as pastor from 1872 to 1873.

B.W. Whilden, The Nanking Insurgents, Charleston, 1855. Whilden, a retired missionary, gives a rather disheartening view of China's great war for independence. The "Tartars," as Whilden calls them, were rather more friendly to foreigners and Christians than were the "rebels." An altogether fascinating view from a comprehending and intelligent observer.

Mary H. Whilden wife of Rev. B.W. Whilden June 27, 1821 - Oct. 23, 1885

Rev. N. M. Crawford was elected to the presidency of Cherokee College, who finally declined the appointment. In August following, Rev. Thomas Rambant was elected Professor of Languages, Rev. W. H. Robert, Professor of Mathematics, and Rev. B. W. Whilden, Adjunct Professor, all of whom accepted, and commenced operations February 6, 1856, with forty students.

Rev. B. W. Whilden, Evangelist of the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association, (formerly for Middle Alabama) and late Missionary to China, filled the Baptist Pulpit, in this place, on Sunday last, at 10 am, and 3 and 7 pm, delivering two very interesting sermons and a Sunday School lecture… His Postoffice is Trinity, Ala.

Died, in this city on the 23d inst., Mrs. Eliza Whilden, aged 51 years and 7
monthsmother of the Rev. B. W. Whilden, now on his way across the ocean to
China.

Henry Allen Tupper served as pastor of the Washington church from 1853 to 1872. During the year 1853 of this pastorate the church was completely renovated, the form of the cupola was altered, and a baptismal pool was evidently put in the building. The next year two small rooms were built at the rear of the church for the use of the baptismal candidates. In 1857 seventy-five white members of the congregation gave $1,150.00 to the association. In 1864 money was repaid to the church in Confederate billls and invested by the treasurer, by order of the church, in Confederate bonds. At the end of the year the treasury was down to $5.00. In 1866 the deacons were to assess the members quarterly and the assessments were then read aloud to the church. In 1869, for the first time, weekly collections were suggested. The church voted to adopt the envelope plan. All indebtedness on the church was liquidated at this time, and the church assumed its proportionate part of gifts for the Foreign and Domestic Mission Boards. In 1871 the church voted to discontinue monthly collections and to urge the people to give weekly. In 1872 Dr. Tupper resigned as pastor to accept employment with the Foreign Mission Board. He had accepted a salary only one year, 1866, the first year after the Civil War. He served the church nineteen years.

Biography of H. A. Tupper

TUPPER, Henry Allen, clergyman, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 29 February, 1828. His father, Tristram, a merchant of Charleston, was at one time president of the South Carolina Railroad. The son was educated in part at Charleston College, and was graduated at Madison University, New York, in 1848, and at its theological seminary in 1850. Having entered the ministry, he became, after three years' service in Graniteville, South Carolina, pastor of the Baptist church at Washington, Georgia, in which relation he continued for nearly twenty years.


During his pastorate the church gave support to Mary Caulfield Reid in May 1857 to assist her as a missionary to Central Africa. When she died a year later the church sent a tombstone to mark her grave.

The 1860 US Census record of his family showed his family to include himself, age 32; his wife Nancy Boyce, age 31; daughter Amanda, age 9; sons Furman, age 7; Ker Boyce, age 6; Tristram, age 4; H. Allen, Jr., age 3; and Paul Yoder, age 2; and daughter Ann Eliza, age 1. During the civil war he was chaplain of the 9th Georgia Regiment of the Confederate army. In 1872 he was made corresponding secretary of the Foreign Missionary Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, with his residence in Richmond, Virginia He still (1889) holds this office, and is a trustee of Richmond College, but resigned from the Foreign Missionary Board in 1893. In 1870 Madison University conferred on him the degree of D.D. Besides various published sermons and addresses, Dr. Tupper is the author of " The First Century of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia" (Philadelphia, 1880), "Foreign Missions of the Southern Baptist Convention (1880); and "Truth in Romance" (Baltimore, 1887).

Vincent Redmond Thornton served the Washington church from 1848 to 1853. In 1849 the church sold the former home of Jesse Mercer on Town Hill to Patrick Fitzpatrick after using it as a parsonage from 1841 to 1849.

Biography of V. R. Thornton

Rev. Vincent R. Thornton, son of Redmond and Sarah Thornton, was born July 19th, 1805, near Union Point, Greene County, Georgia, of parents noted for their piety, wealth and liberality. Redm0nd Thornton's name and history are blended with that of Bethesda Baptist Church in its early days. He contributed largely to the erection of its large brick house of worship. Vincent, his son, had all the facilities and means at hand to obtain a classical education, his father sending him first to one school and then to another, and finally to the State University (Mercer University at that time not being in existence). But love of pleasure and society and the world absorbed his mind absorbed his mind to such an extent than hje gave but little attention to books. His father, having taken him from college, tried to induce him to study medicine; but the youth showed little fondness for study of any kind, and the project was soon abandoned. The next effort was on the line of agriculture, but the young man was restless, gay, and wild, and seemed to have as little turn for labor as for study.
As pastor he served the following churches: Bethesda, Crawfordville, Baird's, Penfield, Washington, White Plains, Smyrna, Phillips Mill, Raytown, Madison, and Friendship. He was for years Moderator of the Georgia Association, even up to the time of the illness which ended his useful life. He neither held nor desired any civil office. He was a warm friend of the Red man, and was for years a faithful agent of the Indian mission cause, which position he filled withoug fee or reward. He occasionally attended the Triennial Convention of the Baptists of the United States, being elected a member of that body for years.
He married in early life, and his widow long survived him. To her credit be it said, she proved to be a good wife for a pastor, never throwing any barrier in his way of duty, but always having in her line everything in perfect readiness for him in time to meet his appointments. Eternity may reveal the fact that his wonderful success as a minister was attributable, under God, in part to her.

L. J. Robert served the Washington church of the Georgia Association from 1846 to 1848. Associations in which he served other than the Georgia were the Tallapoosa, 1851; the Western, 1872-74; the Central, 1868-69; the Stone Mountain, 1856-57; and the Bowen, 1877-83, 1885-88 .

Nathaniel Macon Crawford served as pastor of the Washington church from 1844 to 1845.

Biography of N. M. Crawford

He was born Oglethorpe County, Georgia, March 22, 1811; died Tunnel Hill, Georgia, October 27, 1871. Minister, theologian, and college president. As the son of William H. Crawford, a United States senator from Georgia, secretary of the treasury under James Monroe, American minister to France, and one-time candidate for the presidency, Nathaniel Macon Crawford enjoyed unique cultural and educational advantages in boyhood. He was educated in the schools of Washington, D.C., and at the University of Georgia where he graduated with highest honor in 1829 in a distinguished class which included George F. Pierce, a future Methodist bishop and college president; Thomas G. Scott, a future Episcopal bishop; and Shaler Granby Hillyer, a distinguished Baptist minister, educator and pastor of the Washington church 1881-1887.

Crawford studied law in his father's office and was soon admitted to the bar, but he never practiced. He procured a position in one of the state offices at Milledgeville, then the state capital. Shortly after 1837 he was converted during a revival meeting in Milledgeville. Influenced by his mother's teachings, he united with the Presbyterian church. In 1838 he became a professor of mathematics in the new Oglethorpe College, a Presbyterian institution at Midway, two miles from Milledgeville. In 1839 he married s sturdy young Baptist woman of limited education and an orphan, Anne Katherine Lazer. When their son was born his loyalty to his church made him want the baby christened; but his wife, no match for him in learning, would not agree unless he could prove to her that the New Testament taught the baptism of infants. He at once began to search his Greek Testament, thinking it would be easy to find clear teachings on the subject; but, when he found none, he not only came to believe that there was no authority for the baptism of infants, but also that there was none for sprinkling. He at once applied for membership in the Antioch Baptist Church, and was baptized by the pastor, Rev. Billington M. Sanders, in 1843. He was ordained to the ministry by the church in 1844.

Crawford was pastor at Washington, Georgia, in 1845, and at the First Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina, in 1846. In 1847 he became professor of biblical literature in Mercer University, then at Penfield, Georgia. In 1854 he became president, but was soon involved in difficulties that brought him into conflict with Professor Patrick H. Mell. After the resignation of several of the professors, Crawford himself resigned in 1856 and went to the University of Mississippi for a year to teach philosophy. Then he spent a year at Georgetown College, the Baptist college of Kentucky, teaching theology.

In 1858, Crawford returned to Mercer and was its president from 1858 until 1865. He served as president of Georgetown College from the fall of 1865 until the spring of 1871, when his health failed. He suffered a stroke in 1851 or 1852 while preaching in the Baptist church at Lexington, Georgia, which necessitated thereafter some curtailment of his activities, but with no impairment to his brilliant mind. From Georgetown, Crawford retired to his farm near Tunnel Hill, Georgia, not far from Chattanooga, and made his home with his son. There he suffered a second stroke in September, 1871, which led to his death the following October 27.

Noted as a life-long student,Crawford was an accomplished linguist, mathematician, and philosopher as well as a theologian. He was described by his colleague, John Leadley Dagg, as a man of learning, talent, and popularity. Although he published one book, Christian Paradoxes, he wrote little, and his contributions to Southern Baptists were largely made as a classroom teacher, a counselor of men with ability and promise, and a college executive.

Last week the pastor shared in The Fellowship about the big events which are planned for this Easter season. Our music and drama ministries will present The Rose of Calvary this Saturday and Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

He hopes that you have already decided which presentation you plan to attend (or maybe you've decided to come both nights). He also prays that you are planning on bringing a friend with you to see the drama and hear the music as the powerfuol message of Easter is portrayed in our sanctuary.

C. F. Sturgis served for a time as Jesse Mercer's associate and also his successor as pastor of the Washington Baptist church. The first Bible and hymn book for the pulpit were purchased in 1842 at a cost of $9.75.

Jesse Mercer served as pastor of the Washington church from Jan 20, 1828, until his death Sep 6, 1841. This first pastor kept a personal subscription list in his pocket and saw it to that each member gave exactly as he was able. The mission and educational offerings were taken each year in the fall, just before the association met. The local offerings were for expenses and benevolences. In 1829 the amount $40.25 was sent for missionary purposes. In 1832 the church solicited for the Theological School (Mercer) at Penfield and received $50.00 for missions and $127.00 for education. In 1834 the church hired Brother Lewis as the first janitor for $20.00 a year. In 1836 the deacons were appointed to raise subscriptions for church expenses and the pastor's salary. From this time on, the deacons were expected to raise all monies until 1864 when a church treasurer is first mentioned. (Although there was a treasurer in the beginning, the office had been abolished by a church vote in 1842.)











4

Biography of Jesse Mercer

MERCER, Jesse, clergyman, was born in Halifax county, N.C., Dec. 16, 1769; son of the Rev. Silas Mercer born 1745. His parents removed to Georgia in 1775, and settled in Wilkes county, but returned to North Carolina at the outbreak of the Revolution, where he remained until 1788, when he once more settled in Georgia. He was almost wholly self-educated, and was received into the Baptist church in 1787. He was married, Jan. 31, 1788, to Sabrina Chivers, and was ordained, Nov. 7, 1789, by the Rev. Silas Mercer and the Rev. Sanders Walker. He was pastor of churches in Greene, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Hancock and Putnam counties, 1789-1840, during which time he travelled extensively throughout the state. Among these pastorates was the Baptist church in Washington from January 20, 1828, until his death in 1841. He was also the leader of a political party in Wilkes county, and was sent by them as a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1798. He was president of the general Baptist missionary convention, 1816, and represented the board in the general conventions of 1820 and 1826. He was for a time corresponding secretary of the board of trustees of the co-operating Baptist associations for instructing and evangelizing the Creek Indians. He organized the general committee of the Georgia Baptists, which resulted in the Georgia Baptist convention, and was president of the convention for eighteen consecutive years, and presiding officer of the Georgia association up to the time of his death. He was influential in establishing Mount Enon academy in Richmond county in 1807, and was one of the founders of Mercer Institute, Penfield, Greene county, in 1833, named in his honor, which became Mercer university in 1837, and was removed to Macon in 1870. He gave the sum of $40,000 to the university during his life and by will, and served as a trustee, 1838-41. He gave about $25,000 to other religious and educational institutions, among them Columbian college, Washington, D.C. He received the honorary degree D.D. from Brown university in 1835. He edited the Christian Index, the first Baptist newspaper published in Georgia, which he purchased of Dr. W. T. Brantly, of Philadelphia, in 1833, and established at his home in Washington, Ga., and in 1840 he gave it to the Georgia Baptist Convention. He collected a volume of hymns entitled Mercer's Cluster, and is the author of: History of the Georgia Baptist Association (1836). On December 11, 1827, he married Nancy Simons, and on May 21, 1841, Nancy Mills Simons Mercer died. Jesse Mercer served for the last time as moderator of conference for the Washington church. He died September 6, 1841, in Butts County and was buried at Penfield, Greene County, Georgia.

The town of Washington was established about the time of the American Revolution so that it was officially recognized by that name by the >State of Georgia in 1780. There was apparently no church in Washington for the next 47 years. Presbyterian and Methodist churches were established about 1820. Baptist leaders in Wilkes County, especially Rev. James Armstrong, Bolling Anthony, John M. Butler, William G. Gilbert, and Osborne Stone wanted a Baptist church in Washington so they managed to buy a lot on March 10, 1827, and soon after build a wooden building where the present First Baptist Church is located. The Georgia Baptist Convention met there in April 27-30, 1827, just after completion of the house of worship. The building seemingly was last used for the centennial celebration of the Georgia Association in 1884. At a meeting of a number of ministers of the Georgia Association, with brother I. L. Brooks of the Ocmulgee Association and members of several neighboring churches, a conference was held December 29, 1827, apparently in the new building in Washington, with Rev. James Armstrong as moderator and B. M. Sanders as clerk, and this church was then constituted with ten members, including Rev. Jesse Mercer, all of whom were regularly dismissed from Phillips Mill church, and presented their application for membership. The first pastor of the church was Elder Jesse Mercer, who was chosen at a conference held January 20, 1828, and who continued to serve the church until his death in September 1841. His last sermon was preached in this church in June, 1841, to a large congregation. From his death until 1844 the church had no regular pastor, being served at different times by Elders Sturgis, Wyre, and the lamented Dr. Mell. Elder N. M. Crawford was pastor from November, 1844, to November, 1845. From then until September, 1846, there was a vacancy, when Elder L. J. Robert was called to the pastorate and served for two years. Elder V. R. Thornton was then called. He declined, but met with and preached to the church, as convenience allowed, until October, 1851, when he accepted a call to preach two Sabbaths in each month. This relationship continued until he was succeeded in 1853 by Elder H. A. Tupper, who served as pastor until 1872, when he resigned to accept the position of Corresponding Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board at Richmond, VA. He was followed by Elder B. W. Whilden, who preached one year, and then Elder I. M. Springer served one year. Dr. J. J. Brantly of Mercer University at Penfield then filled the pulpit twice a month for several months, when the church was again without a pastor until May, 1878, when Elder H. A. Whitman assumed pastoral charge and remained with the church until the latter part of 1880. Dr. S. G. Hillyer then accepted a call of the church and remained with it until May, 1887, when Elder W. M. Harris became pastor. During Dr. Hillyer's pastorate a modern and substantial house of worship was built immediately adjoining the old one, and the first services held in it were the Centennial Exercises of the Georgia Association in October, 1884. The clerks of the church in their order were John Dyson, W. H. Pope, W. A. Mercer, J. W. Price, R. W. Joyner, D. E. Butler, M. P. Callaway, Thos. W. Callaway (who served as such over twenty-five years, and who for a number of years was clerk of this association), James W. Armstrong, and Wm. Sims. The first deacon of the church was John Jesse; the deacons in 1890 were John T. Wingfield (who served more than twenty years), L. W. Sims, John M. Fluker, and W. T. Johnson.

The First Baptist Church of Washington elected messengers to the annual meetings of the Georgia Baptist Association as follows: (Date(s); church; messengers)

1828, Oct 10-13; Shiloh; Jesse Mercer, Wm. H. Pope
1829, Oct 9-12; Sardis; Jesse Mercer, John Jesse
1830, Oct 8-9, 11; Bethel; Jesse Mercer, John Jesse
1831, Oct 7-10; Abilene; Jesse Mercer, John Jesse
1832, Oct 12-15; County Line; Jesse Mercer, Joseph Carter
1833, Oct 11-12, 14; Rehoboth; Jesse Mercer, Joseph Carter
1834, Oct 10-13; White Plains; Jesse Mercer, Wm. H. Stokes
1835, Oct 9-12; Augusta; Jesse Mercer, Wm. H. Stokes
1836, Oct 8-9, 11; Bairds; Jesse Mercer, Wm. H. Stokes
1837, Oct 6-9; New Ford; Jesse Mercer; Wm. H. Stokes
1838, Oct 12-13, 15; Williams Creek; Jesse Mercer, Wm. H. Stokes
1839, Oct 11-12, 14; Double Branches; Wm. H. Stokes, Wm. H. Pope
1840, Oct 16-17, 19; Bethesda; Wm. H. Stokes, Wm. H. Pope
1841, Oct 8-9, 11; Ebenezer; C. F. Sturgis, Wm. H. Pope
1842, Oct 7-8, 10; Long Creek; C. F. Sturgis, Wm. H. Pope
1843, Oct 6-7, 9; Union; D.E. Butler
1844, Oct 11-12, 14; Antioch; no representation
1845, oct 11, 13; Fishing Creek; N. M. Crawford, F. Ficklen, D.E. Butler
1846, Oct 9-10, 12; Powelton; Wm. H. Pope, David E. Butler, M. P. Callaway
1847, Oct 8-9,11; Grove; L.J.Robert, M.P.Callaway D.E.Butler
1848, Oct 6-7,9; Phillips Mill; F. Ficklen, D.E. Butler, M.P. Callaway
1849, Oct 12-13,15; Washington; M.P. Callaway, D.E. Butler, C. L. Bolton
1850, Oct 11-12,14; Warrenton; M.P.Callaway, T.W.Callaway, D.E. Butler
1851, Oct 10-11,13; Kiokee; M.P.Callaway
1852, Oct 8-9,11; Elim; M.P.Callaway, F.C.Armstrong, T.W.Callaway
1853, Oct 7-8,10; Smyrna; H.A. Tupper, O.L.Battle, T.W.Callaway
1854, Oct 6-7,9; Friendship; H.A.Tupper, M.G.Robert, O.L.Battle, T.W.Callaway
1855, Oct 12-13,15; Lincolnton; J.T.Wingfield, M.P.Callaway, O.L.Battle, M.G.Robert