MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF HAMILTON
[Words in red were added
to the article by Elreeta Weathers.]
Among the early pioneer churches that were organized
during the old days was the First Missionary Baptist Church of Hamilton,
which was established about 1880.*
The best
authority states that ten members were present at this initial meeting,
which was of special importance to the church. Among those consecrated
pioneers were Capt. and Mrs. James Rice,** Capt.
A. H. Watson, Col. G. R. Freeman, R. C. Messer, J. P. Murphree, and others
whose names are not now known.
The pastors who have served the church from its
organization to the present time are Reverends Dave and Noland White,
Wharton, Pinkney Hutchins, O’Keef, Hal Buckner, J. M. Joiner, J. B.
Fletcher, Dr. Everett, W. P. Rouse, W. T. Turner, R. J. Fletcher, J. N.
Campbell, Neil Greer, E. A. Marston, Clarence Allen Morton, E. M. Franci,
R. E. Bass, and Vernon Shaw, the present pastor.
[Pastors as reported through the
annual church letter to the association were:
Joseph Alexander Land,
Presley O’Keefe, N. J. Ethridge, Presley
O’Keefe, W. L. Carswell, W.
A. Garrett, Shelby King, J. L.
Killen, Dave W. White, A. J.
Wharton, Pinkney Hawkins, J.
H. Stewart, Hal F. Buckner, J.
M. Joiner, James B. Fletcher, J. M. Joiner, Dr. W. B. Everitt, W. T.
Turner, R. J. Fletcher, J. N. Campbell, R. Neil Greer, Clarence Allen
Morton, E. M. Francis, Clarence Allen Morton, R. E. Bass and Vernon Shaw.]
The members first held their services in the little box
school house in east Hamilton and then in the courthouse for a while. When
the Presbyterian Church was built, the Baptists worshiped there for a
time. The first church edifice of the Baptist organization was built of
rock in 1823./sic.
1896-1897/*** Capt. G. R.
Freeman was one
of the largest contributors toward the building of this church and gave
the lots on which it was built.****
1896/1897 Building
The following year the construction of the present
church was begun and finished without any delays.*****
This handsome
structure is built of white brick and compares equally with any place of
worship in the county. It is furnished and equipped in every department to
carry on every branch of the Church work.
A comfortable and well furnished parsonage stands near
the church and affords an excellent abode for the pastor.
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*Minutes of the Leon River Baptist Association document
the existence of Hamilton Baptist Church in 1875. See
earliest documented (from associational minutes) history of First Baptist
Church, Hamilton.
**IF
James Rice were present at the
initial meeting, this would place the organizational meeting of Hamilton
Missionary Baptist Church/First Baptist Church PRIOR
to October, 1872, when Mr. Rice died in Galveston.
***The first church
building was built in
1896/1897
On August 24, 1888, Alfred Haynes
Watson, W. W. Kilpatrick, George H. Robbins, S. J. Allen,
and G. R. Freeman, trustees of the Baptist Church in
Hamilton purchased Lot No. 3, in Block No.
11 of the original town of Hamilton from Mr. and Mrs. S. W.
Walker for $30 for the church. It was not until 1896 that a church
building was erected on this property on South Bell. The first Baptist
Church building in the village of Hamilton was a native stone
edifice constructed by James Malcolm "Jim" Tomlinson. [This
building was still being built in June, 1897.
****According to the
1888 deed to the church property was given by Alfred Haynes Watson, W. W.
Kilpatrick, George H. Robbins, S. J. Allen, and G. F. Freeman.
*****The second building occupied by First Baptist Church was begun in 1924
after the rock building was destroyed by fire on 6 February,
1924. The second building was completed in 1925.
The Hamilton County News, Vol. IV, Number
11--Section One
Historical and Trading Expansion Issue
W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher
Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00
June 29, 1934
