The first churches of this section of the state were Primitive Baptist. Old China Grove Church, Mt. Pisgah, Rocky Creek, Zion Hope, and Providence are the old line Primitive Baptists.

Mt. Pisgah was probably organized before, but the last constitution was in 1858. Providence was organized in 1860. Old China Grove Church house is still used by the negro Primitive Baptists. The white membership moved and built the Mountain Spring Church near Mrs. Liza Dunn's place. This building is still standing, but not in use. The Primitive ministers of this faith in Worth County are S. W. Cox and T. A. Bozeman.

The Progressive Primitive Baptist Church is Ephesus Church in the Stewart settlement north of Sumner.

Mt. Pisgah was probably organized before, but it was constituted the last time in 1858. Some of those in the constitution were George Truluck, James R. Land, Rebecca Land, (laughter of George Truluck, and Mr. and Mrs. King Chestnutt

The membership now is eighty-three. Twenty-six of these were baptized in 1932. Elder S. W. Cox of Worth County is the present pastor.

Providence Church is one of the Old Line Primitive churches. It was constituted on Aug. 20th, 1860, at a large spring under some large hickory trees near a school house. For a while this school house was used for worship.

Those who were in the constitution were Samuel Castleberry, Pearson Brown. James Giddens. John Williams, Sisters Elizabeth Pearson and Mary Williams, with Elders Henry C. Tucker and Warren Dykes as Presbytery. On Sept. 7, 1860 Elder Warren Dykes was called to serve the church. June 9, 1862 Elder P. G. Everitt was called to serve the church. The following pastors served through the years: Elder W. W. Woodall was called Feb. 8, 1868. Elder W. E. Pittman was called March 14, 1874. Elder W. P. Hall was called Sept. 25, 1909. Elder L. E. Pierce was called Oct. 14, 1911. Elder W. M. Holcomb was called Sept. 19, 1918. Elder L. E. Pierce was called Sept. 15, 1923. Elder T. A. Bozcman was called August 14, 1926.

Some of the old people buried in the church yard are Mrs. Nancy Giddens. Mrs. Green Ford, Mr. Jesse Turner. Some of the old settlers were Aultman, Sikes, Dykes, McDonald, Gay, Powell, Houston and Sumner families. This is the burying ground for many of these families.

A Progressive Primitive Baptist Church The Church of Ephesus is a Progressive Primitive Baptist Church, built about four miles north of Sumner in November, 1902, with eight members constituting it.   It is in what is known as the Stewart settlement.

The following ministers have served this church: Elders J. T. Gardner, Isaac P. Porter. T. J, Head, EL 11. I innings and G. D. Todd.

The deacons have been as follows: C. A. Thompson, Peter Stewart, Kenneth Stewart. Murray Gardner, H. Bartly Stewart and Kenneth R. Stewart.

The present membership numbers seventy-three.

The Church was built by John Farmer and Ward.

"Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound; Mine ears attend the cry."

The preacher closed his Bible, picked up his hymn-book and lined out the first of the old, familiar song. The congregation rose. An elder, an aged patriarch, raised the tune; one by one the men joined in. From across the aisles a female voice took up the air; gradually the song grew in volume, until

"Ye living men, come view the ground Where you must shortly lie."

rolled out in a wave of song from the log church, through the oaks surrounding, across pine and wiregrass covered hill and vale.

The church stood on the crest of a hill, commanding a view of the beautiful, almost primeval, country surrounding. To the east meandered a small stream towards the Gulf; its waters alive with fish; along its borders one of the finest deer ranges this country knew; the stream taking its name from the memorv of an Indian warrior killed on its banks. Surrounding the church was a grove of oaks, and around this, miles of unbroken forest.

The church had been built of pine logs, cut to make room for the building, peeled of their bark, notched and set into place by hands ready in the service of the Lord. The roof was of shingles split from pine block and drawn, one at a time, by hand with a drawing knife. Even the pulpit, framed of small hewn logs, was built of boards split with a frow from the pine. The benches were of logs, split and hewn, and fitted with legs driven into auger-holes.

It did not require money to build a church in those days. but a vast amount of labor. Material was free and the work was by many ready hands, so after all the task was not so great. The result was as substantial and time-defying as the sturdy yeomanry and their religion.

"Hardshells" we called them—Primitive Baptists now, but the name represented that which was solid and lasting; rugged perhaps but true as tried steel, a religion which noble men lived by and died by.

The song they were singing was like them—nothing friv-olous, nothing temporary, but solemn and earnest; bringing thoughts of God. also of the certainty of death and the vastness of eternity. There were few revivals then; none among these people; the evangelist was unknown. But there was a staying quality about their religion that inspired one with the confidence that the mariner must feel in the Rock of Ages.

The ordinance of baptism had been administered that morning. The convert was a young matron, and she gave her hand to the preacher and her life to God amidst a solemn stillness that impressed and glorified.

She was baptized where the road (a three-path trail) crossed the stream. Her head bowed in humility, but fearlessly, she had walked through the water until she had reached the preacher's hand and the sacred pledge of faith was taken. Loving hands had built of poles and sheets a dressing-room, and after her clothing was changed the crowd climbed the hill to the church, which was filled. (This young matron was Mrs. Joseph L. Sumner, nee Josephine Thornhill).

Then to the new member was extended the right hand of fellowship, and to the outsiders the event of the day was at hand. On two opposite benches the male members faced. Across the house, on two more benches also opposite, the female members grouped. It was the observance of foot-washing, the sacred custom peculiar to that church; a testimonial of their humility, even as their Master was humble. Then the sermon came.

The preacher had a wonderful gift. He was a man who worked for six days of the week on his farm, but he had time for meditation, and on the Sabbath it was good to hear him. His sermon stirred the great crowd, and the moment was a tense one when the solemn hymn was raised.

There were few tears, but many faces were drawn with emotion. It was a red-letter day with a people who were as the salt of the earth. In the congregation were many of the men who built South Georgia.

Col. W. S. Sumner, kindly furnished the following information as to Methodism in the eastern part of the county:

About 1840 Rev. William Clements, a Methodist preacher, settled one mile northeast of the present town of Sumner on the only three-path road in that community and as pioneers usually did, at once set out to provide a place of worship. This "Man of God" with the help of the Sumner, Willis, Gibbs, and other families erected a house of round logs with puncheon floor, cracks stopped with boards, and benches of split logs hewn smooth on top side with round pegs for legs.

All of this was done without the use of a sawmill, as there were none there at that time.

This church served as a school house. It was perhaps the first Methodist church in Worth Countv and served as church and school house until 1882, when the Methodist church in Sumner was built.

The site of this old Clements Chapel is where (Black) Henry Lands' house now stands. Uncle Billy Ciements was a zealous, hard-working local preacher, and served every community possible as long as he lived.

He preached in an oak grove for some time before the present Clements Chapel on Daniel's Creek was built about 1891. This church is now in Turner County. Puckett's Chapel, near Parkcrville. was built about 1871, and was named in Honor of Rev. Mr. Puckett who preached there at that time. This membership has been moved to Bridgeboro.

Mrs. Eliza J. Sumner has furnished much of this information. She says she heard Mr. Puckett's first sermon in Worth County, 1869, in the courthouse at Isabella. She says: "It was a rare thing to have preaching in that village at that time, so it was generally given out, and nearlv evervbodv turned out, only the old whiskey sots remained down stairs."

Rev. Puckett taught school near Parkerville and probably taught in the church.

She also states that Rev. Summerfield Tucker ran a meeting under a bush arbor at Puckett's Chapel in 1874. Our friend and enthusiastic historian, Col. Sumner, bears names of these two distinguished pioneer men of God, William (Clements) Summcrfield (Tucker) and we think their mantles as well, fell upon his worthy shoulders.

As characteristic of those early days, we must relate a little story of their humor and custom: Aunt Lucindy, Uncle Billy's wife, seems to have been a veritable Xantippe, and Uncle Billy was forced to chastise her now and then. He was "up in church" on one occasion. He pleaded guilty. Aunt Lucindy was asked to testify. She told the "court" that she just got so mean sometimes that she couldn't behave till he whipped her. He just had to whip me. I needed it." Case was dis-missed.

Sumner maintains a strong and prosperous place on its circuit.

Mr. J. C. Sumner (Uncle Jack), George W. Sumner, and Joseph M. Sumner were heads of large and well grounded Methodist families, making Sumner one of the earliest strongholds for this denomination in the Sumner vicinity. The Garretts and Trammells and others added to their strength.

We have not learned just how far back Methodist circuit riders began to travel the rough and untried roads and trails of this part of Worth County—but we do know that in 1893 and '94 Rev. E. L. Padrick was serving on an east and west line of churches and preaching places from Ty Ty through Sumner, Poulan, Sylvester, Isabella to Wesley Chapel inclusive. The Sumner circuit has consisted of the churches at Shingler, Poulan, Sumner, and Ty Ty for several years, and Ty Ty, now in Tift, has been a stronghold for many years.

The Poulan Church was built in 1895. Poulan church site was given by Mrs. N. B. Ousley, widow of Rev. N. B. Ousley and mother of Mrs. T. L. Ketchens of Sylvester. Rev. Mr. Ousley organized the Poulan Sunday School long before the present building was erected. Rev. Mr. Ousley and family, the W. S. Sumners, Kimbles, Retchings, Stevens, Bowers, Jordans, Lesters, Merritts, Kennons, Jones', Chapmans (Tom), and many more have been, and are the forces that developed clnd have kept alive that aggressive spirit of Methodism inherited from John Wesley, himself.

Bethel was built in 1915 in the Scooterville section and Wright's Chapel in the 9th Dist., is also a Methodist preaching place and a fine field for cultivation.

Kimball, near Minton, is a good church and until a few years ago served a large community of Methodists.

Tempy Church serves a group of very devoted and devout Methodists.

When the church at Shingler was built the old church at Oak Grove was abandoned. Oak Grove was built about 1904.

There was no church in the northern part of the county, as we have thus far ascertained, prior to 1852. A two-story building was erected at Pindertown. The lower floor was used for worship and called Asbury Chapel. The second story was the home of the Masonic Lodge.

In 1852 this building was moved to Smoak place on a hill north of Warwick and continued to be used as Asbury Chapel and lodge rooms. Now, at this date, 1934, no vestige of the old house remains. A few old settlers point out a part of the present Smoak Cemetery as the site where the little memorial to the greatest pioneer Methodist circuit rider and a great Bishop once stood.

In 1855 a Methodist church was built in what is now Crisp County and called Zion Hope. A little later, some think 1856, a Methodist church was located near the site of Bay Springs, now in Crisp. The membership of this church was moved to Andrew's Chapel near Acorn Pond, Worth County.

These early churches with a fourth in Irwin County, called Sandy Mount, constituted the first Methodist circuit in this section and Rev. Thomas Lanier and Rev. Andrews were the first "circuit riders."

Some of this information comes from Crisp County History, courtesy of Mr. W. P. Fleming

It "would require a far backward look and a vivid imagination to get a just setting and background for this subject.

During the years 1893 and '94 when there were a few families in the little village of Sylvester and a little school house sat where the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jefford now stands, a Methodist Circuit Rider passed this way on his quarterly rounds.

He went from Wesley Chapel to Ty Ty, taking in about five preaching places. This preacher was Rev. E. L. Padrick.

As has ever been the custom of Methodists, the little bunch at Sylvester desired a time and place of worship in their own midst and also as has ever been the custom of the Circuit Rider, he not only responded to every call, but sought every opportunity to present our blessed Gospel. Hence the little school house became the preaching place and a night service was held once a month.

During the year 1894, the little group decided that they should be organized into a church and have a regular pastor.

The Conference sent Rev. W. C. Glenn to the Circuit and he organized the Sylvester Methodist Church.

For two years or more the Circuit included Beulah, Wesley Chapel, Isabella, Sylvester, Sumner, Poulan, and Ty Ty. Some of these places had only an afternoon service once a month.

In 1896 Rev. E. A. Sanders served the Circuit.

The members that organized and pioneered the little band through those trying years, 1894, '95, '96, were Dr. and Mrs. Crockett, Mrs. Priest, (Mrs. E. E. Hicks), Mrs. Belle Ford, (Mrs. A. H. Overton), Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Allen, Mrs. W. H. McPhaul, (Mrs. T. C. JefTord), the Welches, Brinsons, Wallaces, and later in the same year came Prof. C. E. Grubbs and family, and by the close of the Conference year the rec-ords showed fifty-two members on roll.

It was during this year and the next, 1897, that funds were raised and a permanent church home worthy of the cause was built.

These devout men and women worked faithfully and diligently and by October, 1898, during the pastorate of Rev. Jason Shirah, the little band walked into the beautiful new building with joy and righteous pride, with praise and thanksgiving, and sat on rough board seats for the first service

This notable day marked the first Sunday in Svlvester for this writer and her family.

Mr. and Mrs. T. K. Heinsohn presented the church with a check to cover cost of seats which were soon placed.

Mr. W. H. McPhaul gave the lot and much more material aid. He also served on the building committee. Another citizen, Mr. J. S. Westbery, though not a Methodist, was a loyal friend and served on the building committee. The other members were Mr. G. J. Wallace and Mr. W. A. Allen.

Church services and a union Sunday School had been held in the old Baptist Church, the original part of the residence, just north of the Methodist Parsonage.

During Rev. Shirah's ministry there were many additions to the church. Several families moved into the growing town.

The notable event of the year was the organization of a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society by Mrs. Shirah, a talented and consecrated woman. It goes without question that she has organized more Missionary Societies than any woman in the South Georgia Conference. The work and growth of this organization has kept full pace with the steady advance of the Church.

No charter member of the Society is living in Sylvester. Mrs. R. A. Holmes moved into the town soon after organization and was enrolled as the seventh member and has been active in the Society since that date, Sept. 1898. After serving many years as president she resigned in May, 1932. She bears testimony of the experience that there is supreme "real life in service."

Rev. S. W. Brown was the pastor in 1899. In the early part of this year the Methodist Sunday School was organized and held in the new church. Mr. R. A. Holmes was the first superintendent.

The little bell that so clearly and cheerfully rings out the signals for the classes now, was purchased by Mr. Holmes at this time. It has passed thru the fire, and the use for thirty-three years has worn off some of its outward glitter, but the little heart rings as genuinely as ever.

In 1900 Sylvester was made a half station with only Beulah and Wesley Chapel remaining with this charge. Rev. W. F. Hixon was the pastor.

By the second Quarterly Conference an Epworth League had been organized, and Mr. A. H. Pinson was confirmed as President.

Rev. M. F. Beals was on the charge during 1901 and '02.

Rev. M. B. Ferrell served the church in 1903. Soon after he came the church sustained a great loss, the death of a Mother in Israel — Mrs. Nannie Wallace. She was President of the Missionary Society, a Sunday School teacher and an inspiration to old and young.

There was another event that marked time in the history

In 1900 Sylvester was made a half station with only Beulah and Wesley Chapel remaining with this charge. Rev. W. F. Hixon was the pastor.

of this church. A young Lochnivar, Mr. C. H. Strangward, came out of the North. He soon found his way to the Methodist Church and to the Epworth League. Very naturally the League sought him.

In 1904 he and Miss Nannie Carter were married. As there is no Episcopal church in Sylvester he cast his lot with the Methodists in 1913, and today is serving most faithfully and efficiently as teacher of the Men's Bible Class and Chairman of the Board of Stewards. Unusual reserve and quiet dignity have marked his life through all the years.

In 1904 Rev. J. S. Jordan, a lovable Christian of the old school as well as a devoted minister of the Gospel, served the church.

By 1905 the church became a "Station" and Rev. R. E. Bailey filled the pastorate during 1905 and 1906.

Rev. W. L. Wright was on the charge four years, 1907, '08-'09 and '10. These years record in our memories some important and interesting historv.

In 1908 the church lost one of its staunchest members, Mr. T. J. Pinson. It was his rule, as a member and as a steward, never to allow the preacher to go to Conference with a deficit. His loyalty to the church was business-like, yet tender and beautiful.

By the year 1909 the members began to feel that they must have larger and more fitting quarters. The church had grown sufficiently strong to feel that it was time to honor God with a more adequate edifice.

The Pinson Estate and Dr. and Mrs. Jefford and others gave liberally, so the Corner Stone of the splendid T. J. Pinson Memorial was laid in 1910.

The Pinson Estate proposed to the Building Committee to pay one-half the cost of the new structure so that it might stand as a creditable memorial to the lately deceased member, Mr. T. J. Pinson, and that it be called "The T. J. Pinson Memorial Church." This generous contribution made possible this splendid building. Dr and Mrs. Jefford not only gave liberally toward the new building, but have generously supported and responded to its various calls to the present time, notably the Centenary and Educational campaigns. Albert H. Pinson gave $1300 for seats.

The building committee was composed of Mr. A. H. Pinson, Mr. W. R. Johnston, Mr. J. M. Bullard, Dr. T. C. Jefford, Mr. J. J. Hall, and Mr. G. M. Pinson. Much lavish admiration was expressed by visitors from far and near for the new house of God.

March 3rd, 1913, Bishop Warren A. Candler preached a great dedicatory sermon and the same day baptized all the Methodist babies in town.

Our much beloved pastor and preacher for three years, 1911, '12 and '13, was Rev. E. M. Overby.

Then came Rev. T. G. Lang, a most cultured and scholarly Christian minister, during 1914, '15.

Rev. J. G. Christian served the church during 1916, '17.

The building was seriously damaged by fire Jan. 13, 1917.

Rev. J. C. Flanders was on the charge 1918, '19, '20.

Rev. S. C. Olliff was the very active and zealous shepherd during 1921. His great achievement was getting the entire Centenary assessment subscribed. No pastor was more loved, more popular, and more successful in pastoral work.

Rev. B. E. Whittington was the preacher in 1922.

Rev. W. A. Huckabee gave us four years of devoted service.

We thought best to keep one of this family with us as a permanent citizen, Mrs. Wrennie Huckabee Bullard.

In 1927 Rev. T. O. Lambert came and was a most devoted and much loved leader for three years.

Rev. H. W. Joiner rounded out four vears of faithful service, 1930, '31, '32, '33.

The Sunday School Superintendents seemed to wear better than the preachers. Mr. Holmes, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Passmore filled the office till Dec, 1908, then Mr. W. R. Johnston was elected and has served faithfully at his post and is with us yet.

Some fine young men and women have grown up under the influence of this church and have gone out into the world to honor God and bless humanity.

Proud as we may be of our post, let us push on toward greater heights, spiritually, and may ours be a sanctuary where God definitely meets his own and reveals to them his will and the power to withstand the arch enemy of righteousness.

To date 579 members have been enrolled. Of the charter members still with us are Mrs. A. H. Overton and Mrs. E. E. Hicks. And there are many others present who have been helping to steer this "Ship of Zion" for many years. As there has been a shift of pilots, there has been a shifting crew and many workers have been called across "The Bar," but others dropped into their places and progress still marks her course.

There are twenty-three Baptist Churches in Worth County with an approximate membership of twenty-five hundred. The names of churches and dates when constituted are as follows: Red Oak, 1854; Union, 1862; Bethel, 1865; Sumner, 1880; Friendship, 1883; Salem, 1886; New Bethel, 1887; Isabella,. 1889; Acorn Pond, 1894; Pine Forest, 1894; Sylvester, 1891; Emanuel, 1898; Bethel, 1905; Poulan, 1906; Gordy, 1907; Pine Hill, 1910; Antioch, 1912; Bridgeboro, 1913; Shingler, 1916; Evergreen, 1917; Warwick, Oakfield, Good Hope.

Old Mount Horeb Church was first built along the banks of Flint River in 1848. The first building was a log house. In 1856 it was rebuilt out of lumber on the same site. In 1868 it was moved from the river to where it now stands, which is about three miles from the original site. The land on which this building stands was given by Mrs. C. E. Buckalew. At that time the deacons were H. W. Vines, David Ridley, and T. W. Tison. H. R. Joiner was clerk. Its membership and con-gregations were the largest of any in the county in its early days. The old building was forty feet by one hundred feet.

When the church was rebuilt it was made only thirty feet by sixty feet as the larger room was no longer needed.

Fort Early Church was organized and the house was built on the River Road near the town of Warwick. The church was lately moved to Warwick, but the colored people have a church on the same ground where once stood the old church. This was considered one of the mother churches because it lent a helping hand in constituting other churches in other portions of the county.

It probably took its name from the old fort that stood at, or near, the mouth of Swift Creek.

Some of the first preachers were Peyton Lunsford, J. M. Champion, Rev. Isaac Hobby, and Rev. J. T. Adams.

Red Oak Church was constituted on the 5th day of Novem-ber, 1854, with the following persons as charter members: R. D. Sinclair and wife, Mary Ann Sinclair, of Tennessee, W. M. W. Head and wife, Mary Head, of South Carolina, W. M. Tanner and wife, Elizabeth Tanner, of North Carolina, Washington G. Rhodes, of South Carolina, Luerana Brown, of South Carolina, John Williams and wife, Mary Williams, of North Carolina, Holly R. Gaughf, of Laurens County, Ga. R. D. Sinclair was elected deacon and John Williams was elected clerk. Thomas Aldridge, of Dooly County and Larkin Joiner, of Pulaski County Presbytery, and Warren Dykes, Dooly County, Moderator.

The church house was made from hewn logs, 30 feet wide and 40 feet long, and was built near the southeast corner of lot of land No. 90, in the 16th District of Worth County, Georgia.

Along in the '80's of the nineteenth century, Mr. Tom Coram, Mr. Tom Edwards, and Mr. Monroe Grubbs moved to this community from Randolph County.

Mr. Coram organized a Sunday School and built a log house for its meeting place. He soon had large crowds and with the help of Rev. James Bass, a missionary sent from the Bethel Association to this county, a church was organized in this little log house. The following were charter members, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Coram, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Roper, and Mrs. John Willis.

The church was named for Bethel Church at Springvale, Randolph County, the church where most of them first joined. Later, with the help of Mr. Willoughby Mangham, these members built the present building of New Bethel.

Union Church is the oldest Missionary Baptist Church south of the railroad in Worth County. It was organized by Rev. William W. Holamon, grandfather of J. Otis Holamon, of Sylvester, in Mr. John Wingate's home, grandfather of Mrs. Gordon Davis, of Sylvester, about 1875.

Preaching services were held on his porch for sometime until a log house could be built This house served for both church and school house for a number of years. Now there is a splendid church there.

It is told that the moving spirit behind this organization was Mrs. Temperance Wingatc, the mother of John Wingate. She was lovingly called "Grandma Wingate." She prayed to learn to read so that she might read the Bible and, with such little help that it was considered a miracle, she was enabled to read this Precious Word she had so longed to read for herself.

She lived to reach the century mark. She is buried in this church yard. On her tomb is this inscription, "Mrs. Temperance Wingate, Born Apr. 13. 1786, Died Sept. 21, 1886. Remember me as you pass by, as you are now so once was I, as I am now, so you must be. Prepare for death and follow me."

She has many descendants in this county who are substantial men and women of Worth.

The first Sunday School south of the railroad was organized and led by Willoughby H. Mangham in 1878, in Union Church. Some of its first pastors were: William W. Holamon, Billy Hurst, J. T. Adams, Jim Bass, P. R. Jones, and Isaac Hobby.

Rev. B. F. Barbee. of Doerun has been the pastor for many years.

Around this church today is one of the most splendid neighborhoods in the county.

The town of Isabella was laid out at the time of the creation and organization of Worth County as the county seat. After a court house was built it was customary for local preachers to hold services in the court house. This continued up until about 1859, when a few believers in the Baptist faith organized themselves into a church, but still continued to use the court house as a meeting place. Among the original members were Rachel Sumner and her two daughters, Mahalie Campbell and Tcmpie J. Sumner; Melvina Paul. Mrs. Cox, and perhaps a few men. During the war this little organization was disbanded and these few moved their membership to old Bethel Church. Among the preachers who first served the old Isabella Church were Tom Adams, Isaac Hobby, David Champion, and J. S. Filyaw.

About the year 1888 a move was started to re-organize the old church, and finally, through the efforts largely of Rev. H. V. Golden, who became its first pastor and served for several years, the organization was perfected in the year 1889. In 1890 the building which now stands was erected. The charter members of the new church were Robert Cochran and wife, Mrs. Georgia Cochran, L. L. Simmons, Melvina Paul, Mrs. Tempie J. Paul, Mrs. Mahalie V. Kelly, and Mrs. Mary F. Cox. During the same year, W. J. Herring, Jr., became a member and was elected chairman of the board of deacons. He served in this capacity until his death in 1905.

Among the pastors who served the church were H. V. Golden, R. L. Rachels, F. L. Wimberly, S. E. Blitch, G. Tom West, Rev. Norton, Rev. Culpepper, E. H. Shingler, Rev. Sullivan, T- W. Smith, A. L. Young, P. U. Waters, S. G. Burgess, J. H. Wyatt, B. F. Barbee, V. T. Johnson, W. C. Willis, and P. L. Branch.

At one time, before the removal of the court house to Sylvester, this became a large and flourishing church, and was the scene of many happy occasions well remembered by many of the older citizens of the county.

The first sermon delivered by a Baptist minister in Sylvester was at the home of Josiah S. Westberry about 1885.

Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Westberry invited Mr. and Mrs. Tom Coram and Rev. and Mrs. James Bass, all of whom had recently moved to lower Worth from Randolph County, Ga., to spend the day at their home in Sylvester. In the afternoon a number of friends came in and Rev. James Bass was invited to preach to them. After the sermon he organized a Sunday School and Mr. J. S. Westberry was elected superintendent. He held this office for several years. This was really the beginning of Sylvester Baptist Church. This little Sunday School was held in the small, one room school house.

In 1891 the Baptist Church was organized by Rev. G. Tom West with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Roper, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hillhouse, Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Perry, Mrs. J. M. Freeman, Mrs. J. H. Westberry, and Mrs. Z. W. Mathews. The same little school house where the Sunday School met furnished them a place for worship until the year 1893, when a small wooden building was erected as a church on Main Street.

As the village grew the church grew in membership and, in 1900, a brick building was erected on Isabella Street where the church now stands. C. W. Hillhouse was the builder and he gave his services to the church. He and J. Howell Westberry were the largest contributors in a financial way.

In 1905 a large and comfortable pastorium was built on the adjoining lot. Up to this time the pastor did not live here and services were held one Sabbath in the month and on the Saturday before. Rev. McLemore was to live in the pastorium, but he was not here long, being called to other fields. The first pastor to occupy it was Rev. R. B. Taylor in 1905.

When the grounds around the courthouse were being paved, Mr. C. W. Hillhouse said he could not bear for the courthouse grounds to appear better than his church grounds. So out of his own purse he paved the front and side walks of the church and pastorium at a cost of $500.

The first brick building and pastorium cost $12,500.

The first brick church was on the old stvle of church edifice—vestibule, and auditorium—with a small room on each side, but no Sunday School rooms. For a long time the church felt the need of these.

In 1919 this brick building was enlarged and remodeled into anew, commodious structure with ample Sunday School facilities and departments. A new brick and stone wall covering the original brick wall was built around the old church making it harmonize with the new Sunday School annex.

A pipe organ, at a cost of $4750, was built into the new church. It was proposed to leave out the chimes as they would make it more expensive, but C. W. Hillhouse would not let this be done and paid for it out of his own purse, although he was already the largest contributor.

There are eight memorial windows to the following families: Alford, Spurlin, Westberry, Hillhouse, and a Window to Mother was put in by C. W. Hillhouse in memory of his mother, Mrs. Amanda Hillhouse Mangham. The windows to Aunt Ellen Roper and Uncle Tom Coram were put in by the church in memory of these faithful workers who did so much for its early life.

This building is a Memorial church to the World War Veterans who were members of it.

A bronze tablet in the vestibule gives the following: "1914— Roll of Honor—1918."

"Fred E. Deariso, Edwin L. Deariso, Carl W. Deariso, Robert L. Deariso, William L. Farris, Preston B. Ford, William J. Ford, Edward J. Ford, Herschel B. Forehand, Clair A. Godwin, Frank B. Hillhouse, J. Grover Hillhouse, Roy M. Hillhouse, Alford S. Johnston, Dr. Edwin J. Lawson, Julian M. Love, Henry E. Martin, Henry C. Sanders, Jr., Ben W. Tipton, James L. Tison.

"Dedicated to the Glory of God and to the honor of the Defenders of the Nation, who went forth from this church to preserve the Cherished Institutions of our Republic."

Two of these boys were gold star boys. J. Grover Hillhouse was killed in the aviation service and Julian M. Love died on the battlefield of France.

It is not only a monument to these brave boys, but to many consecrated members of this church. Especially is this so of the faithful deacons who served not only through its construction, but through the years until the last payment was made. Some of them, G. F. Alford, T. A. Spurlin, John W. Slappy, J. Dallis Martin, and N. G. Houston, were active members of the board for twenty and thirty years or more. This church is also a monument to Mrs. G. F. Alford, who was musical director and organist till her death, a period of about twenty years, and to these two pastors, Rev. M. L. Lawson, who was with the church during its construction and was one of its building committee, and Rev. Ernest L. Baskin who was pastor when the last indebtedness was lifted. By their wise council they steered it through these years.

Two of the members of this church, J. Howell Westberry and Charlie W. Hillhouse, were with it through the building of all its three homes and were the largest contributors to each. Especially is this church building a monument to these two men who stood by it and steered it through the financial breakers of many stormy years. C. W. Hillhouse was a charter member and J. H. Westberry joined soon after its organization. He was its treasurer for all its life except three vears up to 1932.

It is no less a monument to the charter members who began this glorious work more than 40 years ago. Only four are living in 1932, Col. and Mrs. T. R. Perry, Mrs. C. W. Hillhouse, and Mrs. Z. W. Mathews.

This church was finished at a cost of $79,000.

Recently the Cradle Roll, Beginners and Primary Departments under the leadership of Mrs. E. L. Baskin, Mrs. I. H. Mann, and Mrs. T. R. Perry, Jr., has been equipped and beautified and is considered second to none in the state.

This church has been greatly blessed in the godly men who have served it as under shepherds of their Lord and Master. The most of them have gone to their reward. Below are given the pastors serving the Church from organization to date, as follows:

Rev. G. Tom West, organizer 1891 to 1893; Rev. J. M. Champion 1893 to 1894; Rev. W. O. Crumbley, 1895 to"l896; P. A. Jessup, 1896 to 1896; Rev. W. O. Dorsey, 1896 to 1897; Rev. A. C. Wellons, 1897 to 1899; Rev. P. A. Jessup, 1899 to 1903; Rev. Larkin Crumbley, 1903 to 1905; Rev. J. S. McLemore, Jan. 1905 to June 1905; Rev. R. B. Taylor, June 1905 to 1909; Rev. J. A. Reiser, 1909 to 1915; Rev. M. L. Lawson, 1916 to 1924; Rev. E. L. Baskin, 1924 to date, 1934.

Among the earnest, successful and popular ministers of Southern Georgia. Rev. Ernest L. Baskin takes high rank, and as Pastor of the First Baptist Church at Sylvester he has exerted a most beneficent influence throughout the community. A native of Ray City, Berrien County. Georgia, he was born and reared on the farm of his parents. James B. and Fannie (Hagan) Baskin, both of whom are living in Ray City, the father being now retired.

After graduating from the Milltown High School in 1908, Ernest L. Baskin entered Mercer University, where he was graduated in 1912 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and then went to the Southern Baptist Seminary where he received the degree of Master of Theology in 1916. Then, after one year of postgraduate work in New Testament research, he accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist church, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina, where he built a fine new church edifice at a cost of about one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. In 1924 he came to Sylvester as pastor of the First Baptist Church. He has stimulated the congregation to greater activity in all of its departments and it is now one of the most active, aggressive, and prosperous religious societies in this section of the county. The church has a membership of four hundred, with a Sunday School of three hundred and seventy-five members. Its auxiliary societies include a fully graded Woman's Missionary Union and a Baptist Young Peoples' Union. Rev. Baskin sets the pace for his people and, because of his earnest labor for the upbuilding of the church, his splendid ability and his genial nature, he has won an enviable standing among the representative residents of the community. As a speaker Mr. Baskin is eloquent, forceful, and convincing and he has proven a tremendous power for good in this locality where his ability and devotion are fully appreciated. He is a member of the Georgia Baptist Association, Moderator of the Mallary Association, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club at Sylvester, in which work he is deeply interested.

Rev. Baskin wedded Miss Mary P. Groom, of Kansas City, Missouri, daughter of Michael F. and Luttie (Chappell) Groom.

Mrs. Baskin was educated in the Kearnev Public Schools and the Southern Baptist W. M. U. Training School at Louisville, where she met her future husband. After graduating she served as Secretary of the Missouri State Board of Missions for a period of two years. She has been to her husband a help-mate in the truest sense of the term, aiding him very materially in his pastoral work by her quiet charm, commendable tact and gracious personality. They are the parents of two children, Ernest L., Jr., and James Groom.

The subject of this sketch is a descendant of a notable line of ancestors running back to the tenth century in England and Austria. They were among the first settlers of Virginia and Georgia. Martin Luther Lawson was born in Brooks County, Georgia, March 8, 1870. He received his education at Mercer University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a man of wide experience, having held pastorates at strategic points in the Carolinas and Georgia. Some of the leading churches of the South have been served by him, among them Laurens, S. C, Camden, S. C, Hendersonville, N. C, Sylvester, Ga., where he was pastor nearly eight years, Dawson and Cuthbert, Ga. He served as trustee of Norman Junior College for many years, and also of Bessie Tift College. He was married to Mamie Smith, Tennille, Ga., September 20, 1892, Dr. T. J. Beck was the officiating minister.

Mrs. Mamie (Smith) Lawson is a daughter of the late Ed-win and Sarah Smith, of Tennille, Georgia, at which place she was reared and educated. She is deeply interested in all religious work, her unusual sweetness of disposition, her consecrated Christian character, her sympathy and generosity inspire many to be followers of her Lord and Master.

Mrs. Lawson was a charter member of the Barnard Trail Chapter of D. A. R., of Sylvester, and served as Regent of that chapter the last year of her residence in Sylvester, 1924. Her Revolutionary ancestors were among the first to settle in Washington County, Ga. They are as follows: William and Hugh Irwin and John Orr, are certified Georgia soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Colesby Smith received land for service in that war.

Rev. and Mrs. Lawson have only one child. Dr. Edwin J. Lawson. Dr. Lawson is an eye, ear and nose specialist of Moultrie, Ga. He is a World War Veteran, and was wounded while in service as a Surgeon in France.

Quoting from the old minutes of the Sumner Baptist Church:

"On the 4th Sunday in May 1881, a large congregation assembled at Sumner Station, Worth County, the object of the meeting was to constitute a Missionary Baptist Church.

"Elder J. C. Bass of the Bowen Missionary Baptist Association was elected Moderator and Elder P. R. Jones of the Houston Association was elected Clerk of the Presbytery.

"The Moderator then called for letters for membership, whereupon brother Y. A. J. Jones and wife, and Mary A. Jones, Jane A. Jones, M. A. L. Jones and Oscar R. Jones came forward bringing theirs. After the reading of the Church covenant also the Articles of Faith were read and adopted it was pronounced a church by the moderator with beautiful and appropriate words. The regular day of monthly meeting on the 4th Sabbath and Saturday before in each month was selected and Rev. J. C. Bass was called to preach as an Evangelist until the following October. The moderator appointed a committee to procure a place of meeting, to take up a collection, and build a house of worship. The moderator appointed A. J. Alford, C. A. Alford, Dan Garrett, James J. Clements, Y. A. J. Jones and P. R. Jones.

"Thus ended one of the most pleasant days of our lives and one that we trust will prove a blessing to us and to the community at large."

This old book of minutes show who are the faithful back in those early days of this church's life. P. R. Jones served in all capacities, as clerk often, and pastor from 1881 to 1884. Charles G. Tipton as clerk from 1884 to 1894, resigned Feb., 1895. J. R. Edwards was clerk from 1895 to 1896. D. W. Sumner was clerk from 1897 to 1900.

Pastors were P. R. Jones from Tune 1881 to 1884; S. E. Blitch from 1884 to 1887; M. C. Irvin from 1887 to 1888; J. H. Cay wood from 1888 to 1889; Rev. R. L. Rachels from Feb. 1889 to 1893; Rev. Snell 1894 to 1895; Rev. W. E. Shepherd 1895 to 1896. Services were held in the school building for several years. The minutes show a report from the building committee in 1887 that the work on church was progressing slowly for lack of lumber.

The prayers of the little handful of members 53 years ago that the organization of that church be a blessing to the community has been answered many fold. Its powerful influence for good has steadily increased through the years, and today it is well organized for work in the Master's Kingdom and is one of the best churches in a small town in the Mallary Association.

This church first belonged to the Houston Association but joined the Mallary Association Nov. 13, 1886, because it was nearer and more convenient to attend.

Below is given a brief history of the Sunday School Celebration, an annual event that was considered the greatest of its kind for forty-two years. Miss Emma Sutton, a resident of this section and a writer of ability, gives the following from the pen of C. W. Graves, in her paper, "The Azilian" published at Ty Ty, Ga., June, 1916:

The Sunday School Association was organized in 1881 about ten miles southwest of Ty Ty under a big oak tree— in God's first temple. Chief among the organizers and first workers were Major Peter Pelham, Rev. Joel Graves, father of C. W. Graves, and John G. McPhaul, all of whom are Presbyterians, though the organization was non-sectarian, and is now. In 1882 began the annual celebration, the first meeting being held at Hillsdale in a Presbyterian church of which Mr. Joel Graves was pastor. There is no sign of the old church how, and Mr. Graves has been dead many years. Major Pelham was for many years the President. Since 1886 these meetings have been held at Poulan in a building which the association erected for its own use. On these occasions everybody is invited and thousands attend. There is always a program of speaking, songs, and prayer, and dinner for all.

Since the Worth County Sunday School Association began its existence many other counties in the state have organized similar ones, but this easily leads them all. It keeps alive the Sunday School spirit, each year infusing new life into the Sunday Schools of the county, and incalculable good has been done. The early records of the association have unfortunately been lost, but there are many people yet living who have never missed a celebration. Each quarter there is a convention business meeting, and always dinner for all, without which no public occasion in this part of the country is complete, but there is only one celebration in the year. For a number of vears this was held on Friday before the second Snndav in May, but this date has been changed on account of the schools.

The annual singing contest is always held in this tabernacle, not far from the Poulan Presbyterian Church. All the Sunday Schools in the county take part in these contests, and a committee decides which is entitled to the banner.

Poulan is a small place, and other associations have these celebrations, but the crowds still attend the pioneer organization, the mother of them all. There are extra trains and special rates, and people from several different counties are attracted to Poulan.

Below is given "One Day at this Celebration" written by John L. Herring in his Saturday Night Sketches:

"All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall! Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown Him Lord of all."

Two thousand people stood to sing the opening hymn; out from under the immense tabernacle rolled the great volume of sound, drowning the organ accompaniment. When it was concluded, there was a rustle as the crowd was seated, and then a grey-headed patriarch, his giant frame still unbent with years, stepped forward to invoke Divine guidance.

It was the annual celebration of the County Sunday Schools. For a year, in season and out, with varying success, meeting in log school houses or churches, in rough frame buildings, or even in more desolate sections at private residences, the tireless workers had struggled on—brave, undaunted spirits, men and women who were building nobly on the foundations for a Christian citizenship. Perhaps in extreme of winter no one met with them for a few weeks; perhaps they took a short vacation—"winter quarters"—but usually where even three or four gathered together, there was the lesson, the song and the prayer. Perhaps the attending children walked many miles along paths through the wiregrass beneath the pines to reach the school, perhaps there had been discouragement from sources where encouragement was expected; but one way or another the year and its work had passed, and with the coming of spring and the glorious weather of May, they were all gathered for a revival of spirit and the fresh impetus for the task that comes through co-operation.

Their association owned its tabernacle in a central town (Poulan); an immense wooden shelter on substantial posts of fat pine logs, the seats of pine boards, the ground covered with sawdust. Under it now was a great fluttering of fans, a scent of cinnamon and Hoyt's cologne, augmented by an occasional whiff of hair oil. Girls in cool white or bright colors in lawns and muslins; boys in striped seersucker (of varying length, according to the number of washings), and beside them the sober garments of the men and women of maturer years.

Outside as far as the eye could see. stood teams and vehicles of varying character according to the owner's means, from the humble ox-cart to the glistening carriage and pair; besides these, many hundreds came on the excursion trains operated from either direction. To the south, the cold drink and refreshment stands, operated by the association to capacity all day.

There were reports from each school, the superintendent of even the most remote having his brief moments before the crowd. Then an address or maybe two, from men of scholarly attainments and devotion to the work, who willingly left their homes and duties in neighboring cities to contribute to the day's good things. More singing, by different schools, or by the audience as a whole, and then dinner!

Tables formed the outer open walls of the tabernacle. On these was ample room for the cloths and the bounteous picnic spread. The chicken was there, in multitude and abundance; also in salad, pie, roast and fry. Cold boiled ham from the home smokehouse, beef roast, 'cued, dried and fried; pork, pickles, sauces, salads, "ad libitum." And cake of every color flavor and design, but all good. Who could eat one of those dinners and ever forget? Best of all, the wholehearted hospitality; few ate at their own table alone, but roamed through the crowd, chatting and tasting here and stopping there, as sure of a welcome as would be the visitor to his or her own spread.

After dinner, an hour for the thirsty to drown it as best they may; for the young people to court and giggle and laugh, as youth will; for older ones to exchange news and gossip, and for the associational heads to rearrange their plans for the afternoon.

To get such a crowd together after the noon meal required a magnet, but the man and the occasion met in R. B. Reppard, a Savannah lumberman, a godly man, whose great heart could scarcely hold his love for the children of that day and the Sunday School cause. Reppard could collect a crowd quicker and get it interested easier than any man of his time. He could make five hundred children hold their breath while he told a story and drove home a lesson that would remain through the years as a golden line on memory's tablet. He has gone long since to meet the children he directed on the way.

Then, the crowning event of the day, the singing contest for the association's blue and silver banner, -which had waved its graceful folds all day over the school victorious in the contest of the year before.

Each school selected its song and its leader, but all par-ticipating must be bona fide members. The judges, whose task was a hard one, were always selected from outside the county.

The entries were handed the president, and as its name was called, the school arose and sang. In front stood the leader, book in hand; the class selected from among the senior members. As he sounded the note, gave the word, and the song rang out, there was a burst of melody, a zip of harmony, a concord trained young voices that put the quickest-eared judge on his or her mettle to pick the winner. When it was over and the decision announced, there was no grumbling protest, but a hearty congratulation -of the winners on one side and a determination to get ready for next year on the other.

All things, even the best things of life, come to an end. A happy day had been well spent, but the lengthening shadows, the sunbeams now across the tabernacle, attest approaching night, and once more the assembled thousands stand as one for the farewell song—a farewell that means a final parting for many; toothers but au revoir until the cycle of time again brings May and reunion:

God be with you till we meet again.
By his counsels guide, uphold you.
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.

Source:  History of Worth County, Georgia : for the first eighty years, 1854-1934. Macon, Ga.: Grubbs, Lillie Martin J.W. Burke Co., 1934.