Taylor County GaArchives News.....HISTORY OF REYNOLDS BAPTIST CHURCH 1882-29 March 5, 1930
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The Reynolds New Era March 5, 1930
The Reynolds New Era Wednesday, March 5, 1930
HISTORY OF REYNOLDS BAPTIST CHURCH 1882-29
Reynolds, Ga., March, 1930.
Mr. Editor:
It might be of interest to some of your readers to know something of the
History of the Reynolds Baptist Church, especially the part dating back nearly
one hundred years.
This church was first organized in Crawford County which then covered our
present territory. It sounded under the name of Ariel, located about eight
miles northwest of Reynolds; held its first meeting in May 1832.
The first record sets forth the Primitive Doctrine and articles of faith by
which all Baptists were originally controlled. You will notice the spelling
and punctuation to be somewhat different from the kind we now use, but why
should we attempt to correct--how do we know but that certain provincialisms
were necessary at that time--that the reader or hearer might better
understand. A list of ten appearing in the minute below gives the first band
of organizers, which band was stern in its judgement, accepting no brother's
promise to "do better" until such a promise was performed. Yet they all loved
their faith and acted towards one another as if God saw them.
"May 12 1832. This is to certify that we whose names are undersigned have
covenanted and agreed to keep house For the Lord when ten of us assembled
together our Letters was red and approved of were then Constituted into a
church by the bretheren sent For and who came following prinsiples. Luke
Brown, Allen jones, Alb Windham, H. Pinketon, Delilah Brown, Sarah Jones, Mary
Holis, Francis Holis, Penellopy Smith (and then are given the articles of
faith).
The services were held on Saturday and Sunday, generally the fourth one of
each month. Brother Bell, the first preacher and John Windom, the first one
to unite with them, joined by baptism the same year.
There appears on the record in the infancy of this church an act which you do
not see recognized in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," but an act which proves the south's
interest in her dependants, and the Baptist doctrine that "Religion is
intended for all mankind."
"The church of Christ Ariel met in conference February the 3, 1834. First
opened a dore for the reception of members in any way the gospel directs,
secondly received by experience unto Baptism a woman of colour by the name of
Lotty the property of ideon Newsome thereby received by letter sister milly
kent. Wian Bough. Don moderator done in conference."
It was almost a monthly occurrence for this church to receive, put on trial
and often dismiss members, yet it seemed to progress peaceably until 1837 when
the church clerk introduced articles favoring Sunday school. This clerk was
promptly excluded by a unanimous vote of the members.
In 1844 at a single conference, three preachers were called to serve and given
the authority to preach in succession.
In 1845 this membership moved to Macon County and named its site Union, which
church still stands about three miles South-east of Reynolds, on the Corbin
place; now owned by the colored people. There it closed its doors--shown in a
minute of 1862 "July 5 no meeting."
On January 30th, 1879 (69?) a few of these members whose names are given
below, bery probably on account of the inconvenience for attendance formed
themselves into the Church of Christ at Reynolds, Georgia: Richard Ingram,
Bryant Ingram, Henry Nowell, Mary Ingram, Sarah Ingram, Martha Powell,
Elizabeth Nowell, Annie Oliver.
The whole membership of Union followed in December of same year.
In 1871 the building which is now known was erected and a vote of thanks given
to Brothers Long and Hodges for the active interest thay took in in its
erection. For years and years the men sat on one row of benches, the women on
the other, a partition dividing them.
Like a quiet sentinel the little church now sets on the corner on a lot of its
own seeming to know the past; to enjoy the present; to feel the future.
Styles and fashions have come and gone but the old bell still tongs every
Sunday morning at 9 o'clock, calling to it two hundred and twenty-five
members, reminding them that it is time to "pay tribute where tribute is due."
Once in a while someone suggests a new church, but such a suggestion quietly
wears itself out. So many dear memories of marriages, funerals and fellowship
are enshrined wihin its walls, that the change of a single board would attack
almost every home within its vicinity. It does not present itself for
ostentatious parade, but it offers itself in a delightful manner as a palace
of worship for the faithful and heart-sprung; as a harbor fro Christian
resources. The dullest observer in passing by cannot help but become sensible
to the fact that here stands an emblem of love and respect that will be
cherished as long as life endures.
Below is given a list of the preachers who have served since 1832;
Bell, 1832-35
Bowden, 1835-37
Bell, 1838-40
Deavours, 1840-44
Bell, Durham, Wood, 1844-45
Lockhart, 1845-47
Powell, 1848-54
Howell, 1854-55
Powell, 1867-57
Langley, 1858-60
Wilburn 1861-(Civil War)
Duncan, 1870-71
Wilburn, 1871-72
Ross, 1872-73
Mitchell, 1873-76
Achurst, 1876-77
Ivey, 1877-79
Blalock, 1879-81
Searcy, 1881-85
Tharp, 1885-86
Farmer, 1886-88
Garner, 1888-89
Durham, 1889-91
Buck, 1891-92
Weaver, 1893-95
Farmer, 1895-1900
Pendelton, 1900-1902
Plemmons, 1902-03
Weaver, 1903-13
Smith, 1913-16
Fowler, 1916-19
Dumas, 1919-26
Haley, 1927-29
In 1886, thirty-six joined at one meeting. In 1888, Brother W.I. Powell was
appointed Sexton.
Just a few weeks ago it was a pleasure to be witness to the following scene
which took place at the little church:
The song had begun opening the Sunday-school service when a little curly
haired boy about three years of age came hurriedly up the steps on his all-
fours, followed almost immediately by an elderly lady of more than three score
years and ten---supported on each side by friends---both as it seemed equally
as anxious to get within its portals. This furnished to the writer a much
more descriptive picture than the one you have seen in the Old Family Scrap
Book, where the old grandmother was sitting in the high chair with the little
one on her lap--entitled "Youth and Age."------Jake Weaver.
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