MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH

The Mount Vernon Baptist Church is located five miles east of Fort Gaines on Highway 37. In August 1886 a few Baptist came together and erected a large bush arbor at the present location of the church and organized Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The organizers included these: Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Pearce, Mrs. J. H. Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Womble, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Pearce (other names unknown). The first pastor ws Rev. J. S. Knowles and the first clerk, D. B. Womble. The land for the church was given by the Sutton Estate.

Copied from THE HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
with permission of the Library Board of Clay County.

1886 MT. VERNON BAPTIST CHURCH 1932

This church is situated on what is known as Hartford Road now Highway No. 37 leading from Ft. Gaines to Edison, five miles East of Ft. Gaines. In 1886 at the time this church was constituted this was a thickly populated community but since then many people have moved away and the community is now not thickly settled. In August 1896 a few Baptists came together and erected a large bush arbor at the place where the church now stands and there carried on a protracted meeting. The church was organized with the following membership and others whose names are unknown: Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Womble, Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Pearce, Mrs. J. H. Hancock, Mrs. A. C. Sutton. The presbytery consisted of Revs. W. D. Hammock, J. S. Knowles and H. R. McLendon, Brother B. F. Pearce, one of the constituting members, was a Deacon at the time of the organization, having been ordained by Vilulah Church and was the only Deacon belonging to Mt. Vernon Church for several years, when Brother A. C. Sutton was ordained as a Deacon and these two served as Deacons for many years. Brother Sutton died in 1932. Brother W. L. Pearce was ordained as a Deacon about 1923 and C. R. Pearce in 1932. The church has never had but four Deacons.

It was in this church that W. O. Crumbley, one of the outstanding preachers of the Bethel Association was ordained in 1891. The Presbytery consisted of Brother J. H. Corley, J. G. Corley and perhaps Brother J. S. Knowles. We are not certain who the third preacher was but it is our recollection that Brother Knowles served as the third preacher.

There were 33 charter members of the church, 9 male members and 27 female members. That same year in the fall the present church building was erected and connected itself with the Bethel Association at its session held at Morgan on November 2, 1886. The delegates representing the church were B. F. Pearce and J. H. Hancock. At the time of its connection with the Association it still owed some on the church house and the Association donated to it $100.00 for the purpose of assisting in the payment of the balance due on the building.

The first pastor of the church was J. S. Knowles and the first clerk was D. B. Wamble. Brother Knowles served until 1888 when Rev. H. R. McLendon of Ft. Gaines was called and served in 1888 and 1889. After him came Brother J. G. Corley who served in 1890, 1891 and 1892 and baptized during his service 16 or more new members. Bro. W. D. Hammock served the church in the years 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896. Brother J. I. D. Miller served the church in 1897 baptizing 6. Brother J. S. Knowles in 1898 baptizing 7. We have no records for 1899 and 1900. In 1901 Brother B. R. Bisby served as pastor. Brother J. G. Corley returned in 1902 and served one year, and he was followed by Brother J. E. Dykes who served in 1903 and until 1907 continuously, baptizing 19 new members into the Mt. Vernon Church. He was followed by Brother A. C. Wellons who served for three years and baptized 7. After him in 1911 Brother J. W. Sauls served for three years baptizing 5. In 1914 Brother H. O. Fowler served baptizing 3. We have no record for 1915 and 1916. In 1917, 1918, and 1919 Brother J. W. Martin preached. In 1920 we have no record of this church. Brother W. F. Grist served in 1921, 1922 and 1923. For the year 1924 Brother Preston Sauls served. Brother Grist baptized 8 new members into the church. Brother W. J. Chisholm was pastor in 1925 and Brother C. J. Broome in 1926, 1927 and 1928, baptizing 10. He also served a part of the year 1931, having died on April 1931 while pastor of this church. Then came Brother Hugh Dozier in 1931 baptizing 1 that year and ---- in 1932. Bro. J. C. Rogers of Eufaula, Ala. is our present pastor.

The Clerks who have served the church in their order are as follows: D. B. Wamble, five years; J. B. Wiles, thirteen years; C. C. Pearce, six years; J. R. Findley, one year; Rubie Pearce, one year; E. T. Pearce, one year, A. H. Martin, two or three years; Irby Lindsey, one or two years; J. f. Lindsey, two years; C. C. Pearce, two years; E. R. McRaine, one year; A. H. Martin, three years; W. L. Pearce, six years.

The present membership of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church totals 57. The estimated value of the church property is $1200.00.

The church now has a nice Sunday School while the average is not more than forty, yet there is great interest taken in the Sunday School work in the church. The attendance is good and the influence of the Sunday School is felt by the church.

The church has a live B. Y. P. U. It is well organized and doing good work towards the training of the young members of the church.

(pages 210-213)

"History of Bethel Association - Including Centennial Meeting"
Centennial meeting held with Baptist church at
Edison, Georgia, October 25, 26, 27, 1932
A. L. Miller, Edison, Ga., Moderator.
W. H. Joyner, Coleman, Ga., Clerk

Complied and Edited by
Alexander Lee Miller
Moderator of Association
1909 -- 1934

Transcribed by Donna Eldridge

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