Maysville Baptist Church, Maysville (GA) Georgia, organized 1878

Pictured above is the original Maysville Baptist Church, built 1882-1883. When a new brick building was built in 1948, this wooden church was not torn down but was moved out of town and relocated on the Maysville-Jefferson Road near Interstate 85. Hurricane Grove Baptist Church occupied the building until its membership dissolved. The building still stands today, albeit in a much worse condition.

The Maysville Baptist Church was organized in 1878 by Rev. Wilkes and Dr. VanHoose of Gainesville, and Rev. Charles Campbell of Athens.

Was this Dr. VanHoose any relation to Professor Azor Warner VanHoose, b. 1860 in Griffin GA, who was instrumental in the development of Gainesville College, Brenau College and Shorter College?

The ten charter members were: Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Atkins, Mrs. Amanda Sims, Mr. & Mrs. James Lyle, Mr. & Mrs. J. T. White, Mrs. J. B. Hill, George Saville and W. M. Lyle. (More specifically: Hugh Atkins, Mary Sanders Atkins, Amanda Dunnahoo Sims, James Monroe Lyle, Annie Olivia Neal Lyle, John Taylor White, Elizabeth Saville White, Nancy Jane Reynolds Hill, George W. Saville, and W. M. Lyle)

Who was the W. M. Lyle listed as a charter member? Although James Monroe Lyle's father was named William Lyle, and living at this time, he was married to Eliza Yarbrough Lyle, who was living at the time as well. If it were this William Lyle, surely wife Eliza would have been a charter member, too. Did James Monroe Lyle possibly have a brother named W. M. Lyle?

Church meetings were first held in the homes of its membership under the direction of Dr. VanHoose. The Forest News noted Dr. VanHoose’s departure on January 23, 1880, “Our whole village is sorry to have lost the services of the Baptist minister, Mr. VanHoose, he having moved from Gainesville to Senoia. But the church will soon be supplied with another pastor.”

1880-0827 FN: The Baptists are, at this writing, carrying on interesting meetings under their pastor, Rev. Mr. Barrett, who is a most zealous minister, and very much liked by all denominations.

1881-0325 JH: One or two church buildings would complete our success as a village, and there is some prospect of soon utilizing, for its intended purpose, the lumber that has for many months been on the ground for a Baptist church.

1881-0506 JH: Steps are now being taken to push forward the completion of the Baptist Church. Col. Atkins has it in charge, which is a sure indication of it being accomplished.

1882-0421 JH: The contract for building the Baptist Church will be let out this week. We hope to hear the sound of the bell soon.

The first church was built on land donated by Rev. H. R. Bernard, as noted in the May 5, 1882, edition of The Jackson Herald, “Action is now being taken to build the Baptist church. Rev. H. R. Bernard, the pastor in charge, presented them with the lot on which the church will be built.”

1882-0616 JH: The Rev. Mr. Bernard preached in the Baptist church on Sunday and at night.

1882-0616 JH: George B. voluntarily accepted the position of sexton to the Baptist church the first of this year, and he has rang the bell once since that time. The only way we can account for his negligence is that he was born tired, as we know George has not a single lazy bone in his hide.

1882-1117 JH: The Rev. Mr. Wilks preached on Saturday and Sunday. He has the pastoral care of the Baptist church here this year.

1883-0105 JH: On the night of the 25th the Sabbath School scholars and a large crowd of spectators gathered at the Baptist Church to see the Christmas tree loaded with presents. The exercises were opened with singing by the school, followed by some appropriate remarks from Professor Caldwell. Messrs. Bacon, Cox and Watkins proceeded to disrobe the tree, after which the young folks repaired to Mr. W. J. Comer's, and were entertained with instrumental and vocal music by the Messrs. Oglesby and Deadwyler. As Cooper and Jeff could not get no further than the door, they gently eased downtown. Cooper says he hasn't enjoyed himself as well since the war. To show the high esteem the scholars had for Prof. Caldwell, as an instructor, they presented him with a beautiful gold chain on the Christmas tree. His school opened again on Tuesday, and prospects are favorable for a large number of students, as there are a good many moving in, and others making applications to secure houses for that purpose.

Less than a year later, on April 20, 1883, The Jackson Herald reported “The Baptist church is near enough completed to hold services in.” The lumber for the new church was cut and hauled from the Nail’s Creek community, northeast of Homer, by John Taylor White and others. Stained glass windows were imported from England.

Construction of Maysville Baptist Church in 1947. Pictured left to right are: James Brooks, Billy Webb, Paul Webb, Verdell Lewallen, Ed Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Frank Underwood, Joe Dunahoo, Joe Wingfield, Rev. D. C. Williams, Clyde Williams’ apprentice, Clyde Williams, Ray McClure, Hollis Jordan, Clint Gailey and Roy Brooks.

In 1947, with Rev. D. C. Williams as pastor, a new brick church building was proposed and construction started on the adjacent lot to the (facing) left of the original church. This lot is believed to have once been the site of a livery stable business to store horses. Services were held in the new church by 1948. The wooden church was not torn down but was moved a few miles away to a location on the Maysville-Jefferson Road near Interstate 85, where it still stands today (in 2008), having formerly been used by the membership of the Hurricane Grove Baptist Church.

On Homecoming Day in 1957, the bank note for the new Maysville Baptist Church was burned, after sacrificial giving by the membership coupled with outstanding guidance by Rev. Robert Scruton and Rev. Homer K. Albright resulted in the indebtedness being paid.

In 1961, a new pastorium was built on a tract of land one block from the church donated by Mrs. Ruby Joyce.

In 1965, a steeple was added to the church, completing its physical structure. Funds were not available to do this when the church was first built.

In 1978, Maysville Baptist Church celebrated its centennial with special services by Dr. W. T. Watson, father of then pastor Robert W. Watson. The theme of the centennial celebration was “What God has done in the past He’ll do today and in the future.” The past was represented by presentation of the history of the church, the present by revival services throughout the week, and the future with a fundraising project for the $110,000 building program.

During 1982-1983, a two-story classroom annex was added under the leadership of Dr. Robert Watson, pastor.

In 1985, a $33,000 renovation of the sanctuary included expansion of the choir pit, new pews added throughout, new carpet and new lighting fixtures. The church’s membership numbered around 250.

In 19__, a brick fellowship hall was built adjacent to the church on the site of the original church building.

In 19__, the church extended its back property line by purchasing the Wade house. This small house was used for classroom purposes. The purchase of the Sailers House in 19__ extended the line again. The Sailers house was torn down to make room for additional church parking.

With the turn of the 21^st century, Maysville’s population began to rise steadily and the membership, once again, found itself in need of larger facilities. In 200_, under the leadership of Dr. Brian Stowe, a ____-acre tract of land on the Maysville-Jefferson Road was purchased for $____ from __________________ on which to build a new church “campus."

In 200_, construction was completed on phase one of Maysville Baptist Church’s new campus and the membership abandoned its historic location in the center of town on Homer Street. The old location is now home to a new, non-denominational church known as “The Prayer Center of Maysville.”

The above history of Maysville Baptist Church was compiled by W. Todd Dorsey with research assistance provided by Richard J. Chambers and the Sarepta Baptist Association.