Newnan
Georgia
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Elim Baptist Church
History:
The "Baptist Church of Christ at Elim," as called in 1837, was constituted on August 2, 1837. The original church lot was located in Coweta County eleven miles west from Newnan in the Handy community. The land was donated to the church by Brother Joseph Brown. The first church house was a one room log house located to the left of the cemetery.
Her first pastor from 1837 until 1843 was Brother Joseph Bankston. Brother C.B. Brown was the church clerk in those eariest years.
The first person that united with Elim by experience of grace and baptism after its constitution in 1837 was Mrs. Sarah Millians, wife of Christian Millians.
Elim joined the Western Baptist Association in 1841. In 1842 a revival was held that brought the membership to 68. The first record of the reception of slaves into the church was Lucy and Leary, who were servants of Thomas Culbert on June 6, 1840. Some years later Elim was to help build a separate church for the black community.
The church granted Sister Ann Davis the meeting house to teach school in 1840 and in return subscribers of said school would build a rock or brick chimney to the house.
It is to be noted that in those early years members of the church were charged to make open acknowledgement of such sins as drunkeness, profanity, indebtedness, fornication, and absenteeism. Members would be approached by a committee for their reason if absent three (3) meeting days. Morality and commitment were important factors in the Christian life.
In her earliest days, the church met on the 4th Sabbath of each month, changing in 1868 to the 1st Sabbath, and again in 1878 to the 4th. Pastors were shared between several local churches. Meetings took place on Saturday and Sunday, with business taken care of on Saturday and worship on Sunday.
Plans were started in October, 1870 to build a new house of worship. The building committee consisted of Brethren A.B. Brown, W.D. Orr, G.V.D. Stephens, C.B. Brown, James Jackson, and C.J. Brown. It was agreed to build the new house according to a draft drawn by Brother G.T. Putnam and that the place to build be selected by the building committee. The church was completed in 1871. In 1879 a committee was appointed to meet with Mr. W.L. Crowder for the purpose of purchasing an acre of land for the use of the church. In September of the same year, Mr. Crowder donated one-half acre to the church so the church would have access to the spring water.
July, 1904 is the first written record of a woman being elected on any kind of committee. Sister Fannie McKoy was elected to serve on the committee to collect money for the pastor's salary.
A cyclone in the spring of 1908 hit and destroyed several houses of worship in the area. By God's grace, Elim was spared and took a collection to help others rebuild.
In June, 1944, a motion was made to start a repair program on the church. However, it was destined to turn into a whole new building program. Mrs. Polly Lyle was treasurer and Mrs. Margaret Oxford was secretary of the building committee. Hanson Oxford, W.M. Lyle, and Johnnie Wortham were also members of the committee. In October, 1947, the building committee was given authority to move the old church building, so the same spot could be used for the new building. Mr. Jim Ball was the contractor for the new brick building. Elim held their first service in the brick building on the first Sunday in August, 1948. On December 2, 1956, the deacons were given authority by the church to proceed with plans to complete the basement. Three classrooms and one larger meeting room were completed. In October, 1960 two new Sunday School rooms were added to the basement. A lighted sign was erected in memory of Mr. Wade Luckie in 1973. In June 1973 new light fixtures were given in memory of James E. Jackson by his family.
On August 3, 1975 dedication was held of the new building addition, consisting of fellowship hall with kitchen facilites. This building also included Sunday School rooms, church office, and library. There was also the dedication of new stain glass windows in the sanctuary. This committee consisted of Hanson Oxford, Joe Newman, and Gene Barfield. In late summer of 1978, the parking lot was paved.
In 1982, a perpetual cemetery fund was started to care for the future maintenance of the cemetery and church grounds. This perpetual care continues today under the watchcare of a cemetery committee.
In August 1980, a chairlift was installed to aid people getting into the worship area. In 1992 an outside wheelchair lift was installed at the front of the church.
The church was incorporated as Elim Baptist Church of Handy Road, Inc. in 1999. Also added in 1999 was a new updated sound system. Music has always been and continues to be an important part in the worship at Elim.
A remodeling program of the fellowship and kitchen areas, bathrooms upstairs and downstairs was completed in 2001. Additional remodeling continued in the Sunday School and office areas.
The "Baptist Church of Christ at Elim," as called in 1837, was constituted on August 2, 1837. The original church lot was located in Coweta County eleven miles west from Newnan in the Handy community. The land was donated to the church by Brother Joseph Brown. The first church house was a one room log house located to the left of the cemetery.
Her first pastor from 1837 until 1843 was Brother Joseph Bankston. Brother C.B. Brown was the church clerk in those eariest years.
The first person that united with Elim by experience of grace and baptism after its constitution in 1837 was Mrs. Sarah Millians, wife of Christian Millians.
Elim joined the Western Baptist Association in 1841. In 1842 a revival was held that brought the membership to 68. The first record of the reception of slaves into the church was Lucy and Leary, who were servants of Thomas Culbert on June 6, 1840. Some years later Elim was to help build a separate church for the black community.
The church granted Sister Ann Davis the meeting house to teach school in 1840 and in return subscribers of said school would build a rock or brick chimney to the house.
It is to be noted that in those early years members of the church were charged to make open acknowledgement of such sins as drunkeness, profanity, indebtedness, fornication, and absenteeism. Members would be approached by a committee for their reason if absent three (3) meeting days. Morality and commitment were important factors in the Christian life.
In her earliest days, the church met on the 4th Sabbath of each month, changing in 1868 to the 1st Sabbath, and again in 1878 to the 4th. Pastors were shared between several local churches. Meetings took place on Saturday and Sunday, with business taken care of on Saturday and worship on Sunday.
Plans were started in October, 1870 to build a new house of worship. The building committee consisted of Brethren A.B. Brown, W.D. Orr, G.V.D. Stephens, C.B. Brown, James Jackson, and C.J. Brown. It was agreed to build the new house according to a draft drawn by Brother G.T. Putnam and that the place to build be selected by the building committee. The church was completed in 1871. In 1879 a committee was appointed to meet with Mr. W.L. Crowder for the purpose of purchasing an acre of land for the use of the church. In September of the same year, Mr. Crowder donated one-half acre to the church so the church would have access to the spring water.
July, 1904 is the first written record of a woman being elected on any kind of committee. Sister Fannie McKoy was elected to serve on the committee to collect money for the pastor's salary.
A cyclone in the spring of 1908 hit and destroyed several houses of worship in the area. By God's grace, Elim was spared and took a collection to help others rebuild.
In June, 1944, a motion was made to start a repair program on the church. However, it was destined to turn into a whole new building program. Mrs. Polly Lyle was treasurer and Mrs. Margaret Oxford was secretary of the building committee. Hanson Oxford, W.M. Lyle, and Johnnie Wortham were also members of the committee. In October, 1947, the building committee was given authority to move the old church building, so the same spot could be used for the new building. Mr. Jim Ball was the contractor for the new brick building. Elim held their first service in the brick building on the first Sunday in August, 1948. On December 2, 1956, the deacons were given authority by the church to proceed with plans to complete the basement. Three classrooms and one larger meeting room were completed. In October, 1960 two new Sunday School rooms were added to the basement. A lighted sign was erected in memory of Mr. Wade Luckie in 1973. In June 1973 new light fixtures were given in memory of James E. Jackson by his family.
On August 3, 1975 dedication was held of the new building addition, consisting of fellowship hall with kitchen facilites. This building also included Sunday School rooms, church office, and library. There was also the dedication of new stain glass windows in the sanctuary. This committee consisted of Hanson Oxford, Joe Newman, and Gene Barfield. In late summer of 1978, the parking lot was paved.
In 1982, a perpetual cemetery fund was started to care for the future maintenance of the cemetery and church grounds. This perpetual care continues today under the watchcare of a cemetery committee.
In August 1980, a chairlift was installed to aid people getting into the worship area. In 1992 an outside wheelchair lift was installed at the front of the church.
The church was incorporated as Elim Baptist Church of Handy Road, Inc. in 1999. Also added in 1999 was a new updated sound system. Music has always been and continues to be an important part in the worship at Elim.
A remodeling program of the fellowship and kitchen areas, bathrooms upstairs and downstairs was completed in 2001. Additional remodeling continued in the Sunday School and office areas.