Hickox Baptist Church, located on the Caney Bay Road in Hickox, Ga., was founded on September 28, 1908. It was established by concerned people of the township to meet the growing spiritual needs. Under the guidance of Rev. William Bennett and his assistant, James Dykes, the church was organized and constituted. Land was given by Frank F. Highsmith, lumber was donated by Peter Knox, owner and operator of the local sawmill. The men of the community volunteered their time and labor to build the building, shown above (upper right).
There were twenty-one Charter members listed in the old Church records: Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. James Dykes, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Burney, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Benton, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Todd, O.N. Holder, Tucker Jones, J. W. Teston, C. B. Steen, John L. Courson, Mattie Tyne, Elisa Jacobs, Nona Bennett, and Minnie Buckins.
Hickox was a thriving community when the Church was first built. The main business was a tar plant. Because of its increased need the Atlantic Coast Line Railway opened a freight depot. Many new families moved into the area to work in the sawmill, tar-still, or in the depot. Stores were added.Even a school was built to accommodate the growing number of children. The church was fully established as a center of worship.
Because of World War I, loss of industry (due to fire) and the slow economy, the Church fluctuated in membership and size during the twenties. By the end of the thirties, loss of interest in Sunday School brought the Church School to a close. World War II caused the people to move out of the area, either looking for jobs or serving active service in the armed forces. As a result the membership dwindled until 1941, the Church closed its doors and was dormant for several years. During this time, the church building was used to store tobacco and other farm products.
Pastors who served the church were: 1908-1917, Pastor not known; 1917-1920, E. L. Little; 1921, L. M. Rouse; 1921-1922, E. L. Little; 1922-1933, M. G. Davis; 1934-1935, E. F. Styrewall; 1935, A. J. Harper; 1935-1941, unknown.
In December 1948, a young woman, Betty Hendrix, became concerned about her spiritual welfare as well as that of the community and contacted Rev. E. P. Corbitt to reestablish the church. The first worship service was conducted on a Sunday in January, 1949 with 49 adults and numerous children attending. Revival services were held on the third week in February and twenty-one people were added to membership. On March 6, 1949, the Church was reorganized and Rev. E. P. Corbitt was called as Pastor. In July, 1950, the Church was enlarged and four new classrooms were added.
From 1949 unto 1977, twelve pastors served the church. There were: 1949-1952, E. P. Corbitt; 1953, Major Musgrove; 1954, E. P. Corbitt; 1954-1956, Reed B. Purcell; 1956-1964, Marvin Smith. During his pastorate, a new church building (1960-1961) was constructed and the old one was torn down. Much sacrifice on the part of the people in time, labor and giving, was done to complete this endeavor; 1964-1966, George Lee; 1966-1968, E. M. Howell; 1968-1969, Carlos Chapman; 1969-1970, Gerald Harper; 1971-1975, Ben Glossen, Sr.; 1975-1977, Eddie Dixon (During his tenure, plans were begun for a new social hall); 1977, Dr. Jerry Simpson (interm), and 1977, Dr. Charles Williams (interm).
The first full time Pastor was called on January 1, 1978, Dr. W. Derrell Rentz, and has been Pastor of the Church for twenty years. During this time, with the economy good, a new fellowship hall was built, the auditorium was renovated, four new rooms were added to both wings of the educational building, the parking lot was paved, and a covered over-hang was completed. Through love and sacrificial giving, God blessed his people to pay off all indebtedness. The Church has steadily increased in its ministries and membership.
The Church is affiliated with and actively involved in the Piedmont - Okefenokee Baptist Association, the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
Submitted to Brantley County Historical Society by Dr. W. Derrell Rentz, Route 1, Box 84A, Nahunta, Ga., 31553. Sources: Church Records; "A Modern Day Miracle by Maryse Anderson"; Church Members.
SEE STORY, "A MODERN DAY MIRACLE," written by Maryse Anderson while a student in college. This is a story about resurrecting a church!