by Hugh Waits, Historian, 1973
Presented to Agateville Baptist Church by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Waits
(Information Provided by Benny Hawthorne)
(Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) March 2005
"The Story of Hebron and Agateville Baptist Church"
Hebron-Agateville Baptist Church has long been God's instrument in this and other communities. The story of Old Hebron, to a great extent, is lost to the past. Little of its history being available. Efforts are under way to uncover that story. This is a brief history of what research has been done.
This county was established in 1807 as Randolph County. In 1812 the name was changed to Jasper County.
The ground or lot for the first church was given by William Cleveland to Hebron Baptist Church, and the deed was signed by Deacon Issac Morgan on December 23, 1812. At this time the church was of the Primitive Baptist faith.
We do not know much about the preacher, only that Rev. James Henderson was one of the pastors. He died April 1, 1858 at age 69. His was the first marked grave in the Cemetery on Goolsby Road.
Hebron Baptist Church was reorganized in the late 1890's across the road on Highway 11 where Hebron Cemetery is located today. The land or lot was given or purchased on or before 1900. The deed was made February 5, 1900 and signed by the deacons, J. T. Blizzard and A. W. Waits. We do not know, at this time, who became pastor after this reoganization of the church.
On July 11, 1908, the church purchased the lot next to the church lot from the Board of Education for $16.95. The deacons at that time were, George Blizzard and Wade Waits.
On July 12, 1904, Hebron Baptist Church was organized as a missionary Baptist church with Rev. Pound of Locust Grove as pastor. The church was formerly of the Union Baptist believe, a form of primitive Baptist.
The story of the church from 1900 to 1915 is very brief, but on September 19, 1915, a few members of Hebron Baptist organized Agateville Baptist to take the place of Hebron. The church building was built in 1916. With the help of the Central Baptist Association, the building was paid for in June 1918 and dedicated June 5, Sunday, 1919. Rev. Bell, pastor of Monticello Baptist Church gave the dedication sermon.
The church was pastored by Rev. W. E. Long for 25 years.
The members of the first Board of Deacons were, Brother Alex Waits, and Brother John Blizzard, Brother Troy McMichael was the clerk.
In 1922, brothers Troy McMichael and William Freeman were appointed deacons, and Mr. Ed. Funderburke became the church clerk.
During the 1920's and early 1930's the church grew in number and in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
A revival preached by Rev. W. E. Long was held September 18-25, 1921. By the conclusion of the revival 18 new members had been added, 16 of these by baptism.
During another revival in August 1923, also pastored by Rev. W. E. Long, 13 new members were added.
There are few records on the church between the late 1930's and early 1940's. During some of these years, we do know that the pastor of the Monticello Baptist Church conducted services in the afternoon at our church.
In 1947 the Church called Rev. James Bodenhammer. At that time two services were held, one Sunday of each month.
In 1949 the church voted to have 2 services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays only.
In the early 1950's the church was petitioned off for Sunday School rooms. During that time, the Church experienced a spiritual growth through Sunday School, with 30 to 38 members being present at each service.
In 1956 two Sunday School rooms were built onto the back of the church.
In 1957 the road leading to the Church and the parking lot were paved. Also ion 1957 the Beal sisters gave the picture of Christ hanging in the church today in memory of their mother and father.
The church has had two pianos. The first was purchased in 1927 and the second in 1961. About the same time the old coal heater was replaced by gas heat and an exhaust fan.
The Church has seen little outward change in the late fifty years, but the spiritual growth is practically unparalleled in any church anywhere.
Today the community surrounding the church is smaller than it once was, but the Church still thrives. No church has a great out-reach to a lost world. Thus, Hebron and Agateville Baptist Church conclude one hundred and sixty one years of service to the community and to God, not asleep looking to the past, but awake and hopefully looking toward the future, filled with an evangelistic concern for those who have never met Jesus Christ, and with sincere desire to see God's kingdom grow. Agateville Baptist Church looks toward the coming years and faith that God's blessings on our church will be still greater.
Pastors of Adgateville Baptist Church
(Beginning in 1812)
James Henderson
Rev. Pounds
W. E. Long
D. C. Bussell
Payne
John Clark
Walter Brown
James S. Bodenhammer
Ralph Jones
Sherril Campbell
Ward B. Simms
L. Fortner
Joh Fife
Dwight Honeycutt
Richard K. Siver
John Laramore
Cris White
David Sapp
Bill Youg
Thomas Morton
Danny Barton
Transcriber's note: The spelling of Adgateville is sometimes spelled without the "d" in this article.