1849

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church had  as pastor at the end of the church year Vincent Redmond Thornton in a less-than-full time status.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at  First Baptist Church  of Washington in  Wilkes County on October 12, 13, 15 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism:: 8, gained by letter: 9, lost  by dismissal: 3, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death,: 0 and total remaining: 159, and of these 31 were white and  128 were black.

1847

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year L. J. Robert, a native of Robertville, SC and a cousin of  Henry Martyn Robert, who wrote the original version of "Robert's Rules of Order", first published in 1876 and still published in 10th edition by his grandson, Henry Martyn Robert, III.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Grove Baptist Church in  Columbia County on October 8, 9, 11 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 12, gained by letter: 5, lost  by dismissal: 2 , lost by exclusion: 2, lost by death: 1, and total remaining: 165, and of these 26 were white and 139 were black.

1846

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church was without a pastor at the end of the church year, Nathaniel Macon Crawford having resigned the pastorate during the year to become  pastor of First Baptist Church, Charleston, SC.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Powelton Baptist Church in  Hancock County on October 9, 10, 12 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 1, gained by letter: 1, lost  by dismissal: 10,  lost by exclusion: 3, lost by death: 1, and total remaining: 153 , and of these 21 were white and  132 were black.

1848

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year Vincent Redmond Thornton in a less-than-full time status . He succeeded L. J. Robert as pastor.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Phillips Mill Baptist Church in  Wilkes County on October  6, 7, 9 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 2, lost  by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion : 2, lost by death:  0, and total remaining: 150, and of these  24 were white and  126 were black.

1853

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church voted on June 24, 1853, to employ as pastor Rev. Henry Allen Tupper, a native of Charleston, SC, and then pastor at Graniteville, SC. It is of some interest that on the same date Mr. Ker Boyce of Charleston and Graniteville and father-in-law of Mr. Tupper bought the house next door, now known as the Tupper-Barnett house, for $2,800+ and gave it to Mr.Tupper.

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year Henry Allen Tupper.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Smyrna Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October  7-8, 10 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 9, gained by letter: 9, lost  by dismissal: 3, lost by exclusion:  2 ,  restored: 2, lost by death: 3, and total remaining: 180, and of these 47 were white and 133 were black.

1884

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

On Jan 3, 1884, the building committee reported $4,324.16 collected from subscriptions, rebates and other sources, and $4,697.25 paid out. The committee reported that it would require $1,500.00 more beyond subscriptions to put the building in safe condition.

On August 14, 1884, the church chose Brother J. H. Kilpatrick to preach the dedication sermon of the new church (above) and Dr. Hillyer to serve as alternate

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year Shaler Granby Hillyer.

The Georgia Baptist Association held its annual meeting at First Baptist Church of Washington, Wilkes County,  on October 8-12 following the end of the church year.

This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 8, lost  by dismissal: 6 , lost by exclusion: 0, lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 129, and of these 105 were white and 24 were colored,

The church letter reported  monthly meeting: 4, prayer meeting: 0, Sabbath school: 0, teachers: 7, scholars: 75.

1883

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

On Nov 2, 1882, the building committee reported building fund subscriptions had reached $975.00 and amount in cash was $53.00.

On Nov 30, 1882, the building committee reported subscriptions had reached $3,250.00.

On Jan 12, 1883, upon recommendation by the building committee, the church resolved to: (1) Increase subscriptions. (2) Collect and invest subscriptions. (3) Build a brick church. (4) Begin gathering building materials. (5) The building committee should present a plan as soon as possible.

On Feb 12, 1883, the church instructed the building committee to place funds at interest.

On Mar 1, 1883, the building committee reported that it was in correspondence with an architect.

On Jun 18, 1883, the building committee reported that it has received plans and the church authorized the committee to continue.

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year Shaler Granby Hillyer.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Antioch Baptist Church in Greene County on October 11-13, 15 following the end of the church year. This church elected church members as messengers to attend that meeting.  Members shown after Labels below...

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 4, lost  by dismissal: 4, lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by death: 1, and total remaining: 130, and of these 106 were white and 24 were colored.

1882

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

Shaler Granby Hillyer served as pastor of the Washington church from 1881 to 1887. During his pastorate a new building was planned, built, dedicated, and largely paid for.

The New Building

On June 1, 1882, the church authorized the building committee to take such measures as they may think to raise funds for the purpose of building a new church.

On August 1, 1882, the building committee reported that in accordance with instruction from the church the committee had considered the expediency of taking steps to build a new church, had decided that it was expedient and preachable in consideration of the prosperous times, that then was the time to begin, with a view to its completion within the next twelve months, and had decided to open a subscription list at once. On motion Brethren Binns and Lemuel Wooten Sims and their sisters (wives) were added to the committee to aid in the work.

The church had as pastor at the end of the church year Shaler Granby Hillyer.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Bethesda Baptist Church in  Greene County on October  5-7,9 following the end of the church year. This church  elected as messengers to attend that meeting members shown after Labels below..

The church letter reported members gained by baptism: 5, gained by letter: 6, lost by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion: 1, lost by death: 0, and total remaining: 155, and of these 131 were white and 24 were colored,

The church letter reported monthly meeting: 1, prayer meeting: 1, Sabbath school: 1, teachers: 7, scholars: 60.

1845

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.


The church elected Nathaniel Macon Crawford as interim pastor in December 1844 and he was still in service at the end of the church year.


The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Fishing Creek Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October 11-13 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below:


The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 5:, gained by letter: 7, lost  by dismissal: 5 , lost by exclusion: 6 , lost by death: 1, and total remaining: 167, and of these 27 were white and 140 were black.

1844

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.


The church was without a pastor at the end of the church year.


The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Antioch Baptist Church in Oglethorpe County on October 11, 12, 14 following the end of the church year. This church did not elect messengers to attend that meeting.


The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 7, lost  by dismissal: 2 , lost by exclusion: 3, lost by death: 0, and total remaining 185.

1843

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church was without a pastor at the end of the church year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Union Baptist Church in Columbia County on October 6, 7, 9 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported members gained by baptism: 37, gained by letter: 11, lost by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion: 3, lost by death: 0, and total remaining: 181.

1842

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828; he died in Butts County September 6, 1841, and was buried in Penfield. Columbus Franklin Sturgis had been working with Jesse Mercer before his death and may be considered to have succeeded him as pastor.

Columbus Franklin Sturgis, 1809-1877, served for a time as Jesse Mercer's associate and also his successor as pastor of the Washington Baptist church. It may be considered that he became pastor upon Jesse Mercer's death in September 1841 and left the pastorate sometime after October 1842.

The first Bible and hymn book for the pulpit were purchased in 1842 at a cost of $9.75.

The church had as pastor at tbe end of the church year Columbus Franklin Sturgis.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Long Creek Baptist Church in Warren  County on October 7, 8, 10 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported members gained by baptism: 35, gained by letter: 0, lost by dismissal: 5 , lost by exclusion: 3, lost by death: 3, and total remaining: 182.

1841

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828; he died September 6, 1841 in Butts County  and was buried in Penfield.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Wilkes  County on October 8, 9, 11 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 53, gained by letter: 11, lost  by dismissal: 2 , lost by exclusion: 6 , lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 147.

1840

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Bethesda Baptist Church in Greene County on October 16, 17, 19 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 14, gained by letter: 0, lost  by dismissal: 1 , lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 87.

1839

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Double Branches Baptist Church in Lincoln County on October  11, 12, 14 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 3, gained by letter: 3, lost  by dismissal: 1 , lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by death; 2, and total remaining: 68.

1838

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Williams Creek Baptist Church in Warren County on October 12, 13,15 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 8, lost  by dismissal: 4, lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by deathL 0, and total remaining: 68.

1837

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of this year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at New Ford Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October 6-9 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 9, gained by restoration: 1, lost  by dismissal: 5 , lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by death: 4, and total remaining: 63.

1836

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Bairds Baptist Church in Greene County on October 10-12 following the end of the church year. This church elected as our messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 1, gained by letter: 15, gained by restoration: 2, lost  by dismissal: 12, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death,: 3 and total remaining: 62.

1835

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association met at Augusta First Baptist Church in Richmond County on October 9-12 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 7, gained by letter: 3, lost  by dismissal: 5, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 63.

1834

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at  White Plains Baptist Church in Greene County on October 10-13 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism:: 0, gained by letter: 10, lost  by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion: 0, lost by death: 0, and total remaining: NR.

1833

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

In 1833, Mercer brought a Baptist newspaper, The Christian Index, to Washington to "stir his Washington flock and all Georgia Baptisits to action for missions and education" and it was printed here for many years. Mercer also compiled and printed The Cluster, the first Baptist hymnal in Georgia.

During the year Jesse Mercer wrote  "Resemblances and Differences between Church authority, and that of an Association" and "Essay on the Lord's Supper."





An Essay on the Lord's Supper 
Being an Attempt to Run the Analogy
Between It and the Passover
By Jesse MercerWashington, Ga.
Printed at the News Office
1833

---

A Paraphrase on the Lord's Supper

     1 Cor. 5:7, 8. Purge out therefore. The old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrifice for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

 It is agreed by all the Expositors, I have been able to examine, that the Apostle, by the feast in the text, meant the Lord's Supper. Then it must be clear to the slightest observer, that his design, in bringing it up in analogy with the paschal sacrifice, was to inforce [sic] and preserve purity by a reference to the order & restrictions of that divine ordinance.
     The church at Corinth had corrupted herself by the toleration by the toleration of the grocest [sic] immoralities, and profaned the supper of the Lord by the admission of the most scandalous and unworthy persons. In order, not only to reprove & correct these errors at Corinth, but also to enforce on all the churches the chaste observance of this gospel feast, the Apostles in the text brought to bear on it, all the rites and restrictive requisitions of the feast of the Passover. Let us therefore, trace the analogy, and see what instructions it will afford us, on this very interesting and important rite.
     1. The Passover is a divine Institute. Exodus 12:8, 10. And in verse 11, is enjoined under the imposing style of "The Lord's passover." In verve 24, it is commanded thus, "And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and thy sons forever." And moreover, they were required to instruct their children to look at it as "the sacrifice of the Lord's passover."
     So the Lord's supper is of divine appointment. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ instituted it under very solemn and deeply interesting circumstances; and enjoined its observance on his disciples in a very tender and engaging manner. See Math. 26:26-28. Mark 14:22, 23. Luke 22:19, 20.
     The Apostle in 1 Cor. 11:23-26, rehearses the whole matter and declares that "he received it of the Lord." Hence he calls it "the cup of the Lord -- the table of the Lord and the Lord's Supper." It therefore commands our most solemn regard and prompt attention.
     2. The passover was instituted on that merciful scheme, which God devised for the salvation of his people in Egypt; wherein a lamb, of particular description, was slain, its blood used as a sign of mercy, and its flesh for a feast of joy. The command runs thus -- "And the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take the blood and strike it on the two side-posts, and on the upper door post of the houses wherein they shall eat it -- and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Thus under the peaceful sign of the blood-stained door-posts they feasted in safety, on the flesh of the roasted lamb, while the ten-fold vengeance of God had fulfilled his wrath, in breaking the strength and humbling the pride and glory of Egypt.
     So the Lord's Supper is founded on "Christ our Passover sacrificed for us; as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!" Though God has determined in awful justice, that "he will render to every soul of man that doeth evil (and all have sinned) indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish," in the day of Judgment; yet he has revealed a scheme of glorious grace, wherein, he has set forth his only begotten son, to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, all that believe shall be redeemed and receive forgiveness of sins; and be saved from wrath through him. Thus, all the redeemed are safe and happy under the blood-stained banner, which waves in victorious triumph over them, while their enemies, and the enemies of their God, are perishing in fiery wrath and endless perdition!
     3. The Passover was a commemorative Institution. It was enjoined on the children of Israel, by a perpetual ordinance, as a remembrancer of the kindness of God towards them in delivering them from Egyptian bondage, and to show his wonders to their children; that after generations might love and praise his name. Thus it is commanded Exo. 12:14. "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep is a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. Verse 25. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come into the land, which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep his service. 26. And when your children shall say unto you, what mean by this service? 27. That ye shall say, it is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians and delivered their houses." And in 13:3, it is repeated -- "And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out -- 5. And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land, which he sware unto thy fathers to give it thee, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 8. And thou shalt shew they son in that day, saying this is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9. And it shall be for a memorial in thy mouth, for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. 10. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year." Thus is was observed a perpetual memorial -- see Deut. 16:1-3. 2 Chron. 35:6, 12.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at  Rehoboth Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October 11, 12, 14 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 0, gained by letter: 9, lost  by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death: 0, and total remaining: 56.

1832

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

This year Jesse Mercer wrote in his memoirs:


"It seems to be taken for granted that all those venerable fathers, who founded the Baptist Denomination in this state [Georgia], were as stern calvinistic preachers as are the opposers of the new plans. But this is altogether a mistake. Abraham Marshall [Son of Daniel] was never considered a predestinarian preacher. Some of them were so--seemed to be set for the defense of the gospel. Of these, Silas Mercer and Jeptha Vining were the chief.  To use his own figure; he used to say, 'he was short legged  and could not wade in such deep water.'  He, with several others, was considered sound in the faith, though low Calvinists. Peter Smith and some others were thought rather Arminian; some quite so.

But no division was thought of till Jeremiah Walker adopted and preached openly the doctrine of final apostasy.  Then a division ensued; but soon after the death of Mr. W., the breach was healed.  And here it may not be amiss to add, that the Baptists in the upper parts of South Carolina, in those days, comprehended mostly, it is believed, in the Bethel Association, were general provisionists. I think most of their ministers preached what is now called General Atonement.  But this was never thought of as a bar to correspondence, or even Christian communion." (Memoirs of Elder Jesse Mercer, C.D. Mallary, 1832, pp.201-2, quoted in A History of the Kiokee Baptist Church in Georgia, James Donovan Mosteller, MA., B.D., Th.D., First Printing, 1952, p.37, emphasis mine).

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at County Line Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October 12-15 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 6, gained by letter: 4, lost  by dismissal: 9, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 49.

1831

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Abilene Baptist Church in Columbia County on October 7-10 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 4, gained by letter: 1, lost  by dismissal: 2, lost by exclusion: 0 , lost by death: 1, and total remaining: 50.

1830

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at  Bethel Baptist Church in a County on October _ following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 4,  gained by letter: 17, lost  by dismissal: 3 , lost by exclusion: 1 , lost by death: 2, and total remaining: 48.

1829

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church had elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of this year.

The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Sardis Baptist Church in Wilkes County on October 9-12 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 5, gained by letter: 5, lost  by dismissal: 0 , lost by exclusion:  0, lost by death: 1 and total remaining: 39.

1828

This is a record of activities of First Baptist Church of Washington, Georgia, during the church year shown in the title above and ending September 30 of that year.

The church elected Jesse Mercer as pastor on January 20, 1828, and he remained as pastor at the end of the year.

The church began in 1827 as arm of Phillips Mill Baptist Church.

The Town of Washington, Georgia, in the Ceded Lands of original Wilkes County, was 47 years old before a Baptist church was constituted within its boundaries.

James Armstrong, pastor of the Fishing Creek Baptist Church, could have been the leader in erecting a building in which to organize the Washington church. On March 10, 1826, with four others as trustees- Bolling Anthony, John M. Butler, William G. Gilbert, and Osborne Stone- a lot was purchased. These men are listed as "trustees of the Baptist Church in the town of Washington," with Armstrong as chairman.

On March 10, 1827, Phillips Mill Baptist Church minutes report the establishment of an arm in Washington with "James Armstrong and James Carter of Fishing Creek present." The first record of a building is found when the General Association of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia, held April 27, 1827, "convened in the house of worship just completed in the town for the Baptist Church."

Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical

 By Jesse Harrison Campbell:


6. The sixth session was at Washington, in April, 1827. The Flint River auxiliary was admitted as a constituent: John Reeves and Benjamin Willson, messengers. Fifty dollars were appropriated for theological works for indigent ministers, and J. Toole andThomas Walsh (lately a Methodist) were beneficiaries.

No detailed description can be found of the building which seems to have been last used for the centennial celebration of the Georgia Baptist Association in 1884.

The Phillips Mill minutes report a conference held at Washington on May 26, 1827, when several were received into the fellowship and one was dismissed. On December 8, 1827, the Phillips Mill minutes report that the "branch of the church at Washington petitioned to form a constitution and become a separated church." This was done on December 29, 1827, with James Armstrong as Moderator and Billington Sanders as clerk. The Washington minutes begin on this date and indicate that the newly-formed church held a conference on January 20, 1828, and called Jesse Mercer as pastor. His years as first pastor include a record surpassed by few pastors in Georgia. The church itself remained small. Minutes show 230 additions during his pastorate, with 135 of them black. Ninety-nine of these came by letter, mostly for the rural churches. Eighty-five of the blacks were by "experience."


The Georgia Baptist Association of churches met at Shiloh Baptist Church in Greene County on October  10-13 following the end of the church year. This church elected as messengers to that meeting the members shown as labels below.

The church letter reported  members gained by baptism: 9, gained by letter: 6, lost  by dismissal: 0 , lost by exclusion:  0, lost by death: 1, and total remaining 24.