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.