Given to 
The Lee County Library 
by 
First Baptist Church 
Albany, Georgia 
THE PLACE 
OF 
NEW BEGINNINGS 
A HISTORY OF THE 
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF 
ALBANY, GEORGIA 
REF 975.8 PEL Sfi. RM. 
| Pelham, James E. 
The place of new 
beginnings : 
BY 
JAMES E. PELHAM 
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY 
LEESBURG,GA 
THE PLACE 
OF 
NEW BEGINNINGS 
A HISTORY OF THE 
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF 
ALBANY, GEORGIA 
BY 
JAMES E. PELHAM 
Copyright  2002 
All Rights Reserved 
First Baptist Church 
Pine Avenue at Jefferson Street 
P. O. Box 167 
Albany, Georgia 31702 
Published By: 
Brentwood Christian Press 
4000 Beallwood Avenue 
Columbus, Georgia 31904 
2 
Dedicated to 
those who have come before us 
and those who will follow after us. 
3 
Contents 
Purpose Statement.............................5 
Foreword......................................6 
About the Author..............................8 
Introduction.................................10 
Chapter 1. AN OUTPOST ON THE FLINT...........13 
Chapter 2. BAPTISTS LED THE WAY..............19 
Chapter 3. A GIANT IS BORN...................28 
Chapter 4. THE SECOND DECADE.................40 
Chapter 5. HARD TIMES AND GOOD...............51 
Chapter 6. FORGING AHEAD.....................59 
Chapter 7. THE DAWNING OF 
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY...............74 
Chapter 8. THE NINETEEN THIRTIES AND FORTIES ... 86 
Chapter 9. THE NINETEEN FIFTIES..............99 
Chapter 10. THE NINETEEN SIXTIES............110 
Chapter 11. THE NINETEEN SEVENTIES..........121 
Chapter 12. THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES...........140 
Chapter 13. THE NINETEEN NINETIES...........157 
Chapter 14. THE YEAR 2000 AND 
A NEW MILLENNIUM..................180 
APPENDICES 
APPENDIX A. A HEART FOR MISSIONS........195 
APPENDIX B. ORGANIZED BIBLE STUDY.......204 
APPENDIX C. LIST OF PASTORS.............214 
APPENDIX D. CHURCH STATISTICS...........216 
APPENDIX E. CHURCH COVENANT.............219 
APPENDIX F. REMINISCENCES...............220 
PHOTOS..................................233 
4 
PURPOSE STATEMENT 
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 
OF 
ALBANY, GEORGIA 
Ourpurpose is to... 
(jforify OjocCthrough the Worship of Jesus Christ, 
(Bringpeopfe into apersonaCCove reCationship 
with (Him, 
(Devehp them into Christhihe hefievers, 
(hCef them discover their spirituahgfts, 
LEquip them for ministry, ana 
(Buildafedowship of Cove and grace. 
FOREWORD 
In 1988 the Sesquicentennial Committee began making 
plans for the writing of the history of First Baptist Church. Scant 
materials were gathered. A few people were asked to consider 
writing it, but no one made the commitment or had the desire. 
The Committee elected instead to publish a synopsis of sermons 
by Dr. James M. Ramsey he preached regarding the beautiful 
stained glass windows. The series was entitled, Sermons in 
Stained Glass. 
The present Historical Committee was formed and a greater 
determination was made to have the history of the church written. 
The committee, made up of Florine Curran, Becky Herndon, 
JoAnn Lane, Mirian Lanier, Jessie Parker, Jo Anne S. McClung, 
Rev. James and Myrtice Pelham, Mabel Small, Judy and Wilfred 
Smith, resolved together that the book would be written. With 
full determination they launched a campaign prior to our 160th 
anniversary in 1999 to fund the book. Many people ordered 
copies before the first word was written or an author secured. The 
Historical Committee continued to work together gathering infor- 
mation, studying past copies of The Way, transliterating our past 
minutes and seeking an author. 
One day as the committee was praying and seeking God's 
leadership, the committee was led to ask Rev. James Pelham if he 
would write the history. With a great deal of humility for such a 
daunting task, Rev. Pelham agreed to write it with the continued 
help from the committee. 
Now you hold in your hand the history of First Baptist 
Church. It is the work of one writer, and a very determined and 
6 
committed committee. I know you join me in thanking Rev. 
Pelham for his writing the history and the committee for their 
many hours of assistance to him. Today we are richer for what 
they have done and I am very proud of the book. 
May those who come behind us find us faithful not only to 
the recording of our history, but for making history at THE 
PLACE OF NEW BEGINNINGS. 
November, 2001 
James M. Ramsey 
Dr. James Ramsey 
7 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
The members of the First Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia 
join me in expressing our profound gratitude to Rev. James E. 
Pelham for the writing of our church history. When the Historical 
Committee began developing the vision to have the history writ- 
ten, little did they realize someone on the committee would lend 
his talents to the task. Having been a member of the church for 
14 years, and having already authored the book A History of the 
Mallary Baptist Association, 1883-1983, James Pelham brought 
to the work a love for his church and the gift of writing. 
James was born in Slocomb, Alabama on November 7,1926, 
to Rev. and Mrs. J. E. Pelham. His family moved to Bratt, Florida 
where he graduated from Walnut Hill High School and then 
served two years in the U. S. Army. He graduated from Stetson 
University in 1950, taught school two years, and having been 
called by God to enter the ministry, graduated from New Orleans 
Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954. 
He married Mary Lavender from Pensacola, Florida, and 
they had two children. 
His ministry took him to a number of churches in Tennessee, 
South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia where he 
served as minister of education. He served the Byne Memorial 
Baptist Church for three years, and then was called to serve as the 
director of missions for the Mallary Baptist Association in 1970. 
In 1979 his wife of 30 years passed away. James continued to 
serve as director of the Mallary Baptist Association and then in 
1980 he married Myrtice Taylor, and she has been his loving and 
helpful companion for 21 years. 
James retired as the director of the Mallary Association in 
1996 and soon was in demand as a supply preacher. He served for 
two years as a regional representative of the Georgia Baptist 
Foundation. In 1999 the Salem Baptist Church in Edison, 
Georgia called him as their pastor where he serves to this day. 
We each express our profound thanks to James Pelham for all 
he has done to put our history in readable form for us to enjoy. 
We love you and appreciate all you have done. 
James M. Ramsey, Pastor 
November, 2001 
9 
INTRODUCTION 
The theme of this book and the First Baptist Church of 
Albany, Georgia is "The Place of New Beginnings." The first 
beginning was in 1839 when the church was founded by Rev. 
Jonathan Davis of Lee County, Georgia. New beginnings 
occurred in a sense each time a new pastor was called. 
First Baptist Church has built only two sanctuaries in these 
161 years. The first was completed in 1844 and the other in 1918. 
Each of these has been remodeled and enlarged many times to 
meet the needs of the growing congregation. In some of the 
church records, there is some indication that the church built a 
new building in 1892, but upon close examination of the records, 
it was an enlargement of the existing building. The present sanc- 
tuary was begun in 1908 but not completed until 1918 due to 
World War I and the unavailability of materials. Much property 
has been purchased and many building projects have resulted in 
the facilities that the church now occupies at the corner of Pine 
Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Albany. 
The basic sources of information for this history were the 
minutes of the business meetings of the church, the records of the 
deacons and Advisory Committee, and The Way. The earliest 
minutes of the church are lost and unavailable. The source of 
information about the church from its beginning in 1839 until 
about 1848 came from the book, History of Bethel Association, 
Including Centennial Meeting, by Alexander Lee Miller, pub- 
lished in 1934. The book included many references to Albany 
Baptist Church which was taken from church letters sent to the 
Bethel Association. Albany Baptist Church was a member of the 
10 
Bethel Association from 1839 until it joined the Mallary Baptist 
Association in 1884. The name of the church was changed to 
First Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia, in 1920. 
The Stetson Memorial Library at Mercer University, 
Macon, Georgia, provided some information to help "fill in the 
gaps" for the years that copies of minutes were not available 
locally. Minutes were on file there because faithful clerks of the 
church had sent copies to the Mercer library. The minutes of the 
church for the 1920s have been lost for one reason or another. 
The library at Mercer was especially helpful with information 
for these missing years. 
Local newspapers, which date back to the 1840s, were very 
helpful with information about the church, her pastors and peo- 
ple, and the community. The diary of Nelson Tift, the founder of 
Albany, contained bits of helpful information about Albany 
Baptist Church and the town of Albany and its growth during its 
early years. 
This is the first comprehensive history to be written about the 
church. Short histories of just a few pages have been prepared 
and read at homecomings and other occasions. It is interesting 
that the man, Lott Warren, who has been listed in these histories 
as the first pastor, was not. In fact, he never did serve as pastor of 
any church. He was a politician, a judge, legislator, and a devout 
member of the Albany Baptist Church. He supplied the pulpit on 
many occasions, and may have served as interim pastor, but 
never as regular pastor. 
The date of the organization of the church was in doubt for 
some time. Records from several sources confirm that the date of 
the founding of Albany Baptist Church was August 31,1839. The 
cornerstone on the present sanctuary had the wrong date on it 
until recently when it was reinstalled with the correct date. 
I am indebted to the History Committee of the First Baptist 
Church, especially Mirian Lanier, Wilfred Smith, and JoAnn 
Lane for their direction, support, and encouragement. The com- 
mittee helped in many ways not the least of which was 
researching sources of information for material and selecting the 
11 
pictures included in this book. I want to thank the pastor, Dr. Jim 
Ramsey, for his wise counsel as well as providing some key 
information at certain points. Carole Stone, Neil Brown, Keith 
Gaines, and the entire staff have assisted in many helpful ways. 
The basic approach to writing the history is to record events 
in the life of the church for the most part in chronological order. 
This makes it easier to follow the activities of the church. 
It would have been impossible to mention every person and 
every event in the life of the church. In choosing what I did, I 
want to assure every one that I did not intentionally leave out any 
person or any event that was worthy of being included. 
I want to say a big thank you to my wife, Myrtice, for her 
patience and understanding during these nearly three years I have 
worked on the book. During this period of time, I left her alone 
at our home in Edison many times while I spent one or two nights 
each week in Albany working on the book. I love you for being 
there for me with your encouragement and support. 
James E. Pelham 
Edison, Georgia 
November, 2001 
Chapter 1 
AN OUTPOST ON THE FLINT 
To relive the past 162 years and to show appreciation for the 
faithful service and sacrifice of so many who have led us into the 
twenty-first century and a new millennium, an up-to-date history 
of the First Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia is needed. To bet- 
ter understand the life and times of the First Baptist Church, this 
history is written generally in the chronological order in which 
the events occurred. 
Georgia was one of the original thirteen colonies that joined 
together to seek independence from England. Following the 
Revolutionary War, Georgia became one of the thirteen original 
states of the United States of America. The American colonists 
secured their independence and set up a novel system of gov- 
ernment which most European nations thought would never 
last. But both America and its institutions have survived. 
Democracy works! 
Georgia, on January 2,1788, was the fourth state to ratify the 
US Constitution. Some fifty-five years earlier, in 1733, Gen. 
James Oglethorpe had founded the city of Savannah. Augusta 
was selected as the temporary capital of Georgia in 1786. The 
capital moved to Louisville in 1795; to Milledgeville in 1804; 
and to Atlanta in 1868. 
During the 1790s settlers began moving into areas still inhab- 
ited by the Creek Indians. As their hunting and farming were 
disrupted, the Indians began a westward movement to new lands. 
Wars were fought in Georgia and Alabama to remove Creek 
13 
Indians westward, but a few straggling bands ranged the country 
around Albany, evidently trying to join the Seminoles in Florida. 
In November of 1819, D. W. Porter surveyed a tract of land 
which became known as Lot 324. On December 5, 1821, John 
Clark, governor of the State of Georgia, granted to Orren Wiggins 
the right to Lot 324 as the result of a lottery. This lot was one of 
the four original land lots that made up the site of the town of 
Albany. Nelson Tift was the founder of Albany. He was born in 
Connecticut on July 25, 1810. Prior to 1830, he worked with his 
father in a mercantile business in Key West, Florida. From 1830- 
35, Tift was in business in Augusta, Georgia. 
Tift moved from Augusta to Hawkinsville March 15, 1835. 
While there he entered into an agreement with a group of men 
headed by John Rawls, president of a bank in Hawkinsville, to 
establish a town on the west bank of the Flint River in Baker 
County, Georiga "for the purpose of merchandising, boating, traf- 
fic, etc." The company was organized as "Rawls, Tift & Company." 
The property of the company was listed as "one steamboat, the 
Mary Emetine, in complete order," intended for navigation of the 
Flint River, and two lots of land situated on the west bank of the 
Flint River in Baker County intended for the location of a town. 
Tift began keeping a daily diary in May of 1835. In his diary 
dated July 4, 1835, at the age of twenty-four, he wrote of his phi- 
losophy of life: "I do not drink spirits of any kind, not even wine, 
beer, or cider, neither tea or coffeeeat no meat, foul, or fish. So 
I am temperate without belonging to any societysmoke and 
chew moderately." 
Nelson Tift delivered an "Historical Address" to the citizens 
of Albany, July 4, 1836. He said that "Baker County was thinly 
settled by whites, and was the occasional resort and hunting 
ground of the Creek Indians, who had been previously removed 
to the west side of the Chattahoochee River. In the summer of 
1836, Gen. Scott supervised the removal of the Creeks to Indian 
territory west of the Mississippi River." 
Nelson Tift was a man of vision. He visualized a town, perhaps 
a city, and began planning and working to make his dream a reality. 
14 
The town was commenced in October, 1836, in an unbroken pine 
forest with the construction of two log houses, a store, and a dwelling 
on Lot 1, Broad Street, and a cotton shed east across the street. He 
named the town "Albany" after Albany, New York because both 
were similarly located at the head of navigable rivers. 
Tift arrived at the Albany outpost on December 5, 1835. 
Rawls and Taylor were already there with a "few good hands." 
They had already started to work on a store house of hewed logs. 
They found it impossible to hire Negro hands for any length of 
time, so they were forced to employ temporary white laborers to 
carry on the work of erecting a few buildings. Progress was slow, 
but by December a frame store and a small house had been erect- 
ed, a bateau built, and timbers were ready for a warehouse in 
which to store cotton. 
The town of Albany, Baker County, was incorporated by the 
General Assembly of Georgia in 1836, and three years later a new 
charter made it into a city. Alexander Stotwell, a Quaker from 
New Jersey, selected the site of Albany. He had previously start- 
ed to build a town which he called "Richmond" in the south fork 
of the Kinchafoonee Creek and Flint River, on the west side of 
what was then called Tinsley's Ferry. 
The town was laid out in lots by the end of 1836. Corner lots 
sold at $200 and middle lots for $150. The country around the 
young settlement was virgin territory except for a few scattered 
farms. Bears, wolves, deer, turkeys, wildcats, panthers, and many 
other animals were in abundance. 
The Mary Emetine made its first trip up the Flint toward 
Albany in January, 1837. For some reason the boat could not 
reach the Albany settlement and the goods had to be unloaded at 
Hell's Gate Shoal and sent up by barge. Tift had purchased two 
barges on which to send cotton to market at Apalachicola, 
Florida, and to bring provisions on the return trip. 
In March of 1837, the Mary Emetine reached Albany for the 
first time. After having the freight removed, Tift sent 200 bales of 
cotton to Apalachicola on the return trip. At Bainbridge, Georgia, 
20 more bales of cotton were taken aboard. From Apalachicola, 
15 
the 220 bales of cotton were shipped to a factory in Charleston, 
South Carolina. Thus began the river trade without which the 
country around Albany would not have been opened so early due 
to the extensive cultivation of cotton. The Flint River and later 
the railroads became the lifelines to the markets of the outside 
world. The Albany venture did not prove to be an immediate suc- 
cess. The stockholders of Rawls, Tift & Company became 
discouraged and sold their interests to Nelson Tift, who never 
doubted that the region would soon become an important part 
of Georgia. 
Life on the frontier settlement was simple and nature was 
bountiful in supplying those things which were needed. The 
social life of Albany and the surrounding region bore character- 
istics of the frontier. Many people who came to the new 
settlement were undesirables and on more than one occasion Tift 
had to "cane" a fellow "to keep the peace of the community." 
Perhaps the first social affair on a large scale took place on the 
Fourth of July, 1837. Tift gave a barbecue dinner, an oration, and 
a dance. The festivities lasted all night. A highlight was that the 
first cotillion ever danced in Baker County occurred that night. 
Tobacco and sugar cane were grown, but cotton was the most 
important crop and the only one which was extensively exported. 
Southwest Georgia owed its settlement largely to the demand of 
cotton farmers for new lands on which to grow the great staple. 
The Southwest Georgian, a weekly newspaper, began publi- 
cation in 1841. It was owned and edited by Henry Morgan and N. 
W. Collier. In 1845, the Albany Patriot, also a weekly newspaper, 
was started by Nelson Tift and Seth N. Broughton. The popula- 
tion of Albany was more than 1,000 by this time. It had 200 
dwelling places, 16 stores, three hotels, two printing offices, one 
academy, two private schools, a Baptist church, and a Methodist 
church. Also in the area were a steam saw, grist mill, and other 
shops to carry on the various trades and businesses. 
In 1845, various items in the stores were selling for the fol- 
lowing: Lady's skirt, $1.50; two plugs of tobacco, $.25; pair of 
lady's shoes, $1.50; sack of salt, $1.75; pair of Derringer pistols, 
16 
$15.50; pair of men's boots, $6.50; three bars of lead, $.38; a 
bunch of "segars," $1.00; and one "fine hat," $5.00. 
The census of 1850 showed tremendous growth in the area. 
It revealed 755 dwellings with families. The population was 
reported as 4,379 free and 3,765 slaves for a total of 8,144. This 
was very significant growth in just 14 years. 
In 1853 an Albany resident wrote to her sister in New 
Hampshire giving her directions to come to Albany for a visit. 
The visitor was instructed to take a steamboat from New York to 
Savannah; a train to Oglethorpe just 60 miles from Albany, and a 
stagecoach the rest of the way over a newly completed plank 
road. The fare was about $65. 
As a member of the General Assembly of Georgia, Tift 
pushed through a new charter for Albany in 1841 by describing 
"the dangers we face by being run over, or driven out by gam- 
blers, drunkards, and loafers for want of proper laws to restrain 
them." As early as 1838, an anti-gambling society had been 
formed to cope with one of those evils. However, to the credit of 
the new town, better classes of people brought with them the 
social life to which they had been accustomed. 
A bill for the creation of Dougherty County passed the 
Georgia Senate on December 15, 1853. The territory was the 
northern part of Baker County. Attempts to get the southern part 
of Lee County added to Dougherty failed. Dougherty became the 
102nd county in Georgia, which now has 159. It was named for 
Judge Charles Dougherty of Athens. Lee County had been creat- 
ed from original territory in 1826. It covered a rather large area 
and all or parts of Randolph, Sumter, and Terrell Counties came 
from Lee County. It is easy to understand why they did not want 
to give up any more territory to another new county. 
The book, Historical Background of Dougherty County 
1836-1940, contains information about slavery in the Albany 
area. It reports that: 
In 1854, slaves sold at auction for an average of $1,000. 
In 1856, Albany had 1,300 voters; 4,428 slaves; and two free 
Negroes. Even though "slavery" was the way of life then, 
17 
more than half of the adult white males in Dougherty County 
owned no slaves at all. Of the 322 slave owners in 1860, 
more than half owned fewer than 10 slaves each; 108 owned 
between 10 and 50; 37 owned between 50 and 100; and three 
owned more than 100. Very little strife existed between races 
during antebellum years. Crimes by slaves were usually of 
petty nature. During the war years, slaves were wholly loyal 
to their masters. 
While the War Between the States raged with such fury, men 
left their families to the considerate care of the slaves. It is to the 
everlasting credit of these slaves that not one instance is record- 
ed of their faithlessness. 
The outpost on the Flint grew rapidly. The Southwestern 
Railroad was completed between Macon and Albany September 
5, 1857. It came through the towns of Americus, Smithville, and 
what is now known as Leesburg. With the coming of the railroad, 
river transportation came to an end. 
Later a bridge was built over the Flint. It was destroyed by 
fire and the new bridge was more than a mere bridge. It was 
anchored on the western shore by the Old Bridge House built in 
1868. It served as both the eastern gateway to the city and a social 
and entertainment center. It contained a theater and ballroom. 
Prior to the bridges, the only means of crossing the Flint, 
except in small boats, was "Colonel Nelson Tift's Ferry," which 
was pulled by a team of mules. 
The first major industry in Albany was slaughtering pens 
where thousands of cattle and hogs were prepared for the military 
forces of the Confederate States. 
With Albany's prosperity, many families from Palmyra in Lee 
County moved south. In 1860, Albany's population was 2,207 
whites and 6,008 blacks. Life centered on cotton farming as it had 
for 24 years. Albany had become an important city on the Flint. 
The economy improved from poor to good. Albany enjoyed the 
pleasures of a frontier town while dealing with the evils as well. 
Nelson Tift was the right man to lead Albany in jts formative years. 
18 
Chapter 2 
BAPTISTS LED THE WAY 
On September 20, 1835, while living in Augusta, Georgia, 
Nelson Tift indicated that he was a church-going man. In his 
diary on that day, he wrote that he had heard three sermons, "the 
last of which with the exhortation affected me considerably." 
Also in his diary on this same date he wrote about struggles in his 
life. "I am one of those who have known what was right, but have 
often chosen the wrong but I hereby determine to do right in all 
cases so far as is in my power, with the help of Him, who creat- 
ed and can sustain meand 1 pray God that I may be preserved 
in this resolution and that my trust, my dependence and my con- 
fidence may always and in all things, remain in Him, the Father 
and Friend of all his creationfor Jesus Christ my Redeemer's 
sake, Amen. I believe in 'one God and Father of all' and in one 
mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ." 
Nelson Tift, the colonel from Connecticut, was a man of prin- 
ciple. He had a desire for churches to be established, and began 
planning and working to that end. He wanted more than a wild 
backwoods settlement, so he gave to each religious denomination 
a plot of ground upon which to build a church. 
Some of the congregations built upon the plots they were 
given. Others sold the land and built elsewhere. No matter 
where or when they built, Albany's churches gave the town a 
religious foundation from the beginning. Baptists, Methodists, 
Presbyterians, and others were organized within a few years 
after the town was founded. 
19 
Baptists were first to organize. The Albany Baptist Church, 
which is now the First Baptist Church of Albany, was consti- 
tuted August 31, 1839. After meeting in homes, the church's 
first meeting house, beginning in 1840, was the "Old Academy 
Building" located on the southeast corner of Broad Avenue and 
Jefferson Street. 
The Old Academy Building was a school during the week, a 
courthouse on Saturdays, and a church on Sundays. 
The Albany Academy had been chartered and incorporated in 
1836 or 1837 by the General Assembly of Georgia. It was built in 
1840 with Baptists leading the way. Nelson Tift wrote in his 
diary, September 10, 1839: "Rev. Jonathan Davis delivered a 
short address (at Albany Baptist Church) on the subject of edu- 
cation preparatory to handling a subscription to assist in building 
the Albany Academy which was liberally subscribed." Baptists 
and others gave $1,000 and the State of Georgia provided $255 
toward the construction of the building. 
The second Baptist church to organize in Baker (now 
Dougherty) County was the Pine Bluff Baptist Church in 1840. 
The church disbanded after their building was destroyed by fire 
in August of 1904. Remnants of the people settled in what is now 
the Acree community and helped to organize what is now the 
First Baptist Church of Acree in 1886. Albany Baptist Church 
cooperated with the organization of the Acree church. 
In 1841, the Methodist Episcopal Church (now the First 
United Methodist Church of Albany) was given a half-acre lot on 
the corner of Residence Avenue and Jackson Street. Their first 
meeting house was built there. Rev. George W. Farabee was 
appointed pastor in 1842. Nelson Tift wrote in his diary on 
January 13, 1849, "Went to the Methodist church with wife. Rev. 
Gardner (eldest) preached a plain and common sense good ser- 
mon." In 1854 a new church facility seating 400 was built at 307 
Flint Avenue, the site that the church now occupies. 
St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized in 1844. Services 
were held in the Old Academy Building and at various planta- 
tions surrounding Albany. 
20 
St. Teresa's Catholic Church dates back to 1844, but the first 
mass was not celebrated until 1845. The Catholic church build- 
ing on Residence Avenue is the oldest church structure in Albany. 
It was built in 1859. 
Presbyterians organized in 1849. There are references to 
Presbyterians meeting in the home of H. J. Cook on February 26, 
1849, but they did not formally organize until May 20,1849. The 
Rev. Dr. Talmadge from Milledgeville preached in the Albany 
Baptist Church and organized the first Presbyterian church in 
Albany with seven members. That same church continues to this 
day as the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, located at 220 
North Jackson Street. 
The Bethesda Baptist Church dates back to 1849. It was 
organized under the auspices of Albany Baptist Church while 
Rev. T. D. Matthews was pastor. Rev. Mason, Rev. Clark, and 
Rev. Webb were the first pastors. It was under Rev. Webb's 
pastorate that slaves were accepted as members of Bethesda. 
In 1865 the church facilities were donated to an already estab- 
lished black congregation. Soon misfortune struck as the 
building was destroyed by fire. Unable to rebuild on the same 
site, they built a new building on Newton Road in south 
Dougherty County on land given by plantation owner R. B. 
Shepherd. While the building was under construction, services 
were held under a brush arbor. Father Willis Warren, as he was 
affectionately known, was called as the first black pastor and 
served for 32 years. 
References to Jewish services being held in the area date 
back to 1857. Their services were held in homes in the early 
years. The first Jewish Sabbath School was organized in 1871. 
Bethel AME church was formed in 1867. It was the first 
church of that denomination for blacks. 
Thus began the trail of faith in the Albany area. Churches in 
Dougherty County in the year 2000 number more than 200, rep- 
resenting more than 30 denominations and faiths. Baptists still 
lead the way with about 70 congregations, representing six dif- 
ferent "kinds" of Baptists, with more than 15,000 members. 
21 
Baptists in America trace their beginnings back to England and 
the 1500s. "The Reformation of the established church had occurred 
in the sixteenth century. However, many believed that the English 
Reformation achieved too little. There was therefore much discus- 
sion in the seventeenth century, resulting in dissenting groups, 
or sects, of which the largest were the Congregationalists, the 
Baptists, and the Quakers," wrote Dr. Pope Duncan in his book Our 
Baptist Story. 
Baptists in England were divided into two major groups 
according to their view of Christ's atonement for man's sins. 
"General" Baptists followed Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius, 
who lived 1560-1609, in believing that Christ died for all men. 
"Particular" Baptists followed Rev. John Calvin, a French 
Protestant reformer, who lived 1509-64, in believing that Christ 
died for the elect only. In spite of their theological differences, 
both Baptist groups were together in the practice of believer's 
baptism, in the congregational form of church government, and 
in their strong appeals for religious liberty. Both suffered consid- 
erable persecution. In search of religious freedom, many left the 
mother country and migrated to the American colonies. 
The early history of Georgia Baptists is linked to Gen. James 
Oglethorpe. From England in November, 1732, Gen. Oglethorpe 
embarked on the Good Ship Anne and sailed for Georgia with 116 
settlers, at least two of whom were Baptists. These Baptists are 
the ancestors of many Baptists living in Georgia today. They 
reached Charleston, South Carolina, January 13, 1733. 
Oglethorpe settled at Yamacraw, a bluff on which the city of 
Savannah now stands. On February 12, 1733, colonists arrived 
and put up tents in which to live and thus began the settling of 
what became the state of Georgia. Within ten years after 
Oglethorpe settled at Savannah, there were 12 or 14 towns scat- 
tered throughout the territory from Darien to Augusta. 
A government emerged that included a governor; his adviso- 
ry council of ten; and the commons, nineteen in number, selected 
by the people. This first legislature of Georgia met January 7, 
1755. In 1758, laws were enacted affecting Indians, slaves, the 
22 
dividing of the province into parishes, and the establishment of 
the Church of England worship. Taxes were assessed in the 
parishes for "the repair of churches, the relief of the poor, and 
other parochial services." 
An extract from the original charter granted to the trustees of 
the colony by King George II stated, "And for the greater ease 
and encouragement of our living subjects, and such others as 
shall come to inhabit in our said colony, we do, by these present, 
for us, our heirs and successors, grant, establish, and ordain that 
forever hereafter there shall be a liberty of conscience allowed in 
the worship of God to all persons inhabiting or who will inhabit 
or be resident within our said province, and that all such persons, 
EXCEPT BAPTISTS (Author's emphasis), shall have a free exer- 
cise of religion; so they be contented with the quiet and peaceable 
enjoyment of the same, not giving offense or scandal to the gov- 
ernment." It seems that there was discrimination against Baptists 
in Georgia from the beginning. This discrimination, however, 
seemed to be for political rather then ecclesiastical reasons. No 
doubt Baptists were very outspoken against a state religion sup- 
ported by taxes. 
During the decade of the 1760s, Baptist principles were gain- 
ing a firm foothold in the hearts of the people of Georgia. 
Although gaining in number, Baptists did not form a church in 
Georgia at that time. 
About forty miles north of Savannah, Baptists first gathered 
in sufficient number to form a church, but they had no regular 
ordained minister. They formed themselves into a branch of the 
Euhaw Baptist Church across the border in South Carolina and 
remained in that relationship for several years. The main influx of 
Baptists into Georgia was through Augusta, and they settled 
mostly in counties west and northwest of that city. 
When he moved to Georgia in 1771, Rev. Daniel Marshall 
was the only ordained Baptist minister within the state. There 
were a few Baptists but no organized church. He moved from 
Horse Creek, South Carolina, to about 15 or 20 miles north of 
Augusta and settled his family on Kiokee Creek in Columbia 
23 
County, Georgia. It was there that he was arrested for preaching 
the gospel. While praying on his knees in a sylvan grove, a hand 
was laid on his shoulder and Marshall heard a voice say, "You are 
my prisoner." The sixty-five year old Marshall was astonished at 
being arrested for "Preaching in the Parish of St. Paul (Augusta)." 
He had violated the legislative enactment of 1758, which had 
restricted religious worship in the colony to those "according to 
the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England." The outcome 
of the trial in 1771 was that he was ordered "to come, as a preach- 
er, no more into Georgia." He answered as did the apostles, 
"Whether it be right to obey God or man, judge ye." 
Rev. Marshall's wife, Martha, like a prophet of old, 
denounced such proceedings and such a law. She quoted Bible 
passages to sustain the conviction of many. Her speech was so 
forceful that the constable himself, Samuel Cartledge, became so 
deeply touched that he was converted and baptized by the very 
man whom he had held under arrest. Cartledge later became a 
deacon in Marshall's church at Kiokee and assisted in the consti- 
tuting of Fishing Creek Church in 1783 and of the Georgia 
Baptist Association in 1784. 
Rev. Daniel Marshall founded the Kiokee Baptist Church in 
the spring of 1772. This was four years before the signing of the 
Declaration of Independence. Later Kiokee, the mother church 
of Georgia Baptists, sent out as ministers Sanders Walker, 
Samuel Newton, Loveless Savidge, Alexander Scott, and 
Abraham Marshall. These, along with Silas Mercer, William 
Franklin, and Peter Smith were the principal Baptist ministers in 
Georgia in 1784. 
The Georgia Baptist Association, organized in 1784, was the 
first Baptist association in the state, which now has 93 associa- 
tions. The Bethel Baptist Association, organized in 1832, was the 
nineteenth association to be organized in Georgia. Albany Baptist 
Church (ABC) was a member of the Bethel Association from 
1839 until 1884. The Mallary Baptist Association was organized 
in 1883 and named after Dr. Charles Dutton Mallary, a member, 
leader, and frequent preacher of ABC. ABC joined the Mallary 
24 
Baptist Association in 1884 and continues to be one of the 48 
churches making up that association. 
There were several kinds of Baptists in early America. One 
of the most significant was "Separate Baptists." These Baptists 
trace their origin to the preaching of Rev. George Whitfield and 
Rev. Jonathan Edwards. They were called "Separates" because 
they separated themselves from the state churches that had been 
set up in the colonies and from other denominations who did not 
follow the New Testament pattern for churches as they inter- 
preted the scriptures. Separatists believed only in the authority of 
the New Testament and preached that all who repented and 
believed in Christ would be saved. 
Shubal Starnes, a native of Boston, became a Baptist and was 
immersed about 1751. He felt a calling to the southland and after 
stopping briefly in Virginia, moved to North Carolina. He settled 
on Sandy Creek in Guilford (now Randolph) County. He erected 
a meeting house, organized the Sandy Creek Baptist Church, and 
served as pastor until his death. 
Starnes was ably assisted by his brother-in-law, Daniel 
Marshall, and Colonel Samuel Harriss. These three constituted 
the leadership of the Separate Baptists. Daniel Marshall moved to 
Georgia and preached there until his death in 1784 at age 77. 
Separate Baptist preachers were very emotional, "noisy," and 
zealous. They often preached with a "holy whine." Exhortation 
rather than exposition characterized their sermons. Separate 
Baptists occupied a social status that was defined by their critics 
as ignorant, poor, awkward, and even uncouth. 
Separate Baptists were highly successful and had an immedi- 
ate and long-lasting influence in the south. Southern Baptists of 
today have characteristics inherited from the two major kinds of 
BaptistsParticular and Separatebut the real tenor of the 
denomination was given them by Separate Baptists. 
Particular Baptists, who trace their beginning back to 1616 in 
England, were then called General Baptists. They were Arminian 
in doctrine at first, believing in a general or universal atonement by 
Christ for all who would accept His sacrifice. Later the General 
25 
Baptists re-organized as Particular Baptists. The rise of Particular 
Baptists reflected a change from Arminian to Calvinistic theology. 
Calvinists believed that Christ died for the elect only. They held to 
baptism by immersion, to the observance of the Lord's Supper as a 
memorial, and to the congregational form of church government. 
But they required no experience of grace or account of their con- 
version for church membership. They baptized all who asked for it 
and practiced baptism by immersion. They simply required on the 
part of the candidate a promise to reform his life and be religious. 
At one time, Particular Baptists, to insure their distinctiveness, 
began to call themselves "Regular" Baptists to distinguish them- 
selves from the "Irregular" Separate Baptists. 
The Philadelphia Baptist Association, the first in 
America, was organized in 1742. They adopted the New 
Hampshire Confession of Faith as their doctrinal statement, 
which was Calvinistic in theology, agreeing with Particular 
Baptists. Separate Baptists would not adhere to it, insisting that 
the Bible alone was the basis of their beliefs. They were critical 
of Regular Baptists for not being strict enough in requiring new 
members to give clear evidence of a conversion experience. The 
Philadelphia Confession of Faith taught that the atonement of 
Christ was limited or "particular;" only for the elect. This belief 
led to a lessening of evangelistic zeal. 
The Charleston Baptist Association, the first in the 
South, was of Particular Baptist doctrine, believing that Christ 
died only for the elect. This association greatly influenced theo- 
logical thinking in the Southern Baptist Convention. The 
Charleston Association gave to Baptists their most prominent 
leader in the South at the time, the Rev. Dr. Richard Furman, pas- 
tor, First Baptist Church of Charleston, South Carolina. He was a 
man of unusual ability, whose interest in education profited the 
entire denomination. 
Like the Philadelphia (1742), the Charleston (1767) 
Association gave to Particular Baptists a theological tradition 
with a Calvinistic confession of faith. Orderly worship services 
and an educated ministry came from the Charleston tradition. 
26 
The formation of the Georgia Baptist Convention on June 29, 
1822, was led by Rev. Daniel Marshall. With the exuberance of 
Sandy Creek and the fiery evangelistic fervor of Separate 
Baptists, Rev. Marshall and Rev. Edmond Botsford entered the 
scene with the conservative determination of the Charleston 
Particular Baptists and settled at New Savannah below Augusta. 
These two men soon became friends and settled the doctrinal dif- 
ferences between the two groups. Baptists of Georgia gave a 
united doctrinal witness for the next fifty years. 
Albany Baptist Church started as a Particular Baptist church. 
It was about this theological position that Nelson Tift had his 
problems with the church, and as a result, he remained a member 
for only a few months. 
The theology of First Baptist Church of Albany of today is in 
accord with what Nelson Tift advocated in 1842 when he joined 
ABC that "whosoever believeth in Him," not the elect only, can 
be saved. 
27 
Chapter 3 
A GIANT IS BORN 
Prior to the founding of the Albany Baptist Church (ABC), 
there were several Baptist churches in Lee County that were mem- 
bers of the Bethel Baptist Association. The Bethel Association had 
been formed out of the Columbus Baptist Association in 1833. It 
covered all the territory south from Columbus to the Florida line 
and east to Worth and Houston Counties in Georgia. 
Baptist churches in Lee County were Bethany (1833), Beulah 
(1836), Randolph (1836), Palmyra (1837), Hebron (1838), 
Lebanon (1838), and Starkville (1839). Originally, Lee County 
was much larger than it is now and some of these churches may 
be in other counties and some may have ceased to exist. 
Rev. Jonathan Davis, 1839 
Rev. Jonathan Davis, pastor, Palmyra Baptist Church, was 
the founder of the ABC. The church was constituted on August 
31, 1839, with ten members. Various dates have been used down 
through the years as the date when the church was constituted. 
The diary of Nelson Tift confirms that the date was in August of 
1839. Another confirmation is that the ABC became a member of 
the Bethel Association in the November, 1839 annual meeting. 
The association records list the ABC as having been constituted 
August 31, 1839. 
Since the pastor of Palmyra Baptist Church, Jonathan Davis, 
was the founder of the ABC, a brief review of the founding of the 
Palmyra Baptist Church is in order. 
28 
Palmyra Baptist Church was constituted February 25, 1837, 
with 20 members, three of whom were colored. Serving as the 
presbytery for the organizational meeting were Rev. Jonathan 
Davis, Rev. Joshua Mercer, and Rev. Lott Warren. (Note: this is 
a reference to Lott Warren who became one of the most influen- 
tial leaders of the ABC in the early years.) Jonathan Davis was 
called as pastor of the Palmyra Church on March 25, 1837, and 
served them for ten years. 
Palmyra Church adopted a church covenant, articles of faith, 
and a plan for "gospel order," which had great influence on the 
Albany church. Article 6 of the articles of faith stated that "we 
believe that all those who were chosen in Christ will be effectively 
called, regenerated, converted, sanctified, and supported by the 
spirit and power of God, so that they shall persevere in grace and 
not one of them be finally lost." This is a "Calvinistic" statement on 
election which was very prevalent at that time in Baptist life. ABC 
also adopted a similar theological statement concerning the elect. 
The presbytery serving at the organizational meeting of ABC 
was made up of Rev. Jonathan Davis, Rev. Joshua Mercer, and 
Rev. James Steely. 
Jonathan Davis was one of .the most gifted men Georgia has 
ever produced and for many years one of the most influential, 
popular, and successful preachers. He was born in Wilkes 
County, Georgia in 1798, and was baptized at a young age by his 
father, Rev. William Davis. After his ordination, Jonathan was 
called as pastor of a small church in Elbert County. He served as 
pastor of the Baptist church at Crawfordville in 1829. He pas- 
tored other Baptist churches in Green and Morgan Counties in the 
next few years. In 1835, he moved to the village of Palmyra on 
Kinchafoonee Creek in Lee County. 
He became a trustee of the Palmyra Academy, which began 
in 1833 with 18 male and 14 female students. It was incorporated 
in December of 1837 and was the first school in the area. The 
founder of ABC was a man of great talent and contributed much 
to the beginning and strengthening of Baptist work, and to the 
education of children in the schools of the area. 
29 
Rev. Jonathan Davis was moderator of the Bethel Association 
for five or six years. He preached many times at the annual meet- 
ings of the association. He served on the presbytery of several 
churches, including the Lebanon Baptist Church, Lee County, in 
1838, and the Rehoboth Baptist Church, Randolph County, in 
1839. Davis moved to Alabama after serving as pastor of the 
Palmyra Church for ten years. He later moved to Albany and was 
affiliated with the ABC before his death in 1899 at the age of 70. 
In the 1835 and 1836 minutes of Bethel Association, Rev. 
Joshua Mercer, another minister who served on the presbytery at 
ABC's organization, is listed as a messenger from Bethany 
Baptist Church and as an ordained minister, which probably 
meant that he was the pastor. In 1837 he was a messenger from 
Palmyra Baptist Church and had served on the presbytery at her 
organization. In 1839 he preached the introductory sermon at the 
annual meeting of the association. In 1840 he served on the pres- 
bytery at the organization of the Pine Bluff Baptist Church in 
eastern Baker County. 
Joshua Mercer was the brother of Rev. Jesse Mercer, one of 
the greatest Baptists Georgia has ever produced. Jesse Mercer 
started The Christian Index, Georgia's Baptist newspaper, and 
Mercer University was named for him. 
James Steely was the third man on the presbytery of the organi- 
zation of the ABC. Additional information about him has not been 
found. 
As far as can be ascertained, there was no church in the area 
south of Lee County until the organization of the ABC on August 
31, 1839. 
There were significant happenings in Georgia just prior to the 
beginning of ABC. Between 1830 and 1840, a great anti-mission- 
ary spirit grew and caused divisions in associations and churches. 
The "Calvinistic" theology became the majority opinion. The 
Georgia Baptist Convention, Bethel Association, Palmyra Baptist 
Church, and ABC all were founded on the Calvinistic theology 
which believed that only the elect would be saved and that this 
election was made before the creation of the world. 
30 
In the midst of this anti-missionary spirit, a great revival 
broke out in 1833 and 1834. The men who were the leaders of 
this great revival controlled the destiny of Georgia Baptists. 
These men, twenty-seven in number, knew the advantage of edu- 
cation, the necessity and duty of missions and temperance, and 
they were determined to "go forward." Among the twenty-seven 
men were four who would have a lot to do with the beginning and 
early years of ABC. They were Jonathan Davis, Charles Dutton 
Mallary, S. G. Hillyer, and W. W. Maund. Davis and Mallary 
were agents for Mercer University, at the time seeking to obtain 
subscriptions to build endowment for Mercer. 
On July 7, 1836, the group met in Forsyth, Georgia, for the 
purpose of endeavoring to heal the unhealthy difficulties which 
had existed for some years in the denomination. The theological 
climate improved greatly in the state, but Calvinism prevailed. 
Albany Baptist Church began with ten charter members. 
The names included Harrison Mercer, Gibbs Shackleford, 
Alexander Mulkey, and a Mr. Collier. In several places where 
the history of the Albany church has been briefly stated, Nelson 
Tift has been listed as one of the ten charter members. This does 
inot appear to be true. Nelson Tift wrote in his diary on August 
9, 1842: 
This day commences a new era in my life. I have 
today joined the Baptist church of this place with the 
especial understanding that I adopt the Biblethe reve- 
lation of Godas my creed, and none other. At the close 
of the meeting I was baptized by Rev. Jonathan Davis. 
(Author's note: The fact that Rev. Jonathan Davis was the 
preacher and did the baptizing, seems to indicate that he 
was the pastor or perhaps interim pastor of Albany 
Baptist Church at that time.) This ceremony was per- 
formed at the Old Ferry Bending in the Flint River, at the 
end of Broad Street. This had been the result of deep and 
earnest reflection for a long time past. I have heretofore 
in some measure attempted to serve God, but my failure 
has been great. 
31 
I at length awaked to a sense of my duty to myself, 
to my fellow mortals, and to my God. I determined to do 
my duty as set forth in the Bible as nearly as I could with 
Divine aid. I have been able to rejoice through faith in 
the Son of God and to put my trust in Him for all things. 
It is now my privilege as well as my duty to love, 
trust, and obey God as my Father and Friend, and to wor- 
ship and adore Him as the Infinite Creator, and Preserver 
of peopled universe. 
Tift continues to record his thoughts and actions as a member of 
ABC (from his diary dated Monday, October 19, 1842): 
On Saturday last which was our church conference I 
obtained the appointment of a committee to alter the 
'covenant' of our church which contains a declaration of 
belief in certain doctrines. I propose to incorporate the 
whole Word of God believing it to be essential, and strike 
out the few selected doctrines and dogmas of a dark age. 
I am chairman of the committee and shall report at our 
church meeting next month. Next week I go as a delegate 
to the Bethel Association of Churches meeting at 
Blakely. Brother J. H. B. Shackleford is also a delegate. 
This will come up there again, and I hope that it will be 
attended with similar success. 
Then on July 8, 1843, Nelson Tift enters in his diary: 
I have this day dissolved my connection with the 
Baptist church at this place, having withdrawn with 
their consent and with the best of feeling upon both 
sides. I joined the church understanding from Rev. 
Jonathan Davis that it was an independent religious 
association formed upon the Bible only. At the first 
monthly conference after my connection with the 
church, a Calvinistic creed, which had been adopted by 
the church, was read. 
32 
Tift wrote: 
I immediately arose and inquired if the members 
were expected to assent to the creed which had been 
read, gave the information which I had received and 
the views I held on joining the church and finally had 
a committee appointed of which I was chairman to 
examine into the matter and report to the church. The 
committee met and I offered my report which was 
objected to in no other wise than as an infringement of 
established custom in the denomination. The commit- 
tee delayed to form a conclusion, or to report to the 
church. And the more I reflected upon the subject, the 
more strongly I became convinced that I occupied a 
false position as a member of the Baptist church as 
now constituted and that I ought in duty to myself and 
the church to withdraw. I signified my wish and gave 
my reasons to the church at their last monthly meeting, 
and today, after the visit of a committee, it was granted 
though with much apparent regret. 
Nelson Tift's diary also is helpful to reconstruct the early his- 
tory of the ABC. He wrote on September 10, 1839, "The Baptists 
have lately held ten days meeting during which time a church was 
formed and 48 converts were baptized and joined during the meet- 
ing. Rev. Jonathan Davis delivered a short address on the subject 
of education preparatory to handling a subscription to assist in 
building the Albany Academy which was liberally subscribed." 
When visiting the ABC in 1839 and in 1842 as mentioned in 
his diary, Nelson Tift does not mention a pastor other than the 
founder, Jonathan Davis. Determining who the first and early 
pastors were is difficult. The church's first letter to the Bethel 
Association, meeting in Americus in November of 1839, did not 
list a pastor. The two messengers listed were both lay persons. 
In that first letter to the Bethel Baptist Association, ABC 
reported 49 baptisms and two received by letter, for a total mem- 
bership of 78. The number of baptisms was very significant since 
33 
the church was less than three months old. The number of church 
members reached 100 for the first time in 1846. Since the min- 
utes of ABC are not available for the years prior to 1849, 
determining the first pastors and when they served has been a dif- 
ficult task, but very careful research has resulted in identifying 
the pastors and when they served. 
Because of references by Nelson Tift in his diary to Jonathan 
Davis having preached on September 10,1839; and on August 9, 
1842 (the Sunday that he joined ABC); in all probability he was 
the first pastor as well as founder of Albany Baptist Church. 
Perhaps he just filled in between pastors. In addition to Jonathan 
Davis, consideration is now given to the early pastors of ABC. 
Rev. J. H. B. Shackleford, 1840-42 
In 1840 the ABC appointed two messengers to Bethel 
Association's annual meeting. Bro. J. H. B. Shackleford, licen- 
tiate (not yet ordained), was one of them. He preached one of 
the sermons during the meeting. At the request of the Albany 
church, he was ordained by the association. In 1841 and 1842, 
Shackleford was again listed as a messenger from ABC and an 
ordained minister, which in all probability means that he was 
the pastor. 
At the organization of Pine Bluff Baptist Church, Baker 
County (Albany), in 1840, Shackleford, along with Joshua Mercer 
and Hermon Mercer, served on the presbytery. In 1842 
Shackleford preached at the annual meeting of Bethel Association 
meeting at Macedonia Baptist Church in Early County. He served 
on the Associational Finance Committee in 1842. 
Rev. William Henderson, 1843-44 
Rev. William Henderson was the only messenger from ABC 
to the Bethel Association in 1843, and he was listed as an 
ordained minister, which leads to the conclusion that he was the 
pastor. Since he was not listed in 1844, it means that he was no 
longer with the Albany church. He served as pastor in 1843 and 
part of 1844. 
34 
A very significant thing happened in Augusta, Georgia in 
1845, when the ABC was not yet six years old. Rev. Joseph 
Baker, who became the pastor of ABC in 1852, served as editor 
of The Christian Index from 1843-49. He reported that on May 9, 
1845, the Southern Baptist Convention was organized. Attending 
this meeting were 310 delegates from eight states and the District 
of Columbia. Among the ministers attending were C. M. Irwin, S. 
G. Hillyer, and C. D. Mallary. These men later served as pastors 
or leaders of ABC. 
The primary reason for the separation of the Baptists in the 
South from the national organization was the failure of the 
national organization to appoint slave owners as missionaries. 
Many Southerners at that time were slaveholders. 
Dr. C. D. Mallary was one of five appointed to a special com- 
mittee to bring a report to the Georgia Baptist Convention's 
Executive Committee concerning the new convention. In part, 
their report said, "While this body deeply regrets the necessity of 
separating from our northern brethren, we highly approve the 
action of the late meeting in Augusta, and earnestly recommend 
that our churches throughout the state support this new 
Convention with liberal, benevolent contributions. Therefore, 
RESOLVED, that this (Georgia Baptist) Convention become an 
Auxiliary to the SBC, and proceed to elect five delegates to rep- 
resent us in the meeting of that body to be held in Richmond, 
Virginia, Thursday before the second Lord's Day in June, 1846." 
Two Boards were set up at the organizational meeting in 
Augusta. One was for foreign missions with headquarters in 
Richmond, Virginia, and the other for domestic missions with 
headquarters in Marion, Alabama. (The Domestic Mission Board 
became the Home Mission Board, which is now the North 
American Mission Board and is located in Alpharetta, Georgia. 
The Foreign Mission Board is now the International Mission 
Board and is still located in Richmond, Virginia.) Since the 
Southern Baptist Convention had its birth in Georgia, it was 
incorporated by the state legislature and granted a charter on 
December 27, 1845. 
35 
Rev. Lott Warren (Supply Preacher), 1846 
Lott Warren has been listed as the first pastor of the Albany 
Baptist Church, but this is not correct. He was a messenger to the 
Bethel Association from the Americus church, Sumter County, 
from 1836-1845. In 1846, Lott Warren was listed as a messenger 
from the Albany church and was probably the interim pastor. The 
weight of evidence leans toward interim rather than pastor. He 
filled in very frequently as preacher and moderator, and per- 
formed many other duties in the church. 
A point of reference about Lott Warren being pastor was an 
article in the February 11, 1846, issue of The Albany Patriot 
which stated, "The new Baptist church in this place, was last 
Sabbath dedicated, and set apart with appropriate solemnities to 
the service of God. The Rev. Mr. F. T. Seig of Americus delivered 
a very solemn and impressive discourse on the occasion. He was 
listened to with great interest by the very large assembly present. 
The church is spacious, neat and comfortable, and is highly cred- 
itable to the liberality of our citizens, and the pious and zealous 
exertions of the religious denomination to which it belongs. We 
understand that there will be religious services every night this 
week at the church, commencing at 7 pm." In this newspaper arti- 
cle Lott Warren was listed as the first pastor, but actually the 
correct information is that he was the supply preacher at the time 
the church's first building that was dedicated February 8, 1846. 
He never served as pastor of ABC or any church. 
The following information about Lott Warren was taken 
off the Internet from the Biographical Directory of the United 
States Congress: 
Lott Warren, a representative from Georgia, born in 
Burke County, near Augusta, Richmond County, 
Georgia, October 30, 1797; attended the common 
schools, moved to Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia in 
1816; served as a second lieutenant of Volunteers in the 
expedition against the Seminoles in 1818; studied law; 
was admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced practice 
in Dublin; was also a regularly ordained Baptist minister, 
36 
but never filled a charge; moved to Marion in 1825; 
elected major of the State Militia in 1823; member of the 
State House of Representatives in 1824 and 1831; served 
in the State Senate in 1830; Solicitor General and Judge 
of the Southern Circuit of Georgia, 1831-1834; moved to 
Americus, Sumter County, in 1836; elected as a Whig to 
the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses 
(March 4, 1839-March 3,1843); was not a candidate for 
re-nomination in 1842; moved to Albany in 1842; was 
judge of the superior court of Georgia, 1843-52; resumed 
the practice of his profession; died in Albany, June 17, 
1861; interment in Riverside Cemetery." 
Rev. W. W. Maund, (Supply Pastor), 1846 
Very little is known about this man's ministry at ABC. There 
is uncertainty about the time he served. A reference is made in the 
minutes of the church conference in December of 1849 to the 
effect that W. W. Maund served a year or more as a supply pas- 
tor. This would probably have been before Rev. Winkler's 
coming. Maund was pastor of Pine Bluff Baptist Church after 
serving for several years as pastor of the Baptist church at 
Starkville in Lee County. 
Rev. Maund preached one on the sermons at the 1841 annual 
meeting of the Bethel Baptist Association and also led the 
memorial service for deceased ministers. He served as clerk of 
the asociation in 1839. At the meeting of the Bethel Association, 
hosted by ABC in 1846, Maund volunteered to preach in destitute 
regions during the next associational year. 
At the associational meeting hosted by the ABC in 1846, the 
first gift for foreign missions through the association was in the 
amount of $2.67 and made by ABC, which had 105 members at 
that time. It was at this same meeting of the association that Dr. 
Charles Dutton Mallary is mentioned for the first time in associa- 
tion records. He preached one of the sermons. (Six years later in 
1853, Mallary and his wife joined ABC). During the associational 
meeting, Rev. N. W. Collier preached to the blacks at the Episcopal 
37 
church in Albany. Rev. Jonathan Davis was moderator of the asso- 
ciation and pastor of Palmyra Baptist Church in Lee County, when 
Albany hosted the 1846 annual meeting of the Bethel Association 
in their new building. 
Rev. Edwin T. Winkler, 1846-49 
Rev. Edwin T. Winkler was born in Savannah, November 13, 
1803. When the church called Mr. Winkler, he was only a 
licensed minister at the time. On Sunday, December 6, 1846, he 
was ordained. Those participating in the ceremony were Rev. A. 
G. Holmes, who preached the ordination sermon and led the ordi- 
nation prayer, Rev. W. W. Maund led the examination of the 
candidate and the presentation of the Holy Scriptures, Rev. Lott 
Warren gave the charge to the church, and Rev. Charles M. Irwin 
gave the charge to the candidate. At 3 pm the congregation 
"repaired to the river bank" where 17 persons were initiated into 
the church by baptism. Thus, Rev. Winkler was off to a great start 
as pastor. 
Winkler suffered health problems and was granted a leave of 
absence for two months in 1848. Upon concluding their ministry 
in Albany, Rev. Winkler and his wife were granted their letters on 
March 3, 1849. He died in Marion County, Alabama in 1883. 
Rev. Needham W. Collier, 1849 
The church minutes of January 14, 1849, reported that Rev. 
Needham W. Collier and his wife, Emma, joined ABC by letter 
from Hawkinsville Baptist Church. The following Friday night 
Needham B. Collier, probably the son of the Colliers, was 
received by baptism. 
Lott Warren, along with F. T. Seig and Bro. Vason, visited a 
Sister O. Farrell. She had given them satisfactory evidence that 
she was a fit subject for baptism and church membership, but 
stated that she would not be displeased with the church if they 
would not receive her, and should the church not do so, she was 
determined to live in the future for the glory of God alone. Rev. 
Collier proposed that she be received. No objections were made 
38 
and the right hand of fellowship was extended. Rev. Collier's 
action seems to indicate that he was the pastor of the church and 
the one to make the decision about presenting a person to the 
church for membership. 
Rev. William L. Hartson, 1849 
The church minutes dated, February, 1849, listed a commit- 
tee composed of Brethren Vason, Lunday, and Broughton who 
were to "procure the services of Rev. William L. Hartson 'to take 
pastoral charge of the church.'" When the committee met with 
him, Hartson agreed "to serve for a short time." At the March, 
1849, conference of the church, Hartson served as moderator, 
which confirmed that he was the pastor. March 31, 1849, a com- 
mittee was appointed to raise $50 for Rev. Hartson's services. 
Nelson Tift in his diary mentions Rev. Hartson as the preacher on 
two occasions, December, 1847 and January 7, 1849, when he 
visited the Albany church. In September of 1848, a committee of 
five was appointed "to take steps to secure a pastor for the ensu- 
ing year with full power to unite with the Palmyra Baptist Church 
in supporting one betwixt us." A Rev. Jesse H. Campbell was 
contacted about serving, but declined to serve either church. 
ABC had the largest church building in the area and it served 
as the meeting place from time to time of other churches and 
organizations in the community. The Presbyterians met there fre- 
quently. The Methodist District Conference used the Baptist 
building on several occasions. Farm meetings and even lodge 
meetings benefited from the large church building. 
On Friday, January 19, 1849, a "protracted meeting com- 
menced at this place." "Ministering brethren from a distance" 
included Rev. T. I. Fisher of Kentucky, Rev. James Davis of 
Heard County, Georgia, and Rev. F. T. Seig of Americus. The 
meeting continued through January 30 and a total of 49 new 
members were received, 32 by baptism. 
ABC had grown from a small beginning of ten members in 
1839 to a large (by standards in those days) and growing congre- 
gation in its first decade. 
39 
Chapter 4 
THE SECOND DECADE 
Beginning in 1849, the number of Albany Baptist Church 
(ABC) members was broken down by "white" and "black." That 
year a membership of 132 was reported which included 78 
white and 54 black. The year of 1849 was a good year for ABC 
in that 36 new members were received by baptism and seven by 
letter. The church met on just one "Sabbath" each month at that 
time. The numbers of members varied from year to year. In 
1853, the membership was equally divided between white and 
black with 44 each. In 1854, there were 43 white and 54 black 
members. The figures for 1857 were 78 white and 85 black, for 
a total of 163 members. The final year of which the figures were 
divided; 1868, the church reported 724 members of which 148 
were white and 576 were black. After 1868, blacks attended 
their own churches. 
Rev. T. D. Matthews, 1849-52 
The next pastor, Rev. T. D. Matthews, was given a unani- 
mous call on September 1, 1849. Since he had not yet been 
ordained, the church followed the custom of the time by request- 
ing the Bethel Baptist Association to ordain him, which they did. 
Sabbath School was mentioned for the first time in 1850, with 
Lott Warren as the superintendent. 
It was also during Rev. Matthew's tenure as pastor that "a 
committee of three was appointed to see to making a partition in 
the house for the use of the colored and Negroes generally." A 
40 
few years later two arms of the church were opened at plantations 
near Albany, Oak Lawn and Tarva, for worship by blacks. 
Matthews resigned early in 1852 after serving for about three 
years and four months. He remained a member of ABC until 
January, 1983. He was called upon to serve as moderator of the 
church conference in July of 1852 because of the new pastor's 
hearing problem. Matthews was a medical doctor and formed a 
partnership with Dr. William. L. Davis. 
Rev. Joseph S. Baker, 1852-56 
In May of 1852, Rev. Joseph S. Baker was called as pastor of 
both Palmyra Baptist Church and Albany Baptist Church. Being 
just "half time" churches, the arrangement was good for both 
congregations. 
Baker was born in Liberty County, Georgia, in 1798, but 
moved to Virginia where he was reared a Presbyterian. He earned 
an MD degree and commenced to practice medicine. He was 
married to Miss McRobert. 
Since Dr. Baker was reared a Presbyterian, he found it diffi- 
cult when he become a Baptist. He was doing a large medical 
practice and his friends thought that by becoming a Baptist he 
would lose many of his patients. The Baptist work in his com- 
munity was weak, but Baker was obedient to his conscience and 
joined a local Baptist church. After becoming active in his new 
church, he felt called to the ministry and the church ordained him. 
He served as a missionary and evangelist for a while in 
Virginia, for which he received small pay. He pastored several 
churches, the last of which was in Norfolk. During this time his 
health began to fail and his physicians told him it was absolutely 
necessary to travel in the mountains. By this time he was poor, 
but he finally succeeded in getting a horse and buggy, a few reli- 
gious books which he proposed to sell, and a small sum of money 
barely enough to pay ordinary traveling expenses for more than a 
week. It looked gloomy for him as he started out on a journey of 
hundreds of miles. He made his way and when a bill needed pay- 
ing, he always had the money from some source. 
41 
His wife was in poor health as well, and they came south to 
Alabama to visit relatives. While there a church across the river 
in Columbus, Georgia, called him as pastor. He accepted and 
located there in 1840. Tragedy struck by the middle of the year 
when his wife died, leaving him with two sons, both who pre- 
ceded him to the grave. 
In 1843, he left Columbus to pursue a career in journalism. 
Moving to Penfield, he took charge of The Christian Index, serv- 
ing as editor for nearly six years. January, 1849, found him 
moving to Atlanta, where he started a newspaper called the 
Atlanta Luminary and afterwards the Atlanta Intelligencer, the 
first newspapers published in the Gate City, a small town at the 
time. However, Dr. Baker predicted that one day Atlanta would 
become a large city. He published several books and periodicals. 
Georgetown College (Kentucky) conferred on him an honorary 
Doctor of Divinity degree. 
Jacksonville, Florida, became home for Dr. Baker in 1850. 
After a couple of years he moved to South Georgia where he 
served as pastor of both the Palmyra and Albany Baptist 
Churches from April, 1852, until May of 1856. He returned to 
Jacksonville and lived there until 1861, when he moved to 
Thomasville, Georgia. His last pastorate was in Monticello, 
Florida, where he lived until the end of the Civil War. In 1865 
he moved to Quitman, Georgia where his step-son lived. He 
continued to live there until his death in 1877.'He died respect- 
ed and lamented by the entire community, and was followed to 
the grave by one of the largest concourses of citizens ever seen 
at a funeral occasion. 
After about a year as pastor of both the Palmyra and Albany 
Baptist Churches, the Bakers moved their church membership to 
ABC in March of 1853. During his pastorate, missionaries who 
came to visit were asked to preach. An offering was taken for that 
mission cause. An example is that Rev. J. S. Dennard, missionary 
under appointment by the Southern Baptist Board of Missions to 
the interior of Africa, preached at ABC in March, 1853. A collec- 
tion was taken and given to him in support of his work in Africa. 
42 
Another missionary, Rev. J. H. Campbell, agent for the 
Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 
preached on the second Sabbath in March, 1855, and $59.45 was 
given to missions. The church also supported missions through 
the Bethel Association by giving $50 to support Bro. Burke, mis- 
sionary of the Bethel Association serving in the interior of Africa. 
In addition to guest speakers, the pastor also preached sermons to 
educate church members about missions. 
Dr. Charles Dutton Mallary and his wife, Mary, became 
members of ABC, December 31, 1853, joining by letter from the 
Baptist church in LaGrange. He preached a sermon September 
30, 1854 on the subject of missions and a collection of $91.85 
was taken up for missionary purposes. In their own service, the 
blacks collected $5.30 for mission work in Central Africa. 
Dr. Baker gave notice of his resignation effective June 1, 
1856. The church minutes recorded a resolution paying tribute to 
him as follows: "In accepting the resignation of Dr. Baker, we 
feel it our duty and privilege as a church to express our high 
appreciation of his character as a Christian and minister. His walk 
among us has been upright, conscientious, and godly. His preach- 
ing was pious, instructive, and useful. We take great pleasure in 
commending him as a faithful and able minister to Christian 
friends wherever God may call him to labor." 
Church discipline was strict in the early years of the church. 
The by-laws required male members to attend church confer- 
ences regularly and if absent for more than two consecutive 
meetings, a committee was appointed to meet with the person 
and report back to the church. The roll was called at each con- 
ference and absentees noted. Most of the time there were 
acceptable reasons and the person was excused for his absences. 
On some occasions the reasons were unacceptable and the 
church took action. 
In the July 1,1848, church conference, a letter was read from 
Bro. John D. Atkins requesting that he be excluded from the 
church, deeming himself to be unworthy to be a member. A com- 
mittee of four brethren, Winkler, Warren, Lindsay, and Broughton, 
43 
were appointed to converse with him on the subject. The commit- 
tee reported back at the September conference. The report called 
for fellowship acknowledgements whereupon Bro. Atkins said he 
understood that he was the subject of evil on account of his too 
free use of ardent spirits. Bro. Atkins said that he did not think he 
was drunk, but for the good of the church and glory of God, 
promised to abstain entirely from the use of all intoxicating 
liquors in the future. The promise was satisfactory to the church. 
In the conference on December 2,1848, the church "Took up 
the case of Bro. Sinquefield charged with drunkenness and 
removing his property clandestinely from the state, out of the 
reach of his creditors. The church received a letter from him 
acknowledging the truth of the charge of drunkenness, and also 
of removing some Negroes which he does not claim as his own 
property, but his wife's and children's. On motion, he was exclud- 
ed from the membership of the church." 
Only a few cases resulted in a member being dismissed. The 
minutes of July 6, 1850, reported that Bro. Jesse Floyd was 
accused of being guilty of the charge of rolling ten pins. A com- 
mittee of three men was appointed to look into the matter and 
report on the case. Bro. Floyd appeared before the church in con- 
ference on August 4, 1850, and "made such statements to the 
church that was thought to be sufficient acknowledgement." He 
was excused. 
Later another discipline case was called before the church 
involving "ardent spirits." Bro. Holly stated that he was sorry that 
it occurred. The minutes stated that a committee looking into this 
matter reported: "We find that Bro. Holly is living apart from his 
wife and is boarding at the house of a lady against whom there 
are evil reports in the community. Holly states that he is on good 
terms with his wife and though apart, they are not separated, at 
least only temporarily so that their grandchildren may be cared 
for by her and that he has no purpose of abandoning her. Holly 
also says that the lady with whom he is boarding is a good friend 
of his and a woman of good character1 and that the reports in ref- 
erence to her character are unfounded. Your committee reported 
44 
that they know of nothing to sustain the truth of these reports. 
They think it possible that the bad reports originated in the fact 
that she is living separate from her husband." The committee rec- 
ommended to the church "that he be forgiven for intemperance, 
charging him to be prayerful and watchful against this old habit; 
that we cast no censure upon the lady with whom he boards, but 
in view of the fact that she is separated from her husband and is 
suspected in this community, we request him as soon as he can, 
to take other quarters in order to be free from suspicion." The 
church adopted the committee's report but evidently did not 
completely turn Bro. Holly loose. Some men on the committee 
continued to check on him. When they called upon him, they 
found him to be in a state of intoxication and consequently, in no 
condition to converse with them. At the next church conference, 
he was excluded from the membership of the church. 
Other cases of discipline when church members were 
excluded, dismissed, or excommunicated from the membership 
included assault and battery, swearing and profane language, liv- 
ing very disorderly lives for a Christian, stealing, robbing his 
master of side meat, dancing, and simply having more than two 
unexcused absences from church conferences. 
In 1849, a former supply pastor, Rev. W. W. Maund, "became 
angry and said harsh things against the church" because the 
church refused a lodge the use of the church building. The mem- 
bers of the lodge wanted to use the church for a service to 
celebrate the anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, to publicly 
install their officers for the ensuing year, and to hear an address 
by Rev. Maund. The time requested, December 27, 1849, was at 
the time when regular church services were held. The lodge was 
offered the use of the church to conduct their service on either the 
26th or 28th, but they declined. 
Maund stated that the pastor had neglected him. He said he 
often went to the Methodist church anyway; their pews were free 
and he was unable to rent one at his own church. He went on to 
admit that he had made remarks which were not justified and 
which ought not to have been said. After a committee from the 
45 
church met with Maund, they brought this resolution to the next 
church conference: "Therefore resolved, that this church invite 
Rev. Maund to attend our services whenever his engagements 
and inclinations will permit, that he be requested to feel himself 
as at home at our meetings." Later Maund moved to Florida and 
the entire matter was dismissed. 
A reference was made here about renting pews. The first ref- 
erence in church minutes to the renting of pews was August 1848. 
(Church minutes before 1848 are lost.) One of the items of busi- 
ness agreed to at that conference was "to give up to Bro. Lunday 
his pew note of $7.50 in part pay for $10 advanced to Mr. 
O'Farrell for sexton services." Evidently pews rented for $7.50 
per year. Another item of business at that same conference was a 
resolution: "Resolved, that in place of purchasing hymn books 
for the church, we appropriate the remaining pew notes for the 
payment of Bro. Mulky's debt, and that we use diligence to col- 
lect pew notes at the earliest possible time." 
Was renting pews a means of raising money or was it a 
method of controlling the crowds? It would guarantee a person a 
place to sit in the worship services. Perhaps this is the beginning 
of the habit of worshipers sitting in the same place at each ser- 
vice. Ever hear someone say in our day, "he's sitting in my pew"?j 
Renting pews seems to have been a way of raising money for the 
church. Other references to renting pews were found in the 
church conference minutes for December 15, 1867, and again in 
1868, for the purpose of raising money for the salary of the pas- 
tor. Stewardship as practiced in the typical Baptist church today 
had not yet been developed in the early years of the church. When 
a pastor was called and the salary agreed upon, a committee 
would be appointed to "raise" the money to pay him for the year. 
An example of how this worked is taken from the church 
minutes of January 12, 1850. "On motion, Brothers Broughton 
and Vason, Sisters Dews and Vason, were appointed to take a sub- 
scription for the support of our pastor. Also to raise a fund for the 
current year's expenses, and for such improvements on the build- 
ing as may be determined by the church." Another motion in this 
46 
same conference authorized the deacons "to let out the keeping of 
the house, lighting, and ringing the bell for the present year." 
Pledges were taken as well as money given at the time. In the 
minutes of some of the church conferences, names and the 
amount they had either paid or pledged for the support of the pas- 
tor and church were listed. It may have been that the "hat" 
(offering plates came into use later on) was not passed to take an 
offering during the "preaching" service. Most of the members 
had no regular weekly income. Farmers had to wait on the har- 
vest. Merchants had to wait for the harvest, too, before the 
farmers to whom they had extended credit could pay their debts. 
Church members did provide for the needs of the church through 
their giving. Pastors were paid, and all other expenses were taken 
care one way or another. 
Rev. Charles Mercer Irwin, 1856-59,1867 
Following Dr. Baker, Rev. Charles Mercer Irwin, who was 
living in Atlanta, was called as pastor in 1856. Rev. Irwin was 
born, November 11,1813, in Wilkes County, Georgia, into a fam- 
ily of social distinction and wealth. On the day of his birth, his 
mother consecrated him in prayer to God that he might become a 
minister of the gospel. In November, 1826, at age 16, he was bap- 
tized by Rev. Enoch Calloway and joined the Sardis Baptist 
Church in Wilkes County. 
Because of greater educational opportunities in Powelton, 
Irwin was placed under the instruction of the distinguished edu- 
cator, Rev. Otis Smith, where he remained for two and a half 
years. He entered the University of Georgia in 1832 but left 
before graduating to enter the University of Virginia, where he 
earned a law degree. In 1834, he was admitted to the bar in 
Warrenton, Georgia. In November, 1834, he married Miss Harriet 
Battle of Powelton, with Rev. Jesse Mercer performing the cere- 
mony. Irwin and his wife settled in Washington, Georgia, where 
he devoted himself to the practice of law. 
Rev. Irwin was a popular young man of comparative wealth 
and high social position. He dabbled in politics, but did not 
47 
pursue public office. He purchased a plantation in Hancock 
County, Georgia and moved there with his family, which permit- 
ted him the quiet duties of a successful planter. In this setting he 
became more and more interested in church matters. His fine 
vocal powers and fondness for singing made him a useful church 
member. He was elected clerk and then a deacon of the church at 
Powelton. He was frequently requested to lead in the weekly 
church prayer meetings. In regard to the ministry, he thought 
himself unfit for that high calling. But in 1839, conscience took 
him to task for stifling his convictions and disobeying the call. He 
began to pray for light and to seek advice from friends such as Dr. 
Charles Dutton Mallary, who at the time was an agent of Mercer 
University. Irwin surrendered to the call to the ministry and was 
ordained at Powelton in 1844. He turned his plantation interests 
over to other hands and began an active ministerial career. 
His first pastorate was at the church at Madison where he 
served for eight years. In 1856, he became the pastor of the 
Second Baptist Church in Atlanta but stayed less than a year due 
to the death of his father and his duties as executor of the estate. 
Rev. Irwin's next pastorate was the ABC where he served 
from 1856-1859. When the Civil War opened, he lived on a plan- 
tation that he' had purchased in Lee County, Georgia. He 
remained there until the end of hostilities. 
Briefly in 1869, he pastored the Second Baptist Church in 
Macon, and then his home church in Madison. But he returned to 
his home in Lee County where he lived a quiet life of retirement 
until 1872 when he was appointed an agent for foreign missions 
in Georgia by the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern 
Baptist Convention. His work was so successful that he contin- 
ued until 1879. In the month or so between Rev. Baker's and Rev. 
Irwin's pastorates, Dr. Charles Dutton Mallary, preached at the ; 
Albany church. (Dr. Mallary was a frequent preacher at ABC, but 
never served as regular pastor. He was Sabbath School superin- 
tendent for many years following Lott Warren.) 
In September, 1856, soon after Rev. Irwin became pastor, the 
Bethel Baptist Association considered joining the Florida Baptist 
48 
Convention and asked the churches what they thought about it. In 
October, ABC voted to ask Bethel Association to remain in the 
Georgia Baptist Convention, and if they joined the Florida Baptist 
Convention, ABC would probably leave the Bethel Association. 
(The Bethel Association did not pursue that course of action). 
The Albany church sent to the Bethel Association a recom- 
mendation "that the Association establish a mission, east of Flint 
River, including portions of Irwin, Dougherty, and Baker 
Counties." The Association already had mission work among the 
Creek Indians and "the colored population within their bounds." 
It doesn't appear that this request was ever acted on. Later, on 
June 6, 1857, a number of people from the town and neighbor- 
hood of Isabella in Worth County, petitioned Albany church to 
"send them the gospel once a month." Isabella was the most pros- 
perous area in Worth County and was the county seat at that time. 
There is no indication that their request was honored, since the 
Baptist church in Isabella was not organized until 1889. 
Rev. William M. Davis joined ABC by letter from a church in 
Florida on May 2, 1857. He became active in preaching to blacks 
as he had opportunity. The church's letter to the Bethel Association 
in 1857 stated that "we have the gospel preached to us on every 
Sabbath alternately by our pastor, Rev. C. M. Irwin and Rev. 
William M. Davis." Davis was a member for only a year. 
The first train came to Albany in 1836. By 1903, seven rail- 
road lines served Albany. By 1940, Albany was one of the largest 
railroad centers in Georgia. The city and the area grew as a result. 
Bro. D. A. Vason, who followed Robert Lunday as clerk in 
1850, served until January of 1858. These men, along with A. B. 
Lawton who served before them, and J. M. Cooper, who followed 
them, were pillars of the church. Pastorates were of short dura- 
tion in the formative years of the church. The clerks gave the 
church stability and continuity. 
Rev. Irwin tendered his resignation on June 3, 1859, but he 
agreed to continue serving after a committee visited with him to 
ask him to stay on. Later, in November he resigned again and his 
tenure as pastor ended December 18, 1859. 
49 
Rev. Irwin was called again as pastor in February, 1867. He 
lived on his plantation in Lee County. 
A serious matter came up in 1867 concerning Rev. David 
Hines and his black church. A committee looked into the situation 
and found that Rev. Hines had organized a black church and 
received members who were still members of ABC. Rev. Hines 
agreed to rescind the organization of his church and come back to 
the mother church and first ask for letters of dismission. The let- 
ters were granted and a "legal" Baptist church was constituted. A 
good relationship existed between the churches and they 
promised to pray for each other. 
Rev. Irwin took the summer of 1867 off and Bro. T. W. Stout, 
Rev. W. N. Chaudoin, and Dr. George F. Cooper filled the pulpit. 
Rev. Irwin decided to retire to his plantation after serving only 
until June, 1867. 
A major fire surged through the business district of Albany in 
1867, destroying more than half of the buildings in the area from 
Washington Street to Broad Avenue. Thankfully, the fire did no 
damage to any of ABC's property. 
The church in 1859 was twenty years old with 276 members 
(143 white and 133 black). Regular services were held at Oak 
Lawn and Tarva Plantations for blacks. The church worshiped 
two "Sabbaths" a month with both white and black in the same 
building. With Sabbath School as a part of the church program 
under the leadership of Lott Warren as superintendent, ABC par- 
ticipated in many mission endeavors and moved ahead in 
strength to face the menacing war clouds with a new pastor com- 
ing to lead the way. 
50 
Chapter 5 
HARD TIMES AND GOOD 
Rev. S. G. Daniel, 1860-64 
Albany Baptist Church extended a call on December 18, 
1859, to Rev. S. G. Daniel as pastor. In his letter of acceptance he 
wrote: "Let us resolve in the fear of the Lord our God, that its 
obligation shall be faithfully considered and faithfully dis- 
charged. Let us agree to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds 
of peace. Let us love each other with pure hearts." 
Brother Daniel's ministry began January 1, 1860. The dea- 
cons procured subscriptions for the support of the pastor and 
church expenses in the amount of $1560 for the year. 
Many cases requiring church discipline were taking place dur- 
ing this time in the life of the church. An example of how the 
church dealt with these matters took place in the second week of 
Rev. Daniel's pastorate. The pastor moderated a church conference 
in which a colored sister named Penny Harrison "was found guilty 
of separating from her husband and taking up with another man, 
thereby making herself an open adulteress." She was excluded from 
the membership and fellowship of the church by unanimous vote. 
The question came up in the February, 1860, church confer- 
ence as to whether or not to continue an arm of the church at 
Tarva's Plantation meeting house for the blacks. A committee was 
appointed to study the matter and report back. Their report to 
continue the ministry indefinitely was adopted. 
At the March, 1860, church conference a committee made 
up of the pastor, D. A. Vason, C. M. Irwin, and C. D. Mallary 
51 
was appointed to "revise, correct, condense, and transcribe in a 
new book the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith, and Church 
Decorum." The report stated that only a few changes were 
needed to clarify and condense the Constitution, Rules of Order, 
and Standing Resolutions. Their report was adopted and 300 
copies of the revised document, along with a list of church mem- 
bers, was printed for distribution to the membership. This was 
perhaps the first of many church directories that would follow 
over the years. 
In April, 1860, a collection was taken to pay the expenses of 
"lighting the church" and to pay for the services of Bro. David 
Hines, a young black man, who was preaching for the blacks in 
services being held at Oak Lawn and Tarva. In October, the ABC 
licensed him to preach. 
Rev. Daniel's call as pastor was made permanent in 
September, 1860, and his salary increased to $1500 per year. 
Preaching was being held every Sunday at ABC and at the arms 
of the church, Oak Lawn and Tarva. 
The practice of calling the roll of male members at each 
church conference was discussed extensively in the June, 1860 
church conference. The decision was to continue the practice. 
Bro. Richard Webb was sent in April of 1861, to preach to the 
blacks at Tarva and to administer the ordinances. 
Great sorrow came to the church on June 17, 1861. Lott 
Warren departed this life after a prominent career as a citizen, a 
Christian, and an able and active member of the church. Warren 
served ABC in many positions of trust and honor. He excelled as 
well in his secular life. He was a member of the State Legislature, 
served as Solicitor General, and became Judge of the Southern 
Circuit. He served with distinction, discharging his responsibili- 
ties with great ability and honesty of purpose. But it was his 
devoted life as a Christian and a Baptist that entitled him a spe- 
cial and honorable place in the records of this church. He had 
joined ABC in 1845 and remained a member until his death. 
The church passed a resolution remembering Lott Warren: 
"the church lost one of her most intelligent, active, and useful 
52 
members; and the community has lost one of its brightest orna- 
ments, and our country one of its most eminent citizens." 
The minutes of the church made only a few references to 
the Civil War. But there is no doubt that it greatly affected the 
life of the church and community. One note says a lot about 
how the church coped with the situation. The minutes of a 
church conference in 1861 stated, "because of great scarcity 
of material for lighting up the church, the Sabbath night ser- 
vices were dispensed with and the Wednesday prayer meeting 
was moved to 4 pm." Later it was changed to 3 pm and then 
to 6 pm. 
One of ABC's finest laymen, D. A. Vason, was very active in 
the war effort. Capt. Vason was in charge when the Beauregard 
Infantry was formed. In June, 1861, a Soldier's Relief Society 
was formed by ladies of East Dougherty County at Pine Bluff 
Baptist Church to make clothing for the war effort. 
A representative from the Georgia Relief and Hospital 
Association made an appeal in September, 1861, to the people of 
Dougherty County which resulted in the formation of an 
Auxiliary Society with now Col. D. A. Vason as president, and 
Rev. S. G. Daniel (pastor), as secretary. 
A collection was taken up in January, 1862, for "furnishing to 
our soldiers and soldiers in Virginia" copies of the sacred 
Scriptures. The money was sent to the Southern Baptist Domestic 
Mission Board in Marion, Alabama, for the distribution of 
New Testaments. 
The Battle-field Relief Society of Dougherty County 
was organized in June, 1864, and Col. D. A. Vason was chosen 
president. 
In May, 1865, Federal troops moved into Albany under the 
command of Brigadier General C. M. McCook, starting a decade 
of military rule during reconstruction. 
According to the book, Glancing Backwards, many freedmen 
remained in the county on the plantations and seemed to be per- 
fectly satisfied and determined on their part to carry out their 
contracts in good faith. 
53 
At the church conference in October, 1862, Rev. Daniel read 
letters from many soldiers in the Army. He in turn wrote letters 
to them. 
Rev. Daniel offered his resignation as pastor in November of 
1862 but agreed to serve another year. The same thing happened in 
1863 and he agreed to serve through 1864 with the stipulation that 
Rev. S. G. Hillyer would preach for him once a month. Annual 
salaries of the two men were $1,000 and $50 respectively. 
Rev. J. H. B. Shackleford and his wife joined ABC July 9, 
1864, by letter from the Baptist church in Gordon, Alabama. He 
was pastor of ABC from 1840-42. 
Rev. Daniel asked Rev. Shackleford to preach for him while 
he was away for the remainder of the year. 
Another great Baptist statesman, Dr. Charles Dutton Mallary, 
died July 31,1864, and was buried in a cemetery in Albany. Rev. 
S. G. Daniel chaired a committee that prepared a tribute to the 
late Dr. Mallary. It said in part: 
Brother Mallary was born in Vermont, January 23,1801. 
He became a Baptist at age 21. He began immediately to be 
concerned for the lost and to take advantage of opportunities 
to witness to them. 
Mallary left Vermont and moved to South Carolina in 
1823 to take a teaching position in Columbia. It was during 
this time that he felt the call to the ministry and in 1824 a 
Baptist church called him as pastor and ordained him to the 
ministry. In the next ten years he pastored several churches 
including the Augusta Baptist Church and a church in 
Milledgeville. Because of poor health, he had to leave the 
pastorate at that time. During 1837-39 he devoted his time as 
an agent of Mercer University. 
Beginning in 1840, Dr. Mallary served as the missionary 
of the Central Baptist Association in Twiggs County for 
seven years. For the next four years, In spite of poor health, 
he pastored LaGrange Baptist Church. 
In the fall of 1852 Dr. Mallary moved to south Georgia 
and joined ABC. Though he never pastored the Albany 
54 
church, he served with distinction in the Sabbath School and 
in his work with the blacks. He filled the pulpit at the ABC 
many times and represented the church at associational and 
other meetings. 
When a new association was formed in 1883 by eight churches 
from five counties in the area around Albany, it was named the 
Mallary Baptist Association in memory of Dr. Charles Dutton 
Mallary. 
Dr. George F. Cooper, 1864-65 
Jonathan Davis, the founder of ABC, returned to Albany in 
the fall of 1864 and became a member of ABC. He was immedi- 
ately appointed a delegate to the Bethel Baptist Associational 
meeting. While the church was without a pastor, Rev. Davis 
served as moderator of church conferences, including the confer- 
ence in which Dr. George F. Cooper was given a unanimous call 
as pastor effective November 18, 1864. 
Dr. Cooper was born in Wilkes County but soon his family 
moved to Harris County and became some of the first settlers in 
that area of Georgia. Because of limited educational opportuni- 
ties where he lived, he was sent to Lexington, Kentucky where he 
studied medicine. He moved on to complete his medical training 
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1845. He returned to Perry, 
Georgia to practice medicine. Miss Cornelia Staley became his 
bride in July, 1846. 
Cooper returned to obtain additional medical training in 
Philadelphia and then at the great Charity Hospital in New 
Orleans. He continued his practice in Perry for a few years before 
moving to Savannah. After a year or two he moved to Americus 
where he continued to practice medicine until 1856 at which time 
he entered the preaching ministry. 
Lebanon Baptist Church, 10 miles from Americus, called him as 
pastor and the Americus Baptist Church ordained him to the gospel 
ministry. He served several churches over the next year or two 
before entering the Confederate Army service in 1861 as Senior 
Surgeon of Lawton's Brigade and served until the end of the war. 
55 
Dr. Cooper was called to ABC as pastor in 1864 and served 
about a year before returning to the Americus church where he; 
served for the next nine years. 
Rev. Shaler Granby Hillyer, 1866 
Rev. Hillyer was called as pastor in January, 1866. He 
preached on two Sabbaths a month and was paid $600 a year. He 
was born in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1809; made his profes- 
sion of faith and was baptized in 1831; educated in law and was 
admitted to the bar in Clarke Superior Court in Athens, Georgia; 
pastored the Baptist church in Athens in 1837; and a church in 
Milledgeville, 1838 through 1844. In the fall of 1844 he was 
elected principal of the Female College at Penfield. In 1846, 
Hillyer pastored churches at Madison and Athens in 1846, giving 
half time to each. Rev. Hillyer became the Professor of Rhetoric 
at Mercer University in 1847 and served until 1856 at which time 
he became the pastor of a church in Rome. He returned to Mercer 
and served as Professor of Theology from 1859-62. He left 
Mercer to serve in the Civil War in 1862. In 1865 he moved to 
Forsyth, Georgia and served as pastor of a church there. 
The Bethel Baptist Association met with the ABC in 
October of 1866 with Rev. Hillyer as host pastor. At that meet- 
ing it was announced that he would leave to return to Forsyth at 
the end of the year to become pastor of a church there. The 
report of ABC to the Bethel Association stated that it had 148 
white members and 486 black members for a total of 644. In 
addition to the total for the mother church, Oak Lawn and Tarva 
reported 80 members. Rev. Ralph Watson, a black brother 
"whose Christian character is above approach" ministered to the 
blacks at ABC. Rev. Jonathan Davis ministered to the blacks at; 
Oak Lawn and Tarva. 
In November the blacks of ABC met in conference to con- 
sider withdrawal from the whites. The Civil War was over and; 
slavery had ended but the decision was unanimous to remain for 
at least another year. The main concern was whether the blacks, 
if they established their own church, could maintain it. 
56 
A few years after leaving Albany, Rev. Hillyer served as pres- 
ident of Bethel Female College in Cuthbert in 1874-75. 
Rev. Samuel Pope Callaway, 1868 
Samuel Pope Callaway was called as pastor for 1868. He was 
born August 12, 1842 in Henry County, Georgia. A few years 
later, his family moved to LaGrange. He attended Bronwood 
School, a very eminent school at the time, and in 1860 went on 
to Mercer University in Macon. Mercer later conferred on him an 
honorary degree. 
Callaway was a gifted speaker and delivered original essays 
on many occasions. He was taught at his mother's knee to love 
the Savior and he was inclined toward the ministry. A year after 
his baptism, he was ordained by a Baptist church. His pastor 
resigned in 1865 and Callaway was chosen to fill the vacancy of 
his home church. He married Miss Ellen Rebecca Pattillo in June, 
1866, and three children were born into their family. 
Rev. Callaway served ABC through 1868. Upon his resigna- 
tion, the church minutes records words of tribute to him: "He 
: succeeded well and secured the universal admiration and love of 
his flock. He was a watchful and tender guardian of his church 
i and shared loving sympathy as well as joys with his members." 
From Albany, Callaway moved to West Point, Georgia in 
1870 to take charge of the Female College and serve as pastor of 
the Baptist church there. 
After the blacks began to have their own churches, other 
ministries were started to reach people. In February, 1868, 
Brother W. N. Chaudoin was appointed as evangelist for the 
Bethel Baptist Association and Brother R. J. Hogue as a mission- 
; ary among the Indians. A committee of "sisters" in the church 
raised money and collected clothing for Brother Hogue's work. 
Five individuals gave $7 in cash and eight contributed goods. 
Rev. Napoleon Alexander Bailey, 1869-71 
Napoleon Alexander Bailey was called as pastor in 
December, 1868. He began his ministry January 1, 1869. At 
57 
about the age of three in 1836, Napoleon stood beside his parents 
and witnessed the baptism of 25 to 30 converts in Town Creek,] 
Alabama. The event was so impressive that when he was sprin- 
kled and made a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,! 
he began to study his Bible in reference to baptism and could 
not find a ceremony corresponding to the one to which he had 
experienced. Later his doubts about baptism were satisfied and at 
the age of 17 he was immersed after joining the Liberty Baptist 
Church in Lawrence County, Alabama. 
In 1853, after being a member for three years, Liberty Baptist 
Church licensed Bailey to preach. In September 1854, he entered 
Union University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee and graduated three 
years later. His home church ordained him to the ministry in 
1857, and called him as pastor January 1, 1858. 
To escape the cold weather in Tennessee, Rev. Bailey moved 
to Florida in 1860 where he pastored Monticello Baptist Church 
for nearly four years. From Florida he moved to Perry, Georgia to 
become the head of the Houston Female College there. During 
the two years in Perry, Bailey pastored several country churches. 
He moved to Milledgeville, the capital of Georgia at that time, 
and pastored the Baptist church there. It was from that pastorate 
that he moved to Albany to serve ABC, in 1869. 
Rev. Bailey tendered his resignation in October, 1871, and a 
committee presented resolutions in tribute to a pastor "who was 
well liked because of his devotion to duty, cooperative spirit, and 
cheerfulness. He rendered faithful and efficient service, not only 
to his church, but to the community as well." This report was 
adopted on Christmas Eve, 1871, a very fitting tribute to one of 
the most beloved pastors the church had had during the 32 years I 
since the ABC was constituted. 
58 
Chapter 6 
FORGING AHEAD 
Dr. William H. Whitsitt, 1872 
Up until this time, the church had called pastors who were 
well-trained, but most of their college and post-graduate training 
had been in law or medicine. In the calling of Dr. William H. 
Whitsitt as pastor on January 23,1872, a man of outstanding the- 
ological training assumed the pastorate of Albany Baptist 
Church (ABC). 
Dr. Whitsitt was born November 25, 1841, near Nashville, 
Tennessee. His forebears came from Ireland to Virginia by way 
of Pennsylvania in 1741. Whitsitt's grandfather became a 
Christian and a Baptist in a Virginia revival in 1789. When he 
was eleven years old, Whitsitt's father died. 
Following his education in Tennessee, Whitsitt enlisted in the 
Confederate Army as a private. He later became a fighting chap- 
lain. He was captured by the Union Army and later exchanged. 
Continuing his education, he graduated from the University 
of Virginia in 1866, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
in Greenville, South Carolina in 1869. He studied for two addi- 
tional years in Europe. 
Upon his return from Europe, in January of 1872, Whitsitt was 
called as pastor of ABC. During his five and one-half months as pas- 
tor, many significant things happened in the church: weekly offering 
envelopes were used for the first time, a young men's weekly prayer 
meeting was started, and Dr. Whitsitt represented ABC at the 
Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. 
59 
It came as a surprise to the church when Dr. Whitsitt told 
them that Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, had contacted 
him about joining them as a professor. Desiring to accept the 
offer, he offered his resignation on May 26, 1872. After consid- 
erable discussion, the church rejected his resignation. 
A letter was received from the trustees of Southern Seminary 
appealing to the church to allow Dr. Whitsitt to become a mem- 
ber of the faculty because they needed a man of his training and 
experience. Reluctantly, the church accepted his resignation and 
he left Albany in July to become assistant professor of 
Ecclesiastical History and Biblical Introduction at Southern. 
After 13 years on the faculty, Dr. Whitsitt became president 
of Southern Seminary, which was now located in Louisville, 
Kentucky. In 1896, a great controversy erupted. Dr. Whitsitt had 
come to the conclusion, while studying in Europe, that Baptists 
used sprinkling, not immersion, as their mode of baptism well 
into the 17th century. Many Baptists believed that Baptists had 
practiced immersion since New Testament times. Heated debates 
occurred in state Baptist papers and on the floor of the Southern 
Baptist Conventions. The end result was that Dr. Whitsitt 
resigned from Southern Seminary effective in 1899. He went to 
the University of Richmond in 1901 as a professor of philoso- 
phy. He died in 1911. Further research has confirmed that Dr. 
Whitsitt was correct about his stand on baptism. In our day, the 
Whitsitt Baptist Heritage Society makes an annual "Courage 
Award" to a person who has made an outstanding contribution in 
church history. 
Rev. Frank C. Johnston (Johnson), 1872-75, 77, 83 
Albany Baptist Church continued on with the calling of Rev. 
Frank C. Johnston as pastor, August 4, 1872, at a salary of $100 
per month. 
Albany Baptist Church was the host church for the Bethel 
Baptist Association in 1872. A committee was appointed to 
arrange for the housing of the guests who would come from the 
sister churches. 
60 
The Georgia Baptist Convention met in Americus in 1874. 
The pastor, Bro. D. A. Vason, and Bro. T. H. Willingham were 
elected delegates to represent ABC. 
The church was always looking for ways of raising money 
for missions. The pastor introduced the "Mite Boxes" program to 
support foreign missions. No other reference to this program has 
been found; whether it was effective or not is not known. Other 
new programs started included a library for the Sabbath School 
and the use of music in the Sabbath School exercises. Mrs. M. J. 
Mallary was the organist. 
Long time Sabbath School superintendent Bro. Rollin D. 
Mallary resigned in October, 1874, and Bro. E. H. Bacon was 
elected to replace him. Bro. Mallary had made known to the 
church that he felt the call to preach. The church was overjoyed, 
and his ordination took place on November 11,1874. 
Consideration was again given in the church conference of 
January 10,1875, to building a pastorium. But it did not materialize. 
The church continued to rent a house for the pastor and his family. 
In March, the church approved the purchase of new hymn books. 
On October 3, 1875, Rev. Johnson (the name until now had 
been Johnston but it is believed that he is the same man) resigned 
to take effect at the end of the year. In the minutes dated October 
10, 1875, it was recorded "that the church sustained a great loss. 
His great learning and experience and his exposition of the Sacred 
Scriptures are very instructive and entertaining. His Christian piety 
and uniform meekness is evidence of a true disciple. In parting 
with him we offer our prayers and wishes for his happiness and 
welfare as a learned, eloquent, and devoted minister of Christ." 
On December 3,1876, Rev. F. C. Johnson was elected pastor 
for 1877. The pastor asked for and was granted a three-month 
leave of absence in the summer of 1877, for a trip to Texas where 
he was to work as an agent for Bible Union, a religious body 
engaged in the revision of Sacred Scripture. His plans did not 
work out, and he returned to Albany and preached until leaving 
October 1, 1877, to become the pastor of the Baptist church in 
Marietta, Georgia. 
61 
Other happenings in the church included an invitation to the 
Bethel Baptist Association to meet at Albany in 1878. Since that 
year had already been spoken for, the Association voted to meet 
with the ABC in 1879. 
Rev. F. C. Johnson was called to fill the pulpit until October 
1, 1883, at a salary of $50 per month. But he left Albany October 
15, to take another pastorate. 
Joseph L. Davis resigned as Sabbath School superintendent in 
August of 1883, and J. T. Callaway was elected to succeed him. 
Another effort to organize a new association was made and 
the organizers invited ABC to be a part of it. The Saturday before 
the fifth Sunday in December of 1883, was set for the organiza- 
tional meeting to be held at Mt. Enon Baptist Church in Mitchell 
County. Albany was represented at the meeting and a new asso- 
ciation was organized and named the Mallary Baptist Association 
in memory of the late Dr. Charles Dutton Mallary, long time 
member and frequent preacher, but never pastor, of the ABC. 
ABC did not join the new Association at that time. They waited 
until they could ask to be dismissed from the Bethel Baptist 
Association, which they did, and then joined the Mallary Baptist 
Association in 1884. Union Baptist Church in Worth County is 
the only charter member church that continues in the Mallary 
Association. ABC has the second longest tenure of the 48 church- 
es making up the Mallary Association. 
Since ABC had the largest auditorium, the Mallary 
Association met with them for their annual meeting in 1884. A 
committee was appointed to secure homes for the delegates who 
would attend the associational meeting in November, 1884. 
Albany has hosted the annual meetings of the Mallary 
Association a total of six times, including the centennial meeting 
in 1983, and the annual meeting in 1999. 
Rev. Rollin D. Mallary, 1876 
In anticipation of Rev. Johnson's leaving in 1875, the church 
called Rev. Rollin D. Mallary as pastor on November 21, 1875, 
to take effect January 2,1876. Mallary was called with the under- 
62 
standing that he would preach only on the first and third 
Sabbaths. Rev. Johnson agreed to stay on and preach the other 
two Sabbaths. 
Mallary resigned as pastor in August of 1876, to become pres- 
ident of the Female College at Rome, Georgia. He was in poor 
health and was advised to move to a higher elevation where the 
climate would be better for him. The church in conference, August 
13, 1876, adopted these resolutions concerning Rev. Rollin D. 
Mallary: "The Baptist church at Albany, Georgia, in accepting the 
resignation of our pastor, Rev. Rollin D. Mallary, feel that while 
this separation is painful and unpleasant, we know that a sense of 
duty has induced him to leave. He and his beloved companion 
have filled a large place in the affairs of our church, and their 
absence will be a sad loss in our church and community." 
Mrs. M. J. Mallary (wife of Rollin D.) resigned as organist 
because they were moving to Rome. Professor A. T. Lyon was 
elected the new organist and music director 
Rev. C. H. Strickland of Greensboro, Georgia, was called as 
pastor to begin November 1, 1877, but he declined to accept the 
call. He was called again and again he declined. 
A committee was appointed at the December 16, 1877, con- 
ference to oversee the repairs to the church property. While 
repairs were being made, the Presbyterians invited the Baptists to 
use their facilities every other Sabbath. This was a gesture of good 
will and a "thank you" for the use of the Baptist facilities when the 
Presbyterians were first getting under way in 1849. Appropriate 
resolutions of appreciation were approved May 5, 1878, thanking 
the Presbyterians for the use of their house of worship while the 
Baptist church was undergoing repairs. In addition to the remod- 
eling, a new organ was purchased. Sister R. J. Bacon and Brother 
W. B. Daniel were authorized to exchange the old organ for a new 
one at the most favorable terms they could get. 
Rev. Benjamin Franklin Riley, 1878 
From Alabama came the next pastor of ABC. A call was 
extended to Rev. B. F. Riley on December 23,1877. He was given 
63 
a month's vacation at a time that best suited him and his salary 
was $1,000 for the year. Bom in Monroe County, Alabama in 
1849, Riley graduated from Erskine College, Due West, South 
Carolina in 1871. He was converted while in college. After 
enrolling in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Greenville, 
South Carolina he had to return to Alabama because of poor 
health. Later, from 1874-76, he attended Crazier Seminary in 
Philadelphia. He married Miss Emma Shawe in 1876. 
Riley served churches in South Carolina before moving to 
Albany in 1878. He accepted the call of a church in Opelika, 
Alabama, in 1879, after serving as pastor for only about a year 
in Albany. 
Dr. E. H. Bacon resigned on January 28, 1878, as Sabbath 
School superintendent. Living such a great distance from Albany 
was one of the reasons that he gave it up. He was given a vote of 
confidence and esteem for the faithful discharge of his duties as 
superintendent. Bro. W. D. Daniel was elected the new superin- 
tendent. During this time, the blackboard system and the use of 
Springer's transfer designs were new additions that were valuable 
tools for instruction in Sabbath Schools. 
A letter from Dr. J. H. DeVotie, Executive Secretary of the 
Georgia Baptist Convention asking for a $50 contribution to 
secure a delegate to the GBC, was presented at the March 4, 
1878, conference. The matter was postponed until the April 7 
conference, at which time the church agreed to raise the $50 and 
appointed the pastor, B. E Riley, as the delegate. Actually only 
$26 was collected, so a letter was sent to the state office saying 
that the church would pledge the balance of $24 to be paid. 
Another pastor resigned at least partly because of the climate 
in Albany. Rev B. F. Riley resigned effective January 1, 1879, on 
the advice of his physician. He ended up serving only the year of 
1878. In response to his leaving, the church said: "The church 
regrets that the feeble health of our pastor and his family, and the 
advice of his family physician to seek a home in a more northern 
climate, has made it his duty to present his resignation, for he has 
by his Christian deportment and pious zeal endeared himself to 
64 
our people, and his separation will be a loss to our church and 
community." 
Rev. Robert Taylor Hanks, 1879-82 
Rev. H. M. Wharton of Virginia was called as pastor on 
November 10, 1878, but declined. Rev. George B. Eagar was 
called December 1, 1878, and he declined. Then on December 
15,1878, Rev. Robert Taylor Hanks of Dalton, Georgia accepted 
the call as pastor of ABC. 
Rev. Hanks submitted a plan in April, 1879, to divide the 
church into seven districts with a lady selected from each district 
to form a committee to collect regular monthly contributions for 
missions. Appointed to serve on the committee were Bessie 
Willingham, Callie Vason, Abbie Davis, Julia Gilbert, Ella Bacon, 
Emma Hilsman, and Henrietta Sweeney. The church was presented 
a check for $100 on May 25,1879, by Sister Willingham to be used 
in decorating the interior of the church. The ladies earned the 
money at the fairgrounds the week before. The ladies continued to 
raise money and were able to give enough to purchase a new organ 
for the church. In December, 1879, the ladies had raised enough 
money to give the church $200 for remodeling the pulpit. In June 
of 1881, the Ladies Aid Society gave to the church a beautiful pul- 
pit set, at a cost of $116. This probably referred to items needed for 
communion services and possibly offering plates as well. 
The pastor in the July, 1879, conference raised the question 
about building a pastorium. The owner of the house the pastor 
was living in had rented it to someone else. Homes to rent 
were hard to find, but a month later another house was found for 
the pastor to live in, and the matter of building a pastorium was 
dismissed. 
The Methodist church conducted a memorial service for their 
beloved bishop, Dr. Lovick Pierce, November 2, 1879. ABC dis- 
pensed with their evening service in order to attend and pay 
tribute to this great Methodist leader. 
In 1879, when ABC was 40 years old, the membership was 
169. Growth was slow. There were many coming into the church 
65 
and many leaving, mostly because members moved to other 
communities, but some were being dismissed under the church's 
rules of discipline. Annual call of the pastor was still practiced. 
The position of organist became a paid position in March, 
1881, when Mrs. Rosa Mallary was elected to fill that position. 
The salary was $50 a year. In April of 1881, the observance of 
the Lord's Supper was changed to a bi-monthly event and a 
collection for the poor of the church was to be taken at each 
observance. 
In the past, some of the pastors had attended the annual meet- 
ing of the Southern Baptist Convention, but beginning with Rev. 
Hanks, it became more frequent. In April, 1881, Rev. Hanks and 
Bro. R. J. Bacon were appointed as delegates to the convention, 
which was meeting in Columbus, Mississippi. A committee was 
appointed to raise funds for their trip. The concept of a church 
budget had not yet been realized. Special committees were 
charged with raising money for the pastor's salary, church 
expenses, and for other expenses that would come up. 
An inquiry came from a Baptist church in Cairo requesting 
ABC to appoint a committee to meet with other church com- 
mittees from southwest Georgia to consider forming a new 
association. ABC sent word that they were not interested in the 
organization of a new association. There is no record of fol- 
low-up, and evidently the matter was not pursued any further 
at that time. 
Bro. W. B. Daniel, Sabbath School superintendent, offered on 
January 16, 1881, the following resolution, which was adopted: 
"Resolved, that we return to the old system of the Envelope Plan 
for tithes, offerings, and donations and that the work be made 
as uniform and effectual as possible. And, that Bro. Z. J. Odom be 
appointed collection agent of the church and that he be earnestly 
requested to proceed at once to discharge the duties of that 
position." Evidently the church was having difficulty raising 
enough money to pay all the bills. The church resorted to hiring 
someone to contact the persons who had evidently made pledges 
in the hope of collecting what each had pledged. 
66 
Sister Kitchens, a shut-in church member who was ill and not 
likely to recover, requested that the pastor, along with several 
brethren and sisters from the church, come to her home and con- 
duct the Lord's Supper so she could participate in the ordinance 
one more time. 
In November of 1881, Bro. Daniel resigned as Sabbath 
School superintendent and church clerk. Bro. Joseph Davis was 
elected as Sabbath School superintendent and Bro. Robert J. 
Bacon was elected as clerk. The year of 1881 closed with repairs 
being made to the baptistry. 
Rev. R. T. Hanks, pastor since 1879, was called for the year of 
1883, but in December of 1882, he received a call to become the 
pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. He resigned 
December 12, 1882, to become effective at the end of the month. 
Dallas was a city of 20,000 and the church had 450 members. They 
paid a salary of $1800 and furnished a pastorium. As a pastor, 
Brother Hanks was well liked and would be missed. Resolutions 
adopted said: "The deacons of ABC bear testimony of the fidelity 
and ability of Rev. R. T. Hanks as pastor of this church for the past 
four years. In severing our relations, we do so with regret, but as 
he moves to fields of greater promise, we consent, because it is our 
duty to do, and say to the Baptists of Texas, that they will find him 
a true disciple of our Master and a zealous minister." 
Dr. J. L. Lloyd, 1884 
Dr. J. L. Lloyd, from Jacksonville, Florida, was called as pas- 
tor for the ensuing year. He sent a letter of acceptance to the church 
dated November 26,1883. He was recalled as pastor for 1884, but 
in April of 1884 he resigned to accept the pastorate of the Baptist 
church in Gonzales, Texas. During the time without a pastor, the 
Methodist pastor led some of the prayer meetings at ABC. 
While pastor, Dr. Lloyd led the church to create a welcome 
committee in order to help members and visitors find their 
places when attending services at ABC. Brothers R. J. Bacon, 
Z. J. Odom, W. R Burks, and T. H. Barnes were appointed to the 
new committee. 
67 
Bro. L. T. Callaway, Sabbath School superintendent, pre- 
sented the idea of using ushers in the church services. The idea 
was adopted and Bro. Henry H. Bacon and Bro. Willie Davis 
were appointed to serve. 
Rev. William B. Dix, 1885-86 
Rev. William B. Dix was called as pastor, September 9,1885, 
at the age of twenty. He brought with him a wealth of mental 
capability and personal piety. During his ministry, the church pur- 
chased a pipe organ for $325. An effort was made to make up a 
list of pastors of the church, but this could not be done because 
of the lack of church records. The revised church roll in 1886 
listed 200 members. 
Rev. Dix teamed up with Rev. J. W. Willis, missionary for the 
Mallary Baptist Association, to edit the Associational Pioneer, a 
monthly newsletter with a 50 cents per year subscription rate. It 
carried Sabbath School lessons for adults and included a chil- 
dren's feature, "Children in the Bible," for each Sunday in the 
month. Evidently only one monthly newsletter was published due 
to the death of Rev. Dix in 1886. He was the first pastor to die 
while serving as pastor. He is buried in Oakview Cemetery in 
Albany on a lot purchased by ABC. A granite monument was pro- 
vided by a former employer in Alabama and erected by ABC. 
Since ABC was to host the Georgia Baptist Convention in 
1886, a committee was appointed to arrange for homes for 
lodging the delegates during the convention. The committee 
secured homes for about 150 delegates, and homes for another 
50 were on stand-by. 
Rev. E. E. Folk, 1887-88 
Called as pastor in December, 1886, Rev. E. E. Folk began 
his ministry in January, 1887. Early in his pastorate, he promoted 
The Christian Index in the context of asking for subscriptions. 
Rev. Folk requested a leave of absence during August and 
September which was granted. His father, Rev. H. B. Folk, sup- 
plied the pulpit during his absence. During Folk's tenure, the 
68 
church considered building a new house of worship. In March, 
1888, the church voted to proceed. But nothing was done right 
away and the matter was not pursued at that time. 
After a little less than two years, Rev. Folk resigned, but the 
church "rejected it," and he served on until November of 1888. 
He left in December to go to Chattanooga, Tennessee to work 
with the Baptist & Reflector, the Baptist state paper of Tennessee. 
In November of 1889, the subject of a new building came up 
again. The church had a debt of about $200 and it was felt that 
this debt had to be taken care of first. A special collection was 
taken and $103 was given. Capt. John A. Davis paid the rest. 
Subscriptions over a five year period were approved as a plan to 
raise the money for a new building. 
Capt. Davis, who made this contribution to pay off the 
indebtedness of the church, was an early settler of Albany and 
was prominent in business circles for many years according to an 
article in the Atlanta Journal's edition dated April 8, 1905. The 
Atlanta Journal reported that, "he had died the night before in 
Albany after being ill for several days. His funeral was conducted 
at ABC. He was 72 years of age. 
"Capt. Davis had interests in banking and railroads. He was 
a devoted member of ABC and a liberal supporter of all religions 
and educational institutions of Albany. He was a member of the 
county board of education and a director of the Georgia 
Chautauqua Association." 
An excerpt from The Albany Herald dated February 9, 1949, 
looked back at Capt. Davis. It said, "He was always one of the 
town's best dressed men. His children are Joseph S. Davis, Mrs. 
S. D. Jones, Mrs. A. D. Jones, Mrs. E. W. Shaffer, and Mrs. R. L. 
Jones; Mrs. Lott Warren, of Atlanta; Mrs. W. B. Willingham, of 
College Park; and Mrs Frank Sheffield, of Americus. He is sur- 
vived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren." 
The residence of the John A. Davis family was at 514 Pine 
Avenue, which is now the Albany Little Theatre. In 1884, 
Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederate States, was 
 entertained by Capt. Davis at his home on Pine Avenue. 
69 
Rev. B. D. Ragsdale, 1889 
Rev. B. D. Ragsdale was called as pastor in January, 1889. 
In November, he resigned unexpectedly after making accusa- 
tions against the church for "endorsing disorder." The church 
responded by accepting the pastor's resignation without endors- 
ing the charges put upon the church by him. Rev. R. B. Ragsdale 
went on to gain great prominence by serving as clerk of the 
Georgia Baptist Convention from 1896 until 1943, having been 
elected more than 45 times by the convention in annual sessions. 
The church was now fifty years old. Special observances of 
anniversaries do not seem to have been followed. This may be 
due partly because some of facts about the church were not 
known because of missing records. 
Rev. E. B. Carroll, 1890-94 
Albany Baptist Church moved on as Rev. E. B. Carroll was 
called as pastor in January, 1890. Early in his ministry, he had the 
privilege of arranging for the ordination of Bro. W. J. Sullivan, a 
member of ABC who had been called as pastor of Isabella Baptist 
Church in Worth County and Pine Bluff Baptist Church in 
Dougherty County. A presbytery was assembled and his ordina- 
tion took place in Lee County. 
In June, 1890, the matter of building a new church building 
came up again and a committee of five was appointed to look into 
it. Capt. J. A.. Davis, and J. L. Jay, B. A. Collier, W. H. Wilder, 
and W. P. Burks were named to serve on the building committee. 
The church had voted to build a $10,000 building. The building 
committee brought plans for a $6,000 building. Also, plans of the 
church in Ft. Gaines, Georgia were shown and the cost of that 
building was $9,000. Some opposed the Ft. Gaines plans because 
the church had no basement. 
A member of the finance committee stated that $6,000 could 
be raised. On July 13, 1890, plans were approved for a building 
that included a 400 seat auditorium and a basement that could be 
used for lectures, fellowship, and Sunday School classes (Note: 
about this time "Sunday" replaced "Sabbath" in referring to the 
70 
Bible teaching organization of the church). On July 30, these 
plans were rescinded and the Ft. Gaines plans were approved 
with some alterations. After all this discussion about a new build- 
ing, nothing happened and in January, 1891, the church voted to 
suspend building plans for the time being. 
Bro. D. A. Vason, long-time layman and senior deacon, died 
July 17, 1891. Appropriate resolutions were adopted by the 
church but were not recorded in the minutes. 
Rev. Carroll made the first reference to starting a mission in 
northeast Albany in September, 1891. He suggested that a lot be 
purchased and a church building erected on it. The matter was 
discussed but not followed up on. Attention was turned to the 
need of repairing the church building instead. 
Repairs got under way and the court house was secured as a 
meeting place for the church while repairs were going on. The 
Methodist church was also used for some of the services. Plans 
for a new building did not materialize. Instead, the church build- 
ing of 1844 was remodeled. 
The deacons were authorized in May, 1892, to have work 
done on the study and to provide fencing that would enhance the 
newly remodeled church building. Unfortunately, the study 
burned in December but only minor damage was done to the 
church. 
The chandelier used in the old church was given to the 
Newton Baptist Church in Baker County. With winter on the way, 
Bro. C. D. Mallary (This Mallary is thought to be the son of Dr. 
Charles Dutton Mallary, who was very active in the ABC and for 
whom the Mallary Baptist Association was named), pointed out 
that a heating apparatus would be needed. One was purchased 
and on December 4, a committee was appointed to see that it was 
"adjusted to prevent smoking." 
C. D. Mallary and J. H. Price were appointed to visit the local 
hotels and invite "strangers and visitors" to attend church services 
at the ABC. 
Some objection arose over the use of the cornet and violin 
with the choir. After discussion, a motion was adopted to let the 
71 
choir select the instruments they desired. In June, 1893, a new 
organ was purchased and installed and after tests were made, it 
seemed to be satisfactory. 
Another item of interest occurred in September, 1892, con- 
cerning the use of the pastorium. Some church members 
suggested that the pastor open a small school to meet there and if 
agreed, the pastor could supplement his salary. Authorization was 
given by the church, but it is not known if it ever worked out. 
The pastorate of Rev. E. B. Carroll ended at the end of 
February, 1894. He had served since January of 1890. His four- 
year tenure was one of the longest up to this time in the life of 
the church. 
Rev. Peter Flournoy Crawford, 1894-96 
Rev. Peter Flournoy Crawford was called as pastor October 
21, 1894, and he soon discovered many activities and programs 
going on. At the end of the school year, the Albany Academy held 
closing exercises at ABC on June 2, 1895. (In 1907, the Albany 
Academy became the Albany High School). 
In July, the church started a mission in north Albany. Brother 
Jay was named superintendent of Bynes Hill Sunday School, 
which in August of 1895 had an average attendance of 50 to 55. 
In the letter to the Mallary Baptist Association in 1895, it was 
noted that ABC had established a mission in north Albany (which 
became Byne Memorial Baptist Church in 1910). 
The church had a perennial problem with subscriptions 
(pledges) not being paid. Committees over the years had attempted 
to collect arrears. In September, 1895, it was suggested that the 
church hire a young man to make the collections. This did not work 
out, but instead a committee of ladies was appointed to collect the 
arrears. We do not know whether or not this was ever fully imple- 
mented. The treasurer reported that the average monthly income 
of the church was about $200. The church had 254 members at 
this time. 
Rev. Crawford resigned as pastor July 1, 1896. He offered his 
resignation because of health problems for himself and his family 
72 
and asked the church to accept it immediately. Resolutions adopted 
by the church praised Rev. Crawford: "We cheerfully testify to his 
ability as a preacher and to his consistency and consecration as a 
Christian, and express the hope that he and his family may be 
restored to complete convalescence." 
Rev. J. J. Bennett, 1896-98 
The next Sunday, Rev. J. J. Bennett was called as pastor and 
he began his ministry on July 26. The following February, 
Brother Goulden called the attention of parents and others to the 
Baptist Young People's Union in the church and asked their assis- 
tance in its work. (This is the first time this organization was 
mentioned as a part of ABC). 
Rev. Bennett resigned January 9,1898, but upon the urging of 
the church he withdrew it. However, he did leave in June of 1898. 
Before he left, the church discussed at length and then approved a 
motion that deacons and the pastor be called annually. 
Rev. B. W. Davis, 1899-1903 
Rev. B. W. Davis was called and started as pastor in July, 
1898. In November, the church made an attempt to reach out and 
proposed that "divine services" be held at the fire station. This 
could not be done because the firemen were not allowed to attend. 
Two events in 1899 brought to a close 60 years of ministry 
for ABC. In March a young man, Bro. L. C. Slater, was licensed 
to the ministry. He went to Cuba to serve. The other item was that 
the church voted to make the call of pastor, B. W. Davis, an indef- 
inite one instead of an annual one. 
73 
Chapter 7 
THE DAWNING OF THE 
TWENTIETH CENTURY 
As the twentieth century dawned, Albany had a population of 
about 14,000. A brand new mode of travel was gaining hold 
around the country and Albany was no exception. The book 
Glancing Backwards Albany, 1836-1986, provided the following 
information about the first automobile in Albany: 
The first automobile in Albany was owned by Dr. 
William L. Davis, a deacon in Albany Baptist Church 
(ABC). He brought it to Albany in the fall of 1900. It had 
wire wheels and was built very much as a high-grade 
buggy would be. It had twin engines located beneath its one 
seat. William Johnson said, "Now I don't know much about 
these automobiles, but a good man's common sense will 
tell you they're unnatural and problems are what you're 
asking for. As I was getting ready for church Sunday morn- 
ing, I prayed to God that He would watch over me on my 
way down the road to the church. I had passed Dr. William 
L. Davis twice before, and that shaky looking machine he 
was driving startled my poor horse. I have lived fifty years, 
and now it is the turn of the century, and to tell the truth, I 
believe people will come to their senses about these death 
machines called automobiles. Yes, I believe the motorcar 
will be abandoned and the good ole fashioned horse and 
buggy will be what people will drive for many years to 
come, maybe even forever." 
74 
The mission started by ABC in the late 1890's in north 
Albany was constituted as Byne Memorial Baptist Church, 
January 24, 1910. The mission met at the comer of Second 
Avenue and Washington Street as a temporary location. The ABC 
purchased a lot for the mission at the corner of Society Avenue 
and Jackson Street. 
The church began with 33 charter members. Rev. O. T. 
Moncrief was the first pastor. The church was named in memory 
of Mr. G. M. Byne, whose wife and daughter gave the building as 
a gift to the new church. Services were held under a tent until the 
building was completed. 
God blessed Byne and by the 1930's membership had 
reached more than 500. The church bought several pieces of 
property, built an educational building in 1952, a new 1100 seat 
sanctuary in 1966, and a family life center in 1979. Byne 
Memorial started a mission in east Albany which resulted in the 
organization of Sunnyside Baptist Church in 1954. Byne 
Memorial Baptist Church relocated across from the Albany Mall 
on Ledo Road in 1997. 
Rev. L. Richards, 1903-11 
Church records are very limited for this period and only bits 
and pieces of information about Rev. Richards are available. We 
do know that he was born in 1859 and graduated from Mercer 
University. He lived until 1926. 
The book A History from the Heart provided the following 
information about the first hospital in Albany during Rev. 
Richards' tenure as pastor: 
At the turn of the century Albany had no hospital. 
Patients were treated in doctors' offices or at home. If they 
required hospitalization they had to travel to Thomasville or 
Americus. 
In February of 1904, Dr. William L. Davis, Jr. and Dr. W. 
P. Rushin launched a drive to build a hospital in Albany. They 
canvassed Dougherty County selling stock and collecting 
contributions and were able to raise about $4,000. The Ladies 
75 
Hospital Aid Association was formed in 1905 with Mrs. 
Joseph S. Davis, president and Mrs. William L. Davis, Jr., 
treasurer. They went to work to raise money for the hospital. 
The African-American community got involved through the 
Ladies at Home organization. 
Many people worked very hard to accomplish the goal of 
a hospital in Albany, but it was Judge Francis F. Putney who 
made the dream a reality. He offered to contribute $25,000 if 
three conditions were met. One was to name the hospital in 
memory of his mother, Phoebe Putney. The second condition 
was that it be constructed with brick so as to be fireproof. The 
third condition was that the hospital serve both races. His 
offer was accepted and a four acre site was purchased on the 
comer of Jefferson Street and Third Avenue. Phoebe Putney 
Memorial Hospital opened in 1911. 
Dr. William L. Davis, Jr. and Dr. Joseph S. Davis were 
deacons at ABC. When the Georgia Baptist Convention 
announced plans to build three hospitals, Dr. Joseph S. Davis 
campaigned to have one of them built in Albany. This did not 
materialize and later he favored a plan which called for the 
GBC to take over Phoebe Putney. This was a controversial 
plan which was never implemented. 
When news came from the Southern Baptist Convention that 
they were contemplating the building of a hospital in Georgia, 
local Baptists made an effort to secure it for Albany but were not 
successful. Georgia Baptists already had a hospital, built in 1901 
in Atlanta, and owned by the Executive Committee of the 
Georgia Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptist Convention 
dropped their plans to locate a hospital in Georgia. 
During Rev. Richards' pastorate the question of erecting a 
more spacious brick building was discussed. The need of the 
growing membership called for a larger house of worship. 
On October 23, 1906, the Baptist Building Fund Society was 
organized by the ladies of the church with Mrs. J. W. Walters, 
president; Mrs. F. S. Sutton vice-president; Mrs. S. J. Jones, sec- 
retary; and Miss Julia Pope, treasurer. These officers served until 
76 
the new building was fully completed. The ladies raised more 
than $16,500 of the total cost of $55,000 for the new house of 
worship. 
But in 1909, the failing health of Rev. Richards brought to 
the church the need to select and support an assistant. The con- 
struction of a new building was put on hold. Rev. O. T. Moncrief 
was chosen to come and lighten the burdens of the pastor. After a 
year, Rev. Moncrief left to become the first pastor of Byne 
Memorial Baptist Church. Dr. Lamar Sims was called as associ- 
ate pastor to Rev. Richards, October, 1910. A harmonious and 
fraternal relationship existed for a year. Rev. Richards resigned in 
1911 because of health problems to seek a better environment in 
which to live and Dr. Sims was called as pastor of ABC. 
Dr. Lamar Sims, 1911-20 
Dr. Lamar Sims was called as associate pastor in October of 
1910. He came to Albany from Milledgeville. He was born in 
1876 in Jonesboro, Georgia. He never married. He graduated 
from Mercer University, Macon, in 1900. His first pastorate was 
at Cochran, where he stayed for two years. Following his min- 
istry in Cochran, Dr. Sims was called to Milledgeville, where he 
served for seven years. Answering the call of ABC, Dr. Sims 
preached his first sermon on Thanksgiving Day, 1910. A Doctor 
of Divinity degree was conferred on Sims by Mercer University 
in 1919, a year after he had been made a trustee. Dr. Sims 
served on the Georgia Baptist Convention's Executive 
Committee. He became one of the best known Baptist ministers 
in Georgia. 
Joy came to ABC as the time finally came for the opening of 
the new auditorium. It had been more than six years since the 
foundation had been laid. The War was over and the materials 
needed to finish the building were available and on March 3, 
1918, the building was ready for use. Rev. W. L. Richards, a 
beloved former pastor, was the principal speaker at the special 
dedication service. Also on the program were Dr. Lansing 
Burroughs and the pastor. 
77 
Serving with Dr. Sims at the time of entering into the new 
building were Mrs. O. D. Culpepper, music director; Mrs. F. W. 
Taylor, organist; E. R. West, treasurer; Alfred Dees, clerk; R. H. 
Ferrell, SS superintendent; Mrs. E. Culbreth, president of the 
WMS; J. S. Davis, chairman of the deacons; and J. S. Billingslea, 
chairman of the finance committee. 
In the church conference on September 14, 1919, Dr. Sims 
asked for and was granted the privilege of inviting to Albany a 
team, which included Dr. George W. Truett, pastor of the First 
Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas and one of Southern Baptists' 
greatest statesmen, which was touring the state on behalf of the 
$75 Million Campaign. The $75 Million Campaign was a five- 
year program, from 1919-24, by Southern Baptists to raise $75 
million dollars to pay off indebtedness incurred prior to 1920 by 
boards and institutions. At the end of this five-year campaign, the 
Cooperative Program was adopted as the "unified budget" for 
Southern Baptists. The Cooperative Program has been and con- 
tinues to be very successful for funding all Southern Baptist 
Convention's boards, programs, and institutions. Church records 
indicate that ABC pledged $47,203 to the $75 Million Campaign 
and by September 1, 1922, $19,895.20 had already been given. 
Dr. Sims was re-elected as pastor, November 10, 1918, for 
his ninth year at a salary of $200 a month. The practice of an 
annual call for the pastor was still being observed. A rotation sys- 
tem for deacons had been started and deacons could succeed 
themselves. 
The summary of the treasurer's report for 1919 was typical 
for this era in the life of the church: total income, $6,053.83; 
salaries, $3,712.50; gas, water, lights for the year, $64.80; insur- 
ance, $205.57; and the pastor's trip to the Georgia Baptist 
Convention, $25. 
In December of 1919, the Baptist Building Fund Society 
gave the church $600 to apply on the church debt. It was at this 
time that the name of this organization was changed to Ladies 
Church Aid Society. By action of the church the pastor was 
"ordered" to extend to the Society the thanks of the church for 
78 
the liberal assistance in making this contribution toward the 
church debt. 
It was a sad day for the church in January, 1920, when Dr. 
Sims, beloved pastor for nearly ten years, died. He had not been 
in robust health for some time. Dr. Sims' body was taken to 
Jonesboro where his funeral was held. 
A memorial service for Dr. Sims was held at ABC on 
February 1, 1920. A speaker from out-of-town, possibly one of 
Dr. Sims' college classmates, preached the memorial sermon. All 
ministers and churches in the city' were invited to the service. A 
stained glass window was placed in the church as a memorial to 
Dr. Sims. Members and friends were given an opportunity to con- 
tribute toward the purchase of the window. The Sims Memorial 
Window was installed and dedicated in September of 1920. 
Dr. James Allen Smith, 1920-21 
The church welcomed a new pastor on June 1,1920. Coming 
from Maryville, Tennessee, was Dr. James Allen Smith. At the 
evening service, three local congregations united with ABC to 
officially welcome the new pastor. Rev. C. A. Jackson, pastor and 
members of the Methodist church; Rev. J. L. Claxton, pastor and 
members of Byne Memorial Baptist Church; and members of the 
Presbyterian church attended the service. 
Dr. Smith was born in Dothan, Alabama. He graduated from 
Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, and 
received his theological degree from Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. A Doctor of 
Divinity degree was conferred on him by Carson-Newman 
College in Tennessee. Dr. Smith had been called to Maryville 
(Tennessee) Baptist Church which had less than 300 members 
and averaged 200 in Sunday School attendance. When he left the 
church, it had more than 1,000 members and averaged 500 in 
Sunday School. The congregation of ABC felt that they had 
secured a remarkable man as their new pastor. 
The church approved a recommendation to license Thomas J. 
Wilson to preach. He was called to the pulpit, and Dr. Smith read 
79 
the license certificate and asked the church to give him a rising 
vote of appreciation and approval of action taken. R. H. Ferrell, 
who had served as Sunday School superintendent for several 
years, resigned on October 3,1920. But with the promise of bet- 
ter support, he withdrew his resignation and continued to serve. 
It had been the custom at the annual meetings of the Mallary 
Baptist Association for the Woman's Missionary Society to meet 
separately from the association itself. Dr. Smith told the church 
that he was going before the association and ask that the Woman's 
Missionary Society and the churches of Mallary Baptist 
Association meet together in the future. 
Judge D. A. Vason made the motion on December 5, 1920, 
that changed the official name of the church from Albany Baptist 
Church to First Baptist Church (FBC) of Albany, Georgia. 
The church budget for 1921 was $8,843.26. An interesting 
item in the budget was an amount for musicians. The organist 
salary was $40; violinist, $15; soloist, $35; and others from time 
to time, such as a cellist, who would be paid $15. Some of these 
were monthly salaries; others, for each performance. 
The church minutes for June 5, 1921, carried a report of the 
treasurer that the final payment had been made on the pipe organ 
note. 
On September 11,1921, the pastor resigned to become effec- 
tive October 9. Bro. R. H. Ferrell brought to the church a tribute 
to Dr. Smith: "Dr. Smith's going to another pastorate will be a dis- 
tinct loss to the church and community, as the church in all of its 
departments had made outstanding growth under his pastorate, 
yet he felt that the church should not stand in his way in going 
to a place which offered larger opportunities in the work of 
the Lord." 
Dr. Charles B. Williams, Interim Pastor, 1921-22 
After Dr. Smith moved to a new place of service, Dr. Charles 
B. Williams served as interim pastor. When a new pastor was 
called, Dr. Williams was presented $100 in gold as an expression 
of appreciation for his services. 
80 
The church entered into an agreement on February 4, 1923, 
with E. R. West to purchase his property for a pastorium. The 
total amount was $11,741.68, which was borrowed at 4.75% 
interest for 10 years with monthly payments of $102.66. 
On April 5,1925, on behalf of the church, the Sunday School 
superintendent invited the State Sunday School Convention to 
meet in Albany in 1926. As the host church, FBC members pro- 
vided lodging in their homes for out of town attendees. 
There was considerable interest in purchasing property for 
church expansion. A lot on the southwest corner of Pine Avenue 
and Jefferson Street was purchased along with a small lot adjoin- 
ing it. A loan of $25,000 at 6% interest was approved May 31, 
1925, for the purchase of the lots and the construction of a 
Sunday School annex. 
Dr. James Baxter Ttirner, 1922-27 
The next pastor was Dr. James Baxter Turner. He was born 
September 2, 1870, near Dallas, Georgia. He came to Albany 
from Starkville, Mississippi, March 1, 1922. 
On October 1, 1922, Sunday School superintendent R. H. 
Ferrell, presented the matter of enlarging the Sunday School 
annex. A committee was appointed to bring plans to the church. 
The estimate of the cost was $15,000. A 20-foot strip of land was 
purchased from Mrs. E. W. Slappey for $550, and the church pro- 
ceeded to build the addition to the Sunday School annex. 
The first Boy Scout troop in the Albany area was organized 
by FBC as Troop #1. Charlie Mann, at age 32, was the scout- 
master. He had been in scouting as either a Boy Scout or a leader 
of scouts for 17 years. Members of the original scout committee 
were Rev. W. Raleigh White, J. C. Findley, H. M. Mills, and Cary 
Ragsdale. The exact date is not known, but it had to be before 
1923 because a scout rally was held in Tifton in October of 1923 
and scouts from Troop #1 attended. The troop met each Thursday 
night. 
In March of 1929 a reference in the minutes of the church 
noted that the scouts were abusing the building they were meeting 
81 
in. It was pointed out that the troop was the church's and the lead- 
ers were elected by a committee from the church. The problem 
was worked out satisfactorily. When Troop #l's charter was 
renewed in 1938, it had 15 members. 
From 1940 until 1944 the Herbert Peacock Sunday School 
Class sponsored the Boy Scout troop at FBC. In 1944 sponsor- 
ship was given back to the church itself. Three years later a Scout 
House was built at a cost of $5,495 with the Vocational 
Educational School helping to build it as a training project. In the 
summer of 1957 the church gave $150 to help Explorer Scout 
Mike Johnston, a member of Scout Troop #1, attend the Scout 
Jamboree in England. 
Having accepted the call of Hayes-Barton Baptist Church in 
Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Turner resigned effective January 
31,1927. The church adopted a fitting tribute to Dr. Turner which 
said, in part, "His five years of his service touched the hearts of 
the entire community. We pray that Dr. Turner will continue to 
serve with the same love and zeal in his new place of service as 
he did in Albany." 
In 1927 the church adopted its "Own Church Covenant" as 
follows: 
We solemnly covenant together, God helping us, that as 
strangers and pilgrims we will abstain from fleshly lusts 
that war against the soul; that we will put away from us all 
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil- 
speaking, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, 
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath 
forgiven us; that as we have opportunity we will do good 
unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household 
of faith; that we will have no fellowship with the unfruitful 
works of darkness, but will rather reprove them; that we will 
contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to 
the saints; will bring our children up in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord; will not forsake the assembling of 
ourselves together as the manner of some is; will keep the 
ordinances as they were delivered unto us; will confess our 
82 
faults to one another and pray for one another; that we will 
give as God has prospered us, not grudgingly or of necess- 
ity, for God loveth a cheerful giver, that we be not eased and 
others burdened; that we will pledge faithfulness to the 
efforts our church makes to publish Glad Tidings to the ends 
of the earth; that whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if 
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise we will think 
on these things; and whatsoever we do, we will do it heart- 
ily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the 
Lord we shall receive the reward of inheritance: for we 
serve the Lord Christ. 
Dr. Cecil V. Cook, 1927-29 
From First Baptist Church of Gaffney, South Carolina, Dr. 
Cecil V. Cook came to Albany to serve as pastor of FBC June 1, 
1927. He was to be paid $4600 in salary. In addition he was fur- 
nished a pastorium, provided the use of a car owned by the 
church, given one month's vacation, and allowed expenses to 
attend Georgia and Southern Baptist Conventions. 
The collection of overdue pledges became a matter of grave 
concern in May of 1928. Mr. E. M. Dobbins was secured by the 
deacons as a temporary collector of overdue pledges. He reported 
in July that he had failed to collect some $2300 in church pledges 
and was unable to continue as collector. Harvard Hill was 
employed to collect the unpaid pledges and would be paid 10% 
of the amount he collected. As of September 7, 1928, he had col- 
lected only $125. Mrs. Alfred Cox was then secured as collector 
but there is no reference to her success. 
Another effort to gain the financial support of the members 
led to the deacons making a visit to each member who had not 
contributed to the support of the church within two years. Non- 
giving members were urged to support their church. In the event 
they did not respond, it was recommended that they be dropped 
from the church roll and placed on the "retired" list. 
83 
Dealing with members who had not honored their pledges 
was not the only problem the church had with some of her mem- 
bers. In seeking to deal with non-active members, a list of those 
names was published in the church bulletin in an effort to locate 
them and urge their active participation. Those who lived out of 
town were encouraged to join a church where they lived. Those 
who had not requested their letters or started active participation 
in the life of the church were dropped from the regular church roll 
and put on a retired list. If at any future time they should request 
their letter, they would be restored to the church roll and their let- 
ters granted. 
In June of 1928, changes made under Dr. Cook's leadership 
included observing the Lord's Supper monthly; changing the fis- 
cal year to the calendar year; and setting up an advisory board 
made up of 12 men who were not deacons to be elected annually, 
with the Sunday School superintendent, director of Baptist Young 
People's Union, finance committee chairman, clerk, and treasurer 
serving as ex-officio members. 
For some time a committee had been studying the need for an 
educational director. Their report to secure one was unanimously 
approved. The church set aside $2400 in the 1929 budget for the 
position. A search committee began searching, but because of a 
depressed society that only continued to worsen, an educational 
director was not called until 1941. 
Discussion had been going on for some time about greater 
involvement of people in the affairs of the church. Plans for the 
make up of the advisory board were implemented. Members 
would be elected in groups of four to three-year terms. To begin 
the plan, four were elected for one year, four were elected for two 
years, and four were elected for three years. The first meeting 
was on June 29, 1928. 
As in all of the United States, hard times continued for FBC. 
Regular pledges were made and canvassing was done and still no 
more than $14,000 could be counted on for 1929. As many items 
as possible were removed from the budget, and then it was voted 
that the appropriations for the choir, all salaries, including the 
84 
pastor, church treasurer, janitor, and local benevolence be 
reduced by 25%. In January of 1929, Dr. Cook asked that his 
salary be reduced to $3600 effective February 1. It was agreed 
that the expenses incurred in the upkeep of the church's automo- 
bile, used by the pastor, be borne by the church. 
Dr. Cook submitted his resignation August 3,1929, and at his 
request, it was accepted immediately, but he was paid through the 
month of August. 
Three decades of the 20th century ended with the church 
tightening its belt, fearing that more difficult days lay ahead. The 
church trusted the Lord for strength to survive the present and 
looked to the future with renewed hope. 
85 
Chapter 8 
THE NINETEEN THIRTIES 
AND FORTIES 
Dr. W. Raleigh White, 1930-42 
The decade of the thirties began with Dr. W. Raleigh White 
as pastor. He was bom June 1, 1881, in Asheville, North 
Carolina. After attending public school in Windsor, North 
Carolina, he went on to Richmond University, graduating in 
1911. He pastored several churches while in school. In 
December, after marrying Elnora Rouse Young September 30, 
1911, White became pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in 
Newport News, Virginia. 
White entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 
1912. He pastored the Campbellsville Baptist Church in 
Kentucky during his student years. After graduation Dr. White 
pastored Ashboro Street Baptist Church, Greensboro, North 
Carolina; First Baptist Church, Lake City, Florida; and First 
Baptist Church, Plant City, Florida. He came to First Baptist 
Church (FBC), Albany, February 5,1930. At the 1930 meeting of 
the Mallary Baptist Association, Dr. White was recognized as a 
new pastor. He became involved immediately in the association 
by preaching the introductory sermon and presenting the state, 
home, and foreign missions report. Dr. White served as modera- 
tor of the Mallary Association from 1931-33 and 1937-42 for a 
total of 9 years. 
In 1930, the church learned that Miss Cena Whitehead 
planned to erect a gasoline service station on the southeast comer 
86 
of Pine Avenue and Jefferson Street. The church opposed this 
business and Miss Whitehead withdrew her request for the permit. 
For many years the church had a "paid choir" consisting of 
only three voices plus the organist. The church voted to cease with 
the paid choir on July 13, 1930, in favor of a volunteer choir. A 
Mrs. Vann volunteered her services in organizing a volunteer 
choir to sing "for fifteen or twenty minutes" at the Sunday evening 
church services. The volunteer choir evidently did not work out 
and the paid choir was resumed in November, 1930, at an expense 
not to exceed $50 monthly in addition to the organist's salary. In 
a church bulletin in 1928, the "choir" members were listed as Mrs. 
0. D. Culpepper, soprano; Mrs. G. H. Thomas, contralto; Mr. J. J. 
Watson, bass; and Mr. H. L. Tallman, organist. In May, 1933, Mrs. 
0. D. Culpepper, music director, enlisted Miss Esther Hind as the 
paid contralto in the choir. Her salary was $5 a month. 
In 1935, another effort was made to have a volunteer choir. 
Mrs. O. D. Culpepper volunteered to direct the choir. In August 
of 1936, it was reported that a church orchestra had been devel- 
oped with the goal of "stimulating interest among young people." 
Simultaneous revivals were held in Albany, March 22-April 
5, 1931. Dr. White secured Dr. Duke from First Baptist Church, 
Tampa, Florida, as the evangelist for FBC. The music was pro- 
vided by local talent. Many of the Albany churches participated 
in the meetings. 
The early nineteen thirties was a time of serious economic 
depression in America. The Depression impacted FBC very 
much. In 1931, Dr. White asked that his salary be reduced by 
$50 a month. In 1932 his salary was reduced by another $400 
for the year, and the salaries of the other paid employees were 
also reduced. The pastor's salary for 1933 was reduced to 
$3,000. Dr. White paid his own way to attend the Southern 
Baptist Convention in 1932. 
James Parrish shared with the church his call to the ministry 
which was received with great excitement by the congregation. A 
letter of commendation was prepared by the deacons dated 
August 10, 1932. The State Mission Board of Florida awarded 
87 
James a $100 scholarship to attend Stetson University in DeLand, 
Florida. A "Letter to the Albanians" was written March 7, 1933, 
by James Parrish to FBC in appreciation of their support of his 
studies there. 
The Floral City Baptist Church, Floral City, Florida called 
James Parrish as pastor and requested FBC to ordain him. The ordi- 
nation service was held December 3, 1933. Ministers outside FBC 
assisting in the service included Rev. J. S. Winn, pastor, Byne 
Memorial Baptist Church, Albany; Rev. E. L. Baskin, pastor, First 
Baptist Church, Sylvester; and Rev. P. H. Forrester, pastor, Callaway 
Memorial Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church), Leesburg. 
Findley Edge, another young man in FBC shared with the 
church on September 3, 1934, his calling into the ministry. 
After many years of faithful service, T. S. Matthews resigned 
as a deacon because of his advanced years. He was elected "life 
deacon" in February, 1933, one of the first to be so honored. In 
1939, E. R. West was also elected a life deacon. 
Financial conditions remained critical in the 1930s. Pledges 
were not being paid. A "collector" was engaged to collect unpaid 
pledges but met with little success. A plan for additional pledges 
was put into effect in order to raise money to catch up unpaid 
bills of the church. Fourteen hundred dollars was pledged but 
only about $600 was actually received. The pastor chose not to 
attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Washington, D. C. 
because of the financial condition of the church but by October, 
1934, financial conditions began to improve so that Dr. White 
was able to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Fort 
Worth, Texas. 
The position of financial secretary was approved in 
September of 1933, and Miss Edna Fields was employed at a 
salary of $50 per month. In the midst of the Depression, it was 
not easy to find the funds for Miss Edna. The pastor asked that 
his salary be reduced by $25 a month and Bro. Dees, treasurer, 
asked that his $20 a month salary be relinquished. This made it 
possible for Miss Fields to be employed at an added expense of 
only $5 a month to the church. 
88 
After serving as treasurer for many years, Dees resigned and 
Miss Fields became secretary and treasurer in October, 1934. Ten 
years later, Bro. Dees, one of the outstanding laymen in FBC 
went on to his heavenly reward. 
FBC assisted in the organization of the Corinth Baptist 
Church on January 28,1934, with 20 charter members. Rev. N. 
C. Green was called as the first pastor. The church met in the 
Flint River Cotton Mill Community House for regular ser- 
vices. In October, 1936, the name was changed to Tabernacle 
Baptist Church. The Flint River Cotton Mill gave the church a 
corner lot at 527 N. Madison Street in 1954. Even after being 
constituted as a church, FBC provided funds and some leader- 
ship in order for them to continue when they were unable to 
fully support themselves. 
Tabernacle ordained three men to the ministry. John Brothers 
was ordained in 1954, Morris Harp and Calvin King in 1968. 
Calvin King served as a foreign missionary under appointment 
by the International Mission Board of the SBC. 
Because of the changing community, the church disbanded in 
the 1990s and their assets were given to the Georgia Baptist 
Children's Home and Family Ministries, Inc. Chaplain Charles C. 
Noble, Jr., was their final pastor. 
Mr. Joseph S. Davis, a faithful deacon and church leader in 
FBC for more than 50 years, died in October, 1934. He was the 
grandson of Jonathan Davis, who founded FBC in 1839. 
Resolutions of appreciation adopted by the church stated in part, 
"His life was characterized by sincerity, love of humanity, and an 
abiding faith in God." 
The annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention was 
held in Albany in November, 1934. Plenary sessions were held in 
the City Auditorium and many of the other meetings used facili- 
ties at FBC. 
The church took note of the fact that the public address sys- 
tem installed January 5,1937, was completely paid for. In July of 
1940, a new public address system was donated to the church by 
L. R. Ferrell. 
89 
The Methodists, in March of 1937, asked Dr. White to allow 
them to broadcast their services on radio two Sunday evenings 
each month. FBC had been broadcasting their services every 
Sunday evening. Radio station WGPC agreed to work out the 
details only if FBC would agree, which they did. Brother A. K. 
Sneed explained that this arrangement would be acceptable since 
it would not change the practice of his class broadcasting the 
Sunday School lesson each Sunday morning. 
Mrs. O. D. Culpepper presented a request "that the church 
choir be vested." In October of 1938, she was given $17 to spend 
for black choir robes for use during winter months. 
The ALBANY HERALD dated March 15, 1939, carried an 
article with the headline, "Baptist church $15,000 debt removed 
by Henry H. Nelms." It included a picture of Mr. Nelms, a mem- 
ber of FBC, presenting to the pastor the mortgage and note as a 
gift to the membership. A cake was sent in the name of the church 
to Mr. Nelms as an additional expression of thanks "for his con- 
siderate act of paying off the church indebtedness." 
Following the death of Mr. Nelms, a committee composed of 
J. C. Findley, J. W. Parker, and L. R. Ferrell brought appropriate 
resolutions. The committee reported: 
When Henry H. Nelms died September 30, 1943, a very 
unique man passed from our church and community. He 
lived ninety-one years on the plantation where he was born 
and where he died. Without the benefit of education, Nelms 
was a very successful farmer to which he applied great natu- 
ral ability in accumulating a considerable estate. He did not 
lose his simple and plain way of life. He helped many in the 
community who had good character and work habits to pur- 
chase a home. Mr. Nelms was a regular contributor to FBC. 
The gift to cancel the mortgage on church property was over 
and above his regular giving. 
Men who served for many years at their places of responsi- 
bilities in the church resigned and turned their jobs over to others. 
In September of 1942, E. H. Heidt turned over the job of Sunday 
School superintendent to J. W. Parker. A year later, after serving 
90 
for 20 years as Baptist Training Union director, J. C. Findley 
turned that job over to W. P. Burke. 
A movie, The Biscuit Eater, was filmed in Albany in 1939, 
and starred Billy Lee, a member of FBC. It was shown at the 
Albany Theater on Jackson Street in downtown Albany. 
The worst tornado in Albany's history struck at 4:26 am, 
February 10, 1940. Mrs. Mirian Lanier recounted that there was 
devastation on the south side including part of Flint Avenue, 
Booker Street, and Highland Avenue. The tornado crossed 
Oglethorpe Boulevard and hit the downtown area. 
Nineteen lives were lost in this disaster and many houses 
were destroyed. Estimates of the damage ranged from three to 
nine million dollars. 
The Red Cross set up emergency headquarters for food 
preparation in the lobby of the City Auditorium. The kitchen was 
manned by local women volunteers. Boy Scouts and other 
teenagers were enlisted in the cleanup. 
An aged black washerwoman predicted the Albany tornado 
more than a month before it happened. 
Two Alabama papers offered the Albany Herald use of their 
printing plants until power could be restored. 
Every window was blown out of the Gordon Hotel. A travel- 
ing salesman spending the night at the hotel awoke in the midst 
of the tornado Hurriedly, he made a search for his clothes and 
found his shirt missing. At that very instant, a cellophane 
wrapped package blew through the window into his room. It was 
a shirt from a men's clothing store across the street from the hotel. 
By a strange freak of the storm, all the windows in the office 
of Lippitt and Crouch on Pine Avenue were shattered except 
those having the name of the firm on them. 
An A & P grocery store on Washington Street had the 
roof blown off and not a single item on any of the shelves 
was disturbed. 
The Jewish Temple on the corner of Oglethorpe Boulevard 
and Jefferson Street sustained minor damage, but, according to 
Mrs. Lanier, First Baptist Church at Jefferson Street and Pine 
91 
Avenue escaped damage, saving the beautiful stained glass win- 
dows for several more generations of Baptists to enjoy. 
The first mention of a mission for the southern outskirts of 
Albany occurred in August of 1940. The Christian Business 
Men's Class of FBC contributed to the purchase of a lot on 
Jeffries Avenue and the church approved the construction of a 
small building in November, 1940. Dr. White baptized the first 
converts May 25, 1941. The mission progressed to the point that 
it was constituted as a regular Baptist Church, February 14,1943. 
Rev. J. A. Love was called as the first pastor. The church was 
named the Raleigh White Baptist Church in memory of the FBC 
pastor who did so much to help the mission grow strong enough 
to become a church on its own. Charlie Mann, who was superin- 
tendent of the mission, was asked to continue his service to the 
new church, the project to which he had given so freely and gen- 
erously of his time and talents. The church moved to a S. Slappey 
Boulevard location in 1949 or 1950 and relocated to their present 
location on Phillips Drive in west Albany in 1972. Raleigh White 
members assisted in the organization of Mercedes (1954), 
Calvary (1955), and Thomas Memorial (1960) Baptist Churches. 
J. E. Longino was called as educational director in October, 
1941. He served until September 15, 1944, resigning to become 
educational director of Central Park Baptist Church, 
Birmingham, Alabama. The deacons and advisory board 
expressed appreciation "for his devotion to the work of the 
church, giving not only his days, but many evenings as well. His 
work with Dr. White was significant as he was able to shoulder 
many of his responsibilities during his illness and death and dur- 
ing the time before the coming of Dr. Stephens as pastor, a critical 
period when church activities might have easily begun to drag." 
Brother J. C. Findley reported to the deacons in December, 
1941, that a used mimeograph machine had been purchased for 
the church at a cost of $75. Mr. E. H. Heidt, Sunday School super- 
intendent, contributed $25 from the Sunday School toward the 
cost of the machine. A typewriter was purchased for $25, and the 
church was in the "printing business." From this beginning, FBC 
92 
more or less kept up with technology, which went to offset 
presses, and then came copying machines which have been devel- 
oped to the place that they are printing machines. The church now 
prints most if not all printing, including The Way, in-house. 
Following the death of E. R. West, who was known around 
town as "Mr. First Baptist," the church adopted resolutions, May 
17,1942, which stated, "We shall miss his friendly face, his most 
excellent and refreshing expressions of wisdom and tact which he 
brought to our deliberations. The church which he loved so 
devotedly and gave of his time, talents, loyalty, and generosity, 
has lost one of its most faithful members. The community has 
lost one of its most highly respected and outstanding citizens." 
Because of worsening condition of the pastor, he was granted 
a leave of absence in October of 1942, to go to Johns Hopkins 
Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, for physical evaluation. It was too 
late. Dr. White was very seriously ill. He died in December, 1942. 
The surgeons at Johns Hopkins were very gracious by not 
charging for his surgery. The church continued to pay the pastor's 
salary to Mrs. White through the month of January, 1943. She, 
joined by her children, wrote a personal note of gratitude to 
the deacons, advisory board, and the church thanking them 
"for every kindness and gracious considerations you did for 
'my preacher'." 
The funeral for Dr. White was held at FBC with Dr. J. Harrison 
Griffin, Baptist Brotherhood secretary for the Florida Baptist 
Convention, and a close personal friend, officiating. Assisting him 
were Rev. J. Seaborn Winn, pastor, Cherokee Heights Baptist 
Church, Macon, and former pastor of Byne Memorial Baptist 
Church; Dr. L. G. Henderson, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of 
Albany and representing the local ministerial association; Dr. 
Frederick S. Porter, pastor, First Baptist Church, Columbus, and 
president of the Georgia Baptist Convention; Judge E. L. Smith, 
chairman of deacons, FBC, Albany; Rev. James Parrish, pastor, 
First Baptist Church, Plant City, Florida, and a young minister 
ordained under Dr. White's ministry; and Dr. T. F. Callaway, pas- 
tor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville. Dr. Willis Howard, pastor, 
93 
First Baptist Church, LaGrange, and a close personal friend of Dr. 
White, conducted the committal service in LaGrange. 
Resolutions were adopted by the church stating, "Our deep 
and genuine sorrow for our beloved pastor is somewhat over- 
come by our gratitude for the blessing of having had him for 
these nearly thirteen years. These were eventful years because of 
his sympathizing ministering, wise counseling, and unselfish 
sharing of Christ and the Word. Dr. White was modest and unas- 
suming, always willing for others to get the credit for 
accomplishments for which he had prayed, planned, and labored. 
As our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we pray for his dear wife 
that she will find sustaining strength in the 'Arms of the Father.1" 
Dr. White was one of three pastors to die while pastor of FBC 
of Albany. The others were Dr. Lamar Sims (1920) and Rev. 
William B. Dix (1886). 
Dr. Leonard A. Stephens, 1943-58 
The pulpit committee which was elected in January, 1943, 
recommended Dr. Leonard A. Stephens as pastor. The church 
called him and he began his ministry April 2, 1943. 
A group of Baptists in East Albany who were meeting in 
homes on Friday nights and on Sunday afternoons contacted FBC 
in 1944 about helping them get a mission started in their commu- 
nity. FBC was supportive and helped them organize a Sunday 
School and provided the literature. First Baptist enlisted J. M. 
Giddens as superintendent, along with E. H. Heidt and R. H. Wills 
as workers. Soon, homes could not take care of the attendance 
which had grown from 17 to 25, so the Sunday School began 
meeting at the Trinity Methodist Church on Sunday afternoons. 
A lot was purchased for the mission in East Albany for $700. 
It was located in the 400 block of Johnson (now Bonneyview) 
Avenue with frontage of 94 feet. In 1944, the committee from 
FBC working with the East Albany mission presented plans for 
the construction of an auditorium and several classrooms at a cost 
of $6,000 plus $1,000 for furnishings. The church approved the 
plans and construction got under way in June. 
94 
Following a tent revival in East Albany in June of 1946, an 
architect, Richard V. Richards, was employed in May, 1947, to 
draw plans for a church building for the mission. Hodges 
Building Supply Company was selected to build the building at a 
cost of $17,000, which included the furnishings. By July, 1948, 
$15,000 of the amount needed was on hand. It was agreed that the 
remaining funds would come from church funds. Dr. Stephens 
reminded the church that it was anticipated that between $5,000 
and $10,000 would be needed for the East Albany project. They 
were "well within budget." A rising vote of thanks was given to 
Mark Story, Carey Ragsdale, and others who had helped to com- 
plete the mission endeavor. 
The concrete block building was partially completed and in 
November of 1948, the mission began using it. The building con- 
tained an auditorium, a baptistry, two dressing rooms, and six 
classrooms. The mission was constituted as East Albany Baptist 
Church in 1949. Rev. U. A. Moss was the first pastor; Mr. J. W. 
Giddens, the first Sunday School superintendent; Mrs. E. P. 
Dupree, Sr., first Woman's Missionary Union president; and Mr. 
Tommy Clower, the first church pianist. Bob Hughes, one of 
FBC's laymen, who became an ordained minister, pastored East 
Albany for more than 30 years beginning in 1969. 
While the men of the church were building an educational 
building, fire destroyed the sanctuary of East Albany Baptist 
Church on January 5, 1956, and the educational building sus- 
tained smoke damage. The congregation met in various rented 
places until the present sanctuary was built. 
Both Tabernacle and Raleigh White churches were unable to 
continue as self-supporting churches, and in 1948, requested that 
FBC take them back as missions. Raleigh White made an official 
request on March 18, and Tabernacle did the same on March 21. 
In June of 1948, Rev. U. A. Moss, who was the pastor of the 
East Albany mission, was called by FBC to pastor all three of its 
missions, Tabernacle, East Albany, and Raleigh White. The Georgia 
Baptist Convention contributed $100 a month and the church paid 
Brother Moss $225 so that his salary was $325. Brother Moss 
95 
assumed his work with the three missions in July of 1948. He con- 
tinued through September of 1949, at which time his position was 
eliminated by FBC "in order that plans may make progress for the 
further expansion of the work of our own local church and that the 
way be cleared for the organization of the missions into churches." 
As the churches were organized, each entered into a lease agreement 
with FBC to use the property that the church had purchased for 
them. Later FBC deeded the property to the respective churches. 
In September of 1949, a group from Tabernacle and East 
Albany went before the deacons to ask that they reconsider the 
termination of the mission pastor. After discussing the matter, it 
was decided to let the action stand. The work of the missions con- 
tinued under the direction of the missions committee of FBC 
until each one was able to organize and function as a church. 
Coming as a recommendation of the recreation committee, a 
Sunday School classroom was furnished in July, 1943, with 
appropriate library books and living room furniture as a place of 
recreation for service men. This is one of only a few references 
to World War II. Another reference to WW II was in June of 1945 
when Charles McGhee returned to Albany after being held as a 
prisoner of war from the time he was shot down August 29,1944 
until he was liberated in May of 1945. Thankfully, he suffered no 
serious injuries from his experiences. 
A special "Veterans' Supper" was sponsored by the deacons 
for returning servicemen who were members of FBC. The supper 
was held February 29,1946 with 91 in attendance. 
Dr. Stephens presented a seven-point program for 1944. In 
the January 4th meeting of the deacons and advisory board, Dr. 
Stephens pointed out that Southern Baptists were attempting to 
put together 100,000 kits for the Russian people who were suf- 
fering at the hands of the Germans in World War II. The kits 
contained sewing needles, thimbles, dressings, cubes of bouillon, 
and dried milk. The first of his goals for 1944 was for FBC to col- 
lect materials for 300 kits for the Russians and $600 for shipping 
costs. Another goal related to the war effort was the suggestion to 
purchase United States War Bonds. 
96 
Other goals for 1944 were to average 1,000 in Sunday School 
and 500 in Baptist Training Union, increase in worship service 
attendance by going to two morning services, to win souls, and to 
involve every member in the worship and work of the church. 
At the end of December, 1944, the finance committee 
reported that all bills were paid and that with the money left, 
another United States War Bond would be purchased. This was 
repeated a number of times and the church owned bonds worth 
$3,700 by the end of the war. 
Fire destroyed the Mamie Brosnan School in December of 
1944. FBC granted permission for classes to be held in their facil- 
ities on a temporary basis. After a short time, all classes were 
moved to First Methodist Church because of their better recre- 
ational facilities and the hope of less traffic since it was a couple 
of blocks further from downtown. 
Mr. H. T. McIntosh, president of the Board of Education for 
Dougherty County wrote a letter to FBC dated January 2, 1945, 
expressing appreciation for the use of the Sunday School Annex 
for several classes following the Mamie Brosnan School fire. 
Norman Junior College, Norman, Park, Georgia suffered 
property damage of $34,000 in a fire in January, 1945. Much 
needed help came to the college as FBC contributed $500, a 
farmer gave a farm, and insurance paid $14,000. The Georgia 
Baptist school had an enrollment of about 100 boarding students 
and another 200 commuters. 
Wednesday night suppers, which have meant so much to the 
church over the years, started in November of 1946. The cost of 
each meal was 35 cents. Beginning in January, 1947, someone 
was employed to prepare the meals. The organizations that coop- 
erated in combining as many activities as possible on "church 
night" were Woman's Missionary Society, Sunday School, 
Training Union, and deacons. Fifty years later the number com- 
ing for Wednesday night suppers sometimes reached 600. 
In memory of John William Parker, who died in 1947, the 
church adopted resolutions which said, "Our community has lost 
one of its best citizens. He was civic minded and a builder, a pos- 
97 
itive rather than a negative force. He was a member of FBC for 
more than 25 years and held many elective offices, including 
Sunday School superintendent twice and chairman of deacons." 
Two additional lots on Oglethorpe Boulevard, were pur- 
chased for $1,000 in January, 1948. This gave the church a total 
of 210 feet frontage on Oglethorpe. 
The church voted to purchase a 16 mm film projector in 
February, 1948, on the recommendation of the finance committee. 
A letter was written to the deacons in June, 1948, by R. B. 
Wills which stated that he could no longer attend the deacons' 
meetings on account of tobacco smoke which made him sick if he 
sat through the meetings. He resigned with "great spiritual humil- 
iation" but after long and prayerful consideration, he could find no 
other solution. (Author's note: It seems that secondhand smoke has 
been a problem longer than many realize. There is no other men- 
tion of Brother Wills' letter and we do not know if conditions 
changed so that he could continue to attend the deacons' meetings.) 
Associational field worker Rev. W. H. Wilder needed repairs 
for his automobile that would cost $400. FBC contributed $200; 
Byne Memorial, $100; and First Baptist Church of Sylvester, 
$100, and the automobile was repaired in July, 1948. 
Hoyt Edge, co-chairman of the planning committee, dis- 
cussed with the deacons at their meeting October 4, 1949, a 
proposal to build a new annex at a cost of approximately $77,000. 
The deacons approved the plans and recommended it for church 
action. The church voted on October 16, 1949, to proceed with 
the first unit of the educational building as recommended by the 
planning committee. It was understood that the furnishings for 
the building would be in addition to the $77,000. 
The decade of the forties ended with Dr. Leonard A. Stephens 
in his seventh year as pastor, Mrs. O. D. Culpepper as music 
director, and Miss Edna Fields as secretary and treasurer. 
Entering into a building program brought excitement and antici- 
pation that FBC was primed for growth in the fifties. 
98 
Chapter 9 
THE NINETEEN FIFTIES 
The 1950s were the years in which Southern Baptists enjoyed 
tremendous growth in church membership, baptisms, and Sunday 
School and Training Union attendance. This called for expansion 
of facilities, and many churches provided additional educational 
space for a growing organization in the Sunday School that 
emphasized small classes and trained leadership. FBC experi- 
enced noteworthy growth in just about all areas of church life. 
Buying property and adding more space were priorities. 
Bro. Marvin F. Turnipseed died in May of 1950 after long 
and fruitful service in FBC. He served as church clerk for many 
years and as a deacon. He was remembered for his consistent 
Christian life. 
Guidelines for the selection of life deacons were approved at 
the September, 1951, church conference. The selection is made 
by the nominating committee from deacons who have become 70 
years of age. Following approval by the deacons, the church 
elects them during a regular conference, and the status is effec- 
tive at the beginning of the following year. Life deacons may 
serve in any capacity as other deacons. 
On September 5, 1951, during Rev. W. A. McLemore's pas- 
torate of Raleigh White Baptist Church, FBC voted to sell the 
property on Jeffries Avenue to Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and 
purchase a site on S. Slappey Boulevard on which to build a new 
facility for Raleigh White. In 1954, the property was deeded to 
Raleigh White. Raleigh White sold the property on S. Slappey to 
99 
Apostle Isaiah Revels in 1970 and purchased a site on Phillips 
Drive in west Albany. Dedication services were held September 
24,1972, as the church moved into their new buildings. 
The FBC "New Annex" opened September 16, 1951, with a 
dedication ceremony following the morning service. Including 
moving expenses and repairs, more than $4,000 was spent getting 
the house ready for use by the Sunday School. 
FBC adopted the program of church music as outlined by the 
Baptist Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention 
December 12,1951. The program included graded choirs for each 
age division and various ensembles with supporting resources. 
During 1952 plans were carried out to remodel and enlarge 
the auditorium. The overall program began with the presentation 
of preliminary plans on January 16 by H. H. Perry, Jr., and archi- 
tect Rayburn Webb. In June, the church adopted the plans for 
enlargement suggested by the Church Architecture Department 
of the Baptist Sunday School Board and drawn by Rayburn 
Webb. In July the contract was awarded to S. J. Curry & Co. Four 
lots on the south side of Oglethorpe Boulevard were sold to apply 
to the cost of the project. While the auditorium was undergoing 
remodeling, the church arranged to hold Sunday morning ser- 
vices at the Albany Theater, and evening services in the basement 
of the new annex. 
Looking back over his ten years as pastor, on April, 1953, Dr. 
Stephens recounted progress that the church had made: received 
1,765 members (202 last year), baptized 527, and saw contribu- 
tions increase from $20,620 to $104,166. Dr. Stephens served for 
nearly six more years. 
A problem was discovered with the wood trusses in the audi- 
torium. In conference April 23,1953, the church voted to replace 
them with steel. Once again, the 11 am services were held in the 
Albany Theater and the night services in the annex. 
On November 29,1953, four additional stained glass memo- 
rial windows were approved for installation as follows: 
1. The L. R. Ferrell Family. 
2. In honor and appreciation of Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Ivey. 
100 
3. To Mrs. J. G. Inman for Mr. J. G. Inman 
4. To Mrs. Cleve Cox and her late husband, Cleve Cox for 
Cleve Cox, Jr., who gave his life in World War II. Approval was 
also given to prepare a plaque, at the expense of the church, to be 
placed under this window listing all members of FBC who died 
in World War II and the Korean War. 
The church approved in conference December 3, 1953, that 
an educational director be employed. A man was called early in 
1954 but did not accept. But about a year later, Glen Mauzy 
accepted the call as director of music and education and began 
his ministry July 6. The church gave the Mauzy family a "pound- 
ing"1 upon their arrival. Members took their pantry gifts to their 
home at 631 Second Avenue. In August, 1955, Glen Mauzy was 
given $100 for expenses to move into a smaller house which 
they had purchased. 
The dedication of the newly remodeled sanctuary took place 
on January 24, 1954. A review of work done to enlarge the 
Sunday School and sanctuary facilities was cause for great rejoic- 
ing at the progress the church had made: 
1. Purchased additional land and the moving and remodeling 
of a large two-story frame building as an annex providing five 
large classrooms with more than 3,000 square feet. 
2. Constructed a modern three-story brick annex providing 
23 additional classrooms, three offices, an additional kitchen and 
other conveniences totaling more than 12,000 square feet. 
3. Reconstructed the southern half of the main church 
building so as to enlarge and improve choir space, the organ 
loft, and the baptistry. The seating capacity of the auditorium 
was increased by 300 and much needed improvements in light- 
ing and acoustics were made. The heating and air conditioning 
were improved, making the auditorium more comfortable for 
all seasons. 
The cost of these projects totaled $277,896.38; all paid for 
with no debt. Special thanks was extended to Mr. S. J. Curry, W. 
L. Binion, and David Garrison of the Ideal Heating and Plumbing 
Co., and to architect Rayburn S. Webb. 
101 
In February, 1954, a grand piano was purchased from Elliott 
Music Co. for $2,031.98. Gifts of $91.74 raised by a Sacred 
Concert and $100 by the Homebuilders Class were given toward 
the purchase of the piano. 
The pastorium located at 504 N. Jefferson Street was sold in 
June of 1954. An agreement was made with the new owner to 
rent the house to the church for $100 a month until another pas- 
torium was provided. The home of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. 
Scarborough, 1207 Rawson Circle, was proposed for purchase as 
the new pastorium. A committee was appointed June 29,1954, to 
get the price and option to purchase the Scarborough house and 
at the same time look at other properties they thought advisable 
for a pastorium. Later two lots on Rawson Circle and Seventh 
Avenue were purchased in January, 1955, at a cost of $6,000. On 
June 3, 1955, the church considered an estimate of $37,328 for 
the construction of a pastorium. Instead of building a new home, 
the Scarborough home was purchased for $33,000 and a carport 
and central heating and air conditioning were added. Since the 
two lots that had been purchased in January were not needed, 
they were sold for $6,500. 
Miss Byrdie Hicks resigned as assistant to the pastor in 
September, 1955, after serving very effectively for several years. 
Appreciation was expressed for "her gracious and sincere service 
to the church. Children were drawn to her because of her win- 
some personality. Young people found her helpful and kind in 
dealing with their problems. The sick were cheered by her min- 
istry and to the bereaved she brought comfort." A tangible 
expression of gratitude included a check for $250 and a copy of 
resolutions adopted by the church. 
The beginning of what would become the Sherwood Baptist 
Church came in May of 1954 at the urging of George Plummer's 
Agoga Sunday School class. The church voted to accept the offer 
of Col. W. W. Wilder to use the Armory on Gillionville Road for 
a mission Sunday School. A piano was provided, and the Baptist 
Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist convention 
provided the first quarter's literature. It operated as an arm of 
102 
the FBC. Dr. Stephens reported in November of 1955 that the 
mission, because of its rapid growth, needed to move to larger 
quarters. The Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sixth Avenue 
was rented for $75 per month. Approval was given November 9, 
1955, to purchase a site on Third Avenue for the mission at a cost 
of $13,000. That site was sold and property on Whispering Pines 
Road was given to Sherwood by Mr. J. T. Haley on which to build 
their new church facilities. 
The decision had been made late in 1955 to call a pastor for 
the mission. It was announced that-a man from Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary would come on December 11 for a visit 
as a prospective pastor. The visit was very positive and both 
FBC and the mission approved the call of Albert L. Cardwell, 
and he began his pastorate on the first Sunday in February, 
1956. First Baptist pledged to support the work of the mission 
with contributions of up to $475 a month if needed, but the sup- 
port was not needed. 
A letter requesting that the mission be constituted as 
Sherwood Baptist Church was received by FBC March 7, 1956. 
The letter pointed out that FBC had established missions that had 
grown into churches in north, east, and south areas of Albany, and 
was now ready to do so on the western side. A committee com- 
posed of Pastor Dr. Leonard A. Stephens; Deacon Chairman W. 
P. Burke, and Sunday School Superintendent E. H. Heidt, Sr., 
served as a supervisory and liaison agency for that purpose. 
Because of such significant growth, a full program including 
Sunday School, Training Union, Woman's Missionary Union, 
weekly prayer meeting, and an organized choir was launched 
October 1, 1955. Soon after Cardwell's arrival, membership of 
the mission reached 300. Deacons and other leaders needed to 
operate a church were elected. 
On February 8, 1956, FBC granted letters to 98 members 
who had joined the new mission. A week later 29 additional let- 
ters were granted. The mission was constituted as Sherwood 
Baptist Church on March 18, 1956. Funds, in the amount of 
$10,321, belonging to the mission were transferred to Sherwood's 
103 
bank account. FBC made a $10,000 contribution to the building 
fund of the new church at the time it was constituted. 
Following the resignation of Mrs. O. D. Culpepper as music 
director, the church called a new music director. On April 20, 
1955, the church recognized Mrs. Culpepper, who had directed the 
choir for more than 30 years. May 15, 1955, was "Appreciation 
Day for Mrs. O. D. Culpepper." A committee was appointed to 
select and have engraved a proper gift to present to her. Later, in 
February, 1972, the church dedicated the "Culpepper Handbells," 
given as a memorial to Mrs. Culpepper, who served FBC and the 
entire community for fifty years. She served as music director of 
the church from May 9, 1924, to May 22, 1955. The headstone at 
her body's final resting place is elegant in its simplicity: "Ann H. 
Culpepper, January 28,1891-July 29, 1969." 
George D. Busbee joined FBC on May 15, 1955. Later, he 
went with the group who organized Sherwood Baptist Church 
and served as moderator of the church for a while. George 
Busbee served as governor of Georgia for eight years, 1975-83. 
From time to time, FBC hosted many meetings of groups 
other than churches. One example is that during the State 
Kiwanis Club meeting in Albany the church was asked to host the 
memorial service on Sunday night, September 25, 1955. The 
church was happy to do so. 
The church voted September 14,1955, to elect a church cab- 
inet which would be made up of the pastor, heads of the various 
organizations in the church, and the chairman of committees. 
The cabinet met regularly to coordinate the church calendar, to 
look at "how we are doing," and pray together for the progress 
of the church. 
A Brotherhood was organized at FBC in February, 1956. 
Officers elected were W. P. Burke, president; Ralph Ellis, Gaines 
Medley, and Leon Almond, vice-presidents; and Ben Holland, 
secretary. 
A youth-led revival was held, August 20-24, 1956, with a 
Mercer University student, Wayne Martin, son of FBC members, 
preaching; and a college student from FBC leading the music. A 
104 
couple of years later, the Lakeside Baptist Church in Ocean Drive 
Beach, South Carolina, requested the ordination of Donald 
Wayne Martin, whom they had called as pastor. The ordination 
service was held August 30, 1958. Participating in the service 
were Dr. Leonard L. Stephens, pastor, FBC; Dr. C. R. Pittard, 
pastor, Byne Memorial; Roger Bass, pastor, Tabernacle; and 
Ansley Jordan, missionary, Mallary Association 
At a called church conference on October 14, 1956, Miss 
Frances Lord was called as educational director. She was a grad- 
uate of Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, 
Georgia and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a 
Master's Degree in Religious Education. Frances was 31 years 
old and a member of College Park Baptist Church. When she 
came to serve as director of religious education, Glen Mauzy 
became full-time minister of music. 
A gift of a pulpit stand for the sanctuary was given to the 
church in 1957 by Mrs. T. W. Hawkes and Mr. T. W. Hawkes, Jr. 
in memory of Mrs. Mary C. Pender. 
The church always rejoiced when one of its young men 
decided to enter the ministry. In 1957, the church approved the 
application of James L. Martin to enter Southern Baptist 
Theological Seminary as a music student. Paul Stephen Dean's 
application to Southern Seminary was approved in 1974. Henry 
Preston Knight, Jr.'s application to Southern was approved by the 
church in 1977. Applications to enroll in seminaries of four other 
young men were approved by the church in 1978 and included 
Rob Roy Riley, Jr., Don McGhee, and Jim C. Hamlin to 
Southwestern and Rick A. Woodworth to New Orleans. 
Application of David Keith Ridley to enter Southwestern was 
approved in 1981. Robert Merchant, Jr., was recommended to 
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Memphis, 
Tennessee; and Ed Trammell to Golden Gate Baptist Theological 
Seminary, Mill Valley, California, in 1982. 
Sorrow came to the church as one of her most faithful and 
respected men went to be with the Lord. On February 5,1958, the 
church noted the passing of J. C. Findley. The deacons and advi- 
105 
sory board brought appropriate resolutions to the church and they 
were gladly received. He was a very active layman, holding sev- 
eral jobs over the years, one of which was Training Union director 
for 20 years from 1925-45, and he served on the executive com- 
mittee of the Mallary Association as FBC's representative for 
several years. Charlie Mann was elected to fill his place on the 
executive committee. 
In February of 1958, as a memorial to Mr. Findley, the "J. C. 
Findley Memorial Fund" was set up as a scholarship fund. A 
committee was set up to administer the fund which began with 
$1,000. On April 15,1959, it was noted that the Scholarship Fund 
had been reduced to $238.13. A motion was adopted to set aside 
April 19 as Ministerial Scholarship Fund Day, to use special 
envelopes to secure an offering to build up the fund, and to make 
this offering an annual event. 
The gift of an organ console with chimes was given to the 
church in March of 1958 in memory of I. C. Fields and Foy 
Fields by Mrs. Foy Fields, Miss Nannie Fields, Miss Edna Fields, 
and Mrs. Betty Fields. The gift was valued at more than $4,000. 
A beautiful set of offering plates was given to the church by Mrs. 
J. G. Marbury, Max Shepherd, and others in September of 1958. 
In November of 1958, an effort to dismiss Dr. Stephens as pas- 
tor brought great sorrow and tragedy to FBC. A ballot was presented 
that his employment be terminated immediately and to continue his 
salary and allowances in full until March 1,1959. In the church min- 
utes of November 11, Dr. Stephens stated that the first he had heard 
about this matter was from a friend who told him that the church 
desired that he resign as pastor and unless he did so, action would be 
taken. Dr. Stephens called a meeting of the church cabinet and 
expressed to them his feeling that the Lord was not finished with 
him at FBC and since God had placed him here, his services were 
more valuable here than somewhere else. He said that there was a 
"gentlemen's agreement" that the church would give him ample time 
to make a change, but no dates were set. 
The deacons and advisory board met later without Dr. 
Stephens. After the meeting, three men went to his study and said 
106 
they would accept the gentleman's agreement. Dr. Stephens 
promised to write a letter the next morning to a friend in 
Dallas, Texas, letting him know of his availability to be called to 
another church. When asked if he would continue as pastor if a 
majority of the church members wanted him to stay; he said that 
he would. 
An ad was taken in the Albany Herald on the topic "Stephens' 
Defense." It is not known who paid for the ad. A called church 
conference held on Wednesday night, November 11, 1958, was 
attended by more than 1,000 people. After considerable discus- 
sion, the vote was taken by ballot and the results were 651 to 439 
for Dr. Stephens' termination as pastor. 
The church bulletin dated November 30, 1958, included this 
statement: "We express our very sincere appreciation to our pas- 
tor, Dr. Leonard A. Stephens, for the service he rendered to our 
church through the years. We pray for God's guidance and bless- 
ings on him and his family as they go from us today." Dr. 
Stephens preached for the last time November 8,1958. He served 
almost 16 years and is the longest tenured pastor FBC has had. 
Dr. Stephens remained in Albany and organized the Central 
Baptist Church, serving as their pastor for ten years. Following 
his retirement, he worked as a real estate associate. He died in 
February, 1976, at age 73. 
Benjamin J. Shinn and J. W. Johnson filled the pulpit in 
November. They were chaplains at Turner Air Force Base in 
Albany. Dr. I. F. Callaway served as interim pastor from 
December of 1958 through February of 1959. He was the retired 
pastor of First Baptist Church of Thomasville, having served there 
more than 24 years. Rev. J. R McLean followed Dr. Callaway as 
interim and served until the arrival of the new pastor. 
The church began supporting The Anchorage, a residential 
rehabilitation program for alcohol and drug abusers, with a con- 
tribution of $100 a month beginning in November, 1958. The 
recommendation came from the finance committee, deacons, and 
advisory board. Individuals were encouraged to give, and the 
church added whatever it took to make up the $100. 
107 
Dr. Searcy S. Garrison, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the 
Georgia Baptist Convention, wrote a letter of appreciation to 
FBC for being 38th among the more than 3,000 Georgia Baptist 
churches in giving to the Cooperative Program in 1958. Letters 
similar to this were received by FBC regularly from the state con- 
vention. First Baptist was the leading contributor to the Mallary 
Association for many years, also. 
Dr. C. Brooks Ramsey, 1959-1963 
The pulpit committee reported on April 15, 1959, that they 
had a conference with Rev. Brooks Ramsey, a prospective pastor 
in Ft. Worth, Texas, on April 9. He was invited to visit FBC June 
21 in view of a call as pastor. The church extended him a call and 
he notified the church by telegram, dated July 2, 1959, that he 
would accept the call. 
Brooks Ramsey was bom in Memphis, Tennessee. He received 
degrees from Union University, Jackson, Tennessee, and 
Southwestern Seminary. He did graduate work toward an M. A. 
degree at Baylor University, and post-graduate work toward a Th. D. 
degree at Southwestern. In addition to pastoring Ridgelea Baptist 
Church in Ft. Worth prior to coming to Albany, he held a teaching 
fellowship in the Department of Preaching at Southwestern. Other 
churches Rev. Ramsey pastored included First Baptist Church, 
Galena Park, Texas; First Baptist Church, Maryville, Tennessee; and 
Curtis Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia. 
The Ramsey family arrived in Albany early in August and 
Rev. Ramsey began as pastor on August 9, 1959. They lived in 
the pastorium at 1207 Rawson Circle. Needed upkeep and repairs 
were made to the pastorium before their arrival. 
Rev. Ramsey Pollard, president of the SBC and pastor, 
Broadway Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, sent a letter of 
congratulations dated, July 10, 1959, to the church upon their 
calling of Brooks Ramsey as pastor. Dr. Pollard says of Ramsey, 
"He preaches the gospel with conviction and earnestness. He 
loves people, and he and his family will be distinct assets to your 
church, your city, and Georgia Baptists." 
108 
In July of 1959, acting on the pastor's recommendation, 
Warren J. Valine was called as minister of music and youth, com- 
ing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Valine was a music 
teacher in the Minneapolis schools and a director of music at 
Central Free Church of Minneapolis. Mr. Valine was ordained to 
the gospel ministry on February 7, 1960, by FBC. 
On the first anniversary of Rev. Brooks Ramsey's pastorate, 
the church noted that 413 church members had been added and 
the Sunday School had increased by 11%. This growth called for 
additional space and prompted the church to purchase the Allen 
Building for $180,000 and the Westbrook property at 405 Broad 
Avenue for $23,000. Several tenants in the Allen Building con- 
tinued to pay rent, now to FBC, after the purchase was completed 
in August, 1959. About 5,500 square feet of space became avail- 
able for Sunday School use October 1. The Sunday School was 
fully graded on the age basis on Septenber 1. 
Former interim pastor, Rev. P. J. McLean, was employed as 
director of a fund raising campaign to run from December 11, 
1959, until February 10,1960. The goal was to raise $300,000. 
The fifties ended with the church having experienced out- 
standing growth during the decade. Additonal property was 
purchased that provided space for additional Sunday School 
departments and classes. A financial plan was put into place that 
would meet the immediate needs and look to the future with great 
anticipation that even greater blessings are still ahead. 
109 
Chapter 10 
THE NINETEEN SIXTIES 
The Westbrook house was removed early in 1960 to make 
space available for more parking and for recreation. Looking to 
future expansion, the church purchased the medical building in 
March, 1962; the Lippitt property November 12, 1963; property 
at 404-406 Pine Avenue in 1964; property at 414 Pine Avenue in 
February, 1974, at a cost of $40,000; the property located at the 
northeast corner of Monroe Street and Broad Avenue, June 21, 
1978, at a cost of $100,000 borrowed from First State Bank & 
Trust Company; and the property at 408 Pine Avenue, containing 
an apartment building. On September 19, 1973, the church con- 
tracted with M. K. Hunnicutt to tear down and remove the Gulf 
property and medical building on the corner of Jefferson Street 
and Broad Avenue. He did the work for value of the materials at 
no cost to the church. 
May 1, 1960, is a date to remember. That was the beginning 
of the First Baptist's remote telecasting of their morning worship 
services on WALB-TV. The station purchased additional equip- 
ment at a cost of $16,700 and agreed to a weekly charge of $225 
for two years. The church signed a contract in April, 1960, with 
rights of renewal. "Big Bertha," the original camera used to tele- 
cast the morning services of FBC is now on display at the 
Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D. C. 
During 1961-62, FBC responded to several needs locally and 
state-wide. Dr. Searcy S. Garrison, executive secretary-treasurer, 
Georgia Baptist Convention, asked FBC, along with other 
110 
churches in Georgia, to contribute to Taliaferro Baptist Church in 
Savannah to save her from receivers. A $1,000 check was sent. 
Locally a gift of $300 was given to the City of Albany's recre- 
ation program for milk as a part of providing lunches for 
underpriviliged children for eight weeks during the summer of 
1961. A donation of $150 was made to Northside Baptist Church 
of Sylvester to help them while in dire financial need. A $1,000 
contribution and a loan of another $1,000 was made to East 
Albany Baptist Church to help them with a note coming due. Bob 
Hughes, a layman at the time and. member of FBC, was supply- 
ing the pulpit at East Albany Baptist Church. 
A letter of thanks came from the Taliaferro Baptist Church in 
Savannah dated February 15, 1965, with the request that it be 
read to the church in conference. In the letter, the pastor, E. G. 
Kilpatrick, thanked FBC of Albany for their support at a time 
when it was desperately needed. "Without your help and the help 
from other churches and individuals, we do not see how we could 
have taken care of our heavy indebtedness. Our church is grow- 
ing spiritually and numerically and we give God thanks and 
praise for it all," the pastor wrote. 
The church voted in 1962 to license Steve Wilkerson and 
Bert Benz to the ministry. In the fall, Steve enrolled in Stetson 
University, DeLand, Florida. Another action involving young 
men going into church-related vocational service included send- 
ing a letter of recommendation to Southern Seminary for Edward 
W. Corson. 
May of 1963 brought resignations of the pastor and educa- 
tional director. Frances Lord resigned effective May 16, to go to 
First Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia. Brooks Ramsey resigned 
effective May 31, to become pastor of Second Baptist Church, 
Memphis, Tennessee. 
Having been invited by the Foreign Mission Board to partic- 
ipate in the European Revivalistic Crusade, September 10-30, 
1963, Warren Valine received a gift of $1,000 from FBC toward 
his expenses. He and his wife were gone for a month. He served 
with Rev. L. D. Johnson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Greenville, 
111 
South Carolina. They spent one week in Evreux, France, and a 
second week in Laon, France. Dennis Rice led the music at FBC 
while Valine was away. 
Newly appointed by the Foreign Mission Board as mission- 
aries to Brazil, Sidney and Ruth Carswell visited FBC on August 
11, 1963. Ruth sang a solo, and Sidney preached at the evening 
service. They sailed from New Orleans for Brazil on August 29. 
Sidney was a "product" of FBC of Albany. 
Dr. R. Kelly White, Interim Pastor, 1963-64 
Between pastors, Dr. R. Kelly White served as interim pastor 
from August 6, 1963 until January 31, 1964. 
Boy Scout Troop # 1, the first in Albany, was organized by 
FBC. The church operated a scouting program for many years, until 
its sponsorship was cancelled in October of 1964. The Boy Scout 
committee was not functioning and the church lost its Club Charter. 
One reason for canceling the scouting program may have been 
because the Royal Ambassador program, first under the WMU and 
then as a part of the Brotherhood program, was functioning so suc- 
cessfully. Royal Ambassador is a Southern Baptist program for 
boys very similar to scouting, but with a missions emphasis. The 
two programs for boys co-existed in FBC for several years. 
Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr., 1964-75 
The FBC pulpit committee invited Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr., to 
visit and to preach at all three services on December 8, 1963. He 
was called as pastor effective February 1, 1964. 
Perry F. Webb, Jr., was born in Malvern, Arkansas. The son 
of a Baptist minister, he was educated at Texas Military Institute, 
San Antonio; Baylor University, and Southern Seminary. He pas- 
tored Enon Baptist Church, Westfield, Illinois, during seminary 
days. Other pastorates included First Baptist Church of Poteet, 
Texas for three years and First Baptist Church of Natchitoches, 
Louisiana for twelve years. 
Rev. Webb came with considerable denominational and civic 
experience. Just to mention a few, he was a trustee of the 
112 
Southern Seminary, Louisiana Baptist College, Tift College, and 
the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. He was a member of 
the executive committee of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and 
later of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Other denominational 
service included working with the Baptist Student Union, 
Georgia Baptist Hospital, Action Committee on Alcoholism, Inc., 
and WMU. 
Perry F. Webb, Jr. married the former Virginia Powell of San 
Antonio, and had two children, Deborah Louise and Perry III. 
The Webb family was formally welcomed with a reception 
February 9,1964. In accepting the call, Rev. Webb said, "I pledge 
to you the love of my heart and the service of my life with such 
strength as God shall give me. The spiritual welfare of this 
church, its influence in the community, and its contributions to 
the Kingdom of God will be my first and paramount concern. On 
your part, I ask for your returning and responding affection, 
patient understanding, and cooperation." 
Warren J. Valine resigned on June 9,1964. The church adopted 
resolutions in appreciation of his effective service. Valine went to 
Louisville, Kentucky to serve the Ninth and O Baptist Church. 
Paul Wilson Dean was called as Minister of Music and began 
serving August 30,1964. He was born at Duhring, West Virginia. 
He married Betty Rhodes of Gulfport, Mississippi, and they had 
two children. Paul Stephen and Debra Carolyn. 
Paul's education included graduation from Beaver High 
School, Bluefield, West Virginia; Mississippi College, Clinton; and 
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He did additional 
study privately with Dr. Herman Gunter, Tallahassee, and Studio of 
Voice, Albany. 
Churches in Mississippi that Paul Dean served as minister of 
music included Handsboro Baptist Church, Handsboro; 
Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Jackson; Byron Baptist Church, 
Byron; and Hillcrest Baptist Church, Jackson. In Louisiana he 
served First Baptist Church, Kenner and First Baptist Church, 
Natchitoches. He had served with Perry F. Webb, Jr. at 
Natchitoches prior to coming to Albany. 
113 
James Frame was called as educational director May 13, 
1964. He came from First Baptist Church of Cedartown, Georgia. 
Prior to coming to Albany, James was interim educational direc- 
tor with Perry F. Webb, Jr. in Natchitoches, and served as 
educational director of the First Baptist Church, Coushatta, 
Louisiana. He graduated from Northwestern State College and 
New Orleans Seminary. He began his ministry June 14, 1964. 
Bob Hughes, a deacon who did supply preaching at East 
Albany Baptist Church and other churches from time to time, was 
called as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Worth County. He 
was ordained to the ministry October 20, 1964, at the request of 
Bethel Baptist Church. Bob and his wife, Louise, joined FBC of 
Albany in 1940 by letter from the Slocomb Baptist Church, 
Slocomb, Alabama. 
Marbury Engineering Company was employed in March, 
1965, to make a topographical map of property owned by FBC to 
send to the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tennessee 
for their use in preparing a Master Building Plan for the church. 
Paul Anderson, called the world's strongest man, was the fea- 
tured speaker at the Brotherhood sponsored Father-Son Banquet, 
June 24,1965. 
In July, 1965, the Lippitt house on Pine Avenue was renovated 
for use as Sunday School rooms and the Slappey houses adjoining 
the Lippitt property were removed and the land leveled and used 
for parking. 
During the month of August, 1965, FBC and Byne Memorial 
Baptist Church entered into a "friendly" Training Union atten- 
dance contest. The response was terrific, with FBC winning with 
an average attendance of 563 compared to 500 for Byne 
Memorial. They held another contest in August of 1966, and FBC 
won again with an average attendance of 448 to Byne's 426. FBC 
set a record Training Union attendance of 564 on the fifth Sunday 
in August, 1966. 
Mrs. Alfred Dees was honored by the church in 1965 for 63 
years of faithful service, 36 of those years as superintendent of the 
Junior Sunday School department. She responded, "1 would like 
114 
to express my appreciation to all of you for the honor recently 
bestowed upon me. It has been a wonderful blessing throughout 
the years to tell the children of our great God and wonderful 
Savior. To parents I say, 'thank you for granting me this precious 
privilege.' May God's richest blessings ever be yours." 
The Master Plan Report from the Baptist Sunday School 
Board was presented to the church by the Loessner Committee in 
February of 1966. Ernest Loessner from Southern Seminary, led 
the church in an intensive eighteen-month study of the Sunday 
School program and the need for additional space. A building 
committee was appointed and given the authority to employ an 
architect who would provide preliminary plans, including the 
approximate cost of construction. The committee also presented 
for church approval a plat showing the placement of each build- 
ing, the priority of construction, and a proposed timetable for the 
construction of future buildings. Members of the committee 
included Mark Hall, chairman, W. L. Clifton, Lamar Clyatt, Ray 
Costantino, W. L. Dent, Mrs. L. C. Fleming, Jr., Arnold Geeslin, 
Sr., Mrs. O. F. Loosier, Charles Mullis, Max Shepparrd, Jr., Ben 
Holland, Mrs. C. V. McDearmid, and Mrs. B. T. Yancey. Richard 
V. Richards was employed as architect to draw the preliminary 
plans for the proposed buildings. 
John Harry Robson was called as minister of youth effective 
July 25, 1966. He served until December 22, 1968. John was 
called as pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna, Georgia. FBC 
of Albany, at the request of First Baptist Church, Vienna, 
ordained him to the gospel ministry, December 1,1968. 
Chester Swor came to Albany for a crusade February 5-9, 
1967. Dr. Swor was to youth work what Billy Graham is to evan- 
gelism. He was formerly dean of men and assistant professor of 
English at Mississippi College. At the time he came to Albany, he 
was in full-time religious lecturing and counseling. 
Dr. Swor and his associate Jerry Merriman were with FBC all 
day on Sunday, February 5. He preached at all three worship ser- 
vices. The team was the main attraction at a Valentine Banquet on 
February 9. A total of 120 youth from FBC attended. While in 
115 
Albany, Swor and Merriman spoke at Albany, Dougherty and 
Monroe High Schools. 
Byne Memorial hosted the city-wide rally led by Dr. Swor 
and Jerry Merriman on Wednesday night of the crusade. FBC was 
one of many churches which cancelled Wednesday night activi- 
ties in order to participate in the rally at Byne. 
Dr. Swor returned to Albany and FBC, March 3-10,1968, to 
lead Life Enrichment Week. 
At a called business meeting, April 12, 1967, the church 
enthusiastically approved the recommendations from the deacons 
presented by Dr. Gray Fountain, chairman, to enter into the first 
stage of a three stage building program at an estimated cost of 
$711,708. The first stage included an educational building, family 
life center and gym, paving, kitchen equipment, furnishings, archi- 
tect fee, and the cost of the $750,000 bond program used to finance 
the program. The Zuker house was tom down in January, 1968, as 
a result of the new building program. 
A church business meeting was called to review plans pre- 
sented by the building committee. Approval was given for the 
committee's report on April 12, 1967, recommending that the 
church finance Stage I construction totaling $711,708 by 
issuance of First Mortgage Bonds in the sum of $750,000. Money 
over $711,708 was used to pay off existing church debt. 
The church entered into contract with Baugh-Coody 
Construction Company in January, 1968 for construction of the 
proposed educational building. Construction began on the first 
phase about February 1, 1968. Dedication of the completed 
building was held January 28, 1969. 
Miss Blondean Bullington was called as elementary director 
May 17, 1967. She came from First Baptist Church, Tucker, 
Georgia. A graduate of Berry College, Rome, Georgia and 
Southwestern Seminary, Miss Bullington joined the staff to super- 
vise the work in the elementary ages, nursery through primaries, 
including the kindergarten. Miss Bullington ended her service at 
FBC on November 30,1969. She married in December and moved 
to Ocilla, Georgia to serve on the staff of First Baptist Church there. 
116 
The FBC Kindergarten opened September 11, 1967. The 
director was Miss Blondean Bullington and Mrs.Mary Ridley 
was the teacher. Fifteen children participated in the first closing 
exercises at the end of the first year. A four-year-old-class was 
added the next year, and the enrollment reached 40. Three-year 
classes were added in the fall of 1969. The highest enrollment 
was 114 for the 1989-90 school year. 
The goal of this weekday education ministry is to provide a 
Christian environment for children to leam as well as minister to 
the children and their parents. The children have many learning 
experiences through stories, music, art, science, and nature. This 
ministry is also an excellent outreach to the community in addi- 
tion to the church family. Other contributions the Kindergarten 
has made to the overall ministry of FBC includes the playground, 
various specialized education equipment, and more. 
Grady Nutt, who appeared regularly on the television pro- 
gram "Hee Haw," and served as director of Alumni Affairs and 
assistant to the President of Southern Seminary, came to FBC to 
speak and entertain at the Junior-Senior party May 18,1967, held 
at the Elks Club on N. Slappey Boulevard. He returned to FBC 
again October 17 to speak at a church-wide fellowship banquet. 
The church said a sad farewell in 1967 to many faithful lead- 
ers, workers, and members of FBC. These families moved on to 
new assignments because of the closing of Turner Air Force Base 
in East Albany. Later Turner was converted to the Albany Naval 
Air base. 
James Frame resigned as minister of education, effective 
November 5, 1967, to join the staff of the John Haggai 
Evangelistic Association. 
Ralph Stults was called as minister of education, May 29, 
1968. He came from Columbus, Georgia where he was educa- 
tional director at Eastern Heights Baptist Church. Prior to his 
time in Columbus, he served in that position in First Baptist 
Church, Ruston, Louisiana; First Baptist Church, DeLand, 
Florida; and Lake Forest Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. 
He began his ministry at FBC, Albany, July 7, 1968. 
117 
At the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Houston, 
Texas, June, 1968, Rev. Webb was elected to a three-year term as 
a trustee of the Radio-Television Commission of the SBC, Ft. 
Worth, Texas. 
Miss Wilma Trammell graduated from New Orleans 
Seminary on July 26, 1968, with a Master's Degree in Religious 
Education. She was called as educational director of the 
Montgomery Hill Baptist Church in Silver Springs, Maryland in 
August of 1969. Wilma is one of FBC's own, having grown up 
in the church and actively participated in many of the church 
programs. 
The deacons' recommendation that the church purchase the 
Gulf Oil Corp. property on the comer of Broad Avenue and 
Jefferson Street for $30,000 was adopted May 3, 1967. Approval 
was given, October 30,1967 to purchase the Jim Moore property, 
a lot 168ft. by 210ft. facing Broad Avenue, west of the Harris 
Clinic, at a cost not to exceed $10,000. The church approved on 
October 30,1968, the purchase of a used car lot on Broad Avenue. 
Next, the church purchased the Chandler Property on Pine Avenue 
in January, 1970, for a sum not to exceed $29,000. In 1978, the 
church purchased for future expansion the lot at the comer of 
Monroe Street and Broad Avenue at a cost of $100,000. 
Adopting a recommendation of the Deacons on November 
20,1968, the church was authorized to borrow $6,500 toward the 
purchase of a new $8,500 bus. 
The music of Thurlow Spurr and the Spurrlows had captured 
the attention and enthusiasm of churches in every major denom- 
ination in America. The 32 singers and instrumentalists made 
stops in more than 75 cities and towns while on tour. They pre- 
sented an appealing program, "Sing a New Song," Sunday night, 
November 24, 1968 at FBC of Albany. 
"The Crusade of the Americas" was a coordinated evangelis- 
tic effort in South, Central and North America in 1969. The SBC 
joined several other Baptist bodies in the Crusade. FBC joined 
in the Crusade, with Dr. E. E. Flournoy as the chairman of the 
steering committee. Dr. Perry F. Webb, Sr., from San Antonio, 
118 
was the evangelist and Rev. Ernie Wells from New Orleans was 
the music leader at FBC, Albany, during the Crusade services 
March 23-30, 1969. 
Paul Harvey, noted news commentator and Billy Graham, 
noted evangelist participated in special telecasts prepared by the 
Southern Baptist Radio and Televison Commission and aired 
February 9 and 23, and March 9, 1969 as part of the promotion 
and preparation for the Crusade. Men of FBC launched Crusade 
Week with a fellowship prayer breakfast March 23, 1969. 
Rev. Joe Frank Barton, long time associational missionary 
for the Mallary Baptist Association, announced his retirement 
effective April 30, 1969. He continued to live in Albany. The 
FBC of Albany joined other Mallary Association churches in 
honoring Rev. Barton with a love offering presented to him on 
Joe Frank Barton Day, April 27, 1969. 
The Activities and Educational Building was dedicated on 
June 15, 1969. The Chapel Choir presented a special concert in 
the new building that evening. Words of greeting and congratula- 
tions were received from Dr. Rufus Harris, president of Mercer 
University; Dr. Monroe Swilley, president, Atlanta Baptist 
College; and Dr. Leo Eddleman, president, New Orleans 
Seminary. Special activities each day through June 22 empha- 
sized the variety of uses of the building. The first activity in the 
new building was dinner on the grounds April 20. It was followed 
by a Family Mother's Day Breakfast on May 11. 
Rev. Gene Swinson was called as activities director in July of 
1969. The Swinsons had two children, Mike and Lori. His job 
was to be in complete charge of the new building and the activi- 
ties to be held in it. Rev. Swinson resigned effective January 15, 
1972, after serving two and one-half years to become the pastor 
of the Southside Baptist Church in Savannah. The Swinson fam- 
ily was honored with a farewell reception in the activities 
building Sunday, January 2 following the evening worship ser- 
vice. Swinson served as moderator of the Mallary Association in 
1970 and 1971. During his tenure as moderator, James Pelham 
was called as director of missions. 
119 
Family night suppers in the new building were very well 
attended. Attendance grew to more than 500 on a regular basis and 
at times topped 600. Serving for the first few years was family- 
style. The cost was only 60 cents for ages 13 and above and 45 
cents for those 12 and under with a family limit of $3. Birthdays 
and anniversaries were recognized each Wednesday night. 
Mr. O. D. Culpepper, whose wife served as choir director 
from March 9, 1924, until May 15,1955, presented to the church 
on October 3,1969, the silver service that had been given to Mrs. 
Culpepper by the church in honor of her 31 years as choir direc- 
tor. Before her death, she requested that the silver service be 
given back to the church. In May of 1970 handbells were pur- 
chased by the music ministry in memory of Mrs. Culpepper and 
were known as the "Mrs. O. D. Culpepper Bells." Formal dedi- 
cation of the Culpepper handbells was held February 27, 1972. 
The sixties saw only one pastoral change as Brooks Ramsey 
left and Perry F. Webb, Jr. came. The opening of the Activities 
Building provided space for additional programs for the entire 
church. Many nationally known leaders came to minister at FBC. 
As new programs were recommended by Southern Baptist lead- 
ers, FBC was eager to put them into practice and were blessed by 
doing so. 
120 
Chapter 11 
THE NINETEEN SEVENTIES 
Renovations and repairs were made to church buildings in 
1971, including re-leading, painting and other repairs as needed 
for the Memorial Windows, new TV lights, electrical work, and 
air conditioning at a cost of $30,528. In October of 1972, the 
church accepted an anonymous gift from a church member of 
new carpet which matched the decor of the sanctuary. 
God continued to call young men into the ministry and this 
was an occasion of joy to the church family. Frank Faircloth, and 
Thomas Graham were licensed to preach by First Baptist Church 
(FBC) in 1966. Frank enrolled in New Orleans Seminary and after 
graduation was called by the Sale City Baptist Church, Sale City, 
Georgia, as pastor. At the request of the Sale City Baptist Church, 
Frank was ordained to the gospel ministry by FBC, March 1,1970. 
Col. W. M. Wilder, a layman who was very active in the life 
of FBC for many years, was saluted by the church on his 93rd 
birthday, May 15, 1970. He was remembered each year on his 
birthday until his death in June, 1976, at the age of 99. He had 
been a member of FBC for 76 years. 
Additional parking was provided for the church in May, 
1970, by paving the lot on Pine Avenue adjacent to the church. It 
provided parking for 150 vehicles and had two entrances from 
Pine Avenue. In November of 1970, the alley between this park- 
ing lot and the activities building was paved. 
The Sanctuary Choir led by Paul Dean and the drama depart- 
ment led by Mrs. O. F. Loosier, Jr., teamed up to present the 
121 
outstanding Easter musical drama "The Seven Last Words," by 
Theodore Dubois. Performances were held the evenings of 
March 27 and 29, 1970. It was repeated again in 1971, 1976, 
1979, and 1988. Special staging, unusual lighting and sound 
effects, authentic costumes, and a careful and reverent rendition 
made "The Seven Last Words" a memorable and worshipful hour 
in this the holiest season of the year. 
The 1970 cast included John Everett as guest soloist and 
voice of Jesus; Mrs. Marian Singer as Mary, the mother of Jesus; 
Mrs. Jim Knox as Mary Magdalene; Paul Hantis as John the 
Disciple; and Ed Chance as the Thief on the Cross. Others in the 
cast included Mrs. David Hewett, Miss Sue Mayo, John Davis, 
Alex Stewart III, Sammy Futch, Bob Sutle, and Walter Matthews. 
Mrs. Whitfield Gunnels served as narrator. C. B. Fincher and 
Wayne McClung were in charge of the lighting; Gene Swinson, 
staging, Mrs. Fred Hamrick, costumes; Wade Thomaston, special 
effects; and Perry Webb III, the drummer. 
Following Miss Blondean Bullington's resignation, Miss 
Noel Fairall was called as director of children's work effective 
June 15, 1970. A native of Panama City, Florida, Miss Fairall 
graduated from Florida State University, Tallahassee, and 
Southern Seminary where she earned the Master of Religious 
Education degree. After serving for more than two years as direc- 
tor of children's work, Miss Fairall married Lt. Pete Brannan and 
resigned effective November, 1972, due to his re-assignment 
with the U. S. Navy. The church honored her on November 19 for 
her work as children's worker. 
The church made extensive renovations to the sanctuary 
beginning in May, 1971. During renovations, worship services 
were held in the activities building. 
The Chapel Choir, under the leadership of Paul Dean, minis- 
ter of music, made several trips overseas presenting sacred music 
concerts and witnessing along the way. The first such trip was 
June 17-28,1971, as 36 members of the Chapel Choir, along with 
9 chaperons, went on a European Sacred Concert tour to 
Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. 
122 
Departing the Albany airport that Thursday morning were Patti 
Bartlett, Mendy Baugh, Carolyn Coleman, Kathy Conoly, Sharon 
Costantino, Pam Davis, Cathy Doyal, Bill Donnahoo, Donna Sue 
Hatcher, David Hays, Van Heflin, Becky Herndon, Stephen 
Holloway, Shirley Johnson, Phyllis Kirk, Jo Lanier, Bobby Legg, 
Eddie Loosier, Tricia Lynch, Mary Marbury, John Margeson, 
Barbara Matthews, Carol McDowell, Nancy Middleton, Jan 
Ohlinger, Darrell Phillips, Jim Prothro, Gail Reynolds, June 
Reynolds, Debra Swenk, Mike Thompson, Frances Thornton, David 
Turner, Hank Watson, Marilyn Whitman, Steve Dean, and chaper- 
ons, Mrs. Maxwell Davis, Rev. and Mrs. Paul Dean, Mrs. Glenn 
Doyal, Miss Margaret Raines, Mr. and Mrs. Vann Reynolds, and Dr. 
and Mrs. Ed Tarratus, Upon their return they presented their sacred 
music concert on Sunday night at FBC. 
Other tours followedJune 15-27,1974, to England, France, 
and Switzerland; June 22-July 7, 1977, to Switzerland and Italy; 
June 11-21, 1980, to the Holy Land; to Hawaii June 10-19, 1984 
and June 17-25,1986; and to the Bahamas June 24-30,1989, and 
June 19-25,1993. 
Beginning Sunday, July 18, 1971, Sunday morning services 
were televised in color on WALB-TV. Services had been tele- 
vised in black and white since May 1, 1960. 
At the end of the 1971 church year, Mrs. J. G. Marbury was 
honored for completing 25 years of service with five-year-olds in 
Sunday School. It is estimated that at least 600 boys and girls were 
taught by Mrs. Marbury during this time. She was recognized for 
her leadership skills by being invited to lead training conferences 
for workers with five-year-olds by the Mallary Association and the 
Georgia Baptist Convention's Sunday School leaders. 
The church, after considerable discussion, approved by a 
majority vote a motion to allow the Dougherty County Civil 
Probation Center personnel the use of the church's facilities. It 
was felt this action could have possibly resulted in the integration 
of FBC. At a called church conference, December 1, 1971, the 
church adopted the following policy: "That we segregate all facil- 
ities used by the FBC of Albany, with the following exceptions: 
123 
(1) when it is necessary for a member to be accompanied by a 
nurse; (2) during weddings when colored people are invited by 
the bride or groom; and (3) during funerals." 
The IRS announced on July 10, 1970, that organizations 
operating private schools with racially discriminatory admission 
policies were not legally entitled to Federal Tax Exemption for 
contributions made to such organizations. Since the church had 
adopted a segregation policy, the church decided to close the 
kindergarten no later than December 31, 1971. This action was 
apparently rescinded and never put into practice. The kinder- 
garten did not close. The kindergarten was started in 1967 with a 
dozen five-year-olds. In its sixth year, beginning September 5, 
1972, 66 children ages 3-5 attended. The FBC of Albany does not 
now have a segregation or discriminatory policy. 
Following Gene Swinson, David Freshour was called as 
activities director effective June 15,1973. A native of Knoxville, 
Tennessee, David was a graduate of Carson-Newman College, 
Jefferson City, Tennessee, and Southern Seminary. Before com- 
ing to Albany David served for a year and a half as assistant 
activities director at Walnut Street Baptist Church in Louisville 
while a student at the seminary. 
Governor Jimmy Carter was homecoming speaker for the 
celebration of the church's 134th anniversary, June 24, 1973. A 
picnic lunch in the gymnasium followed the morning service. 
Ralph Stults resigned as minister of education effective July 
22,1973, to assume a similar position at Vineville Baptist Church 
in Macon. Ralph was recognized for his five years on the staff at 
FBC with a reception on Sunday night, July 22. 
On September 19, 1973, Mrs. Porter Thomas was presented 
a plaque as an expression of appreciation for 61 years of work 
with children in Sunday School. She and Mrs. J. G. Marbury had 
worked together since 1946. Mrs. Thomas began when she was 
just 14 years of age playing the piano and teaching four and five 
year olds. 
Growing out of concern for a large number of people in the 
Albany area who were out of work and in need of food and cloth- 
124 
ing, The Lord's Pantry was organized in October, 1973. Robert 
Margeson voluntarily took care of the legal aspects of setting up 
the organization. Henry C. Duggan, Jr. was appointed director of 
this new venture, a post he held for 25 years. Mr. Duggan gave 
credit to a Rev. Claude Held of Tallahassee, Florida, for this idea 
which was working very well in the Tallahassee area. 
Bro. Henry Duggan shared his concern with the Mallary 
Baptist Association Benevolence Committee consisting of Rev. 
Kelly Pritchett, pastor, First Baptist Church, Leesburg; Rev. John 
Dudley, pastor, Beacon Baptist Church; Rev. Jack Reynolds, pas- 
tor, Thundering Springs Baptist Church; and Rev. James Pelham, 
director of missions. Following a meeting of this committee, a 
letter was written to the pastors in the Albany area to share with 
them how The Lord's Pantry could help meet the needs of their 
church members who were in need, and also to give the church- 
es an opportunity to help support The Lord's Pantry by putting it 
in their annual church budgets. In addition to monetary support, 
donations of food, clothing, home furnishings, and other items 
were needed. Individuals, Sunday School classes, Woman 
Missionary Union groups, and other organizations and groups 
were also invited to contribute to The Lord's Pantry. 
The motto of The Lord's Pantry is "Compassion in Action." 
From the beginning it was determined that The Lord's Pantry 
would operate without government help. It provides free food, 
clothing, home furnishings, Bibles and Christian literature, and 
counseling. Many professions of faith are made at The Lord's 
Pantry each month. 
The Lord's Pantry was first located for eight years in unit #61 in 
the Albany Housing Authority (William Binns Homes), 500 South 
Van Buren Street, Albany. In 1981, it was moved to a rental house 
on N. Jefferson Street where it operated for another eight years. The 
third move was to a rental house on Flint Avenue and it operated 
there for eight years. In 1997, Byne Memorial Baptist Church donat- 
ed a lot at 219 W. Society Avenue as its permanent location. 
With many hours of volunteer work, the lot was cleared for 
the erection of a new building. It was through contributions of 
125 
money that construction materials were purchased. After the 
building was completed, the Baptist Builders of FBC, Albany, 
completed the inside construction and the building was ready to 
open for business. The lot was fenced and The Lord's Pantry had 
a permanent home. It was dedicated February 22, 1997. 
Mr. Duggan had several volunteers over the years while 
he was director. No worker has been paid for work done for 
the Pantry. 
Brother Henry Duggan made reports at the annual meetings 
of the Mallary Association. Sometimes he had difficulty getting 
to the meetings because of his health, but he was there each 
year to give his report. Typical of his reports was this one he 
made in 1996: 
The Lord's Pantry is in its 23rd year of operation and has 
helped 88,225 people with free clothes, food, shoes, furni- 
ture, Bibles and Christian literature. In addition to this help, 
we witness to unsaved people every day. Last year there were 
81 people who made a profession of faith and 3,370 people 
were helped. This could not have been done without your 
help and the help from this area's churches. Deep down in my 
heart, I thank all of You. 
We have lost our lease where we are and must move. We 
had been unable to find suitable quarters. Byne Memorial 
gave us two lots to build on as soon as we raise the money. 
Please pray for this mission operation. God bless you always 
in all ways. 
Following Henry C. Duggan, Jr.'s death, September 16, 1998, 
Fred Lynch was appointed Operating Manager. He is ably assisted 
by sixteen volunteers who serve full or part time each week. An 
average of 300 people are helped each month. The practice of 
counseling each person who comes for assistance continues. 
In 2000, The Lord's Pantry was willed $400,000 from the 
estate of Maurice Gortatowsky, a citizen of Albany who saw the 
good work being done by this organization, and wanted to make 
sure it continued in its ministry of "Compassion in Action" with- 
out government assistance. 
126 
Members of the church were invited by the Mallary 
Association to the 25th wedding anniversary celebration on 
Sunday, December 23,1973, for James and Mary Pelham held at 
the association office on Thornton Drive in Albany. They were 
married in Pensacola, Florida, December 25, 1948. They had two 
children, Jim and Susan. Pelham began serving as director of 
missions for the Mallary Association on October 1, 1970. After 
Mary's death in 1979, Pelham married Miss Myrtice Taylor of 
Albany in 1980. He retired June 30, 1996. 
Elizabeth Davis retired as the pastor's secretary after serving 
14 years under pastors Brooks Ramsey and Perry F. Webb, Jr. 
Maxwell and Elizabeth Davis joined FBC in 1959 and she soon 
began working at the church. Elizabeth was honored with an 
expression of thanks from the church at the morning worship ser- 
vice, March 3, 1974. After "retirement," she worked three days a 
week for another six months while the church was without an 
educational director. 
Frank Bourgholtzer of NBC News interviewed the pastor, 
Perry Webb, Jr. for two hours regarding the moral attitude of the 
community. Following his appearance on national television, 
Rev. Webb received numerous letters from all over the country. 
Here are excerpts from some of the letters: 
From Ashgrove, Missouri, "I just saw you on our local NBC 
station speaking out against filthy movies. May God bless you in 
your endeavor." 
From Dover, Massachusetts, "I was very impressed with your 
comments of the television telecast the other evening and wanted 
to say thank you for them." 
From Ossco, Wisconsin, "I saw and heard you on the TV the 
other evening. Congratulations for not being afraid to proclaim 
your beliefs and convictions." 
The first Senior Adult Fellowship was held in May, 1974, 
with almost 40 people in attendance. In November, Linda 
Bowman suggested that the group be named "Just Older Youth," 
or "JOY." It was officially adopted and this senior adult ministry 
began as a part of church recreation under the direction of David 
127 
Freshour. Early meetings included covered-dish luncheons in the 
formal dining room and day trips where each one brought their 
own sack lunch. Now the monthly JOY luncheons are held in the 
activities building and the meals are catered. Average attendance 
has increased to about 125. The JOY group has a full slate of offi- 
cers who plan and facilitate the monthly meetings. 
The 135th anniversary of the church was celebrated in 
August, 1974. Special guests included Dr. Porter Routh, 
Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, who spoke on Sunday morning, 
and Dr. J. D. Grey, for 35 years pastor of the First Baptist Church 
of New Orleans, Louisiana, who was the evening speaker. 
Charles Gwaltney, a prospective minister of education visited 
FBC the weekend of September 27, 1974. The church issued a 
call, and Mr. Gwaltney began his work November 24, 1974. He 
had previously served for six years at First Baptist Church, 
Athens, Texas. He had also served at North Ridge Baptist Church, 
San Antonio, Texas; Central Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Arkansas; 
and on the staff of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention as assis- 
tant to the director of the division of religious education. The 
Gwaltneys had three children, Jennifer, Julie, and Peter. 
Stephen Holloway was ordained to the ministry November 3, 
1974, at Central Baptist Church, Albany. He was a former mem- 
ber of FBC and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Holloway. At the 
time of his ordination he was a student at Georgia Southern 
College. 
Although the exact date of the beginning of FBC's ministry 
in the Dougherty County Jail is unknown, it is believed to have 
been started in the fall of 1974. It has been in continuous opera- 
tion since that time. Many lives have been touched and changed 
within this often forgotten segment of our society by a number of 
caring Christian men who regularly share their personal witness 
and counsel which is reinforced by the distribution of tracts, 
Christian literature, and Bibles. Mr. Fred Lynch and Mr. Billy 
Williams, who started this ministry, are still actively serving 
along with other volunteers from time to time. 
128 
Bob Hughes, who had been a lay preacher and later pastor of 
Bethel Baptist Church in Worth County, was called as pastor of 
East Albany Baptist Church. He served as their pastor for more 
than 30 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes returned their membership 
to FBC in 1999. Both were in failing health and both passed 
away six weeks apart; Bob in December, 1999, and Louise in 
January, 2000. 
Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr. announced his resignation effective 
August 24, 1975, to accept the call of the First Baptist Church of 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He had served for twelve and one-half 
years as pastor. 
Miss Edna Fields retired September 18, 1975, after serving 
42 years on the church staff. During that time she had served in 
almost every position in the church office. She served the longest 
in her last position as treasurer. Miss Edna served under pastors 
W. Raleigh White, Leonard A. Stephens, Brooks Ramsey and 
Perry F. Webb, Jr. Special tribute was paid to Miss Edna on 
Sunday night, September 21. 
Miss Edna wrote to the church family, "1 will always be 
grateful that I had the opportunity to work with all of you. Thank 
you from the bottom of my heart for every word spoken, the gen- 
erous monetary gift of love, the beautiful plaque, the framed 
resolutions from the deacons, and the lovely orchid." Miss Edna 
Fields died March 6, 1999. 
Mrs. John (Mary) Herndon joined the church staff on January 
25, 1976, as church financial secretary. Mrs. George Doss served 
in the interval between Miss Fields and Mrs. Herndon. 
First Baptist Church was invited to join Sherwood Baptist 
Church for a joint service, Sunday evening, February 1,1976. As 
mother church, FBC was happy to join in the celebration of enter- 
ing their new sanctuary. Paul Dean and the Sanctuary Choir of 
FBC were in charge of the music. Sherwood's pastor, Curtis 
Burge, brought the message. 
Taking advantage of the unusual occurrence of five Sundays 
in the month of February in 1976, the church conducted a "Five 
Fabulous Sundays in February" emphasis. 
129 
Dr. George William Nichols, 1976-81 
Dr. George William Nichols received a unanimous call as pas- 
tor and began his ministry, March 7, 1976. A reception was held 
for Dr. and Mrs. Nichols and daughters Christine and Kimberly 
after the evening service on their first Sunday at FBC. Dr. 
Nichols, a native of Florida, came to Albany from Midlothian, 
Texas, where he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church for 
eight years. He is a graduate of Florida State University, 
Tallahassee, and received both his Master of Theology and Doctor 
of Theology degrees from Southwestern Seminary. 
Dr. Nichols received several awards as an outstanding young 
preacher from his seminary and the Baptist General Convention 
of Texas. He was a regular contributor to several Southern Baptist 
publications. 
The Nichols family was the last family to live in the pasto- 
rium. In November of 1976, the church sold the pastorium to 
Dr. Nichols. 
Charles Gwaltney resigned as minister of education effective 
August 15, 1976, to accept a similar position on the staff of the 
First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 
Dr. Nichols wrote and directed several prime-time television 
specials televised over WALB-TV. The music ministry directed 
by Paul Dean and the drama ministry directed by Mrs. Elizabeth 
Loosier worked together with the help of many others to prepare 
for the filming of each special. Sets had to be designed and con- 
structed, costumes were needed, and many other important 
details had to be worked out. This was a tremendous undertak- 
ing for one local church, but FBC rose to the occasion and the 
specials were very well done and received high praise and 
acclaim. 
The first prime-time musical-drama presentation, "What 
Love Is", was telecast over WALB-TV at 8 pm on September 11, 
1976. The response was so tremendous that an anonymous donor 
made it possible for it to be shown again. The second telecast was 
at 4:30 pm, Sunday, October 31, 1976. Following the telecasts, 
cards and letters were received from 45 different cities in the 
130 
Channel 10 viewing area. "What Love Is" was revised and shown 
a third time on WALB-TV Thursday, June 1, 1978 at 7:30 pm. 
Another television special, "All Fear Is Gone," starring Dr. E. 
E. Flournoy, was shown on local television at 8 pm on April 23, 
1977. The program was about a doctor's concern for two young 
couples faced with fear and death. The program was telecast 
again, Sunday, May 15. Viewers from Tifton, Cordele, Chula, 
Lakeland, Douglas, Doerun, Camilla, and Colquitt, Georgia, and 
from Tallahassee and Madison, Florida, wrote letters of appreci- 
ation. "All Fear Is Gone" was televised in prime-time a third time 
on August 30, 1980. 
The next prime-time special presentation was presented on 
WALB-TV, 7:30 pm, December 20, 1977. "What Christmas Is" 
was the story of a lonely marine who meets a young lawyer and 
his friends and discovers the real meaning of Christmas. This 
special was repeated on November 30,1978. 
In the television special "The Pawnshop," more than 300 per- 
sons had a part in the making of the film. Some worked in the 
production, but most were actors and actresses. Jim McClung and 
Luther Taylor had the starring roles. FBC member Ernest 
Wetherbee donated a pawnshop in downtown Albany for the 
filming of the movie. It was shown at 7 pm prime-time on 
WALB-TV May 19, 1979, and repeated on Sunday afternoon, 
August 26, 1979. 
Donald R. Driskill was called as minister of education effec- 
tive October 10, 1976. He came from Brandon, Mississippi, 
where he had served as minister of education since October of 
1975. Other places of service included four years at First Baptist 
Church, Dumas, Texas and two years at First Baptist Church, 
Midlothian, Texas. 
Driskill graduated from Wayland Baptist University, 
Plainview, Texas with a BS degree. He earned a master of reli- 
gious education degree from Southwestern Seminary. He and his 
wife Sandi had three children, Mike, Chris, and Karen. 
FBC established a Christian Counseling Service beginning 
November 23,1976, under the direction of the pastor and personnel 
131 
committee. Rev. James. C. Strickland, Jr. was called to serve as a 
part-time minister of pastoral counseling. Rev. Strickland was also 
pastor of Edison Baptist Church, Edison, Georgia. The ministry was 
self-supporting by the fees paid by the counselees. Strickland 
received his doctor of ministries degree from Columbia Theological 
Seminary, Decatur, Georgia, in 1978. He resigned effective 
December 13, 1978, to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist 
Church of Powder Springs, Georgia. During the two years as coun- 
selor, he served nearly 1,000 persons. 
Dr. Bill Nichols wrote a book, The Christian Life, in 1976 
which contained key Bible teachings, promises, principles, and 
helps. The book was designed for new and growing Christians 
who wished to do personal home Bible study. Mrs. Bill Nichols 
joined with Mrs. Tom Kay (wife of the pastor of First Presbyterian 
Church of Albany) and Mrs. George Zorn (wife of the pastor of 
First United Methodist Church of Albany) as a panel to discuss, 
"Life Inside a Goldfish BowlWhat It Is Like To Be A Pastor's 
Wife." Curtis Wilkerson, an FBC layman, served as moderator of 
the panel as it was aired on WALB-TV, November 7,1976. 
The church approved a recommendation in 1976 to call an 
associate pastor. His responsibilities would include outreach, tele- 
vision expansion, training of witnesses and new members, and 
pastoral assistance in the various areas of ministry. Dr. Joseph P. 
Hester was called to fill that position effective January 2, 1977. A 
native of High Point, North Carolina, Hester graduated from 
North Carolina State University and from Southwestern Seminary 
with both master's and doctor's degrees in theology. He pastored 
churches in Texas, Arkansas, and for five years the First Baptist 
Church of Thomasville, North Carolina. Dr. Hester and his wife 
Margie had six children. Dr. Hester resigned effective November 
5, 1978, to accept the call as pastor of the First Baptist Church of 
New Bern, North Carolina. Mrs. Hester resigned as organist. 
Dr. Hester's leadership was very effective in the television 
ministry. He started the Mission Action Corps, worship ser- 
vice counselors, the "Way of Victory" radio broadcast, and the 
cassette ministry. 
132 
While serving as associate pastor, Dr. Hester put together a 
brochure for a thirteen-week course of study called the First 
Baptist Bible Institute (FBBI). It met on Sunday nights during the 
Church Training hour. Eight courses of study were offered in the 
areas of biblical studies, theology, evangelism, and practical 
Christian leadership and growth. The only expense to the stu- 
dents was the cost of their textbooks. 
The FBBI received accreditation from the Georgia Baptist 
Convention's Education Division. Dr. Robert Jackson, president 
of Tift College, Forsyth, Georgia, was visiting professor for the 
first semester teaching A Guide for Old Testament Study. The 
attendance at the FBBI's first week was 210. The previous 
Sunday night's Church Training attendance was 130. 
Grady Nutt visited FBC January 23-24, 1977. He led the 
evening service on January 23, and on Monday morning he spoke 
at a city-wide Patriotic Prayer Breakfast, "Honoring our 
President." Rev. Tom Kay, pastor, First Presbyterian Church and 
Billy Lee, Dougherty County District Attorney, and Dr. Bill 
Nichols appeared on the program. On that Monday evening, 
Grady Nutt spoke at FBC at a Fellowship-Stewardship Banquet. 
Grady Nutt was known as "America's Prime Minister of 
Humor." He appeared on the nationally televised program, "Hee 
Haw." This television and stage comic personality was from 
Louisville, Kentucky. An ordained minister, Nutt left the tradi- 
tional ministry to become a full-time professional entertainer. 
"Brother Nutt" delighted audiences all across America with his 
humor about Southern drawls, the Southern way of life, and 
Baptists, especially Southern Baptists. He was killed in a plane 
crash, November 23, 1982. 
Mrs. R. L. Bass retired in February, 1977, after nine years 
as church hostess. Speaking for the entire church, Dr. Nichols 
said of Mrs. Bass, "Never have I experienced a more beauti- 
fully sincere and completely dedicated worker for our Lord 
as I have seen in our dear 'Mother Bass,' we love you." She 
was honored and given a love gift on February 20, 1977. 
Sadness came to the church family when they learned of the 
133 
death of Mrs. Bass. Special tribute was paid to her at her 
funeral, June 8, 1978. 
Michael Gott, international evangelist, having recently 
returned from crusades in the Soviet Union, England, and Africa, 
led a crusade at FBC, July 17-22, 1977. Mrs. Gott used puppets 
in a special presentation to children in the gymnasium prior to the 
service in the sanctuary. Leading the music for the crusade were 
Clint and Jarvis Rose Nichols. 
Dr. Nichols delivered a first person message as Judas Iscariot 
portrayed in costume at both morning services, September 4, 
1977. He did another first person presentation as Luke on 
Sunday, December 31,1978. 
To promote the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign 
Missions in the churches of the Mallary Association, Rev. James 
Pelham, director of missions, joined with the FBC of Albany to 
bring the husband and wife team of Cynthia Clawson and Ragan 
Courtney to Albany. They presented for the churches of the asso- 
ciation at FBC on December 3, 1977, "Lottie D," a true story 
about Lottie Moon. The couple also presented a program at the 
evening service at FBC, Sunday, December 4, 1977. 
Reggie Joiner became an FBC music intern, January 1, 1978. 
Later he became youth minister at Sherwood. In March, 1978, FBC 
licensed Reggie Joiner and Scott Adamavage to the gospel ministry. 
Beginning January 22,1978, FBC began broadcasting a weekly 
radio program, "Way of Victory," at 7:30 pm on Sundays on radio 
station WGPC AM & FM. The program consisted of music and 
messages from regular Sunday night services. The announcer for the 
radio ministry was Wilfred Smith, assisted by Rufus Joiner, Duell 
Robinson, Howard Fowler, and Rob Riley. The weekly radio pro- 
grams continued through December 27,1987. 
Greg Davis was called as minister of youth and activities 
effective February 5,1978. He came to Albany from a staff posi- 
tion at Far Hills Baptist Church, Dayton, Ohio. With more than 
3,000 members, Far Hills was Southern Baptists' largest church 
in Ohio. Greg graduated from Wright State University and had 
done some additional study at Southern Seminary. He was a 
134 
licensed minister and the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. Greg 
served at FBC only until October 31,1978. He resigned to accept 
the call of the Park Place Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, as 
minister of youth. He planned to continue his seminary education 
at Southwestern Seminary's extension center in Houston. 
In The Way dated June 29, 1979, Dr. Bill Nichols reported on 
the recent meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention: 
When 50,000 people crammed into the Astrodome for 
the history-making Bold Missions Rally, Baptists were at an 
alltime high. For, not only was this the largest Baptist meet- 
ing in world history with thousands viewing by satellite, it 
was most impressive and inspirational with the dedication of 
over 1,100 persons to Bold Missions Thrust and more than 
1,500 more responding to an invitation to world mission ser- 
vice. How proud Southern Baptists should be! 
With this alltime high, Southern Baptists also experi- 
enced an alltime low. The most unsavory political movement 
in recent history surprised thousands of embarrassed 
Baptists. A religious coalition led by Rev. Paige Patterson of 
Dallas, Texas, and Mr. Paul Pressler, Appeals Court Judge, 
Houston, Texas, was formed to produce a massive campaign 
to elect Adrian Rogers, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, 
Memphis, Tennessee, president of the SBC. Reports revealed 
that a fourteen-month nation-wide, hard-hitting political 
drive had been the work of Patterson and Pressler. 
The political situation in the Convention worsened in the fol- 
lowing months. Dr. Nichols wrote again about it in The Way 
dated October 31, 1980: 
We are going for the jugular, Houston Judge Paul 
Pressler said of Southern Baptist institutions. We are going 
for knowledgeable, Bible-centered, Christ-honoring trustees 
for all our institutions who will not sit there like a bunch of 
dummies and rubber-stamp everything that's presented to 
them. Pressler and Paige Patterson joined to form a religious 
"political" party whose purpose was to take control of our 
Southern Baptist institutions by 1984. 
135 
Southern Baptists need to be aware of some shocking 
facts: "Going for the jugular" is the kind of language and 
vicious spirit of this fundamentalist element. Southern 
Baptists have never experienced such an organized, power- 
hungry element. Pressler and his militant comrades speak of 
our present Southern Baptist trustees and board members as 
men and women who "sit there like a bunch of dummies and 
rubber-stamp everything that's presented to them." Such 
unqualified, divisive, and condemning generalities remind 
many of us of Senator McCarthy of another day. 
There are some things we can do. Be aware that we are 
not dealing with a conservative vs. liberal struggle. We are 
facing a well-financed political party which is seeking to turn 
the ownership and control of our agencies over to people who 
have been non-Southern Baptists or who have been critical 
of, in opposition to, and given minimal support to the agen- 
cies and the Cooperative Program. Making leaders submit to 
a certain creed is not the issue. The test of our leaders should 
be at the point of their participation in Southern Baptist life 
at all levels. 
As pastor of this church, my heart grieves when I report 
to you these divisions in the state and national conventions. 
The controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention contin- 
ued to rage. Dr. James M. Ramsey, pastor, early in 1987 made "a 
pastoral plea for peace among Southern Baptists" in four weekly 
articles published in The Way. Key points made in the plea were: 
1. We hold to the Bible itself, above all theories, doctrines, 
creeds, and all human efforts to explain what the Bible 
means. Baptists have no creed but the Bible. 
2. No one can understand, interpret, or obey the Word of 
God for another. It is always wrong and harmful to pres- 
sure, impose, or otherwise require others to accept 
someone else's interpretation. 
3. Teachers, preachers, and employees of the denomination 
have the right and burden of private interpretation rather 
than being told what to believe. 
136 
4. The role of the Holy Spirit as interpreter leads Baptists to 
depend upon the Spirit instead of creedal statements 
about the Bible to foster and preserve the authority of the 
Bible. The persuasion of the Holy Spirit is the true way 
to religious conviction, not the desire to please or agree 
with others. 
5. Enforced uniformity in the interpretation of Scripture or 
in the way one expresses his belief about the Scriptures, 
is distrust of the power of the Holy Spirit and the power 
and trustworthiness of the Word of God. 
6. Southern Baptists have cooperated for more than 150 
years in all that they do in missions, education, and evan- 
gelism without ever basing that unity and cooperation 
upon a creed or theory about the Bible. 
7. Southern Baptists have never examined fellow Baptists 
for denominational employment on the basis of sub- 
scription to any one creedal or doctrinal statement about 
the Bible. 
8. The attempt to impose a human creed is a recent and dif- 
ferent approach to Baptist unity. 
Problems continued within the Convention. The Southern 
Baptist Convention, meeting in St. Louis, Missouri in 1987 estab- 
lished a Peace Committee to try to deal with the on-going 
controversy. The Peace Committee's report was approved just 
minutes after it was placed in the hands of the messengers. The 
report said in part, "We must never try to impose upon individual 
Southern Baptists nor local congregations a specific view of how 
Scripture must be interpreted." The wording left open the possi- 
bility of requiring denominational employees to believe certain 
things about the Bible. The Peace Committee established itself as 
a bird-dog committee to observe the response of all agencies, 
officers, and other participants to the recommendation of the 
Peace Committee. 
From his book, What Happened to the Southern Baptist 
Convention?, Dr. Grady C. Cauthen says, "For forty years, the 
Southern Baptist Convention was my spiritual home. I participated 
137 
in its activities beginning in the local congregation, the regional 
association of churches, the state convention bodies, and the 
national convention. I have been a pastor, a state executive secre- 
tary, a university president, a seminary president, and president of 
the Baptist Sunday School Board. My life was totally involved 
with being a Southern Baptist. The controversy represented for me 
and thousands of others a personal catastrophe, not because of any 
loss of status but because of the loss of a way of life." 
Rev. R. R Tomberlin, Jr., pastor, Raleigh White Baptist 
Church, Albany, was the featured speaker at the Mother's Day 
Breakfast, May 14, 1978. Tomberlin was Dr. Nichols' college 
pastor while a student at Florida State University. "Tommy" 
Tomberlin's church licensed Bill Nichols to the gospel ministry. 
Bob and Mae Pharis presented to the church a synthesizer in 
1978. It was a needed musical instrument which provided rich 
sounds of strings, piano, organ, and other instruments. Bob, blind 
since a young man, celebrated his 20th anniversary as night 
pianist at FBC in January, 1980. 
Jim Davis was asked by Dr. Nichols to lead the youth pro- 
gram until the church called a minister of youth. He was serving 
as the director of the Senior High I Sunday School department at 
the time. Also, Dr. Nichols asked Don McGhee to serve in the 
area of activities for two months, until he moved as planned to Ft. 
Worth, Texas to attend Southwestern Seminary in preparation for 
activities ministry. Don had served previously for two and one- 
half years as an intern in the activities ministry at FBC, Albany. 
Beginning January 1, 1979, Don Driskill was given new 
responsibilities. His new title was minister of education and 
administration. 
Dr. Nichols presented in January of 1979 the need for the 
church to own its own television equipment. This would make 
possible greater utilization of the television ministry. "A total cost 
of $130,000 would be sufficient for all that is needed," Dr. 
Nichols said. 
Frank Short was called as associate pastor effective February 
4,1979. He was a graduate of Lamar State University, Beaumont, 
138 
Texas and Southern Seminary, where he earned Bachelor of 
Divinity and Master of Religious Education degrees. Short's pas- 
toral experience included serving churches in Brandon, Burleson, 
Dallas, and Duncanville, Texas. He had also worked at Baylor 
Baptist Hospital. His wife Rebecca and he had two children, Paul 
Franklin and Christy Renee. 
Early in 1979, John G. Smith III began serving as interim 
director of youth and activities until a full-time minister was 
called. John was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He 
majored in criminology at Albany Junior (now Darton) College 
and went on to earn a BS degree from the University of Georgia 
in Athens and a MA degree from Georgia Southwestern College 
(now University), Americus. John Smith was called as minister 
of youth and activities effective September 1, 1979. Dr. Nichols 
said, "John Smith is one of the finest young men I have ever met. 
His spirit, zeal, compassion, intelligence, and overall character 
are matchless." 
The motion picture, "The Hiding Place," starring Julie 
Harris, Eileen Heckart, Jeanette Clift, and Arthur O'Connell, was 
shown in FBC sanctuary, March 9,1979. 
Paul Dean Appreciation Day was held September 9,1979, at 
FBC in recognition of his 15th anniversary as minister of music. 
Following "his" day, Paul wrote in The Way, "Your expression to 
us was very meaningful. Thank you for your support and encour- 
agement. Your love gift was far beyond anything that we could 
imagine. It is a privilege to be a part of such a great church." 
The decade of the seventies ended on a high note. One exam- 
ple was that from September 30 through December 9, 1979, the 
average Sunday School attendance was 1,044. 
139 
Chapter 12 
THE NINETEEN EIGHTIES 
During the 1980s the Brotherhood of First Baptist Church 
(FBC) established a local group of volunteers interested in using 
their construction skills as a witnessing tool to help others in 
need. It was during this time that the local group became affili- 
ated with Baptist Builders of Georgia. The following are some of 
the significant accomplishments of First Baptist Builders: 
Their first major project was helping Grace Baptist Church, 
Toccoa, to build a new Sunday School complex. Other churches 
helped by the Baptist Builders in the next few years included 
those located in Dahlonega, Madison, Fayetteville, Lake 
Blackshear, Perry, Henderson, Americus, Worth County, Milan, 
Helen, and Sylvester, all in Georgia. 
Other projects included helping to frame the dormitory 
and dining facility for Georgia Baptists' Drug and Alcohol 
Rehabilitation Center in Penfield; helped to construct build- 
ings at Camp Kaleo near Forsyth; helped with construction of 
Georgia Baptist Children's Home projects in Canton and 
Bainbridge; helped to construct the new office building for 
the Mallary Association, Albany; and helped victims of 
Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, South Carolina; and Hurricane 
Andrew in Miami, Florida. 
Floods created needs for the FBC Builders. The group 
responded to needs following the Flood of 1994 in Albany and 
Newton, the flood in Falmouth, Kentucky, and again in Albany 
following the Flood of 1998. Another area of the Baptist 
140 
Builders work was helping burned out families in the Albany 
area as well as in Donalsonville, Georgia. They renovated two 
homeless shelters, one for men and one for women. What has 
been an important ongoing project is the construction of sever- 
al Habitat for Humanity homes for an FBC family but mostly 
families outside FBC for homes destroyed in the Floods of 
1994 and 1998. There have been numerous home repairs, ren- 
ovations, and wheel chair ramps built for needy individuals, 
church members and non-church members alike, in Dougherty 
and surrounding counties. Although many men in the congre- 
gation, too numerous to mention by name, have invested 
countless hours in these various mission endeavors, one man, 
Fred Lynch, deserves special attention. He has continually 
served on The Lord's Pantry board of directors since it was 
founded, and served as day-to-day operations manager after 
Henry Duggan's death. He helped to start the jail ministry and 
continues to actively participate in that ministry along with his 
loyal assistants, Billy Williams, Bill Parker, and Louis Grindle. 
Mr. Lynch provided the start-up leadership and motivation for 
FBC's Baptist Builders group. He also served as the Mallary 
Association's building group representative. Because of his 
previous lumberyard management experience, Fred Lynch's 
vision of God's plan to offer opportunities of service to FBC 
men, and his positive, energetic style of leadership, FBC's 
Baptist Builders group now enjoys the reputation of being 
among the best both inside and outside of Georgia. FBC 
Builders are frequently sought out specifically because of their 
willingness to respond and for the quality of the work they do. 
Mention also needs to be made of C. B. Fincher, who has 
been a participant in many of the projects FBC men have been 
called upon to do. A man of many talents, he has done many pro- 
jects for FBC members, especially seniors, that most people 
never knew about. He has been loyal to the Brotherhood and the 
work with the Royal Ambassadors. He furnished most of the 
material included in this history of FBC relating to The Lord's 
Pantry, the jail ministry, and to Baptist Builders. 
141 
FBC led the way in establishing the South Georgia Baptist 
Counseling Center in October, 1980, with Rev. Richard 
Christian, a professional counselor and marriage-family thera- 
pist, as full-time director. He closed his practice in Columbus to 
move to Albany. 
Several South Georgia churches joined together to sponsor 
the South Georgia Baptist Counseling Center which met in FBC 
facilities until May of 1983 when it moved to its own building at 
421 Broad Avenue. Dr. Bill Nichols, pastor, FBC of Albany, 
chaired the center's initial steering committee. Ed Tarratus, dean 
of instruction at Albany Junior College (now Darton College) and 
member of FBC of Albany, was the chairman of the center's 
board of trustees. Page Fulgham, pastor, First Baptist Church of 
Cordele, served as treasurer. E. A. Verdery, director of chaplaincy 
services at Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta, was advisor 
to the steering committee in establishing the center. 
Satellite centers were established at Norman Baptist 
Assembly at Norman Park, and First Baptist Church of Cordele. 
The formal opening of the center was held October 24, 1980. 
In 1991 Rev. Max Kennedy became the lead counselor, the 
name was changed to the Shepherd's Path, and it relocated to the 
Renaissance Center at 533 W. Third Avenue. Rev. Kennedy and 
the Board of Directors of the Renaissance Center met with Dr. 
Jim Ramsey and formed an alliance with the Pastoral Institute in 
Columbus, Georgia. 
With funding left from the Pastoral Institute, Dr. Ramsey met 
with area churches in August, 1996, and formed the Pastoral 
Counseling Center of Albany. Area churches became a part of the 
program and secured Rev. John Patton as the counselor. Dr. 
Ramsey was elected as the first president of the Advisory Board. 
In the fall of 2000, Rev. Joe Cliff became the counselor. 
The deacons recommended Phase I of a building program to 
include renovation of the Allen Building, sanctuary windows, 
exterior work on sanctuary, covering windows with plastic pro- 
tective shields, and renovation of the formal dining room 
(parlor). Approval came in July, 1980. The contract for $356,500 
142 
to renovate the Allen building was given to Lamar Reese 
Associates, Inc. in September, 1981. 
Kenneth Reed was called as minister of youth and 
singles effective April 12, 1981. A native of Winston-Salem, 
North Carolina, he graduated from Gardner-Webb College and 
Southeastern Seminary. He joined the staff of FBC after serving 
two and one-half years in Millbrook Baptist Church, Aiken, 
South Carolina. Ken and his wife Betsy had two daughters, 
Christie and Sandie. 
Donald R. McGhee was called to serve as minister of activi- 
ties at Calvary Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia. At the 
request of the Calvary church, he was ordained to the gospel min- 
istry by FBC, Albany, July 26, 1981, with Bill Nichols, Frank 
Short, Don Driskill, Paul Dean, Ken Reid, Dr. E. E. Flournoy, 
Charles Sheppard, Gene Newell, and James Pelham serving on 
the ordination council. Don graduated from Georgia Southern 
College and Southwestern Seminary. He is the son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Charles McGhee, long-time members of FBC. 
First Baptist was honored in 1981 as having placed 17th in 
the Southern Baptist Convention in the number of Church Study 
Course Awards earned that year. This recognition was possible 
because of Don Driskill's continued emphasis on quality 
Christian education. 
Dr. G. William Nichols resigned as pastor effective 
December 1,1981. He joined the Radio & TV Commission of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, Fort Worth, Texas, January 1, 
1982, to work with ACTS (American Christian Television 
System) under Dr. Jimmy Allen, president. Upon leaving, Dr. 
Nichols said of FBC, "This is one of the most exciting churches 
in America. Its future is greater than it ever has been. God already 
has a pastor to move into this task who will lead you to greater 
days than you've ever known." 
During the time Dr. Nichols served, March, 1976 through, 
November, 1981, he was perhaps best known for his writing and 
producing prime-time television specials: "What Love Is," "All 
Fear Is Gone," "What Christmas Is", and "The Pawn Shop." 
143 
Other accomplishments during his tenure were "The Way of 
Victory" radio program, First Baptist Bible Institute, South 
Georgia Baptist Counseling Center, establishing a master plan for 
future buildings, and the purchase of property at the comer of 
Broad Avenue and Monroe Street. 
The church elected a pastor search committee on January 17, 
1982, with Melvin Chapman chairman. Serving on the commit- 
tee were Charles Mullis, vice-chairman, Mrs. Maxwell Davis, 
secretary, Dr. and Mrs. E. E. Flournoy, Mrs. Charles Mullis, E. W. 
Griffin, Milledge White, Jr., Robert Margeson III, Winston 
Pannell, Ed Knox, and Mrs. Gordon Dixon. 
Questionnaires were used to let church members express 
preferences they thought important for a new pastor, such as age, 
education, experience, and specific qualifications. Members were 
given the opportunity to suggest a person for the committee to 
consider as pastor. 
Frank Short, associate pastor, filled the pulpit while the pas- 
tor search committee sought a pastor. He continued until he was 
called as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, Georgia 
on April 21, 1982. A farewell reception was given for the Shorts 
after the evening service May 2, 1982. Deacon chair Dr. E. E. 
Flournoy spoke words of appreciation on behalf of the church. He 
said, "I want to express my gratitude to Frank Short for three years 
of ministry in our church. He has shared his life with us, and we 
have learned compassion and Christian love through his guidance. 
We appreciate Frank, Becky, Paul, and Christie and pray that God 
will continue to use them as they move to Bainbridge." 
Men who supplied the pulpit during FBC's time without a 
pastor included Rev. Michael A. Guido, who has had his own 
evangelistic ministry based in Metter, Georgia since 1942; Dr. 
John Havlik, retired director of evangelism education and writing 
at the Home Mission Board, Atlanta; and Dr. Don Hammer, 
director of metropolitan missions at the Home Mission Board. 
Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr. returned to FBC July 18-21,1982, to 
lead a Church Renewal Emphasis. Rev. Webb had served as pas- 
tor of FBC of Albany from 1964-75. 
144 
The future planning committee brought a recommendation in 
January, 1983 to continue the "Together We Build" program, the 
funds to be used to renovate the singles and youth building and 
to relocate the library. Architects Yielding & Wakeford were con- 
tracted to draw the plans for this project. "Together We Build," a 
program that challenged church members to give above their reg- 
ular tithes and offerings to the building fund served well as a 
three year emphasis. Now it was time to renew the "Together We 
Build" emphasis to finance the remodeling of the Allen Building 
for use by adults and the remodeling of the three floors sur- 
rounding the sanctuary. Rev. J. Hoffman Harris, pastor, Briarlake 
Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia, was the keynote speaker at the 
"Together We Build" banquet March 24, 1984. The goal was to 
pledge and give $650,000 over a three year period. "Not equal 
gifts but equal sacrifice" was at the heart of the program. 
Rev. Dan M. Hodges, 1983-86 
Rev. Dan M. Hodges was called as pastor, effective April 4, 
1983. He and his wife, Betti, had a son Kent and a daughter Dana. 
They moved from Memphis, Tennessee where Dan was pastor of 
the Raleigh Baptist Church. 
Hodges, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, graduated from 
Mercer University and New Orleans Seminary. Other churches 
he pastored in Georgia included churches at Ellijay, Deepstep, 
Milledgeville, Woodbury, Perry, and Atlanta. 
In the church bulletin for April 10, 1983, words of welcome 
included: "It is with great joy that our congregation welcomes our 
long awaited pastor, Rev. Dan M. Hodges and his family to FBC. 
We look forward to challenging days ahead when we shall see 
God adding those to the church who are being saved and equip- 
ping others for His service." A reception for the Hodges family 
followed the evening service April 10. 
Ken Medema, singer, composer, and pianist came to FBC for 
a concert October 23, 1983. Since 1980 he had been writing and 
singing his own songs. His full-time music ministry has taken 
him all across North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia. 
145 
In 1984, the First Baptist Bible Institute ceased and Church 
Training was resumed on Sunday nights. Adults were offered 
their choice of several courses of instruction as well as the "tra- 
ditional" dated curriculum study. Provisions were also made for 
all other age groups.Also, in 1984 the church began the use of "A 
Time of New Beginnings" as their theme and cooperated with the 
Southern Baptist emphasis "Church, the Sunday Night Place." 
The radio program, "Way of Victory" observed its sixth anniver- 
sary, with Wilfred Smith and Howard Fowler as coordinators. 
The church over the years invited many of the outstanding 
pastors and evangelists to preach revival services. One example 
is Dr. Herschel Hobbs, pastor, First Baptist Church, Oklahoma 
City. He was a well known and respected pastor, commentator 
and writer among Southern Baptists. He chaired the committee 
that developed the Baptist Faith and Message statement that 
Southern Baptists adopted in 1963. Dr. Hobbs continued to serve 
unofficially as "doctrinal watch-dog" for Southern Baptists until 
his death. 
Dan Hodges, Don Driskill, and Ken Reid attended intensive 
training November 5-9, 1984, in the "Masterlife" program, pre- 
decessor for "Experiencing God." The program was launched in 
1985. Many sessions of Masterlife and Experiencing God were 
held at FBC and in homes. Later "Experiencing God" was used 
in the Lee State Prison in Leesburg and the Calhoun State Prison 
in Morgan. 
The church took note of Paul Dean's 20th anniversary as min- 
ister of music, September 7, 1984, and Bob Phans' 25th as night 
church pianist, early in 1985. 
Ken Reid resigned effective February 15, 1985, to go to 
Columbia, South Carolina to serve as associate pastor at the 
Spring Valley Baptist Church. A reception for Ken, Betsy, 
Christie and Sandie was held Sunday night, February 14. 
Rev. Stephen Holloway, a former member of FBC and son of 
Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Holloway, was appointed as a missionary to 
Liberia by the Foreign Mission Board. He and his wife, Karen 
and daughter, Katy Rebecca, left the states, April 22, 1985. Rev. 
146 
Holloway went to Liberia to serve as a general evangelist to work 
in strategic areas to establish house churches. 
The Brotherhood of FBC worked along with other churches 
in the Mallary Association to rebuild the roof of the Tabernacle 
Baptist Church of Albany the two Saturdays of April 13 and 20, 
1985. Tabernacle was started by FBC in 1934. 
David Ridley was ordained to the ministry by FBC August 4, 
1985. He was called in May to serve as minister of education of 
the Woodlawn Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina. David, 
who grew up in FBC, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nat Ridley. 
Curtis Clark served as interim youth director, June through 
August of 1985. He returned again in the summer of 1986 to 
serve as youth director. 
First Baptist issued a call to H. Neil Brown to be minister of 
education. He began serving August 18, 1985. Brown is a native 
of Montgomery, Alabama. He attended public schools there and 
graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1970. His educa- 
tion continued at Auburn University of Montgomery and in 1974 
he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, major- 
ing in accounting and minoring in marketing. A Master's of 
Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Seminary 
was earned in 1981. 
Rev. Brown came to Albany from Greenville, Alabama where 
he had served as minister of education of the First Baptist Church, 
1981-1985. During his tenure there he served as interim pastor 
from May until October of 1983. Lay service included working at 
Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Ft. Worth, Texas, Eastmont Baptist 
Church, Montgomery, Alabama and St. Luke United Methodist 
Church, Montgomery. He served as a state approved Sunday 
School worker in Alabama and in Georgia. He is a member of the 
Southern Baptist Religious Education Association and the 
Georgia Baptist Religious Education Association where he has 
served as treasurer, regional vice-president, vice president, and 
president in 2000. In the Mallary Association, Neil has served in 
numerous places of leadership, including serving on the director 
of missions search committee and serving as moderator in 1999 
147 
and 2000. Rev. Brown and his wife Cindy have four children, 
Jennifer, Melody, Sarah, and Bryant. 
Jennifer Margeson served as interim youth director begin- 
ning in August, 1985, and later became director of youth 
ministries. Chris Driskill, son of Don and Sandi Driskill, was 
named youth and activities assistant. 
Dan Hodges served through March, 1986. He resigned to 
accept the call of the Washington Baptist Association, 
Milledgeville, Georgia as director of missions. A reception was 
held for the Hodges family after the evening service, March 30, 
1986. Don Driskill said of Rev. Hodges, "Brother Dan shared with 
me that he had always dreamed of being a pastor to pastors. This 
call as a director of missions opened this opportunity for him." 
A Procedure Committee was named to select those to serve 
on the Pastor Search Committee. Rev. James Pelham chaired this 
committee and Mike Harrison, Pam Nelson, Eddie Loosier, Lasse 
Williams, Alan Reddish, and Carol Lee served on the committee. 
At the conclusion of the Procedure Committee's work, the church 
voted on Pastor Search Committee members at a called business 
meeting May 18, 1986. Those selected to serve were Alan 
Reddish, chairman, Charles Sheppard, vice-chairman, Mrs. 
Myrtle Booth, secretary, John Margeson, Larry Murkerson, 
Mrs.Mirian Lanier, Mrs. Ruby Helen Hambrick. Harry Stewart 
and Mrs. Harriet Smith served as alternates. 
A pastor selection questionnaire that members were asked to 
fill out and return to the church office was included in The Way 
dated May 30, 1986. In The Way dated June 6, 1986, another 
copy of the form was carried to give members an opportunity to 
suggest a person for the committee to consider as pastor. The 
members of the church had ample opportunity to help in the pas- 
tor search process. 
Dr. Janies M. Ramsey, 1986- 
Dr. James M. Ramsey was recommended by the pastor 
search committee as pastor. A call was extended; he accepted and 
began his ministry on December 7, 1986. He and wife, Nan, had 
148 
a son Andy, and daughter Amy. He came from First Baptist 
Church, Monroe, Georgia where he had served since 1977. 
Dr. Ramsey is a native of Savannah. His education included 
graduation from Armstrong Junior College, Savannah; University 
of Georgia., Athens; Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary; 
and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Candler School of 
Theology, Emory University, Atlanta. During his pastorate in 
Monroe, Dr. Ramsey was very active in the Appalachee Baptist 
Association and served as president of the Walton County 
Ministerial Association. He served on the executive committee 
and the budget committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention. He 
was president of the Southern Seminary Alumni Association in 
Georgia and was active in community activities in Monroe. 
In his letter of acceptance to Alan Reddish, Dr. Ramsey 
wrote, "It is with a great deal of joy that I accept the call of the 
FBC of Albany, Georgia to become your pastor. I sense within 
my heart as God leads us together that He has many wonderful, 
growing experiences for us....I am looking forward to being your 
pastor and friend beginning with the first Sunday in December." 
A special installation service was held Sunday morning, 
December 7. Taking part in the service were Neil Brown, Gene 
Crowe, Aubrey Hawkins, Alan Reddish, James Pelham, Charles 
Sheppard, and Dr. Ramsey. A reception was held for the Ramseys 
after the evening service. 
Don Driskill and family were honored on the occasion of his 
10th anniversary on the staff of FBC. A reception was held 
Sunday night, October 5, 1986. Words of appreciation were 
shared and a love offering given to Don. 
The church purchased a bus for $45,000 with a seating capac- 
ity of 41. A special "Bus Fund' was initiated in November, 1986 
to raise the money for the purchase. 
Mike Strickland was called as minister of youth effective 
July 19, 1987. A native of Athens, Georgia, he graduated from 
Georgia Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree, and 
New Orleans Seminary with a master's degree in religious edu- 
cation. Strickland and his wife Kathy came from the First Baptist 
149 
Church of Oklahoma City, where he served as minister of youth 
and assistant activities director. While in the seminary he taught 
youth Sunday School and coached youth and adult sports. The 
First Baptist Church of New Orleans ordained him to the min- 
istry. A fellowship was held for the Stricklands after the evening 
service on July 19. 
Sandi Driskill was named kindergarten director in July, 1987. 
She was employed because of her love for children, organiza- 
tional skills, and creativity. Previously she had taught in the 
kindergarten for five years. 
On many occasions the church held its Sunday night service 
outdoors. An example is the activities held Labor Day weekend, 
1987. The theme was "Down by the Limesink." The place was 
Hilsman Park on Third Avenue for outdoor games and the 
Federated Garden Center at 805 Fifth Avenue for fellowship and 
worship. Activities included softball games for youth and adults 
and appropriate activities for younger children. A covered dish 
fellowship meal was enjoyed followed by a vesper service. 
Church Training on Sunday nights at FBC featured a six-part 
film series by Dr. and Mrs. James Dobson. The series, "Turn Your 
Heart Toward God," began on September 20, 1987. Topics 
included parenting, the young child, the adolescent, the family 
under fire, and overcoming a painful childhood. 
Covenant Sunday, an occasion to emphasize the covenant 
that FBC adopted as its own, was observed Sunday, September 
27, 1987. A copy of the covenant can be found in the Appendix. 
The church conducted a "Sunday School Revival Growth 
Campaign" September 13-16, 1987, led by Dr. James Frost, 
director of Sunday School work for the Florida Baptist 
Convention. Prior to serving in Florida, Frost was a pastor and 
then became a leader in Sunday School work for Texas Baptists 
and for Southern Baptists. He has written several books in the 
area of Sunday School work. Dr. Frost preached at all three wor- 
ship services on September 13, met with Sunday School leaders 
on Monday night, adult workers on Tuesday night, and with the 
weekly workers meeting on Wednesday night. 
150 
Joining the Sunday School Growth Revival on Tuesday night 
were Michael Gentry, a youth specialist from Alabama; Eileen 
Lawson, a children's specialist, and Chris McCalley, a preschool 
specialist from Tallahassee. 
Dr. Ramsey called the emphasis a great challenge. He said, 
"After listening to Dr. Frost and reflecting on what he said, I real- 
ize more than ever the great responsibility and opportunity the 
Sunday School holds for our church. We dare not put our second 
efforts or second thoughts in Sunday School work. We must put 
forth our best." 
FBC observed Baptist Heritage Week, October 18-21, 1987, 
led by Dr. W. Lloyd Allen, assistant professor of Christianity at 
Brewton Parker College, Mt. Vernon, Georgia. Dr. Allen led in a 
study of Baptist history using Dr. Pope Duncan's book Our 
Baptist Story as the resource. He led sessions on Sunday during 
the Church Training hour and the evening worship period, on 
Monday and Tuesday nights, and at the prayer meeting time on 
Wednesday. His study was especially timely because of the prob- 
lems in the Southern Baptist Convention since 1979. 
The television ministry costs the church about $20,000 each 
year in air time. A crew of six works hard each Sunday morning to 
operate the equipment and tend to the other details involved in a live 
telecast. Many letters are received thanking the church for televising 
the eleven o'clock service each Sunday. One representative letter to 
the pastor dated January 14,1988, read: "I get the church service on 
television on Sunday and I see the home study book you offer. I 
would be very glad to have the book for I don't go to church. I am 
74 years old and in a wheelchair. I can't walk but a few steps at a 
time. Remember me and my husband in prayer. He can't walk much, 
for he is a diabetic and his legs give way if he walks much. Thank 
you for the book and please remember us in your prayers." The let- 
ter was signed by Mrs. Otis Cartwright of Americus, Georgia. 
Bob Pharis was honored on January 31, 1988, on the occa- 
sion of his serving as night pianist for 28 years. 
Dr. Ramsey received a letter from Frank M. Bozeman, Nellie 
Marbury's brother, expressing appreciation to the church for 
151 
showing confidence in him when he entered the ministry. The let- 
ter was written 40 years after the church licensed him to the 
gospel ministry. 
Don Driskill taught the "WMU Centennial History Study" at 
FBC, March 22, 1988. The book was written on the occasion of 
the 100th anniversary of WMU. The Mallary Association spon- 
sored a centennial celebration, May 22, 1988, at Byne Memorial 
Baptist Church. 
The church adopted plans to complete refurbishing and 
remodeling the sanctuary building at a cost of $700,000. Plans 
included a new front entrance to the sanctuary, an improved 
sound system, rebuilding lights to be more suitable for television, 
new roof, floor and carpet. Also included were a new back 
entrance, an elevator, covered walkway, and a complete remodel- 
ing of the first and second floors behind the sanctuary. Upon 
completion of all the work, a rededication of the sanctuary was 
held Sunday, September 11, 1988. 
Baptist Builders, coordinated by Fred Lynch and C. B. 
Fincher, worked on many projects all across Georgia. In 1988 
FBC helped to build Camp Kaleo, the state Royal Ambassador 
camp near Forsyth. Other projects included working on the Long 
Branch Baptist Church, Dahlonega, Georgia and the Rawlesburg 
Baptist Church in Rawlesburg, West Virginia. 
FBC cooperated with the other churches of the Mallary 
Association in sponsoring "The Greater Albany John Wesley 
White Crusade" at the Albany Civic Center June 27-30, 1988. 
John Wesley White was an associate evangelist with the Billy 
Graham Evangelistic Association. 
Dr. Ramsey preached a series of sermons called, "Sermons in 
Stained Glass," January through April of 1989. A colorful brochure 
was prepared showing the picture of each window, donors, the 
scripture, and the theme, as part of the Sesquicentennial Celebation 
in 1989. 
The beautiful stained glass windows of FBC were ordered 
before World War I to be placed in the new sanctuary. 
Construction of the building was mostly complete by 1915 but 
152 
the windows were delayed in delivery. The windows were made 
in either Italy or Czechoslovakia. In 1918 the windows arrived 
and were installed. 
In 1955, an addition to the sanctuary provided space for four 
additional windows. These were American-made but are remark- 
ably like the original windows. The windows depict the following: 
MARY WITH THE BABY JESUS, Matthew 1:20-21. This 
window was given "In memory of Emma J. Vason." 
JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER, Matthew 14:29-31. 
This window was given "In memory of Susanne H. Smith, 
Lou S. Talbert, and S. W. Smith." 
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER, Matthew 13:37-39. This 
window was given "In memory of Lamar Sims, 1876-1920, 
Minister of this church, 1910-1920." 
JESUS AND THE VINE, John 15:5. This window was given 
"In memory of David A. and Mary I. Vason." 
THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS, 
Matthew 25:2-4. This window was given "In memory of 
Julia Willingham Bacon, 1850-1907, and Wallace Winn 
Bacon, 1849-1918." 
THE GOOD SHEPHERD, John 10:11. This window was 
given by "Edwin T. Winkler and Abbie Howe Winkler, 
William G. Davis and Ella Winkler Davis, and Jacob W. 
Yankey and Abbie Davis Yankey."- 
LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME UNTO ME, Matthew 
19:14. This window was given "In memory of Martha W. 
Pope, 1843-1910, and David H. Pope, 1849-1904." 
THE LOST SHEEP, LUKE 15:4-5. This window was given 
"In memory of Joel Guy Inman, 1881-1949." 
JESUS AND MARY AT BETHANY, John 11:40. This window 
was given "In honor of Benjamin Bourbon and Lydia 
Hughey Ivey." 
MARY AND MARTHA WITH JESUS, John 12:3. This win- 
dow was given "In memory of Fannie E. Sutton, 1848-1916." 
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, John 14:1-7. 
This window was given "In memory of Theodore Dehon 
153 
Matthews, 1819-1860, and his wife, Mary Lawton Matthews, 
1823-1908." 
JESUS PRAYING IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, 
Matthew 26:39. This window was given "In memory of Lee 
Roy Ferrell, 1891-1948." 
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AS HE APPEARED TO 
MARY MAGDALENE, Mark 16:9. This window was given 
"In memory of Laura Clementine Davis, 1833-1899." 
ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS, Luke 24:13-15. This window 
was given "In memory of John Adrian Davis, 1832-1905." 
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST, Acts 1:9-11. This 
window is significant in that it bears the names of a man and 
his son. The son was killed in World War II. "Henry Cleve 
Cox, 1884-1952, and Henry Cleve Cox, Jr., 1922-1944." 
Right below the window is a bronze plaque which bears the 
following inscription: "Dedicated to the honored memory of 
Henry Cleve Cox, Jr., Charles Orton, Warner Spence, Jack 
Tomlin, Hugh Hudson, Wayne C. Long, William Binns for 
giving their lives in the service of our country during World 
War II." An additional plaque honors, "William Thomas 
McDaniel killed in the Korean War." 
THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST, Matthew 24:30-31. This 
window has the following inscription: "To the glory of God 
and in loving memory of our mother and father, John and 
Adelaide Jackson." 
CHRISTIAN BAPTISM: A SYMBOL OF THE RESURREC- 
TION OF JESUS, Romans 6:3-4. This window was given to 
the church by the church. The inscription reads, "Buried with 
Him in Baptism." 
The windows create a worshipful atmosphere, they honor the 
past, and they celebrate our future. The stained glass windows of 
FBC are a beautiful celebration of Christ. 
The church celebrated its Sesquicentennial August 25-27, 
1989. Launching the weekend was a drama on Friday night 
directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Loosier. A huge birthday cake was 
enjoyed after the program. Saturday night featured a dinner and 
154 
reception for former pastors and staff members. Two morning 
services were held on Sunday followed by "dinner on the 
grounds." Dr. Roy Hunnicutt, Jr., president of Southern 
Seminary, was the guest speaker. Following the eleven o'clock 
service and before the dinner, a photograph was taken on the 
church lawn by Larry Patrick of all members present. 
Many dressed in appropriate clothing and some of the men 
grew beards. A memorabilia room was set Up in the library 
which displayed many historical documents, pictures and other 
items representing events in the life of the church during the last 
150 years. 
Bringing greetings as a part of the Sesquicentennial Service 
were Georgia Second District Congressman Charles Hatcher, 
Dougherty County Commission Chairman Gil Barrett, City of 
Albany Mayor Larry Bays, and Director of Missions, Mallary 
Association, James Pelham. 
Written greetings were received from George Bush, president 
of the United States; Dan Quayle, vice-president of the .United 
States; Jimmy Carter, former president of the United States; Joe 
Frank Harris, governor of Georgia; Zell Miller, It. governor of 
Georgia; Sam Nunn and Wyche Fowler, US senators; Mark 
Taylor, Georgia state senator; Jerry Vines, president of the 
Southern Baptist Convention; Dwight Reighard, president of the 
GBC; and James N. Griffith, executive director, GBC. 
Dr. Albert Mohler, Jr., editor of The Christian Index, brought 
an address on "Our Baptist Beginnings." Former pastor Perry F. 
Webb, Jr., led a responsive reading. The celebration sermon deliv- 
ered by Dr. Roy Hunnicutt was titled "What Mean These Stones?" 
Local participants included Jim Ramsey, Linda Bowman, 
Neil Brown, Paul Dean, Don Driskill, John Margeson, Tyler 
McGlamry, JoAnn Peebles, Mike Strickland, Alan Reddish, and 
Wilfred Smith. Former pastors and staff members attending the 
Sesquicentennial were Dan Hodges, pastor, 1983-86; Frank 
Short, associate pastor, 1979-82; Glen Mauzy, minister of music, 
1955-58; John H. Robson, youth minister, 1966-68; John Smith, 
youth minister, 1979-80; Ken Reid, youth minister, 1981-85; 
155 
Mrs. John Margeson, director of youth ministries, 1985-87; Mrs. 
Frances Lord, educational director, 1956-63; Mrs. Pete Brannan, 
director of children's work, 1970-72 and 1985-87; Mrs. Richard 
Cargile, elementary director, 1967-69; and Miss Edna Fields, sec- 
retary, 1933-75. 
The Sesquicentennial Committee who did an excellent job of 
"putting it all together" included John Margeson, chairman, 
Wilfred Smith, Becky Herndon, Becky Hobaugh, Elizabeth 
Loosier, and Sue Loosier. 
On his twenty-fifth anniversary as minister of music, Paul 
Dean and wife, Betty, were honored at a reception following the 
evening service September 24,1989. A book of letters and a love 
gift were presented to the Deans. 
As the decade of the eighties came to a close, Jon Norberg 
was called as music intern beginning September 13, 1989, and 
the church adopted its first proposed budget of $1,000,000. 
156 
Chapter 13 
THE NINETEEN NINETIES 
The nineties at First Baptist Church (FBC) began with 
an emphasis on evangelism and missions. As opportunities 
were offered by the local association, the state convention, the 
national convention, or others, FBC cooperated when it was 
feasible and desirable to do so. An example is the Mallary 
Baptist Association sponsored World Mission Conference, 
February 3-6, 1991. 
In leading FBC to participate, Don Driskill, minister of mis- 
sions and senior adults, said, "We need to be a part of this 
conference because we are all partners in Southern Baptists mis- 
sions, because we want to express that partnership in a personal 
commitment to missions, and because God gave us His Son and we 
want to help tell the world about Him."Missionaries who spoke at 
FBC were O. Errol Simmons, Eastern Europe; Fred Walker, 
Windward Islands; Mrs. Teresa Tuten, Ohio; Carlisle Franks, North 
Carolina; and Clarence Cole, state missions in Georgia. 
Another example is that FBC cooperated with churches all 
across the SBC in the 1990 simultaneous revival effort, "Here's 
Hope, Jesus Cares for You." Services were held at FBC March 
25-28, 1990. Dr. Ron Stone, pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 
Carrolton, Georgia was the visiting evangelist. Dr. Sid Buckley, 
minister of music, Washington Avenue Baptist Church, 
Greenville, South Carolina led the music. Preparation for the 
revival included an evangelistic people search and Bible distri- 
bution on Sunday, March 18. 
157 
An Elisabeth Elliot Conference was held May 17-18,1990, at 
the Albany Civic Center. FBC joined other churches in promoting 
attendance at the conference. Jim and Elisabeth Elliot were mis- 
sionaries serving in Ecuador. Jim was killed by the Auca Indians 
in 1956. During the conference, Mrs. Elliot shared her life story 
and how she and her daughter returned later to those same Indians 
to work on translating the Bible into their language. The title of 
the conference was "Under the Shadow of the Almighty." 
To accept the call of the First Baptist Church of Cary, North 
Carolina, Mike Strickland resigned as minister to youth effective 
March 17, 1991. He had served since the summer of 1987. A 
reception for Mike and Kathy was held following the evening 
service. He was presented with a love gift. 
Gordon Davidson joined the staff July 28,1991, as minister of 
youth, college, and activities. He came from Enterprise, Alabama, 
where he had been serving on the staff of the First Baptist Church. 
Gordon's training included a bachelor's degree from Carson- 
Newman College in Tennessee and a master's degree from 
Southwestern Seminary. Gordon and his wife Karen had two chil- 
dren, Emily Michelle and Matthew William. A reception was held 
after the evening service to welcome them and for them to receive 
the old-fashioned pounding given by members of the church. 
Don Driskill celebrated his fifteenth anniversary October 6, 
1991. A reception to show appreciation for Don and Sandi was 
held after church that evening. 
Dr. Jim Ramsey celebrated his fifth anniversary as pastor 
December 1, 1991. The Ramseys were honored with a church- 
wide reception following the evening service. In The Way dated 
November 29, "A Prayer for my Pastor" was printed as follows: 
"O Lord, let me be a pillar of strength to hold my pastor up, and 
not a thorn in his flesh to sap his strength, or a burden on his back 
to pull him down. Let me lift his hands without placing shackles 
around him. Amen." (Anonymous) 
First Baptist Builders continued their ministry in June, 
1992, with a project in North Georgia. The builders spent a 
week in Canton helping to build a home needed by the Georgia 
158 
Baptist Children's Home and Family Ministries for a ministry to 
retarded adults. 
Don Driskill was the team leader for a group of First Baptist 
volunteers who went to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, July 8-16, 
1992, to assist in the rebuilding of Saint Paul Baptist Church of 
Saint Thomas, which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1990. The 
team members were Jim Ramsey, Sandi Driskill, Quinton and 
Ramona Schwengel, Jane Donnahoo, Jim and Joyce Kirk, Ken 
and Sara Norberg, Stephen Greene, Dusty Doyal, Harry Johnson, 
Jr., Norma Woods, Lillian Jenkins, Rose Marie Legant, Val 
Tiernan, Steven Brannan, and Ed Trammell. 
The lottery question was on the 1992 general election ballot 
in Georgia. FBC, along with many other churches across Georgia 
opposed the lottery vigorously. Much information was shared and 
several conferences were held to inform the people about the lot- 
tery. Dr. Truett Gannon, president of the Georgia Baptist 
Convention, and Dr. Emmett Henderson, director of the Georgia 
Council on Moral and Civic Concerns, led the statewide effort in 
opposition to the lottery. 
Dr. Ramsey wrote in The Way dated Aug. 7, 1992, a humor- 
ous story to illustrate a point. "A man owned a big brown dog and 
he enjoyed walking him right down the sidewalk scaring every- 
one away. One day he saw a man coming walking a little old 
short yellow mutt. The man with the big dog said, 'Step aside.' 
The other fellow did not move. '1 said, step aside. I'm coming 
through.' The other man did not budge. 'Well, I warned you. Your 
dog is going to get hurt,' and he started forward. There was a ter- 
rible fight and suddenly the big dog's head was bitten off. 
Shocked and amazed at the fight in this little yellow dog, he 
asked, 'What kind of dog is that?' The other fellow said, 'Before I 
cut off his tail, shaved his warts, and painted him yellow, he was 
an alligator.'" Dr. Ramsey concluded, "The lottery may look 
small and harmless, but it has a terrible bite." 
The lottery's proponents' campaign pitch was, "The lottery 
will help educate Georgia's children." Sorry to say, the lottery 
forces won and the lottery became a reality. 
159 
Following Hurricane Andrew in the Miami, Florida area, 
FBC cooperated with other churches and organizations in col- 
lecting items and money needed in the recovery. In August, 1992, 
a semi-trailer was loaded and taken to the Miami area. Early in 
1993, a mission trip was made to Florida City, Florida, to rebuild 
homes damaged by Hurricane Andrew. 
The "minister on call" for weekends began in October, 1992. 
A beeper number was used by members who needed to get in 
touch with a minister in case of an emergency. The minister on 
call is listed each week in The Way. Regular, non-emergency calls 
can also be made when a member has a question for that particu- 
lar minister. 
The Mallary Baptist Association built a new office building 
on Mock Road in East Albany. Volunteers from several churches 
locally and from outside the state came to Albany in June, 1993, 
to work on the building. Many volunteers from FBC labored 
faithfully on the building. Dedication services for the newly fin- 
ished building were held on October 17, 1993, with Dr. Jim 
Ramsey, moderator of the MBA, acting as master of ceremonies. 
Glen Money was called as associate pastor and minister to 
singles effective August 2, 1993. He came from Calvary Baptist 
Church in Albany where he had been serving as pastor. An old- 
fashioned pounding and reception was given the Money family 
after the evening service, August 8, 1993. Glen and Lisa Money 
had two sons, Thad and Jordan. 
Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, a predominately black con- 
gregation met with FBC for a joint worship, Sunday night, 
July 18, 1993. Mt. Pilgrim's pastor, Rev. Clayton Smith, 
brought the message. A joint fellowship was held in the gym 
following the service. This was the first of many joint services 
over the years. Mount Zion Baptist Church and First Baptist 
also alternated services. 
The evening worship services at FBC were televised on a 
local cable channel from 1993 until the summer of 1999. 
The church conducted a "Breakthrough" conference led by 
Mrs. Jeri Herring, consultant with the Baptist Sunday School 
160 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, September 26-28, 
1993. Breakthrough goals were the following: 
+ A renewed commitment to Christ. 
+ A new awareness of and openness to the leadership of the 
Holy Spirit. 
+ A new awareness of the needs of persons who do not know 
Christ. 
+ A renewed fellowship within the church. 
+ Improved and expanded church plans to carry out the 
Great Commission. 
+ Church-wide involvment in carrying out these plans. 
The slogan, "The Place of New Beginnings" was selected in 
October of 1993, replacing the slogan, "A Time of New 
Beginnings," the slogan used by FBC since 1984. 
The greatest flood in the history of the Albany area and the 
largest natural disaster in the state of Georgia came in July of 
1994. Tropical storm Alberto came ashore from the Gulf of 
Mexico and stalled over the Southeast. Rain filled the rivers and 
creeks. Flash flood warnings were aired for certain areas, but no 
one could foresee the flood that would eventually come destroy- 
ing lives, homes, businesses, and farmland. 
The Macon area was hit first by this catastrophe, which took 
eight lives in a short time. Albany engineers then began to calcu- 
late the effect these rains would have on the Flint River. Not even 
the preciseness of mathematics could predict the vast area that 
would ultimately be flooded. 
It rained 21 inches in Americus in one day. Seventeen lives 
were lost July 6, 1994, as cars, with drivers unaware of the dan- 
gers that lay ahead, plunged off the washed-out roads. The city 
became isolated as road closings multiplied. 
Officials of Dougherty County and the City of Albany were 
warned of the impending flood, with estimates setting the crest of 
the Flint River at 37 feet. By the next day, July 7, the river had 
reached 41 feet, 20 feet above flood stage. This was the first day 
of official evacuations, which eventually extended to areas resi- 
dents would never have believed were in the flood plain. People 
161 
were rescued from tree branches and roof tops. The first deaths 
were recorded for the City of Albany as two children lost their 
lives in the murky waters when the family's car washed into the 
river. The Flint was now measuring 43 feet and still rising. All 
main bridges in Albany were closed, and the east and west sides 
of the city were separated by raging waters. 
Volunteers had already streamed into the area to assist with 
evacuations, rescues, sand bagging, and the overfilled shelters. 
Shelters were opening in increasing numbers in the county's 
schools and churches. The National Guard brought in a force of 
3,000 Guardsmen, and a number of Marine Corps personnel 
came from the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany. Many 
who worked for the Department of Natural Resources and several 
state troopers of the Georgia State Patrol were also on the scene 
to assist. 
By July 9, 30 shelters were in operation in Albany and were 
filled with 4,202 of the more than 24,000 evacuees who were 
forced from their homes. 
Finally, the waters ceased to rise. The Flint crested at 44 feet, 
5 feet above the record level set in January 1925. Flood stage on 
the Flint is 21 feet. Almost miraculously, essential power and 
water sources were not affected by the flood, sparing Albany the 
hardships faced by many less-fortunate communities. 
In Dougherty County, 23 square miles of land were flooded. 
Flooded homes reached 8,500. Only 600 had flood insurance. 
Two thousand people were put out of work by the flood. The 
Albany Humane Society sheltered over 800 animals during the 
weeks following the flood. The number of people evacuated 
along the Flint River in Albany was 22,800. Over 400 caskets 
were dislodged from their resting places and had to be recovered, 
identified, and reburied. New caskets and vaults were provided 
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at no cost to the 
families. Calvary, Lakeside, and Southside were churches in the 
Mallary Baptist Association that were flooded. 
In southwest Georgia, 43 counties were declared disaster 
areas by President Clinton. He promised $65.5 million for the 
162 
areas. At least 31 people died in the flood, including 17 in 
Americus and 4 in Albany. 
First Baptist was the focal point of activities during the flood. 
B. T. Yancey had led the church to be prepared for disasters. The 
kitchen had been set up to operate on natural gas as well as elec- 
tricity. He had helped train workers. He had even drilled children 
about how to survive when a disaster struck. 
Church services were cancelled on July 10,1994, in order to 
help keep traffic off the streets, to allow members to assist in 
preparing and serving food, and to assist in a number of other 
ways during the disaster. The Activities Building became the 
warehouse for food. Meals were prepared in the FBC kitchen and 
served to hundreds of volunteers, service personnel, the National 
Guard, police, officers from the Department of Natural 
Resources, and many others. First Baptist facilities became the 
headquarters for Emergency Medical Technicians, the National 
Guard unit, the American Red Cross, and the Georgia Baptist 
Disaster Relief efforts. 
Clean-up crews were formed to help the 53 families of 
FBC who were flooded to get back into their homes. A FBC dis- 
aster fund was set up to help meet some of the financial needs of 
their families. 
Worship services were resumed on July 17, with only one 
morning service at 11:00 and the evening service was held at 5:00 
because of the 7 pm curfew. Wednesday night suppers were sus- 
pended for several weeks since the kitchen was used to prepare 
meals for the volunteers and those still living in shelters. Prayer 
meeting was held in the sanctuary. Things were pretty well back 
to "normal" by July 24. Some of the Sunday School departments 
had to find alternate locations because the National Guard was 
still using some of the facilities for housing. 
First Baptist people were "Angels of Mercy." Because of the 
great need, a plea went out for volunteers and the response was 
terrific. People served by helping in the kitchen by serving food, 
delivering food to those who had lost their homes, working on a 
clean-up crew, helping with housing for volunteers who came 
163 
from outside the Albany area, helping on work crews to repair 
homes that were damaged by the flood, and giving cash to the 
disaster relief fund. 
From the FBC kitchen, an average of 5,200 meals a day 
were prepared in the first few days after the flood. Meals con- 
tinued to be prepared at FBC and served to work crews until 
Labor Day. More than 144,000 meals were served from FBC 
kitchen. First Baptist work crews continued to work through- 
out the year. The disaster relief team became a part of the 
Interfaith Rebuild Coalition of Dougherty County which gave 
general oversight to the rebuilding process. Of the more than 
5,000 homes destroyed by the flood, many needed to be 
rebuilt. After the Interfaith Coalition ceased, the First Baptist 
disaster team continued in cooperation with the Mallary 
Association, which coordinated the work wherever there was 
a need. Charles Freeman directed the Disaster Relief program 
for the association. Fred Lynch and C. B. Fincher were First 
Baptist leaders in disaster work. 
FBC had a "Flood of Love" Sunday, July 9,1995, a year after 
the flood. Several testimonies about the flood were given by 
flood victims and rebuild leaders from First Baptist. Some of the 
testimonies are shared: 
Dot Everson said, "Although I was a flood survivor, I feel 
that I am a richer person for having so much love and concern 
shown during this time. I developed friends and neighbors that I 
might never have known. Thanks be to God for all my dedicated 
Christian friends. The love it took to rebuild my home by family 
and friends makes it even more special and beautiful." 
The B. B. Rhodes family said, "Our family was a recipient of 
the Christian love shown by FBC friends and the interfaith group. 
We can never say enough 'thank you's' for the help we received 
and are still receiving." , 
Kathy Crowder said, "On one of the darkest days of reality, 
the Lord had a stranger to call with words of encouragement. No 
one else could have touched the pain that day as she did through 
His guidance." 
164 
Norma Conner said, "The tidal wave of love and compassion 
that swept through southwest Georgia last year knew no barriers 
of race, color, or creed. It was one of the most gratifying experi- 
ences of my life. I thank God I was able to be a part of the flood 
recovery effort and to work alongside my church family as we 
reached out to others in need. We were blessed daily, seeing 
God's love surround us." 
James Pelham, director of missions for the Mallary 
Association said, "I attended one of our flooded churches a few 
weeks after the flood. They were meeting in a make-shift space 
for worship. In his prayer, I heard a deacon express thanks to God 
for sending the flood because it had brought the members 
together in a spirit of love and sharing that had not been experi- 
enced before." Fortunately, FBC was not damaged by the flood. 
On his thirtieth anniversary as minister of music, Paul Dean 
was honored by FBC in a suprise ceremony, Sunday, September, 
11,1994. An anthem was commissioned in his honor for the occa- 
sion. The anthem, "Trust in the Lord," based on Proverbs 3:5-6, 
was composed by Mary McDonald and sung for the first time by 
the sanctuary choir under the direction of Claudia Anderson. 
Becky Herndon, president of the Sanctuary Choir, presented Paul 
with a framed copy of the first page of the original manuscript. 
A retirement dinner for Paul Dean was held Saturday, 
February 4, 1995. The event was a "fun time" as Paul's life was 
reviewed and several who had known Paul over the years came 
to pay tribute to him. Many photographs and other memorabilia 
covering his life from early childhood until the present were dis- 
played. The Deans were presented gifts and a love offering. It 
was truly a "night to remember." He was honored at both morn- 
ing services and a reception for Paul and Betty was held after the 
evening service on February 5. 
Dr. Ramsey paid tribute to the Deans by saying, "I am pro- 
foundly grateful God gave me the privilege and joy to work along 
side of Paul and to experience his life and ministry up close. I 
know I will miss Paul's leadership in our church and his daily 
friendship in serving Christ. 
165 
"Paul, you have done an excellent job in leading the music 
ministry of our church as you have served Christ. I know every- 
one joins me in saying to you and Betty, 'We love you and pray 
God's blessings upon you as you enter another important chap- 
ter in your life. May God continue to give you strength to be a 
faithful servant of His. Keep that great smile and sense of humor 
and for crying out loud, keep your head down when you try to 
hit the golf ball."' 
A recap of Paul Dean's long and fruitful ministry as minister 
of music of FBC, 1964-1995 included several music ensembles: 
"Abundant Life," adult ensemble; "Set Free," youth; "Heaven 
Bound," middle school; "Promises of God," children's; and many 
solos, duets, trios, etc. Choirs included the Sanctuary Choir, 
Senior Adult Choir, Chapel Choir, the A Capella Choir, and the 
graded children's choirs. 
Several music interns were trained by Paul with the purpose 
of acquainting and training young people in the music adminis- 
tration of the church. Young men serving as interns included 
Reggie Joiner, Tim Lane, Glen Cowart, Hal Thomaston, Richie 
Bruce, Chuck Stanfield, Dusty Doyal, and Steve Green. At least 
five of these young men entered the music ministry. 
Paul brought many outstanding musicals to the church. Many 
were enhanced with orchestra. They included "The Messiah" by 
Handel, "Elijah" by Mendelssohn, "Seven Last Words" by 
Dubois with music and drama, Christmas and Easter musicals 
with drama. Some of these were presented in the Municipal 
Auditorium. In addition to these, there were numerous youth and 
children's musicals. 
Youth and junior high choir members made several choir 
tours starting in 1966. Included were U. S. tours, three European 
tours to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, France, and 
Italy; a tour of the Holy Land; two cruises to the Bahamas; and 
two tours to Hawaii. Another popular event was Dean's Music 
Country, a fun music time to help raise funds to finance choir 
tours. Paul Dean's legacy will live on through the hundreds of 
lives he touched. 
166 
Claudia Anderson, church pianist, served until August 6, 
1995, as interim music director following Paul's retirement. 
Rev. Jerry Elder was called as minister of music effective 
August 13, 1995. Jerry and his wife Phyllis had two sons, Philip 
and Nathan. He is a graduate of Brewton Parker College, 
Samford University, and Southern Seminary School of Sacred 
Music. Previously he served as minister of music at First Baptist 
Church of Jesup, First Baptist Church of LaGrange, Warren 
Baptist Church of Augusta, all in Georgia, and interim minister of 
music at Big Springs Creek Baptist Church of N. Augusta, South 
Carolina. The Elders visited the church July 28-30 and again 
August 2 at which time they shared their testimonies of faith and 
described the work they had done in the past. A called business 
meeting was held on that Wednesday night, and Jerry Elder was 
called as minister of music. 
Neil Brown celebrated his tenth anniversary as minister of 
education August 20, 1995. A reception was held for the Brown 
family following the evening service. In a note in The Way the 
following week, Neil wrote to the church: "It is impossible to 
adequately express our gratitude for your love and support for the 
past ten years. You are a wonderful church family and we count 
it a blessing to serve with you. We genuinely appreciated the 
reception, the portrait, the love offering, and the many other 
expressions of kindness that we received on our tenth anniver- 
sary. It is my prayer that we will continue to look where God is 
working and join Him in that work. (Philippians 1:3-11.), Love, 
Neil and family." 
Dr. James M. Ramsey was nominated as a candidate for pres- 
ident of the Georgia Baptist Convention at its annual meeting in 
Macon, November 14-16,1995. Dr. Timothy Owings, pastor of the 
historic First Baptist Church of Augusta where the Southern 
Baptist Convention was founded in 1845, nominated Dr. Ramsey. 
Dr. Truett Gannon, pastor, Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Stone 
Mountain, said about Dr. Ramsey: "He is conservative, winsome, 
caring, inclusive, and biblically authentic in his doctrine. Called of 
God to Baptist ministry, he has led Georgia Baptists effectively as 
167 
chairman of the state Executive Committee, and he will be even 
more effective as our convention president." Rev. John O. 
Yarbrough, pastor, First Baptist Church, Perry was elected, defeat- 
ing Dr. Ramsey by 34 votes. 
Don Driskill resigned after 19 years on the staff of FBC 
effective February 22, 1996. Sandi Driskill also resigned from 
her position as director and lead teacher of the kindergarten. 
Following their leaving, the other ministers were assigned addi- 
tional responsibilities and later permanent adjustments were 
made to their job descriptions. Carol Reddish and LaJean Gruhn 
were enlisted to give direction to the kindergarten ministry. 
B. T. Yancey, faithful First Baptist layman, in May of 1996 
completed 15 years as worship coordinator. The pastor affection- 
ately referred to him as "Gen. Yancey." As his health began to 
deteriorate, he had to cut back on his activities. Special tribute was 
paid to him on Wednesday night, June 12. His trademark was the 
way he would ring the bell and say, "Welcome to the FIRST Baptist 
Church Wednesday night supper." The church family was saddened 
when B. T. died, July 3, 1996. Dr. Ramsey wrote in The Way, "No 
doubt the spirit of Jesus Christ was real and personal in his life....he 
was willing to serve, and as long as he was able, he did. Let us take 
on the same positive spirit that B. T. Yancey lived each day." 
Jerry Elder went with the Sons of Jubal (a concert choir made 
up of ministers of music across Georgia) on a mission trip to 
Germany, June 29 through July 4, 1996. 
FBC hosted the Korean Olympic Baseball Team at a dinner 
July 12,1996. The team was in the states to participate in the 1996 
Summer Olympics in Atlanta. They came to Albany to hold work- 
outs in preparation for the Olympic baseball games. Dr. Ramsey 
presented to each member of the group a New Testament. The 
team was made up of 29 players and nine coaches. 
Dr. and Mrs. Ramsey were in Atlanta for the Olympics and 
early on Saturday morning, July 27, 1996, were awakened by 
sirens in downtown Atlanta. They turned on the television and 
learned that a bombing had occurred in Centennial Park and 
Alice Hawthorne, a woman from Albany, had been killed. Her 
168 
daughter and 110 others had been wounded. Dr. Ramsey called 
Georgia Baptist Hospital and volunteered to assist families con- 
cerned about loved ones who had been injured. They dressed 
quickly and walked to a police precinct where a sergeant gave 
them a ride to the hospital. They were able to assist several fam- 
ilies as they awaited a word about those who had been injured. 
Dr. James M. Ramsey celebrated his tenth anniversary as 
pastor, December 7, 1996. A reception was held in the Ramseys' 
honor following the evening service, December 8. The pastor was 
given a beautiful keepsake book of memoirs, a generous check, 
and a side-splitting "roast" at the reception. Anniversary mes- 
sages to Dr. Ramsey appeared in The Way on December 4 from 
Neil Brown, Gordon Davidson, Glen Money, and Jerry Elder. 
The personnel committee said about the pastor: 
During the past ten years Dr. Ramsey has given true spir- 
itual leadership to our church through joyous and difficult 
times. His leadership was very apparent in 1989 as our 
church celebrated the Sesquicentennial anniversary. And, 
again in the summer of 1994, when we served as a lighthouse 
and refuge during the devastating flood which swept through 
Albany and southwest Georgia. Dr. Ramsey has become our 
friend. He is ready to rejoice with us in times of happiness, 
counsel with us in times of concern, visit with us in the hos- 
pital, and share with us in times of grief, and encouraging us 
at all times. He never shys away from addressing sin and 
human failings, but speaks of love and compassion. Dr. 
Ramsey has faithfully preached God's Word. 
The format of the Sunday night services changed to reflect a 
new theme, "Sunday Night Alive," beginning in October, 1995. 
The services were re-designed to be "seeker sensitive" in an 
effort to reach those who have never made a commitment to 
Jesus Christ, and to challenge those who had given up on God 
and the church. 
Dr. Kathryn Beckham Mims, joined the staff of FBC 
November 1, 1996, as Director of Senior Adult Ministries/Music 
Assistant and served in this capacity until December 31, 1999. 
169 
Since January 1, 2000, Dr. Mims has served as Director of Senior 
Adult Ministries. Dr. Mims' husband Clayton has also filled 
many leadership roles at FBC. 
Dr. Mims received her Doctor of Philosophy degree at the 
University of Georgia in 1986. She majored in child and family 
development with a minor in gerontology. Prior to coming to 
FBC, Dr. Mims was professional associate/training coordinator at 
the Rosalynn Carter Institute, Georgia Southwestern College, 
Americus. Before that she served in several places of responsi- 
bility: Kansas State University, 1986-88; Ohio State University, 
1988-93; and in Georgia at Thomas College in Thomasville, 
1993-94; and Columbus College in Columbus, 1995. 
Bob Pharis was recognized at the evening service on January 
2, 1997, for 37 years as night church pianist. He played old 
favorites at the service and was honored with a reception after 
the service. 
The FBC Foundation, established in 1995, was revised in 
1997. Contributions to the foundation can be made by individu- 
als and families at any time through wills and bequests after the 
donor's death. Earnings from the principal may be spent accord- 
ing to the desires of the donors. 
Susan McIntosh was called on February 16, 1997, as minis- 
ter to preschool and children. Her ministry began April 1. Susan 
came from Tyler, Texas where she was preschool minister and 
day school director at Trinity Baptist Church. During her visit to 
First Baptist with her husband, Andrew, she shared her testimony 
at both morning services. A pounding and dessert fellowship was 
held for the Mclntoshes, Apr. 20, 1997. 
First Baptist launched a project to distribute videos entitled 
"Jesus" to families in the Albany area. Members were asked to 
purchase a video for themselves and to make a contribution to 
enable the church to share a video with non-members. A contri- 
bution of $2,500 was given as "seed" money to purchase videos 
at $5 each to begin the distribution. In addition to the 500 copies, 
another 75 were ordered. In all, over 900 copies were distributed 
to families in and around Albany. 
170 
The video covered the birth, life, death, and resurrection of 
Jesus Christ as the most influential and controversial person in 
history. It answered questions about who He is, gave insights 
from His teachings and how they continue to impact lives, 
even today. 
Details for requesting a free video was shared during the 11 
am and 6 pm televised worship services. Volunteers answered 
phone calls during the services. Volunteers also delivered the 
videos to the homes of those requesting them. Later follow-up 
visits and calls were made to many of the homes. 
Jail ministries have been a priority for FBC since 1973. Fred 
Lynch and Billy Williams have lead this ministry and have been 
assisted by several dedicated workers. They went each Sunday 
afternoon to the old jail to conduct services, have prayer, and dis- 
tribute literature to the prisoners. 
In the late 1980s, other churches began to send people to lead 
services. After transferring to the new jail, regular Sunday morn- 
ing and evening services were scheduled. FBC chose Thursday 
nights for their services. 
Beginning in May, 1997, the book Experiencing God was 
taught to inmates at the Lee Correctional Institute. Later a similar 
study was conducted at Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia. 
LaJean Gruhn, Lee Bolen, Forrest Russell, Phil Podowski, and 
Larry King went to Lee Correctional Institute for two months, 
leading inmates in the study of Experiencing God. Following the 
study, LaJean gave a report to the church July 20, 1997. The pas- 
tor shared a letter written by inmates who participated in the 
study. The letter stated, in part,"Experiencing God has, and con- 
tinues to be, a blessing for me. The course opened doors for me in 
wisdom and knowledge of our heavenly Father. Henry Blackaby 
(the author of the material) is blessed to have been able to put such 
a course together under God's direction. And to all of you for hav- 
ing the courage to step out in faith and offer this study here, let me 
say, do not withdraw this particular course from this prisonin 
fact, pray about presenting it at other prisons." The letter was 
signed by 23 inmates and later 13 more names were added. 
171 
The gym was out of commission for a couple of weeks in 
July, 1997, for renovations. Suppers and other activities had to be 
cancelled. A new ceiling and lights were installed, a new gym 
floor was laid and properly marked, and the kitchen was given a 
thorough cleaning. Wednesday night suppers and other regular 
activities resumed on July 23. 
Many preparations go on each week that are unrecognized. 
On a typical Sunday morning in 1997 several individuals arrive 
by 7 am ready to get the church facilities ready for worship and 
Sunday School. Don Black has his leaf blower in hand, cleaning 
leaves, sticks, acorns, pigeon feathers, and other such things from 
around the church entrances. Ed Stephenson walks across the 
lawn and parking lot picking up paper and cups left by those 
passing by. He then joins Gordon Pannell doing a "walk through" 
of each aisle in the sanctuary picking up litter and replacing 
Bibles, envelopes, pencils, and hymn books. Gordon later runs 
the sound system for the early service. Ed and Walt Sweeting 
deliver record boxes to Sunday School rooms. Willard Smith 
makes coffee in the office area and arranges the candles and 
Bible on the altar. All of this is completed before 8 am. Many 
members do not realize that these men are performing a very 
important ministry in the life of the church. 
FBC sponsors the Korean First Baptist Church, which began 
meeting on August 20, 1995. They averaged 13 in their first 
month. Dr. John Yi of the North American Baptist Mission Board 
of the Southern Baptist Convention was the founding pastor. He 
traveled to Albany from Atlanta every weekend for over a year. 
In August of 1997, the church called Rev. Woo Kwang Jang as 
pastor. He was ordained by the FBC of Albany, Sunday, October 
26, 1997. Rev. Jang and his wife, Tae, had a son, Ho, and a 
daughter, Hwa. The Korean Church still averages about 12 each 
Sunday. They meet in Room 104 in the educational building. 
Office space was provided for the pastor. 
Glen Money resigned effective September 30, 1997, to 
accept the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Monroe, 
Georgia. A farewell reception was held for the Money family 
172 
Sunday night, September 28. Glen served four years on the staff 
at FBC of Albany and went to the same church that Dr. Ramsey 
pastored before moving to Albany. 
An Elisabeth Elliott Conference was held at FBC, October 
16, 1997. She is a former missionary and a well-known author 
and lecturer. During the day she held a Bible conference and in 
the evening she spoke at a banquet at the church. People came for 
the conference from as far away as Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, 
Alabama and from all across Georgia. 
"Make a Difference Day" is nationally promoted and in 
1997 was held October 25. FBC used the theme. "H. U. G. S. a 
blanket and a meal." The goal was to reach out and help the 
homeless in the Albany area prepare for winter. Soup and sand- 
wiches were served at noon and those who came were given 
various items according to their needs. H-ats, the knit kind that 
can be pulled down over the ears; U-nderwear, men's briefs, 
boxers, and undershirts; G-loves, white or brown cotton softies, 
large size; S-ocks, thick white socks that can keep feet warm in 
cold weather. Blankets were also provided to those needing 
them. Also given were toothbrushes, toothpaste, a New 
Testament, and a gym bag to carry their "stuff." During that 
Saturday, 276 people were fed and HUGS given to about 150. 
A total of 108 volunteers worked to "Make a Difference" in the 
lives of these people. 
Gordon Davidson resigned effective December 31, 1997, to 
accept the call of the Georgia Baptist Convention to become a 
youth consultant in the Discipleship Training Department. His 
final Sunday was December 21, and a farewell reception was 
held for Gordon, Karen, Emily, and Matthew that evening. He 
had served as minister to youth and property administration for 
six and one-half years. Neil Brown wrote in The Way about 
Gordon, "He was a team player and contributed tremendously to 
our total church effort... Gordon does the best job 1 know in help- 
ing young people grow spiritually. I've learned from Gordon, and 
his quiet, steady pace has been a ministry to me as well." Bonnie 
Wildes became interim youth director, working part-time. 
173 
In 1998 a ministry to the homeless was initiated by Robyn 
Parker, Toni Grebel, and Pam Nelson. A large number of volun- 
teers prepare a meal one Saturday a month at noon for the people 
in the community who need a hot meal. Personal items, clothing, 
and blankets are given out as needed. Personal witnessing is a 
vital part of this ministry. This was later changed to two 
Saturdays a month. 
The staff position of associate pastor/minister to singles was 
filled with the calling of Rev. Keith Gaines on January 25,1998. 
Keith was previously affiliated with the Recovery Center at 
Phoebe Putney Hospital. 
Keith was bom in Macon, Georgia and is the father of two chil- 
dren, Jeremy and Shawn. He graduated from Southern Seminary 
with a master of divinity degree. He also earned a master of science 
degree in counseling and psychology from Troy State University, 
Troy, Alabama. His previous ministerial experience included six 
years as pastor of First Baptist Church in Columbia, Alabama, and 
six years on staff at two other churches as associate pastor, music 
director, and youth director. Keith began his ministry with First 
Baptist on February 2,1998. A church-wide reception was held for 
him after the evening service on March 1. Keith and Dianne Key 
were married December 6, 1998. 
In 1998, another flood ravaged the Albany area just four years 
after the severe Flood of '94. Thankfully, this flood was not as 
widespread as the one in 1994. As the waters rose, FBC responded 
to minister in the name of Christ as needed. First Baptist again 
opened her facilities to a feeding unit which prepared meals for 
delivery to the shelters and for the volunteers who came to help. 
Church facilities were also used for housing emergency personnel 
and volunteers, as headquarters for the Georgia Baptists Disaster 
Relief personnel, and the Mallary Association Relief Center. The 
church volunteers provided help for the families of the church that 
were flooded. First Baptist volunteers served in the housing and 
feeding center, helped in clean-up and rebuild, and assisted in the 
work of the church office. The church responded with a special 
offering for disaster relief. 
174 
Tracey Jines accepted the call of FBC to become minister to 
students and activities effective, May 24, 1998. He was officially 
welcomed at a church-wide picnic on June 7. Tracey was ordained 
to the gospel ministry by FBC November 21, 1999. Tracey and 
Cynthia were married, December 19,1998. Tracey was a graduate 
of Southwestern Seminary. 
Wayne and JoAnn McClung were recognized for 30-plus 
years of faithful service in the media center. Wayne became 
library director in 1981 and served a total of 17 years. Renita 
Luck became the library director in July of 1998. 
A special project for some of FBC's builders was the restor- 
ing of the New Union Baptist Church, near Warwick in Worth 
County. Renovations included the installation of several new 
doors, painting, and other repair work. Working on the project 
were Fred Lynch, Melvin Chapman, C. B. Fincher, Bill Nichols, 
A. J. Nobles, Bill Regan, Fred Ringstaff, Charles Sheppard, 
Charles McGhee, and Maxwell Davis. 
Pastor R. B. Averett and Deacon James O. Ulm wrote a letter 
of appreciation to First Baptist Church. New Union is more than 
100 years old, with only 14 resident members. It is a half-time 
church with preaching on second and fourth Sundays. Sunday 
School is held every Sunday. A dedication service was part of 
homecoming at New Union a few Sundays after the work was 
completed. Several of the men from First Baptist who had 
worked on the building were in attendance. James Pelham repre- 
sented New Union in expressing appreciation to the FBC of 
Albany for their help in restoring New Union's facilities as a 
beautiful place for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. 
Another project took place in Soldotna, Alaska. A group went 
to help build an educational building and fellowship hall for the 
College Heights Baptist Church. The pastor, Scott Coffman, and 
his wife Trish, visited First Baptist and shared about their need, 
and plans were made for the trip in the summer of 1998. Twenty- 
four men and women made the trip. Those who went were Chet 
Anderson, Larry Brown, Melvin and Mynette Chapman, Jane 
Crawford, Keith Gaines, Jeremy Gaines, Sam and Joan Harris, 
175 
Jim and Joyce Kirk, Roger and Mardee Lennard, Charlie and Pat 
Mullis, Bill Nichols, Ken and Sarah Norberg, Jim and Nan 
Ramsey, B. B. and Elsie Rhodes, and Charles and Janice 
Sheppard. The group arrived back in Albany on July 25 after two 
weeks in Alaska. A full report was made to the church at the 
evening service on August 23,1998. 
Many First Baptist members are active in building homes 
under the ministry of Habitat for Humanity. Following the dev- 
astating flood in 1994, First Baptist entered into partnership with 
Flint River Habitat for Humanity in 1996 to build a new home. 
Since the southside of Albany had been hit so hard by the flood, 
all future homes in that area had to be built above the hundred 
year flood plain. For eight weekends during the fall of 1996, First 
Baptist volunteers worked on the home and it was dedicated to 
the glory of God later that fall. 
In June of 1997 First Baptist workers dried in another house 
on Sunny Lane. This two day project included building the walls, 
putting up the trusses, wrapping the house, and decking the roof. 
Another house on Sunny Lane was a blitz build, and the house 
was finished in about ten consecutive days. 
In June of 1998, First Baptist workers moved their hammers 
off Sunny Lane and into the brand new Woodland Oaks subdivi- 
sion east of the Albany Airport being developed by Flint River 
Habitat for Humanity. That summer First Baptist workers dried in 
one of the first homes built in that subdivision. Again that fall, 
First Baptist and several other churches of the Mallary 
Association completed its third house. 
Jeff Neal, project director for First Baptist and Keith Land, 
house leader, along with more than 200 people worked on 
Fridays and Saturdays in building five homes in the last four 
years. Another home was started in October of 2000. 
A special feature of the 159th homecoming, August 30,1998, 
was the honoring of Mary Herndon. She retired after serving 
more than 22 years as financial secretary. 
Dr. Ramsey led the church to embrace the "Becoming a 
Contagious Christian" program. He led a study on Sunday nights, 
176 
beginning January 10, 1999. The goal was for each member to 
become the most contagious person that he or she can become in 
order to lead others to Jesus Christ. Each member used a work- 
book as the pastor used the sermon time to teach the material. The 
study concluded March 7. 
Susan McIntosh resigned effective June 30, 1999, to join her 
husband Andrew, who was called to active duty as a chaplain in 
the US Air Force. He was stationed in southern California. Susan 
had served as minister to preschoolers and children for two years. 
Andrew had been serving as intentional interim pastor of Salem 
Baptist Church in Edison, Georgia. Rev. James Pelham was 
called as pastor of Salem in May of 1999 following Andrew's 
ministry there. 
Pam Jeffries was called as minister to preschoolers and chil- 
dren effective July 11,1999. Pam accepted Christ as Savior when 
she was seven years old. Her call to the ministry came while she 
was a student at Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Missouri 
in May, 1984. She went on to earn a Masters of Arts in Religious 
Education degree from Southwestern Seminary in December of 
1996. Pam came to Albany from Columbus where she was a 
member of Britt David Baptist Church. 
FBC celebrated its 160th anniversary August 28-29, 1999. 
Dr. Kirby Godsey, president of Mercer University, Macon, was 
the featured speaker. On Saturday night a large number 
of people enjoyed an old-fashioned dinner and a hymn sing. 
After the 11 am service on Sunday, a covered-dish lunch was 
enjoyed by all in the gym. The history committee displayed 
"old times" memorabilia in the parlor. The display included 
pictures, household items, clothing, and other things appropri- 
ate for the occasion. 
The John, Ann, Judy Memorial Library and Media Center, a 
ministry of FBC, Albany, was dedicated in September, 1999. The 
library ministry began in 1947. In February of that year, the 
Intermediate Sunday School Department voted to establish the 
memorial library in memory of John Story, Jr., Ann Walker, and 
Judy Hall, who were members of the department. 
177 
John E. Story, Jr. was 14 years of age when he was thrown 
from his horse and killed. He was survived by his parents, Mr. 
and Mrs. John E. Story and a sister, Jo Anne who was married to 
the late Jim McClung. Ann Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. 
C. Walker and a close friend, Judy Hall perished in the Winecoff 
Hotel fire on December 7, 1946 in Atlanta. 
The Memorial Library moved to its present location and was 
re-dedicated in a special service, October 21,1970. In 1984, Mrs. 
Lavon Boyette furnished the library's "Reference Room" in 
memory of her son, Lt. John N. Boyette, who was killed in the 
bombing of the Marine barracks in Beriut, Lebanon in 1983. 
The media center underwent major renovations with a large 
portion of the costs given by David and Carol Lee in memory of 
their parents, Charlotte Ellinor Hinson Durham and William 
Spencer "Billy" Lee, III. 
The center enlarged its ministry in September of 1999 to 
include ministering to the children and families of FBC kinder- 
garten. The beautiful handcrafted circulation desk, built and 
donated by the Nathan Wade family, is the hub of activities in the 
center. The media ministry team expressed special thanks to 
Nathan, Carrie, Josh, and Bethany for their wonederful gift. The 
media ministry team consisted of Renita Luck, JoAnn Bates, 
Norma Conner, Rachelle Fowler, B. J. Greer, Dana Hardin, Pat 
Huffpauier, Tammi Isert, Marsha Murkerson, Julie Sellers, and 
Pam Taylor. 
Once again First Baptist played a key role in assisting the 
American Red Cross and victims of Hurricane Floyd which was 
expected to hit the south Atlantic coast in 1999. Complete evac- 
uation of the coastal areas was put into operation. First Baptist 
provided shelter for 86 people from Jacksonville and Brunswick 
who drove west to escape the hurricane. Among those who stayed 
in First Baptist facilities was a family from Austria who were 
refugees from Kosovo. They were visiting friends in Florida. 
The call came from the Red Cross to C. B. Fincher about 
1:00 am Wednesday morning, September 15, 1999. C. B. called 
other men and women and within 30 minutes cots and blankets 
178 
were ready. Twenty-nine of the 86 people who spent the rest of 
the night in Albany stayed over and attended the Wednesday 
night supper as guests of the church. 
Fortunately, as it worked out, Hurricane Floyd's path turned 
northward, sparing Florida and Georgia. Those who had evacu- 
ated their homes were allowed to return. The First Baptist 
disaster team went to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and assisted 
in repairing damage inflicted by Hurricane Floyd. 
179 
Chapter 14 
THE YEAR 2000 AND 
A NEW MILLENNIUM 
The year 2000 began with new assignments for the support 
staff in the office. Bonnie Wildes was welcomed as interim 
music assistant. Mary Podowski became part-time publications 
secretary following her retirement after serving for seventeen 
years full-time. Rhonda Newberry, financial secretary, became 
team leader for the secretarial staff, coordinating work assign- 
ments. Gloria Lowery, receptionist, provided support for the 
associate pastor, including singles ministry, missions, and prop- 
erty administration such as van calendar, church keys, and 
general secretarial support. Gayle Morgan, education secretary, 
continued education support and added to her responsibilities 
were maintaining office supplies, The Christian Index, and gen- 
eral secretarial support. Carole Stone, pastor's secretary, 
coordinated the church calendar and provided support for all 
pastoral ministries. 
A "Leap of Faith" campaign was launched in January, 2000, 
to raise money for repair projects that needed to be done on the 
church facilities. Roof replacement, interior repairs, and new car- 
pet were some of the needs which were projected to cost about 
$167,000. Church members were asked to give to the "Leap of 
Faith" campaign over and above regular contributions. The "Leap 
of Faith" goal was $170,000. 
The Historic Preservation Society granted permission to the 
church for the removal of the Rhyne Building on Broad Avenue. 
180 
Its removal provided space for the expansion of the playground 
next to the gym on the west side. 
"Women Build 2000" began in March and continued on 
weekends until June 10. First Baptist Church (FBC) women 
joined other women in building a house at 907 Oakdale Court for 
a needy family. It was a learning on the job experience, as no 
prior construction skills were required. This was a project of Flint 
River Habitat for Humanity. 
The Joyful Saints Choir, composed of senior adults, pre- 
sented the musical "Moving with the Spirit" on Sunday morning, 
March 19, directed by Jerry Elder. A Senior Adult Recognition 
Luncheon was held, March 19, in the gym following the eleven 
o'clock service. "Jerry & The Elders" (Jerry Elder, Joe Nichols, 
and Doc Oakes) presented a musical program. 
Dr. Kathy Mims, director of senior adult ministries planned 
many activities, including trips to Branson, Missouri; Callaway 
Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia; and Baptist Village, Waycross, 
Georgia. They sang on Senior Adult Recognition Day held April, 
30, 2000. The theme was "Serve With Gladness." 
A downpour of 3-5 inches of rain in the downtown area did 
damage to FBC facilities. The major damage was a leak in the 
rear of the educational-sanctuary building. A number of FBC 
folk, including Keith Gaines, Don Barfield, Inez and Paul 
Whittle, Artie and Robbie Matthew, Larry Brown, Roger 
Wingate, Rick Barrett, and Nan Ramsey, assisted in the clean-up. 
Most of the cost was covered by insurance. Commercial cleaning 
services were utilized for several weeks in getting the facilities 
back in shape. 
Downtown churches take turns hosting Holy Week Services 
the week before Easter each year. FBC hosted the services in 
2000. Lunch was served at 11:45 and 12:45 and the service began 
at 12:15. The theme for Holy Week Services, April 17-21, 2000, 
was "Crossroads in the Life of Jesus." Speakers included Dr. Jim 
Ramsey, pastor, FBC, "Crossroads in the Temple;" Rev. Dawes 
Thompson, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, "Crossroads in the 
Wilderness;" Dr. Don Kea, pastor, First United Methodist 
181 
Church, "Crossroads at the Wedding;" Dr. Tom Downs, pastor, 
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, "Crossroads in the Garden;" and 
Rev. Dick Denson, chaplain, Phoebe Putney Hospital, 
"Crossroads on the Cross." 
The Sanctuary Choir and orchestra presented "Alpha & 
Omega," a musical for Easter on Sunday and the following Tuesday. 
"Christmas in April" was a community project on which 
members of FBC and Mt. Zion Baptist Church joined to do major 
repairs on a house. This was an example of how FBC often min- 
istered across racial lines to help meet spiritual and physical 
needs in the community. 
Tracey Jines resigned effective May 31, as minister to stu- 
dents. A farewell reception was held for Tracey and his wife, 
Cynthia, on Sunday night, May 28. Tracey was called as asso- 
ciate pastor for students at First Baptist Church, Farmington, 
New Mexico. Bonnie Wildes served as interim director of stu- 
dent activities. 
Dr. Ramsey presented a proposal to the church on 
Wednesday evening, June 14, involving a new format for 
Wednesday evening and Sunday evening. Dr. Ramsey said, "I am 
sharing with you a vision that God has given me for our church. 
I make a proposal that I believe will help us unite under our mis- 
sion and as a church....1 am convinced the vision God has given 
me is right out of the Bible and I cannot wait to begin sharing it 
with you each Wednesday evening. The name of the program is 
'First Family Focus Hour.' The church voted overwhelmingly for 
the program, and a trial period, August through December, was 
launched on August 9 as 'Five Fabulous Months at First'." 
To implement "First Family Focus Hour" the Sunday evening 
worship service was switched to Wednesday evening to focus on 
being a "prevailing" church. It was a time of praise and worship 
targeted primarily for church members and those interested in 
understanding what it takes to be a member of the First Baptist 
Family. Previously, time had not allowed for this emphasis. In the 
new schedule, the pastor had opportunity to share his vision and 
course for the church. 
182 
The Spiritual Growth Opportunities shifted from Wednesday 
night to Sunday afternoon and/or other times during the week. 
The Spiritual Growth Opportunities continued to offer members 
Bible study classes that "nourish their souls." Sunday afternoons 
became a time to do evangelism and visitation, a time for chil- 
dren and youth to have their own special studies and fellowship 
time, and a time for a special prayer hour. 
The children's choirs and mission programs and youth study 
groups continued to meet as they usually did on Wednesday 
nights. For the workers who missed the First Family Focus Flour 
because of working with child or youth at that hour, a special 
class was held on Sunday evening where they could view a video 
or listen to a tape of the previous Wednesday night Focus Hour. 
The week of July 6-13, 28 students and adults traveled to 
Lynchburg, Virginia, on a mission venture that had them present- 
ing the gospel through "Envoy" and "Positive Impulse" student 
choirs and the "Million Faces" student drama team. They shared 
the gospel of Christ in several churches and took to the streets to 
pray for a spiritual awakening to occur in the lives of the people. 
Upon returning the group presented a "Homecoming Concert" at 
the evening service on July 16. 
Rev. and Mrs. Gordon Mills, pastor and wife of the Kingston 
Road Baptist Church, Kingston, Idaho, visited FBC Albany in 
March. He preached at the evening service March 5. During their 
visit, plans were made for a mission trip to Idaho. A group of 24 
adults from FBC and three adults from other Mallary Association 
churches went to Priest River, Idaho, to hold revival services with 
Rev. Keith Gaines preaching, to lead a Vacation Bible School for 
the children, to build an addition to the church facility, and to wit- 
ness of the love of God through Jesus Christ to the community. 
Construction projects included constructing a drive-through 
portico, sheetrocking and painting two rooms, the baptistry, and 
hall. Revival services were held Sunday through Wednesday. 
They assisted with Vacation Bible School at Priest River Church 
and a mission Bible School at Dover, Idaho. About 30 were 
enrolled in VBS and nine responded to the gospel presentation. 
183 
Lunch and supper were prepared for the entire group each day. A 
full report of the trip complete with pictures and testimonies was 
given on Sunday, July 30, at the 6 pm service. 
Those who went on the Idaho mission trip were Evelyn and 
Mabery Carter, Carl Dunn, Catherine Edwards, C. B. Fincher, 
Keith and Diane Gaines, John and Paula Hannington, Sam and 
Joan Harris, Tom and Martha Hocutt, Curtis and Carol Inman, 
Pam Jeffries, JoAnn Lane, Roger and Mardee Lennard, Charlie 
and Pat Mullis, Jeff Neal, and B. B. and Elsie Rhodes from FBC. 
From other churches in the Mallary Baptist Association (MBA) 
were Paul Branch, Linda Hudson, and Don Odum. 
Brian K. Scott visited FBC on Sunday August 20, in view of a 
call as minister to students and activities. He met with the staff, the 
Student Ministry Team, the Student Council, and a host of students. 
Harvey Willis, chairman of the personnel committee, made the rec- 
ommendation at both morning services that Brian be called as 
students and activities minister. The vote to call him was unanimous. 
In his letter of acceptance, Brian wrote, "The time and energy 
spent in searching for God's will was well spent as Jill, the boys, 
and I felt such a warm reception this past weekend. We were 
impressed with so many things, but I want to say that the youth 
really stood out with their friendliness and enthusiasm. Our 
prayers will continue, but the focus will shift from praying about 
FBC Albany, to praying for FBC Albany." 
Brian Scott graduated from Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa 
Falls, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Science in Youth Ministries 
and he obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern 
Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. He and his 
wife, Jill, have two children, Brandon and Chandler. 
The Scotts moved to Albany to begin his ministry October 1. 
A reception welcoming them to the First Baptist family was held 
after the Sunday night service. 
Jerry Elder was honored July 30 on the occasion of his fifth 
anniversary as minister of music. 
Neil Brown celebrated his fifteenth anniversary, August 18, 
at FBC. He has served under various titles, with minister of edu- 
184 
cation and finance as the current one. A reception was held for the 
Browns after the evening church service, August 20. Neil Brown 
responded to the celebration of his fifteenth anniversary: "There 
is no way we can adequately express our heartfelt appreciation 
for the continued love and support you have given our family 
over these 15 years. It is a great privilege to serve here with such 
a loving church family and our great staff. When we arrived in 
Albany, Bryant was in a stroller. Sunday night we still had a 
stroller but now it was for Hannah, our first grandchild.... I 
believe the best is yet to come and I am excited to be a part of the 
First Family at this time.... thank you!" 
When the cornerstone at the northeast corner of the sanctuary 
was laid in 1912, it was engraved with the wrong date for the 
founding of the church. The Historical Committee had the cor- 
nerstone removed and taken to James R. Spence, a stonemason, 
who carved on it the correct date, August 31, 1839. Behind the 
cornerstone was a small metal box which contained two Albany 
Herald newspapers which told the story of the dedication of the 
sanctuary. Due to moisture that had gotten into the box, items 
were badly decomposed. 
The cornerstone was reinstalled to its previous position. On 
August 27, following both Sunday morning worship services, the 
pastor led the people outside for the rededication and unveiling of 
the cornerstone. 
To prevent water damage again, PVC pipes were used to 
store the materials. The pipes were sealed with the following 
items inside: a copy of the Order of Worship for Sunday, August 
27; a copy of The Way dated August 24; a copy of The Insight of 
August 23; the FBC Budget for 2000; black and white pictures 
from FBC's 150th and 160th anniversaries; a copy of a pen and 
ink drawing of FBC by Ann Lynch; a list of all FBC pastors; a 
booklet about the stained glass windows from the 150th church 
anniversary; a copy of the FBC Constitution and Covenant; a 
color photo of the exterior of the church; a plat of the church 
property and an aerial photo; and an article about the reason for 
the changes made in the date on the cornerstone. 
185 
While the sanctuary and the cornerstone of the church are 
important from an historical perspective, neither holds the signif- 
icance that the church has. Dr. Ramsey said, "As a church, we are 
not brick and mortar with a marble cornerstone. We are a spiritu- 
al house made of living stones and our cornerstone is Jesus 
Christ. We are built upon the strong foundation of Jesus." 
A people-mover golf cart was given by Don and Florine 
Curran to the church September 13, to use for transporting per- 
sons needing or wanting assistance from their parking place to the 
church buildings on Sunday mornings. The "Club Car Villager" 
had a canopy top and windshield and could carry six passengers. 
An appeal was made for drivers. Kathy Mims assisted in training 
the volunteer drivers to operate the cart. 
Jerry Elder resigned as minister of music on September 24. 
Keith Gaines, Bonnie Wildes, and other leaders in the music 
ministry agreed to share leadership responsibilities of the 
music program while a search for an interim music director was 
being conducted. 
Rev. L. C. Lane was called as interim minister of music 
effective November 1. He came from Newnan, Georgia, where 
he had served as minister of music at the First Baptist Church for 
more than twenty years. He retired to pursue a singing and com- 
posing career. Lane was a graduate of Columbus College and 
Southern Seminary. 
Rev. Jimmy D. Nettles was called as minister of music effec- 
tive July 1, 2001. He is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 
grew up in Sorrento, Louisiana. Nettles and his wife Elisabeth 
Anne have two children, Sarah Ruth and Casey Noel. 
Nettles, a graduate of Southwestern Louisiana University and 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, earned a master's degree 
with a major in music and minors in voice and piano. Prior ser- 
vice included director of worship, Woodlake United Methodist 
Church, Midlothian, Virginia; minister of music and senior 
adults, Central Baptist Church, Chesterfield County, Virginia; 
minister of music and youth, Winbourne Avenue Baptist Church, 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana; music intern, Walnut Street Baptist 
186 
Church, Louisville, Kentucky; minister of music and youth, 
Dutchtown Baptist Church, Gonzales, Louisiana; and music field 
worker, Kentucky Baptist Convention. 
The Way dated October 5 reported that "TeamKid," a new 
program for children, will begin on Wednesday nights. "This is 
one of the most exciting opportunities we have to teach our chil- 
dren not only the basics of the Bible, but to help them make good 
life-changing decisions, develop their hearts to serve the Lord, 
and to give their hearts to Jesus Christ," said Pam Jeffries, minis- 
ter to preschool and children. 
Mrs. Dot Stewart (affectionately known as Miss Dot Dot) 
was honored for 43 years of ministry as a worker in the nursery 
at First Baptist Church. 
Three members of the church were more than 100 years old 
in 2000. Eva Milligan was born January 8,1899; Mrs. Hudson J. 
(Katie Sue Reese) Malone was born October 17, 1899; and Mrs. 
J. Cal (Mary) Ellis was born October 18,1899. 
Members of the church for 75 continuous years or longer, as of 
December 31, 2000, include, in order, are Mrs. Sue W. Coleman, 
Miss Eugenia Johnson, Mrs. Frances Watson, Mr. Hubert Johnson, 
and Mrs. Mary Johnson. 
Couples married 50 years or longer were honored at a special 
service and reception, October 18,1998. At least 60 FBC couples 
had been married 50 years or more. The couple married the 
longest was Rudolph and Voncile Southwell, who celebrated their 
70th anniversary May 25, 2000. Nine couples had been married 
more than 60 years. The couples were recognized at a reception 
in the activities building following the evening service. Many of 
the couples displayed pictures of their wedding and other 
memorabilia. A wedding cake and refreshments were served. The 
celebration was complete with "big band" sounds, bringing back 
memories of the music of the forties, fifties, and sixties. Fifty- 
three of the honored couples were present for the occasion. 
During its 161 years, FBC of Albany has touched many lives 
through its direct ministry and countless thousands through par- 
ticipation in missions beyond the local community. FBC is a 
187 
mother and grandmother church to several congregations in the 
Albany area. Instead of becoming a bigger and bigger church 
itself, the choice was made to grow by starting new churches. 
FBC started or had a part in starting these churches with their 
number of members as recorded in the minutes of the Mallary 
Association for 2000: Byne Memorial (2332), who started 
Sunnyside (915); East Albany (332); Acree First Baptist Church 
(441); Raleigh White (581), who helped to start Mercedes (311) 
and Calvary (509); and Sherwood (2301), who started Radium 
Springs (458). With FBC (2003), the total is 10,183 members. 
These ten churches baptized 250 and reported 6,189 enrolled in 
Sunday School in 2000. 
In 1997, FBC established the New Beginnings Vision Team 
2010, consisting of Charlie Mullis, chairman, Don Barfield, 
Melvin Chapman, Gail Dorner, Bob Dutton, Jana Gill, John 
McDuffie, Phil Plummer, Ellen Raulerson, Alan Reddish, Jo 
Taylor, and Bert Wesley. The Vision Team 2010 was commis- 
sioned with a three-fold purpose: 1) to study the trends and 
mission needs of the Albany area, 2) to study the historical mis- 
sion and ministries of the church over the last several years, 
and 3) to bring recommendations to the church that will move 
the church toward the year 2010, all in light of the church's 
mission statement. 
Listening sessions were set up to give members of the church 
an opportunity to share ideas, dreams, hopes, and concerns with 
the committee. A survey form was designed by the New 
Beginnings Vision Team 2010 and was used March, 1998, in 
Sunday School assemblies. The answers to the questions provided 
very valuable information to the team. 
Upon completion of their work, a copy of their report with 
recommendations was mailed to each church family. The 2010 
team report was presented to the entire church and discussed 
at meetings on September 23 and 30, 1998. It was adopted in 
church conference. 
Growing out of the work of the Vision Team 2010 was a pur- 
pose statement which was adopted by the church. The purpose 
188 
statement for FBC of Albany is, "To glorify God through the wor- 
ship of Jesus Christ, bring people into a love relationship with 
Him, help them discover their spiritual gifts, equip them for min- 
istry, and build a fellowship of love and grace." 
A summary of the 2010 Team report is in five parts: 
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and key issues. 
Major strengths identified were a talented, capable ministe- 
rial staff that works well together; quality preschool programs; 
good quality Spiritual Growth Opportunities; quality music pro- 
gram with a variety of styles of presentation; good missions 
programs led by laity including Baptist Builders, Habitat, soup 
kitchen, Prison ministry, Woman's Missionary Union, and oth- 
ers; a congregation which cares for each other and fellowships 
together; a beautiful sanctuary which provides a worshipful 
atmosphere; a television ministry that reaches the community 
and surrounding area; an active and effective singles ministry; a 
quality senior adult ministry; Sunday School classes generally 
taught by effective teachers; acceptance of diverse groups; a 
core group of loyal givers; and a growing young adult Sunday 
School membership. 
Major weaknesses identified were the age and condition of 
FBC facilities especially as they relate to preschoolers and chil- 
dren, lack of ongoing visitation by the laity, lack of training and 
development of leaders and teachers, lack of variety in worship 
opportunities, and lack of growth in number of church members. 
Major opportunities for improvement and ministry that 
should be considered by FBC for the next five years include 
enhanced development and utilization of ministry teams to min- 
ister to others and to create opportunities for members to work 
together and to get to know each other better; significant 
improvement to present facilities and/or construction of new 
facilities; enhanced preschool, children, and youth programs; 
improvement to Sunday School and Special Growth Opportuni- 
ties literature to provide for more impactful study; contemporary 
worship alternatives; improve race relations; and improve com- 
mitment of membership. 
189 
Major threats identified were failure to deal with aging facil- 
ities, downtown location, internal demographics: an aging 
congregation, satisfaction with the status quo, failure to change, 
changing community demographics, not recognizing needs of 
members and community, lack of follow-through on plans, fail- 
ure to develop membership to a more mature place spiritually, 
and weakening lay participation with more dependency of staff. 
Key issues the church must face include consideration of 
church location and facilities; consideration of contemporary and 
traditional forms of worship; unity of mission (purpose); lay 
involvement; ability to appeal to and reach young adults; evange- 
lism; budgeting and financial issues; quality preschool, children, 
and youth programs; meeting the needs of members; racial preju- 
dice; equalization of opportunities for women to serve; assimilation 
of new members; and mission and ministry opportunities. 
In August of 2000, as a follow-up and to get another 
opinion of FBC's situation, Dr.Thom Rainer, dean, Billy Graham 
School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth, at 
Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, was employed to make 
a study and report his findings. He visited Albany and FBC sev- 
eral times and upon completion of his study, made a lengthy 
report to the church. Dr. Rainer's report affirmed much of what 
the 2010 Team had already found. 
Dr. Rainer said in December, "I want the church to know of 
my great encouragement thus far. Dr. Ramsey and the ministerial 
staff have responded with enthusiasm and vision. Though numer- 
ical results are not yet apparent, I believe they will be in time. 
The leadership and vision of the staff is growing and new out- 
ward focus strategies are being implemented regularly. I will 
continue to work with the church leadership with a goal to come 
to definitive recommendations before the summer of 2001. 
"The main focus of my ministry at FBC," Dr. Rainer said, "is 
to lay the foundation for the development of staff and lay leader- 
ship to improve the outward focus of the church." Dr. Jim 
Ramsey responded, "Now is time to draw together and move for- 
ward fulfilling the great purpose God has given us in this 
190 
location. Remember, it is through your worship, Bible study 
attendance, the sharing of your faith, the serving of God through 
the church, and the giving of your tithes and offerings, that you 
make this location 'THE PLACE OF NEW BEGINNINGS.' 
Anything less than our best prevents us from being the dynamic 
church God wants us to be in downtown Albany." 
Strong, committed leadership and a membership dedicated to 
reaching out in the name of Christ to the greater Albany area is a 
combination that will be victorious. 
Leading the church into the 21st century and a new millen- 
nium are Dr. James M. Ramsey, pastor since December 7, 1986; 
Rev. H. Neil Brown, minister of education since August 18,1985; 
Dr. Kathy Mims, director of senior adult ministries since 
November 1,1996; Rev. Keith Gaines, associate pastor and min- 
ister to singles since January 25,1998; Rev. Brian Scott, minister 
to students and activities since October 10, 2000; Rev. Jimmy D. 
Nettles, minister of music since July 1, 2001; and Dr. Linda 
Haines, minister to pre-school and children since May 15, 2002. 
191 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
APPENDICES 
193 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Appendix A 
A HEART FOR MISSIONS 
(A history of Woman's Missionary Union, First Baptist Church, 
Albany, Georgia; material furnished by Mrs. C. B Fincher) 
The Albany Baptist Church was officially organized in 1839 
by Reverends Jonathan Davis, James Steely, and Joshua Mercer. 
During the years that followed, its growth and missionary zeal 
kept pace with the growth of the city. 
In the late 1870s a Ladies Aid Society was started with its 
own constitution and by-laws. The ladies gave 25 cents initiation 
fee and five cents every week to support their projects. It was 
noted in the records that the Albany Society gave to foreign mis- 
sions in the late 1890s and $25 for the support of a Bible Reader 
in China around the same time. Also, it was recorded at the 
Cartersville Baptist Church that the Ladies Aid Society of 
Albany Baptist Church sent money to support Lottie Moon. The 
name of the church was changed in the 1920s to the First Baptist 
Church. Albany Baptist ladies were already actively supporting 
missions even before Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) was 
officially organized. 
In 1888, the WMU was organized as an auxiliary to the 
Southern Baptist Convention. About ten years later, in 1898, the 
Ladies Aid Society of ABC began its transformation of becom- 
ing a part of WMU. The first recorded reference to this group as 
WMU was in minutes dated in 1899. Minutes from that time 
until 1907 are sketchy. It was noted in 1907 that the following 
ladies were elected officers of WMU: president, Mrs. W. B. 
Bacon; vice-president, Mrs. Fannie Sutton; secretary, Mrs. 
Molly Pinson; treasurer, Mrs. J. W. Gilbert; and corresponding 
secretary, Mrs. J. S. Davis. 
In the minutes in 1906, Mrs. J. W. Walters led the ladies of 
the church in an effort to raise money toward the $55,000 needed 
for a new sanctuary. They raised more than $16,500, and in 1907 
195 
the building was begun for a 400 member seating capacity. This 
is the present FBC sanctuary, which has been extended now to 
seat 600. The building was not completed until 1918 because of 
World War 1. 
The first children's mission organization was called 
Sunbeams. In 1913, Girl's Auxiliaries were organized. Soon 
thereafter, Acteens, and Young Women's Auxiliaries were added. 
The ladies were called the Woman's Missionary Society. The 
Royal Ambassadors (RAs), the missions organization for boys, 
was also under the auspices of WMU. WMU was the umbrella or 
union of all these organizations working together to educate and 
involve the church in missions. In the 1950s, the Brotherhood for 
men was organized, and the men took the responsibility of the 
RAs in 1957 at the encouragement of the WMU. 
The records show that in 1921, two orphans were adopted and 
supported by the WMU of FBC. These children were supported 
by the WMU for years. They provided clothing, books, spending 
money, Christmas and Easter gifts, and other necessities. 
The organization continued to grow and became an active, 
giving right arm of the church. Money for missions was raised 
through the WMU alone, including the Lottie Moon Christmas 
Offering for Foreign Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter 
Offering for Home Missions, and a state missions offering. Not 
until 1959, under the leadership of Pastor Brooks Ramsey, did the 
entire church begin supporting the special offerings. Rev. 
Ramsey suggested that the church's goal for Lottie Moon be 
$5,000 for 1959. This goal was exceeded by over $400. It was 
long after the church began helping to support missions that it 
was suggested that the WMU be included in the unified budget of 
the church. The WMU and the church approved this suggestion. 
In 1923, Mrs. W. L. Davis served as WMS president, and 
among the many mission efforts the WMS did that year was to 
give a barrel of jellies to the Baptist Hospital in Atlanta. 
In 1926, the FBC WMU adopted Miss Essie Fuller, a mis- 
sionary sent to Brazil in 1920 by the Foreign Mission Board of 
the SBC. However, Miss Fuller married a native, Rev. Severino 
196 
Baptista. SBC rules prohibited marriage to a native; therefore 
Mrs. Baptista lost her support from the convention. Since FBC 
WMU had adopted her, they paid her salary over and above what 
they were giving to the church. Later, in 1948, Mrs. Baptista 
was adopted by the church, and her salary was included in the 
church budget. 
From 1926 through 1943 there are no WMU minutes avail- 
able. In 1944, it was noted that the WMU sent $200 for a camp 
being built for young people near Clayton, Georgia. (Obviously, 
it was Camp Pinnacle, which is owned by WMU in Georgia and 
is operated by the Georgia WMU Executive Board.) 
The year 1944 was highlighted with the adoption of two 
Chinese orphans. The ladies also worked with the Red Cross ban- 
dage room and serving room. They put flowers in the church and 
helped several needy Negro families and also assisted with their 
church's needs. Groups visited the homebound. 
In 1945, WMU continued to do special things for Mrs. Essie 
Baptista, even though her salary was in the FBC budget. They 
also gave to the WMU Training School in Louisville, Kentucky 
and the Cooperative Program. Also, they made 100 layettes for 
the Red Cross (10 from each circle). 
In 1948 and 1949, WMU supported World Relief Week, giv- 
ing clothing, bedding, staple foods, shelled corn and rice. They 
took part in the annual Linen Days for the Georgia Baptist 
Children's Home. They also sent Jewel Bedenbaugh on a mission 
tour of Cuba. 
WMU sponsored Geneva Faircloth, an orphan girl in the 
Baptist Children's Home, in 1950. They did special things for her 
at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They furnished a boy's 
room at Norman Park Baptist College, Norman Park, Georgia. 
They placed a tract rack in the jail and the airport. This was a spe- 
cial year since FBC, Albany, hosted the state RA Congress. 
During the Korean War, in 1951 and 1952, many young men 
were stationed at the Naval Air Station in Albany. Members of 
the Young Women's Auxiliary invited service men to the local 
USO on Pine Avenue where they provided buffet suppers. 
197 
Meeting and getting to know the young men gave the young 
women an opportunity to witness to them. 
Girl's Auxiliary celebrated their 40th anniversary in 1953 as 
a part of First Baptist WMU. In this banner year, the ladies sent 
clothing for children in Korea. Mrs. Hugh Garrett, who planned 
a trip to Korea at the time, was able to take the clothes and deliver 
them to a government agency for distribution. 
Mrs. I. B. Callaway was president of WMU in 1954. First 
Baptist hosted the WMU State convention in March. Dr. Leonard 
Stephens, pastor, later commented on the fine preparations made 
by the WMU ladies for the convention. 
Mrs. Lamar Clyatt, WMU president in 1955, was asked by 
Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, to advise them as they organ- 
ized their WMU. 
Another history-making year was 1956. New by-laws were 
written to replace lost ones. Mrs. Alfred Dees was chairman of 
that committee. The WMU began working with the Anchorage, a 
rehabilitation facility. 
WMU was very fortunate to have dedicated chaplains at the 
Marine Base who presented several most interesting programs 
in 1957. 
For the first time, in 1957, every member of WMU began to 
receive Royal Service, compliments of the church. 
During 1958, Mrs. John E. Story was president and the Weeks 
of Prayer were changed from one day to five days. That year the 
Norman Park Baptist College was included in the WMU budget. 
In 1959, Mrs. Roy Garvin, who started a mission in Alaska, 
presented an interesting program. (SBC began mission work in 
Alaska in 1946). In April members voted to send a Negro woman 
to WMU Training Camp at Fort Valley, Georgia. Rev. Brooks 
Ramsey said to the WMU, "It is a joy to be your pastor and I'm glad 
that the cause of missions is uppermost in our minds. One day may 
we give to the outside world as much as we keep for ourselves." 
In 1960, several outstanding speakers presented programs. 
Mrs. Shinn, wife of a protestant chaplain at Turner Field Air 
Base, shared about churches in Germany. Also, she told about 
198 
"Cats Elbow," located in the mountains of Germany. This was a 
dedicated mission and kindergarten for underprivileged children. 
Dr. Guy Atkinson, professor at Norman Park College, brought 
young people a program. He credited the growth of the college to 
the support of the WMU. Dr. Atkinson stated, "If any institution 
is to be Christian, let's make it first-rate. It dishonors the name of 
Christ if it is allowed to become second rate." 
In October of 1961, Mrs. Lamar Clyatt served as president 
and Mrs. Cleve Cox as treasurer. Mrs. Clyatt recalled while serv- 
ing that year that the leaders of YWA (missions organization for 
high school girls in WMU), GAs, Sunbeams (preschool missions 
organizations in WMU), and RAs supported their work without 
using money from the budget. That year, a SOWEGA Youth 
Home "One Dollar a Month Club" was formed to help fund the 
home. WMU also bought the home a new sewing machine. 
The Intercessory Prayer League was organized in 1962 and 
headed by Mrs. Warren Valine, the wife of the minister of music. 
The WMU voted to furnish transportation to and from the hospi- 
tal for the needy when necessary. A gift of $350 was sent to Evans 
Holmes, a missionary in Chili. 
In 1963, FBC celebrated WMU's 75th anniversary and the 
50th anniversary of GAs in FBC. WMU paid the expenses of 
two Turkish students whose parents were attending Florida 
State University to go to Youth Camp at Silver Lake with FBC 
young people. 
During 1964, the WMU decided to contribute $25 a month to 
help a young seminary student, Vance Hill, a member of the 
church, while he was at Southwestern Seminary. An average of 
101 Sunbeams attended during the month of March. The WMS 
voted to give $175 to the Big Sister summer program to assist 
with their milk bill. Mrs. Baptista (the missionary the WMU has 
supported through the years) gave a Portuguese Bible that she 
had used in Brazil to the FBC library. 
The WMS gave $100 in 1968 to buy Christmas decorations 
for the church. Mrs. Perry (Virginia) Webb, the pastor's wife, was 
placed in charge of the decorating. Bibles were given to families 
199 
at William Binns, a low income housing project. Worship ser- 
vices were sponsored each Sunday at this home by FBC. 
In 1970, name changes for mission organizations were 
directed from the national WMU. The WMS became Baptist 
Women; Sunbeams became Mission Friends; and YWA became 
Acteens. Also, Baptist Young Women for ages 18-29 was added 
to the organizational structure. The WMU nominating committee 
now had the responsibility to get a WMU director, a president of 
BW, a president of BYW, an Acteens director, a GA director, a 
MFs director, and leaders to work in each of these organizations. 
In the early 1970s a flower ministry group was organized and 
was led by Mrs. Virginia Webb. They met each Monday morning 
and arranged the flowers used in the church sanctuary on 
Sundays in smaller containers and carried them to new members, 
those ill, and the homebound. 
In 1976 Ouida Fincher became the WMU director. Under the 
leadership of Pastor Dr. Bill Nichols, and Rev. Don Driskill, min- 
ister of education, a group including WMU members went to 
Brushton, New York, on a mission trip. The volunteers on this mis- 
sion trip built a room on the church, held revivals, and organized 
Backyard Bible Clubs. A BBC was held in Canada among the 
Mohawk Indian children. In the coming months and years, the 
BW's organization sent financial support to Cheryl Niger, a young 
lady on this mission trip who returned as a missionary to the 
Brushton, New York area. The BW corresponded with her and sent 
her money to buy supplies for the mission with the Indian children. 
Lynn Ellis, a niece of Miss Edna Fields, church secretary and 
treasurer, grew up in FBC. Lynn was appointed a missionary to 
Nigeria. The BW kept in touch with her and remembered her with 
special help from time to time. 
The years 1988 through 1999 have been and continued to be 
busy times for FBC WMU. 
An example of mission trips that involved many WMU mem- 
bers was the one to Bowie, Maryland, July 17-27, 1986. The 
different kinds of ministries the group conducted is illustrated by 
the work assignments. Leading the work groups were Jim Kirk, 
200 
remodeling; Maxwell Davis, painting; Ken Norberg, roofing; 
Backyard Bible Clubs, surveying, and Good News Youth 
Celebration, Curtis Clark; and Catherine Edwards, kitchen. 
Overall director and coordinator was Don Driskill. Those making 
the trip included Mandy Bullington, Curtis Clark, Maxwell and 
Elizabeth Davis, Don and Sandi Driskill, Chris, Karen, and Mike 
Driskill, Joe and Catherine Edwards, C. B. and Ouida Fincher, 
Russell Fincher, Leila Ann Gay, Jim and Joyce Kirk, Mandi 
Lightfoot, Vera Macon, Charles and Ira McGhee, Ken and Sarah 
Norberg, Jon Norberg, Richard Parslow, Charles Sheppard, Paula 
Smith, and Lil and Liz Williams 
From the early beginning of WMU until 1988, the WMU and 
WMS were active in every phase of mission work. The ladies met 
in "circles," later called "groups," for study and service. They 
observed weeks of prayer for foreign and home missions, and 
held the World Day of Prayer regularly. They taught mission 
study books and held prayer retreats. The most recent prayer 
retreats in 1988, were by Mrs. Julia Rice, missionary to Chili and 
daughter of FBC's own Mr. and Mrs. Ben Carroll. 
Enlistment teas were held annually. Many ladies attended 
conferences at Ridgecrest Conference Center, near Asheville, 
North Carolina. 
First Baptist WMU has obtained "Distinguished" on the 
National WMU Achievement Guide from 1975 until 1999, with 
the exception of the year 1983. In 1996 the National WMU reor- 
ganized and no longer used the achievement guide. Now, the 
WMU writes its own purpose statement, objectives, goals, and 
action plans, which is what the National WMU suggested be done. 
Other dramatic changes that took place in the WMU's organiza- 
tional structure are as follows: BW was changed to Women on 
Mission, along with a few other minor changes in the leadership 
structure. One change was for WMU to be all inclusive. Co-ed 
organizations were started. 
From the early beginnings, WMU has been active in every 
phase of mission work. Every year the WMU has led churchwide 
mission studies and weeks of prayer for foreign missions. WMU 
201 
has also led mission studies and weeks of prayer for home mis- 
sions. Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign (now 
International) Missions, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for 
Home (now North American) Missions, and the annual offering 
for State Missions, have been promoted annually. 
Many of FBC's WMU leadership have attended WMU Week 
for Leadership at Ridgecrest, North Carolina. One year Ouida 
Fincher attended WMU Week for leadership at Glorieta, N. M. 
The Acteens leaders and girls have attended the National Acteen 
Conference a couple of times. 
WMU has become all inclusive through the years. WMU 
now provides co-ed organization. FBC WMU organizations as of 
2000 are as follows: Mission Friends, Children in action, Girls in 
Action, Acteens, Youth on Mission, Women on Mission, and 
Adults on Mission. 
WMS presidents until 1970 are as follows: 
WMS PRESIDENTS 
Mrs. W. B. Bacon, 1907 
Mrs. Fannie Sutton, 1908-12 
Mrs. W. L. Davis, 1913-14, 
1922-23,1930-32 
Mrs. Alfred Dees, 1915-16,1929 
Mrs. E. G. Culbreth, 1917 
Mrs. J. T. Woodall, 1918-21 
Mrs. O. A. Brownlow, 1924-25 
Mrs. A. A. Myers, 1926 
Mrs. H. H. Perry, 1927 
Mrs. I. M. Lucas, 1928,1936 
Mrs. C. A. Summerlin, 1933-34 
Mrs. Roy Miller, 1935 
Mrs. J. D. Martin, 1937 
Mrs. J. B. Hudson, 1938-39 
Mrs. Frank Faulk, 1940 
Mrs. E. H. Heidt, 1941-45 
Mrs. J. S. Woody, 1946-47 
Mrs. Roy Street, 1948-50 
Mrs. I. B. Callaway, 1951-53 
Mrs. Lamar Clyatt, 1954-56,1961 
Mrs. E. A. Nesmith, 1957 
Mrs. John Story, 1958-60 
Mrs. Willard Smith, 1962 
Mrs. J. R. Mitchell, 1963-64 
Mrs. Roy Street, 1965-67 
Mrs. B. T. Yancey, 1968 
Mrs. Pete Henderson, 1969 
Serving after the changes in 1970: 
202 
BAPTIST WOMAN S PRESIDENTS 
Mrs. Fred Hamrick, 1970, 1972 
Mrs. Frances Ragsdale, 1971 
Mrs. O. F. Loosier, 1973-77 
Mrs. Lassee Williams, 1978-79 
Mrs. Lamar Clyatt, 1980-81 
Mrs. Ed Lewis, 1982 
Mrs. Margaret Margeson, 1983 
Mrs. Harold Best, 1984,1987-89 
Mrs. H. W. Johnson, 1985-86 
Mrs. Robert Whittle, 1990-96 
WMU DIRECTORS 
Mrs. B. T. Yancey, 1970-71, Mrs. Gordon Dixon, 1982-85 
1973-76 
Mrs. Ted Michaels, 1972 Mrs. Lassee Williams, 1986 
Mrs. C. B. Fincher, 1976-81, and since 1987. 
WOMEN ON MISSION COORDINATORS 
Mrs. Jerry Elder (Day), 1997-2000 
Mrs. Robert Whittle (Night), 1997-2000 
The WMU has been led ably through the years by many 
capable and dedicated women. Its members have upheld the 
Watchword: "Laborers Together with God." (1 Corinthians 3:19) 
The WMU reported 307 members on September 30, 2000. 
203 
Appendix B 
ORGANIZED BIBLE STUDY 
Sunday School has been the name of the church organization 
for organized Bible study since the 1880's. At the time the 
Albany Baptist Church was organized, in 1839, It was called 
Sabbath School since the Lord's Day was called the "Sabbath." 
("Sabbath" will be used until the time when "Sunday" replaced 
it as the name of the church organization for Bible teaching 
became Sunday School.) 
The pastor of Albany Baptist Church (ABC) was Rev. T. D. 
Matthews and the time was January 12, 1850, when a Sabbath 
School was first mentioned. The church in conference adopted 
the motion "that every member of this church should put a deep 
interest in the Sabbath School and by every measure in their 
power promote its success and usefulness." Lott Warren was 
elected as the superintendent. 
The first Sabbath School statistics reported in the church let- 
ter to the Bethel Baptist Association listed 40 pupils and six 
workers. Three years later the enrollment had grown to 56. 
Among the teachers were two Presbyterians. The Presbyterians 
had used the ABC facilites until they constituted their church in 
1849. It is believed that many Presbyterians attended ABC before 
their church was organized, and this may account for two 
Presbyterians serving as teachers in the Sabbath School. 
R. D. Mallary served as superintendent from 1868 until 1873. 
In 1869 average attendance was 76. The organization had been 
expanded to include 15 teachers. The following year attendance 
grew to 82. The Sabbath School Board of the Southern Baptist 
Convention published a magazine for children called Kind 
Words. In 1871, 40 copies were ordered for children and their 
parents. By 1875 the number of Kind Words ordered had 
increased to 100. 
Through the Sabbath School money was raised for missions. 
The Sabbath School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention 
204 
was an object of their mission giving. In 1871, $25 was given. 
The largest amount given to the Sabbath School Board in any one 
year was $84.68. Giving to the Sabbath School Board continued 
until about 1879. 
Giving by the Sabbath School to foreign missions occurred 
for the first time in 1873 with a $3 contribution. Another mission 
contribution in 1873 was 20 cents given to a "little Indian girl." 
E. H. Bacon was elected superintendent in 1874 and served 
until 1878. It was during this time that the name "Sabbath" was 
changed to "Sunday." Enrollment reached 130 in 1875. Sunday 
School "Lesson Papers" were produced by the Baptist Sunday 
Sunday Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1877, 100 
of the papers were ordered. Upon Mr. Bacon's resignation in 
January of 1878, the church gave him a "vote of confidence and 
esteem for his faithful service." 
Elected to follow Bacon was W. B. Daniel, who served from 
1878-80. During his tenure the Sunday School began holding 
teachers' meetings every Friday night. Also introduced to the 
Sunday School in 1878 was the "blackboard system with 
Springers transfer designs." This was found to be a very valuable 
addition to the "exercises" of the school. Other items used by the 
Sunday School were 10 copies of Royal Road, 10 copies of 
Gracious Words, and 50 copies of Dew Drops. An "infant class" 
is mentioned for the first time in 1879. The infant class gave 
$19.89 to missions in 1879. 
Joseph L. Davis replaced W. B. Daniel as superintendent in 
1881. The following year the Baptist Teacher appeared for the 
first time. Seven copies of Baptist Teacher were ordered. One 
hundred copies of Kind Words were still being ordered. 
The next superintendent was L. T. Callaway, who began in 
1883. That year the report of the Sunday School on the church 
letter to the Bethel Baptist Association included one superinten- 
dent, three other officers, 17 teachers, and 116 pupils for a total 
enrollment of 137. 
J. L. Davis returned as superintendent in 1885 and served 
until 1897, for a total of 15 years. In 1894 an infant room was 
205 
"fixed up" over the vestibule of the church. A Chinese girl was 
assisted in her education by the Sunday School. Average atten- 
dance for 1896 reached 100. 
In 1897 J. S. Crews was elected as superintendent. That year 
was the first time that it was clearly stated that the Sunday 
School used Southern Baptist literature which leaves some doubt 
about the source of some of the material used previously. In 1898 
the Sunday School's offerings were still separate from the 
church's. One-fourth of the offerings was given to the church for 
foreign missions. 
The first Sunday School report to include "Bynesville mis- 
sion" was in 1900. The mission had 69 enrolled with an average 
attendance of 43. The Bynesville mission, sponsored by FBC, 
became Byne Memorial Baptist Church in 1910. 
Crews served as superintendent through 1910; W. E. Carter 
served, 1911-17. Nineteen baptisms and an average attendance of 
245 were reported for 1915. 
R. H. Ferrell served as superintendent in 1918-24. Sunday 
School average attendance reached 300 during his tenure. One 
year 28 baptisms were reported through the Sunday School. 
Because of the Sunday School's rapid growth, additional space 
was provided in 1926 in the building called the "Annex." 
E. H. Heidt served as superintendent from 1924-26, 1928- 
1942, and 1951-54. During his tenure, enrollment reached 1,000 
in 1931, with an average attendance of 500 the following year. 
Later he attended the Sherwood mission, sponsored by First 
Baptist Church (FBC), and was their Sunday School superinten- 
dent. He became a leader of Sherwood Baptist Church which was 
constituted in 1956. 
J. W. Parker served as superintendent in 1928 and from 
1943-45. Average attendance reached 600 for the 1945 church 
year. Mr. M. N. Sailors served as superintendent in 1946; R. E. 
Coleman, 1947-50, 1952-53, and 1957-58; and C. E. Wilkerson 
served 1955-56. In 1955, the last year that Sherwood's statistics 
were included, FBC averaged 1,110 in Sunday School atten- 
dance. It was also in 1955 that the highest resident membership 
206 
of 2,182 was reported. It is understandable that these record 
numbers would decrease considerably after Sherwood was con- 
stituted. Letters were granted to 127 church members who had 
joined Sherwood. 
Men who served as Sunday School directors (the title 
changed in 1970 from superintendent to director) since 1958 
included L. A. Holloway, 1959-61; Fred. L. Tolbert, 1962-63; G. 
L. Roland, 1964-67; Charles Mullis, 1968-69 and 1986-88; E. W. 
Griffin, 1970-76; Milledge White, Jr., 1979-81; C. B. Fincher, 
1982; Jimmy Lewis, 1989; Harvey Willis, 1991-93; John 
McDuffie, 1995-97; and Joe Dorner, 1998-2000. 
Adult Sunday School work centered around large "named" 
classes beginning about the turn of the 20th century. At FBC these 
classes continued until the Sunday School was "fully graded on 
the age basis" on September 1, 1960, while Rev. Brooks Ramsey 
was pastor and Miss Frances Lord was educational director. A 
brief history of some of those classes follows. 
The Philathea Class was one of the first. A printed guide for a 
"study course" for the year 1910-11 for the Philathea Class was 
furnished and it gives some information. The study course was a 
study each month of subjects related to the interests of the class. 
They studied "Religion" in January of 1911, "Educational 
Institutions" in February, "Morality" in March "Civic Affairs" in 
April, "Literature" in May, and "Conservation" in June. The class 
had 28 members and six honorary members. Class officers were 
Miss Ona Rushin, president; Miss Edna Lasseter, vice-president; 
Miss Bessie Hall, secretary; Miss Annie Hall, assistant secretary; 
Miss Claire Matthews, treasurer; and Miss Edwina Davis, teacher. 
Another class was the Estherian Class organized in 1931. The 
class motto was "To make Christ the center of our lives;" 
Scripture verse, "For me to live is Christ," Philippians 1:21; aim, 
"Let all be done with love;" colors, white and gold; and song, 
"Others." The teacher of the class was Mrs. C. R. Lee. Class offi- 
cers were: president, Mrs. C.C. Hill; vice-president, Mrs. H. T. 
Burnette; secretary, Mrs. C. H. Stanfield, Jr.; assistants, Mrs. 
Milledge White, Sr. and Mrs. O. H. Bassett; treasurer, Mrs. W. E. 
207 
Joiner; press reporter, Mrs. A. J. Hitson; chorister, Mrs. J. L. 
Davis; pianist, Mrs. K. L. Smith; social chairpersons, Mrs. E. P. 
Ort, Jr. and Mrs. Frank Huggins; flower chairman, Mrs. N. B. 
Nolan; devotional chairpersons, Mrs. E. W. Flowers and Mrs. W. 
L. Lee; and special services, Mrs. Alex Stewart. 
The Estherian Class had about 108 members which were 
divided into groups. Group leaders were Mrs. Jesse Hart, Mrs. 
Charles Blackshear, Mrs. H. E. Powell, Mrs. Cicero Ware, Mrs. 
R. S. Fitzgerald, Mrs. William W. Busbee, Jr., Mrs. J. S. 
Moreland, Mrs. Frank Dozier, Mrs. M. T. Moulton, Mrs. N. C. 
Flanders, and Mrs. H. C. Crews. 
The Victory Class, also known as the Walden Class, was organ- 
ized in 1938 with Elizabeth Eberhart as the first president. It started 
with an enrollment of 44 with Mr. S. C. Walden as teacher. The 
original officers, in addition to Ms. Eberhart, were Dot Edwards, 
membership vice-president; Juanita White, ministry vice-president; 
Corinne Hall, fellowship vice-president; Ruby Weaver, stewardship 
vice-president; and Louise Wills, secretary. Group captains were 
Elizabeth Martin, Regina Shepard, Miriam McLaughlin, Cloe 
Perry, and Mary Burnett. The class motto was 2 Timothy 2:15, 
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth 
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 
Class presidents for the Walden Class were Elizabeth 
Eberhart, 1938-39; Regina Shephard, 1939-40; Miriam 
MClaughlin, 1940-41; Juanita White, 1941-42; Mattie Pitts, 
1942-43; Madelle Hall, 1943-44; Louise Wills, 1944-45; 
Elizabeth Martin, 1945-46; Dot Johnson, 1946-47; Louise 
McEachin, 1947-48; Isabelle Clark, 1948-49; Myrtice Thornton, 
1949-50; Annie Hatcher, 1950-51; Eva Davis, 1951-52; Merlene 
Johnson, 1952-53; Hazel Chambliss, 1953-54; Elsie Glenn, 
1954-55; Mildred Lanier, 1955-56; Doris Doyal, 1956-57; Annie 
Hayman, 1957-58; Charlie Ruth Sasser, 1958-59; and Kathryn 
Almond, 1959-60. The class was dissolved in 1960 when the 
church went to an age-graded Sunday School organization. The 
enrollment of the Walden class peaked in 1952 with 92 members 
and 24 on the home group. 
208 
The Walden Class met for "reunions" beginning October 13, 
1961, at the Dent cottage on the creek. The reunion was held at 
FBC in 1965. Flowers were placed in the FBC in memory of Mr. 
Walden in 1968 and 1969. Since 1970, each year during March, 
the class reunions have met alternately at FBC, Central, and 
Sherwood Baptist Churches. 
The Keystone Bible class started in the early 1930s. The first 
mention of this class in church records was on November 7, 
1939. The class met at FBC for several years before moving to 
the YMCA across the street (where Security Bank and Trust 
Company now stands). Upon completion of the new YMCA on 
Gillionville Road, the class began meeting there. It grew to an 
enrollment of about 200. 
The class was nondenominational and an attraction was that 
anyone would feel comfortable dressed in their work clothes. 
James (Runny) Runnells starting teaching in the early 1930s. 
Other teachers over the years were Judge Clayton Jones, J. C 
Allen, J. J. Cordell, Hoyt Edge, Bob Reynolds, Angeline Lanier, 
Bob Hughes, Charlie Mann, Henry Beck, and Col. Charles 
Chitty. For years they opened each meeting by singing "Leaning 
on the Everlasting Arms" while greeting each other. 
The Homebuilders Class was a class for couples. The only 
single member was Alvin Sanders, and he married after joining. 
He and his wife were active as long as the class was active. The 
class met upstairs in the Mills House that the church moved 
next to the alley back of the church to make space for Sunday 
School rooms. 
Charles and Clarise Mitchner were teachers. Charles taught 
the Homebuilders Class and Clarise taught another class. 
Charles continued as teacher until they went to the seminary. 
This class helped support this popular couple by sending them 
$150-400 each month. T. R. Findley taught the class until it was 
divided into smaller classes in the 1950s. There were over 180 
enrolled and 100-150 attended each Sunday. Members had to 
get there early to get a seat because the late ones had to stand 
around the room. 
209 
Bible study was started and meetings held in the members' 
homes. During the Christmas season, food was brought and from 
15-25 baskets were distributed to needy families. 
The Homemakers Class had many social activities. One 
Sunday they had Sunday School and church at Chehaw Park. 
Fried chicken with all the trimmings was served for lunch. 
Christmas parties and other get-togethers were fabulous meetings 
held in the basement of the church. These were real fun times 
with Miss Edna Fields, the pastor and wife, guests, and always a 
great speaker. 
In the early 1950's the Winsome Class, a new class for cou- 
ples, was begun. It was a "break-off" from the Homebuilders 
Class, which was getting too large. The first teachers were Tom 
and Ruby Gattis, followed by Bill Ramsey, and then Bob and 
Louise Hughes. The class grew to an attendance of 35 to 55 on 
most Sundays. It continued to grow in members and in close- 
nesswhich exists to this day. 
When the church started grading the Sunday School on an age 
basis, the class was disbanded around 1961. However, they didn't 
want to lose their closeness, so they still get together at least twice a 
year, usually at Christmas and in the summer. They changed their 
name to the Winsome Friendship Club and still have about 20 active 
people. They are the John Davises, the Jack Futches, the Richard 
Gaggstatters, Dan Harris, the Jim Kirks, Jo Anne McClung, the Bob 
Merchants, the Forrest Russells, Ralph Satterfield, Jane D. Smith, 
the Nat Ridleys, and the Johnny Watsons. 
A Leadership Training Department conducted leadership 
training for prospective Sunday School workers. Mrs. O. F. 
Loosier, Jr. served as superintendent along with associates Hoyt 
Edge, Ray Costantino, Carol Hambrick, and Mrs. John Hughes. 
Courses of study were conducted on Sunday mornings and 
Wednesday nights. Patterned after a very successful teacher train- 
ing program at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, 
the program began at FBC, Albany in 1964. 
The curriculum for Sunday morning included four books, 
Teaching to Win and Develop, Preparing to Teach the Bible, 
210 
Helping the Teacher, and Teaching for Results. Courses offered 
on Wednesday nights were The Book of Books and A Church 
Organized and Functioning. Toward the end of the course of 
study, each prospective worker did practice teaching in a regular 
Sunday School class. Graduation for the first class was held 
Sunday, May 23, 1964, for those who completed the minimum 
requirements. Mrs. O. F. Loosier, Jr., superintendent, presented 
the department members; James Frame, minister of education, 
presented the diplomas; and the pastor, Perry F. Webb, Jr., 
brought the message. The leadership training program continued 
in 1965-66. 
Enrolled in the teacher training department were Janice L. 
Barnes, Dr. Michael Buckner, Blondean Bullington, Mildred 
Bullington, Ray V. Costantino, Blondell DeShazo, Eleanor 
Dixon, Lea Elliott, Corinne Fleming, Carol Hamrick, Willis 
Harper, Mary Herndon, J. K. Horne, Grace Horne, Betty Ann 
Hughes, Jack Jackson, Stebbie Jackson, Mildred Ledford, Bill 
Lindsey, Manita Lynch, Charles E. Martin, Coy M. Morgan, 
Gene Newell, Betty Newell, Thelma Ort, Bernard E. Page, R. 
Clayton Paulk, Gertrude Paulk, Bertha Prince, Elsie Rhodes, Nat 
Ridley, John Harry Robson, Roberta Ruffin, Lillie Mae Street, 
Harvey J. Strickland, Calvin A. Tucker, Dwight D. Waldrop, Brad 
White, Curtis Wilkerson, and Walt Yielding. 
"Reach Out to Albany" was a Sunday School program that 
FBC adopted for February and March of 1975. Priorities of the 
program included establishing a visitation program on 
Thursdays, a weekly workers' meeting, and a week of study for 
all Sunday School workers using the "Reach Out to Albany" 
material. "Reach Out" goals were set for enrollment, weekly vis- 
itation, and a high attendance goal of 1,015 in Sunday School on 
Easter, March 10. 
Dr. Julian Pipkin, Sunday School secretary for the Georgia 
Baptist Convention, read about the emphasis in The Way. He wrote 
the pastor: "It was a real thrill to read about what your church 
intends to do. I will be looking forward to following the progress 
that you will make toward the challenging goals you have set." 
211 
The program was a huge success, with the Sunday School 
averaging 881, and on two Sundays attendance was over 1,000. 
A total of 43 new members were enrolled in Sunday School. 
In 1975, a great new program of Sunday School work in the 
Southern Baptist Convention called the "ACTION Plan" was 
developed by Dr. Andy Anderson while a pastor in Florida. He 
led his church to follow the enrollment principles which he had 
developed and his Sunday School enrolled a large number of new 
members. The Baptist Sunday School Board of the Southern 
Baptist Convention took note of what Dr. Anderson was doing 
and brought him to Nashville, Tennessee to direct the program 
nationally. The plan was simply to enroll in Sunday School any- 
one, any-time, any-place as long as they agreed to be enrolled. 
The ACTION Plan was adopted by FBC and set March 21 
through April 18, 1976, as the time to implement it. Three weeks 
of follow-up gave further opportunity to enroll people in Sunday 
School and to contact those already enrolled. A task force of 50 
received intensive training for the program. A special musical for 
the ACTION Plan, called "Reaching People," was written by 
William J. Reynolds, secretary of the Southern Baptist depart- 
ment of church music was presented by the sanctuary choir, 
Sunday, March 14, 1976 at FBC. 
Results of the ACTION Plan program included the beginning 
of a pastor's Bible study class. Florine Curran served as the first 
president and social chairman of the class with her husband, Don, 
as her assistant. The class featured an open door policy seeking 
to reach people from any church or no church, and used no liter- 
ature except the Bible. The class began March 28,1976, and met 
in the activities building during the Sunday School hour. Within 
three months, the enrollment was more than one hundred. The 
enrollment reached its maximum of 150 in about three years. Dr. 
Nichols' class evolved into what is now the "Open Door Class." 
Teachers following Dr. Nichols were Milledge White, Jr., Buck 
Archer, Cal Calhoun, James Pelham, and Toni Grebel. 
During the ACTION Plan program, 655 new members were 
enrolled in the Sunday School. Follow-up resulted in the enroll- 
212 
ment of 127 more for a total of 782. During the program Sunday 
School enrollment increased from 1569 to 2229 and average 
attendance from an average of 804 in 1975 to 1,045 immediately 
after the ACTION Plan emphasis. 
Dr. Andy Anderson came to FBC to preach in revival ser- 
vices, March 20-25, 1977. He led another ACTION Plan 
program, with teams going out each morning and evening March 
21-25, to enroll people in Sunday School. A total of 217 were 
enrolled during the week. March 27 was "Welcome Day" in 
Sunday School departments and classes for the new enrollees. 
The Sunday School attendance for the next two Sundays was 
1,080 and 1,083. The final result of the ACTION Plan program 
for 1976 and 1977 was the enrolling of 999 new members in the 
Sunday School. 
As the history of the Bible teaching organization has been 
reviewed along with some of the organized classes of another 
generation, FBC recognizes the Sunday School as the most effec- 
tive tool in helping the church do its work. Two constants that 
have characterized effective Sunday School ministry over the 
years remainthey are the Bible as the centerpiece of teaching 
and the teaching done by volunteers. 
The Sunday School is the church organized to carry out the 
Great Commission. It is the church with its work clothes on. 
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing 
them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 
TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COM- 
MANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of 
the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV) 
213 
Appendix C 
PASTORS OF FIRST BAPTIST 
CHURCH OF ALBANY, GEORGIA 
(Does not include supply or interim pastors) 
Founder and first pastor, Rev. Jonathan Davis, 1839 
2. Rev. J. H. B. Shackleford, 1840-42 
3. Rev. William Henderson, 1843-44 
4. Rev. Edwin T. Winkler, 1846-49 
5. Rev. Needham W. Collier, 1849 
6. Rev. William L. Hartson, 1849 
7. Rev. T. D. Matthews, 1849-52 
8. Rev. Joseph S. Baker, 1852-56 
9. Rev. Charles Mercer Irwin, 1856-59, 1867 
10. Rev. S. G. Daniel, 1860-64 
11. Dr. George F. Cooper, 1864-65 
12. Rev. Shaler Granby Hillyer, 1866 
13. Rev. Samuel Pope Callaway, 1868 
14. Rev. Napoleon Alexander Bailey, 1869-71 
15. Dr. William H. Whitsett, 1872 
16. Rev. Frank C. Johnson, 1872-75, 1877,1883 
17. Rev. Rollin D. Mallary, 1876 
18. Rev. Benjamin Franklin Riley, 1878 
19. Rev. Robert Taylor Hanks, 1879-82 
20. Dr. J. L. Lloyd, 1884 
21. Rev. William B. Dix, 1885-86 
22. Rev. E. E. Folk, 1887-88 
23. Rev. B. W. Ragsdale, 1889 
24. Rev. E. B. Carroll, 1890-94 
25. Rev. Peter Flournoy Crawford, 1894-96 
214 
26. Rev. J. J. Bennett, 1896-98 
27. Rev. B. W. Davis, 1899-1903 
28. Rev. W. L. Richards, 1903-11 
29. Dr. Lamar Sims, 1911-20 
30. Dr. James Allen Smith, 1920-21 
31. Dr. James Baxter Turner, 1922-27 
32. Dr. Cecil V. Cook, 1927-29 
33. Dr. W. Raleigh White, 1930-42 
34. Dr. Leonard A. Stephens, 1943-58 
35. Dr. C. Brooks Ramsey, 1959-63 
36. Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr., 1964-75 
37. Dr. George William Nichols, 1976-81 
38. Rev. Dan M. Hodges, 1983-86 
39. Dr. James M. Ramsey, 1986- 
215 
CHURCH STATISTICS 
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217 
From 1844 to 1999 the amounts are averages for the previous five years. 
*Blacks had their own churches from this time on. 
ALL-TIME RECORDS 
Baptisms: 128 (1956) 
Resident Members: 2,139 (1964) 
Total Members, 3,033 (1979) 
Sunday School Enrollment: 2,535 (1955) 
School Sunday Average Attendance: 1,110 (1955) 
First year to give $100,000: 1950 ($113,568) 
First year to give $250,000: 1967 ($280,160) 
First year to give $500,000: 1976 ($529,774) 
First year to give $750,000: 1980 ($894,934) 
First year to give $1,000,000:1985 ($1,052,537) 
Longest Pastorate: Dr. Leonard A. Stephens 
(15 years, 7 months1943-59) 
Youngest Pastor: Rev. William B. Dix 
(20 years old; served 1885-86) 
A Note from the Historical Committee: 
During the several months between the completion of the writing 
of this book by Rev. James E. Pelham and its publication, our 
church approached the setting of a new record of length of ser- 
vice by the pastor. Dr. James M. Ramsey became pastor on 
December 7, 1986 and in July 2002 he would complete 15 years 
and 7 months of service to our church, equalling the previous 
record of Dr. Leonard A. Stephens who served as pastor 15 years 
and 7 months. 
218 
Appendix E 
CHURCH COVENANT 
"We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of bap- 
tized believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We now 
joyfully enter into covenant with one another in the presence of 
God and this assembly. 
"Therefore, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we 
pledge to walk together in Christian love and to strive for the 
advancement of the purposes of this church, promoting its wel- 
fare and spirituality. We further pledge to observe the ordinances, 
uphold the doctrines, and maintain faithful stewardship of our 
resources including time, talents, tithes and offerings to this 
church. We will cooperate with other Southern Baptist churches 
in carrying out the commands of Christ. 
"We further pledge to maintain personal and family devo- 
tions with Bible study and prayer. We will provide spiritual 
training for our family and be a worthy example in our daily life. 
We will be zealous to seek the salvation of our kindred and 
acquaintances. 
"Whenever we move from this place we will unite with 
another church in which we can pursue the spirit of this covenant 
and the principles of God's Word." 
Adopted September 27, 1987 
219 
Appendix F 
REMINISCENCES 
The history of First Baptist Church (FBC) would not be com- 
plete without some of the long-time members sharing things they 
remember about the church. These are not presented in any partic- 
ular order. A special thanks to each one who contributed to this 
section and thanks also to others who wrote up interviews they had 
with older members so their remembrances could be included. 
Mark and Corinne Hall 
In The Way dated May 11, 2000, both Mark and Corinne Hall 
were quoted as saying,. "I remember when the church owned 
only the land the sanctuary now sits on and when the choir was 
four paid singers who sang from the balcony behind the pulpit 
area. The best thing about FBC is that the people love each other. 
The Open Door is the most loving and caring Sunday School 
class of all." (Mark Hall died May 12, 2000). 
John E. Story 
By JoAnne S. McClung 
John E. Story remembers: "Dr. Turner was pastor in 1925. 
Mrs. O. D. Culpepper led the choir with Mrs. Thomas, Hoyt 
Edge, and a Mr. Watson. Mrs. Koppel sang solos. 
"During the 1930s the pastor was Dr. Raleigh White. We were 
behind 90 days on his salary of $350 a month. Dr. White met with 
the deacons and suggested his salary be cut to $300 a month. 
Some of the prominent leaders were Judge E. L. Smith, Alfred 
Dees, Emmett Heidt, J. C. Findley, E. L. West, and E. M. Mims. 
"In the early 40's the church was heavy in debt, the amount, 
$15,000. A Mr. Nelms bought the note and in open church can- 
celled our debt. The entire membership was grateful to him. 
"W. L. Binion, a plumber, and Charlie Mann gave of them- 
selves tirelessly. Charlie installed electrical outlets and did any 
other electrical work that was needed. He hung the chandeliers 
220 
that are still in the sanctuary. He was a licensed electrician for the 
city. Charlie led the singing wherever needed. He started the mis- 
sion that became Raleigh White Baptist Church. There were 
many unselfish people in FBC." 
(John Story, a member for 73 years, died in 1998.) 
I Remember 
by Ruby Helen Hambrick 
Five generations of my family have been members of FBC: 
my grandmother (Mrs. R. M. Culpepper), my mother (Ruby C. 
Green), myself, my children, and my grandchildren. 
In Mrs. Alfred Dees Junior Sunday School Department, I 
was taught by Mrs. Cary Ragsdale who was part Indian. Under 
Mrs. Dees we all learned the books of the Bible and memory 
verses. We were given Bibles imprinted with our names in gold. 
At one time my parents and older brother, Walter Sr., all taught 
in that department. 
Byne Memorial Baptist Church, a mission of FBC, used to 
meet on Byne's Hill at the comer of N. Washington Street and 
Second Avenue. Mama was 16 or 17 and went with Mrs. W. L. 
Davis and family to help teach. Walter Green, Jr., helped as FBC 
started Sherwood as a mission. FBC also helped to start 
Tabernacle, East Albany, and Raleigh White. 
Many parties, meetings, and lots of fun were had over the 
years. Mrs. F. T. Coleman directed the Christmas Pageant for sev- 
eral years. 
When my daddy died in 1935, FBC put coal in our yard and 
food on our table. They backed up their prayers with action. The 
church kept doing this until mama was able to get a job and get 
on her feet. I'll always love and remember them for this. 
Miss Essie Fuller was a missionary to Brazil for 40 years. 
She often visited Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Findley. She married Mr. 
Baptista, a Brazilian Christian. The Fuller Adult Training Union 
was named for her and they helped with her support. 
Charlie and Clarice Mitchner were two of the best teachers in 
FBC. In 1948, Clarice grew seriously ill with spinal meningitis. 
221 
Much prayer was made for her recovery and members took turns 
sitting with her. God did heal her! Never have I witnessed a more 
dramatic answer to prayer. Charles entered the ministry, and the 
family moved to Louisville, Kentucky about 1955 to attended 
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He died in 1986. 
In the old, old kitchen in the basement where the youth held 
their fellowships, food was prepared for birthdays and wedding 
receptions. The large room was used for Thanksgiving services. 
Later in the 1950s and early 1960s, suppers were held there and 
afterwards we would go up to the sanctuary for prayer meeting. 
The first baptistry pool was located on the piano side of the 
platform. Our daughter Lynda was the last one baptized in it 
before our sanctuary was enlarged and a new baptistry built. Dr. 
Leonard Stephens was pastor at that time and Sunday congrega- 
tional services were held in the Albany Theater. 
For several years my Senior High Sunday School girls par- 
ticipated in a weekly prayer group on Thursday nights in my 
home. We experienced many answers to our prayers. 
I thank God for all the people through these 77 years who 
have loved and ministered to me and my family. 
Interview with Mr. Lamar Clyatt and Mrs. Agnes Clyatt 
By Janie S. Martin 
August 15,1988 
"FBC can best be described as a big, country church," said 
Mr. Lamar Clyatt. "Yes, the best part of our fellowship is the lov- 
ing, friendly atmosphere provided by the members of our church 
family," agreed his lovely wife, Agnes. "Here we really care 
about each other." 
"FBC has been our church for forty years. We moved to 
Albany in 1949. We joined FBC our first Sunday in town. Mrs. 
Nellie Marbury visited me and asked me to help work with the 
four year olds in Sunday School. So I found a place of service 
right away. Our children have been loved and nurtured by the 
members of FBC. We have shared many joys and many sorrows. 
We have grown as Christians as we have had opportunities to 
222 
serve FBC. I had the privilege of serving as WMU president for 
three terms and have taught in the Adult V and VI departments 
since 1964. Special projects for our Adult departments centered 
primarily on the shut-ins of our church. I have also served on the 
Building and Planning committee for many years. When I was 
president of WMU, all of the missionary groups like the GAs and 
RAs came under the WMU. The WMU was also responsible for 
the clothing room and groceries for the needy. 
"I remember a time during the middle 1950s when we were 
renovating the sanctuary that church services were held in the 
Albany Theatre. During those early years, the ladies of the 
church were asked to provide fresh flowers for the services. 
When the wild honeysuckles were in bloom, we would cut some 
for the sanctuary. 
"The Keystone Bible Class started originally at the old 
YMCA across the street from our sanctuary because we did not 
have a room large enough for the men to meet in. When the 
YMCA was built on the Gillionville Road, the class moved to the 
new 'Y.' The Keystone was still in existence in 1988." 
When the Activities Building was built, Mr. Clyatt was on the 
Building committee. "Leonard Duggan and I provided and planted 
boxwoods on the Jefferson Street side of the new building," 
Mr. Clyatt commented. "Lamar was serving as chairman of the 
board of deacons when Perry Webb was called as pastor. I was on 
the pulpit committee. The Webbs meant so much to FBC. They 
were so gracious about opening their home to our membership. 
They entertained with WMU teas and parties for the deacons and 
their wives, senior citizens, and many other groups of the church. 
"Mrs. Webb was a very talented singer. She graciously shared 
her lovely voice. She was very active in garden club groups. She 
did so many things so quietly," Mrs. Clyatt continued. 
"I remember Perry and James Frame coming over to 
Albany High School where I taught and asking Thelma Plant to 
call me to the office. My students really got a charge out of 
that. They wanted to know what I had done to be called to the 
office. Since I was teaching, I could no longer serve as WMU 
223 
president, so they wanted me to begin teaching Sunday School 
in the Adult department. 
"FBC has helped me to find an inner peace that only a child 
of God can experience when things go wronga peace that 'pas- 
seth all understanding.1 I have appreciated our many great 
preachers who have preached God's Word." 
Mrs. Clyatt had led many installation services for different 
organizations of our church by recalling the time when God 
called Moses as a leader. "Moses was a reluctant leader, but God 
wouldn't take no for an answer. Instead, He asked Moses, 'What 
is that in thine hand?' Moses had a rod in his hand which 
became a serpent when he cast it to the ground. But when 
Moses fully trusted God, God turned the serpent back into a rod. 
She challenged the president of an organization by putting a 
gavel, a symbol of authority and leadership, in her hand. She 
challenged a secretary by putting a pen, a symbol of writing, in 
her hand. She challenged mission action leaders with a Bible, a 
sunshine chairman with a greeting card, a chorister or pianist 
with a hymn book, and a hostess with a cookbook. She chal- 
lenged each of them to open their hands in service to God and 
say, 'I can,' for God's Word promises us that 'with God, all things 
are possible.'" 
Mrs. Clyatt shared a lesson learned from a young mother 
who lived on a block where each home had a lovely bed of zin- 
nias. The young woman pointed out that the colorful beds had 
been planted so that they were in full view from a neighbor's 
kitchen window. She and her neighbors had decided that since 
they all spent so much time at the kitchen sink, they would 
give each other something beautiful to view as they worked. 
"That young mother helped me to visualize how Christians 
have an opportunity to display a life of beauty that has been 
blessed by God. I would like to say that here at FBC I have 
viewed many beautiful flower gardens in the lives of church 
members." 
(Mrs. Clyatt died May 22, 1998 and Mr. Clyatt died August 
27, 1998.) 
224 
I Remember 
By Lucile Hall Horne 
(Contributed by Carleen Flowers, her niece, 
from a taped interview) 
I began attending FBC in 1923 when I was five years old. Dr. 
J. B. Turner, the pastor, baptized me when I was ten years old. 
Later when Dr. W. Raleigh White was pastor, his wife began a 
circle for young ladies as a part of WMU. My husband, Dennis, 
and I had two sons, Dennis Jr., and Johnny. 
Some of the early leaders I remember were Mrs. C. E. 
Newell, superintendent for Adults in Sunday School; Mrs. O. D. 
Waddell, superintendent of the Youth department; Mrs. Alfred 
Dees, superintendent of the Junior department; Mrs. A. T. Fain, 
leader of small children; Miss Bessie Bruce Harris taught a mar- 
ried young ladies' class and also led the YWA; Ruter Coleman, 
followed Mrs. Parker as teacher of the young married ladies' 
class; and Mrs. Garrett Fleming taught GAs. I especially remem- 
ber Lora Wallis Story, who taught me in BYPU. Virginia 
McDaniel was one of my best friends. 
I remember one time when young children were fooling 
around in the church, Lee Wyly Bunch fell into the baptismal 
pool. 
Somewhere around 1940, Mr. S. C. Walden began teaching 
ladies. After his death the class continued to have a reunion in 
March near his birthday. A men's class was formed by Runny 
Reynolds. They met at the YMCA on the corner of Pine and 
Jefferson. After Mr. Reynolds left, Judge Jones took over the teach- 
ing. It became the Keystone Class and was interdenominational. 
The Hugh Mills home on the corner by the church 
was used for several Sunday School classes. Ralph Ferrell was 
Sunday School superintendent. He was followed by J. W. Parker 
and R. E. Coleman. Mr. J. C. Findley and W. L. New led the 
Training Union for many years and each was known as Mr. 
Training Union. Mr Findley's wife, Mary, was loved by all. 
In closing, I want to say that our stained glass windows are a 
glimpse of heaven. (Mrs. Horne died in April, 1955) 
225 
Random Memories of First Baptist 
By Jessie Parker 
Every Monday morning Mrs. Hoyt Edge left her home at 
1104 N. Jefferson Street and walked to the church where she and 
Miss Edna Fields would count the Sunday offering. Mr. J. C. 
Findley had been doing this for many years, then Dr. Stephens, 
the pastor, asked Mrs. Edge to do it. When Hoyt Edge, Jr. got to 
be a teenager, he helped his mother during vacations. The offer- 
ing had very few checks as most everyone brought cash. 
During this time the church was heated by an old coal fur- 
nace. When the janitor was not going to be there, Dr. Stephens 
and Miss Edna had a race to get to the church first and make the 
fire in the furnace. Dr. Stephens didn't think that it was her duty 
and she thought Dr. Stephens was always so neat in his starched 
white shirt that he did not need to be around the sooty furnace. 
She said that he needed to be ready to represent the church or be 
prepared for any emergency at the hospital or just out visiting. Dr. 
Stephens and his family lived in the parsonage at 504 N. 
Jefferson Street. 
Miss Edna kept up with all her secretarial duties and was 
treasurer, receptionist, house and grounds chairman, and any- 
thing else as needed. The basement flooded when it rained. It was 
down there that the Christmas parties, suppers, and social activi- 
ties were held. If you were on the decorations committee, you 
came early to mop up water. Miss Edna would help and was apol- 
ogizing all the time. She kept up with the membership and knew 
where everyone lived and their routine. She and her mother lived 
on Third Avenue across from Phoebe Putney Hospital where the 
parking lot is now. 
The choir, led by Mrs. O. D. Culpepper had four members. 
They were all paid except Mr. Hoyt Edge, Sr. Marian Peacock 
was the Organist. She later married Herbert Haley. One lady, 
Betty Koppel, was a member of the Jewish Synagogue. 
Mrs. Culpepper started a choir for the five and six year olds. 
To my knowledge that was the first graded choir. This was about 
1954. The church bought a bolt of white broadcloth, and each 
226 
mother came down and cut her child's robe out of the material 
with a pattern cut made of newspaper. Each mother was respon- 
sible for making her child's robe. They wore them for the first 
time for a Christmas program. The children adored Mrs. 
Culpepper. She called everyone "Dahling." 
Mrs. Alfred Dees was a long time director of the Junior 
department. She said she remembered when the sanctuary was 
completed but the pews arrived unfinished. She was among the 
group that came down to finish them. 
When the church was being built, anytime the ladies of the 
church needed a project to raise funds, one of their favorites 
was to make doughnuts and sell them to the public. These were 
made in the basement of the church. They advertised by word 
of mouth and homemade signs in store windows. This event 
usually was on Saturday as that was the day more people would 
be in town. There was not any air conditioning so the windows 
and doors were open and the smell of the doughnuts proved to 
be the best ad. During this time the business district was Pine 
Avenue and Broad Street. Oglethorpe was not paved and was 
residential except for the bus station, the Jewish Temple, and a 
gas station. I came in 1954 and bought doughnuts several 
times. This way of raising funds was stopped because the ladies 
got too old to continue. Mrs. Alfred Dees and Mrs. Edge, the 
mother of Hoyt Edge, Sr., are two that I can think of who 
worked on that project. 
Reminiscences of Miss Edna Fields 
as told to Allawee Gaggstatter 
June 29,1988 
Miss Edna Fields is the third generation of her family to be a 
member of FBC. She was enrolled on June 8, 1913, as a Cradle 
Roll member. Dr. Lamar Sims, a bachelor, was the minister. For 
42 years, September, 1933 to September, 1976, she served as 
church secretary. Miss Edna served under the following minis- 
ters: Dr. Raleigh White, Dr. Leonard Stephens, Rev. Brooks 
Ramsey, and Rev. Perry F. Webb, Jr. 
227 
Mr. E. R. West interviewed Miss Edna for the job as secre- 
tary with a starting salary of $45 a month. He wanted to locate 
her office in one corner of a Sunday School room in the basement 
of the church. She requested that the office be located upstairs 
due to the fact that many tramps would use the basement for 
shaving, sleeping, and spending the night. She feared entering the 
basement on dark winter mornings alone. 
Miss Edna's office was located upstairs in the nursery near 
the sandbox and another enclosed box with toys. There were only 
three windows for ventilation in the summer. Fans were pur- 
chased later. In winter, they used the fireplace for heat. Her first 
desk was one with a roll top. 
Miss Edna did numerous jobs during her 42 yearsa solo 
secretary until Brooks Ramsey became minister. In the early 
years, she started fires and emptied ashes, answered the phone 
first located in the basement but later moved upstairs in the 
hallway, delivered by car church envelopes with the help of her 
sister and a friend. After delivering the envelopes, Miss Edna 
took her helpers to Rucker's Bakery for a chocolate treat. When 
church members were behind in their contributions, Miss Edna 
would go to the members and try to collect. Most of the time 
$1 to $1.50 would be the amount collected, making a yearly 
amount of $10. She recalled one particular experience of enter- 
ing a member's office to try to collect. As she stood in his 
office, he continued to read the paper and never looked up or 
responded to her plea. 
As the years went by, Miss Edna continued to keep the 
finances of the church, Sunday School and church rolls, placed 
Sunday bulletins for the ushers which were folded by hand, wrote 
letters taken by dictation from the pastor, attended deacons' meet- 
ings to take notes, arranged the Lord's Supper, and prepared for 
the baptismal service. 
Miss Edna recalled a special revival that took place while Dr. 
White was pastor. Dr. Wallace Bassett from Texas was revival 
minister. One Sunday, 90 people joined the church, filling three 
pews. (Miss Edna Fields died March 6, 1999). 
228 
I Remember 
By Voncile Southwell 
Mrs. J. W. Parker taught me as a newly wed in the 1930s and 
later taught my mother, Mattie Boyett, in the 1950s. Mrs. Parker 
was such a caring, concerned lady. When mother died, Mrs. 
Parker came to our home in a taxi. (Author's note: The 
Southwells who were married May 25, 1930, celebrated their 
70th wedding anniversary in 2000.) 
I Remember 
By Etta Giddens Bates 
Services were being held at the YMCA across the street from 
the church. I remember being impressed by the scaffolding for 
the sanctuaryaround 1917. As a child I felt very strongly that I 
belonged to God. Jim and Nan Giddens were my parents and 
Cathryn, my older sister. 
I Remember 
By Glennis Rockett 
Aunt Daisy (Mrs. J. C.) Edge and I drove to hear Dr. James 
Parrish lead a revival. When we stepped through the door, James 
saw herboth faces beamed with affection for each other. Before 
James started his sermon, he told the congregation he wanted to 
introduce them to someone. He had her stand and he said, "This 
is Aunt Daisy (though they were not related). She was my leader 
in BYPU in the Intermediate department. Now I must confess, 
my friend and I had run off all previous leaders. Thank God, Aunt 
Daisy just wouldn't run." Aunt Daisy had two sons, Hoyt, a 
banker; and Findley, a minister and a professor at Southern 
Baptist Theological Seminary. 
I Remember 
By Frances Thornton Potter 
I remember the dedication and commitment of our teachers 
and leaders. Some of them taught for years, even decadesMrs. 
Nellie Marbury taught five year olds, Mrs. Sudie Dees taught 
229 
Juniors, Mrs. Mary Chambers taught in Training Union, Mrs. 
Ruth Yancey taught GAs, and many others. Those women are 
still good examples for me. 
My class of 1971 produced three missionaries to Africa: 
Lynn Ellis, Stephen Holloway, and Mary Marbury Leslie. Mr. 
Paul Dean deserves a lot of credit for all he did for us through 
the choir. 
I Remember 
By Mrs. Rupert (Vertie) Barnes 
I remember being a Cradle Roll worker. Alef Holloway and I 
loved to visit the newborns in the hospital. We would encourage 
parents to visit FBC and enroll their babies in the Sunday School 
nursery. We visited each month in their homes and carried litera- 
ture to them from the church. 
I Remember 
By Thelma Randall Ort 
I remember lots of changes that have come during my 70 plus 
years as a member of FBCpeople, buildings, programs, and 
facilities. We take for granted many of the things we enjoy today. 
I remember, though, when there was no stage with magnificent 
curtains in a beautiful gym. But that didn't stop us from having 
fun with our skits and plays. Who needed curtains? We had sheets 
hung from clotheslines back then. We had plenty of "curtain 
calls" to make. 
My Sunday School department had quarterly socials with 
fun and fellowship for all. Each one had to have a special pro- 
gram for entertainment and needed hams and amateurs as actors. 
Several weeks before the big event, the social committee met to 
decide how best to use all the great "talent." Sue Coleman, one 
of our members, would usually do the research to get the most 
appropriate skit while the rest of us would get together and 
decide who the actors would be. Since there wasn't a stage at all 
in the church on which to perform, we had to gather in some 
member's home: a basement at E. W. and Geneva Griffin's 
230 
house, a big room somewhere, anywhere we could get the per- 
formers and audience together. 
Then suddenly FBC furnished us with a stage and real cur- 
tains to draw. No more clotheslines and sheets. C. B. Fincher was 
our man in charge of back stage and sound effects. During our 
special presentations, we forgot our daily problems and enjoyed 
being together. After all these many years, I still have fond mem- 
ories of those good times more than fifty years ago. 
I Remember 
By Mary Chapman Ridley 
The fall of 1967 with our minister to children, Blondean 
Bullington, as director, we began our kindergarten program. 
Those first years were in the sanctuary building basement. We 
shared rooms with Mrs. Sara Watson's four year olds and Mrs. 
Nellie Marbury's five year olds. 
Sometimes when there were heavy thunderstorms, our rooms 
would flood. Water would back-up and overflow the sinks and 
seep in around the windows. Imagine what a mess we would have 
when summer vacation was over! Our posters would be ruined 
and our beans and peas used for counting and bean bag toss 
would be sprouting and swelling. We soon learned to put any- 
thing important on higher shelves. 
I spent 12 years as teacher and director and I'm thankful we 
are still teaching the little children of our church and community. 
Remembering Charlie and Thelma Mann 
Charlie G. and Thelma Mann moved to Albany in March of 
1932. They joined FBC soon thereafter as a result of visits from 
Mrs. John Story and two other ladies representing the WMU. 
Charlie was an electrician and throughout his many years as a 
member and deacon served as church electrician. He designed 
and installed a water circulation system to keep the water warm 
in the baptistry, a system several members said would not oper- 
ate, but did, and was used for many years and may still be in 
operation now. 
231 
During World War II, when decoration material was not 
available, Charlie designed, made, and installed two massive 
Christmas greetings. Each one reached all the way across the 
speaker's platform and hung letters from the old choir loft. 
Members contributed old Christmas tree ornaments which he 
crushed and glued to the large letters which spelled out "Joy to 
the World" on one and "Peace on Earth" on the other. They were 
so beautiful as they glittered. He worked many hours through the 
years planting and tending shrubbery and flowers around the 
church building. He was Scout Master of the Boy Scouts at FBC 
and Thelma was in charge of the RAs. 
Charlie was superintendent of the Sunday School of the 
Mallary Baptist Association for eight years. He was chorister for 
the Keystone Bible Class until he moved to Columbus in 1975. 
Throughout his years in Albany, Charlie witnessed to the lost, the 
sick, widows, and orphans, and won many to Christ. He fed the 
poor and helped young people attend college. No wonder so 
many people loved Charlie Mann. 
'] remember tfe (bays ofofd, 
Q meditate on aff Your doings; 
1 ponder on tne work 
of Your bands." 
Psalm 143: 5 (Amplified Bible) 
232 
PHOTOS 
233 
Albany Academy 
Meeting place for newly organized church. 
234 
235 
Old wooden church on present site. 1892-1911 
 
236 
FBC 1918 forward. 
11*11 
FBC Choir 1939 
(L to R) Owen Dekle, Betty Koppel, Marian Peacock 
(Organist), Ann Culpepper, and Hoyt Edge 
237 
Mrs. O.D. Culpepper 
Music Director for over 30 years, until 1955. 
Essie Fuller Baptista 
Missionary to Brazil from 1920, received support 
from FBC for many years. 
239 
Keystone Bible class with guests on Mothers Day 1946. 
Inside FBC about 1960. 
Rev. Brooks Ramsey, Pastor 
240 
First FBC Kindergarten 1967-68. 
FBC Softball Team 1964. 
241 
nn 
Groundbreaking for activities building 1968. 
A scene from "The Seven Last Words" presented first in 1970 
by the Music and Drama Departments. 
242 
243 
Chapel Choir Tour 1971 
First European Tour 
244 
Wednesday night supper 1971. 
245 
Wednesday night supper 1971. 
246 
Library Staff 1971 
Standing L to R: Wanda Emerson, Mary Jane Smith, MariAlice Tatum, Janet Geeslin, Deanie Webb, Virginia 
Hays, Jutson Mason, Peggy Ort Seated L to R: Sue Carter, Herbert Carter, Wayne McClung 
Miss Edna Fields retired September 1975 
after 42 years on the church staff. 
m...._.MM 
Wayne and Joann McClung 
served in the FBC library for more 
than 30 years. 
Set Free Ensemble 1974 
Front: Lynn Loosier, Cindy Bruce, Debra Dean, Susan Cloys 
Second Row: D. Ray Davis, Andrea Panned, Reggie Joiner 
Back: Terry Wynn 
Rev. Perry Webb and Col. Wilder 1974 
A handbell choir featured in the 
TV Special " What Love Is" 1976. 
249 
Filming of the TV Drama " The Pawn Shop", 1979. 
Major renovations at FBC, including new 
back entrance and elevator - 1988. 
250 
251 
Sesquicentennial Celebration 
150"1 Anniversary August, 1989 
Sesquicentennial Committee 1989 
L to R: Wilfred Smith, Elizabeth Loosier, Sue Loosier, Becky 
Herndon, John Margeson (chairman), Becky Hobaugh 
Dr. James Ramsey (pastor) 
150'" Anniversary Celebration Four oldest members: 
Mrs. Hudson (Katie Sue) Malone 
Mrs. C. C. (Elizabeth) Hill, Jr. 
Mrs. T. M. (Sue) Coleman 
Mrs. B. B. (Mattie Lou) Williams, Sr. 
252 
 
253 
Mr. Henry Duggan, Founder of 
The Lord's Pantry 
Disaster relief at FBC during the Albany Flood of 1994. 
254 
FBC Members participated in building several 
Habitat for Humanity Homes. 
One of several rural churches repaired by FBC members. 
255 
One of many ramps build by FBC men in an ongoing ministry. 
Pictured L to R: Max Ladson, Melvin Chapman, Charlie Mullis, 
A. J. Nobles who worked on this specific project. 
Senior Adult trip to 
Ridgecrest, 199S- 
160'h Anniversary 
August 1999 
Members 50 years or more 
at 160"'Anniversary, 1999. 
258 
FBC Sanctuary Building 
at time of publication 
2002. 
259