Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

During most of the 19th century black people worshipped in secret places or as they were allowed under the institution of slavery. Black people in the Stark community, from 1826 to 1869, worshipped at the white Macedonia Baptist Church and were considered a faithful and respected part of the church. Soon after the Emancipation Proclamation, Black people in the Stark Community, as in other communities, felt the need to become independent even to worship in their own church. Therefore, in 1869, the Black members of the White Macedonia Baptist Church were given permission to organize a church of their own. Under the leadership of Rev. Clark Gilmore the Black Macedonia Baptist Church was organized. Rev. Clark Gilmore was an organizer and religious leader in the Butts and Henry County communities. Brothers Caesar Hendrick, Monroe Hendrick, Billy Kelly, Rev. Amos Grier, Rev. Gibb Roberts and others were also contributors to organizing the church.

Macedonia Baptist Church began under the leadership of Rev. Clark Gilmore in the year of 1869. Macedonia Baptist Church has a rich history, one that members can be proud of.
During most of the 19th century black people worshipped in secret places or as they were allowed under the institution of slavery. Black people in the Stark community, from 1826 to 1869, worshipped at the white Macedonia Baptist Church and were considered a faithful and respected part of the church. Soon after the Emancipation Proclamation, Black people in the Stark Community, as in other communities, felt the need to become independent even to worship in their own church. Therefore, in 1869, the Black members of the White Macedonia Baptist Church were given permission to organize a church of their own. Under the leadership of Rev. Clark Gilmore the Black Macedonia Baptist Church was organized. Rev. Clark Gilmore was an organizer and religious leader in the Butts and Henry County communities. Brothers Caesar Hendrick, Monroe Hendrick, Billy Kelly, Rev. Amos Grier, Rev. Gibb Roberts and others were also contributors to organizing the church.
After the church was organized, Alfred Vason, Henry Brooks, J. M. Hendrick, and Charlie Stodghill purchased one acre of land from J. M. McClure for $50 to build a sanctuary. A small sum of $25 per year was paid until the note was burned. Giving of their time and effort, and showing Christian spirit along with the aforementioned officers were the Nutt, Clark, Mayo, Taylor, Thornton, Wimbush, Robert, Broadus, and Grier families. According to records, members were not taxed but paid as much as fifty cents per month or whatever they could afford.
The first building was small but adequate in housing the membership. As the community grew, the membership of the church grew. Around the turn of the century, additions to the church were added to accommodate the growing membership. The first building was destroyed by fire. The membership was sadden by this lost, but they were determined to have a place to worship. They began to rebuild and soon church service was back to normal in a new structure.
Disaster struck again in 1918, when a storm destroyed the church. Although the storm was destructive, it was a blessing because it gave the leaders an opportunity to build a place to worship sufficient for a growing community. Following the second disaster, the new and current church in which we still worship in today was erected under the leadership of the Rev. Gus Barber.
Since its inception in 1869, there have been several pastors. Between 1869 and 1918, the following ministers pastored the church:

1) Clark Gilmore, 2) Aaron Goodrum, 3) Henry Lowe, 4) Money Lowe, 5) Joe Robinson, 6) M. L. Glenn, 7) Guss Barber

After the church was rebuilt in 1918, during Pastor Guss Barber’s tenure, the following ministers have pastured the church:

8) M. A. Grier, 9) J. Wood, 10) Timothy Saine, 11) W. E. Hinton, 12) C. H. Harris, 13) W. W. Thomas, 14) S. A. Baker, 15) R. B. Thompson, 16) B. J. Johnson, 17) H. Hall, 18) T. H. Ford, 19) C. R. Sheridan (1940 – October 1980), 20) Lucius Huff (January 1980 – December 1980)
21) Franklin Sherrer (May 1981 – September 1984)
22) Coleman Hays (January 1985 – July 1992)
23) T. Robinson (January 1993 – January 1995)
24) Larry Holmes (September 1995 – December 1996)


Rev. C. R. Sheridan served for 40 years as pastor and during his tenure (1940 – October 1980), church auxiliaries were reorganized to become more active. One of the most influential auxiliaries was the Willing Workers, which was organized by Sisters Leona Grier, Lenora Reed, Ula Conley, Onnie Grier, and others, for the purpose of helping to modernize the church. In 1970, the Building Fund Program, organized April 26, 1968 by Deacons Joe Allen, Ernest Barlow, and others, completed the modernization of the church facilities. This included a kitchen and dining facility, restrooms, pastor study, classrooms, and baptismal pool.
Under the leadership of Lucius Huff (January 1980 – December 1980), a Christian Bible Study group was formed and has continued to be a part of the Church.
Under the leadership of Franklin Sherrer (May 1981 – September 1984), the first set of By-Laws were developed and approved by the church body. Also, on June 27, 1981, the first telephone was installed in the church. Furthermore, during Frank Sherrer’s leadership, Charlie Belcher, a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, donated the property where his family home was located to the church. The church’s utility house is currently located on this property. Church conference was also changed on September 24, 1983 from monthly meetings to quarterly meetings (January, April, and July, October).
Under the leadership of Coleman Hayes (January 1985 – July 1992), the Deaconess Board and the Missionary Team were organized. The fellowship hall, classrooms, and pastor study were renovated.
Under the leadership of Rev. Larry Homes (September 1995 – December 1996), the word “Missionary” was added to the church name and Macedonia Baptist Church became Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church; the church where everybody is somebody and Christ is all and all. The church also purchased its first church van. In addition, the church moved from worshiping on 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month to a fulltime worship schedule (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays). The Church continued to participate in Usher Association meetings on 5th Sundays. Also, the Male Chorus was organized under the leadership of Rev. Homes.
Under the leadership of our current pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremy Head, Sr. (January 1997 – Present), 10 acres of land was purchased on Four Point Road, Jackson, GA, to build a new sanctuary. The church paid a total of $120,000 for the land. A sum of $60,000 was paid down and the owner (Harold L Threewit, Benton, ILL) financed the remaining $60,000 over a period of 10 years. The loan was paid in full on August 9, 2010, five years and 7months before the scheduled pay off date. Also under the leadership of Pastor Head, the Food ministry was organized. The Tuesday Night Women’s Circle, the monthly, Fourth Wednesday Night - Mid Week Worship Service, the Radio and Tape ministries, and Children Church were also organized. Nine ministers have been licensed (L), or licensed and ordained (L/O), under Pastor Head’s leadership.

The Deacon Board of Macedonia has always been an integral part of church leadership, always willing to fulfill its responsibility of serving tables and caring for the welfare of the pastor and the church.

The Mother Board has also been a strong and vital part of the history of Macedonia Baptist Church.