LEBANON BAPTIST CHURCH
Lebanon Baptist Church was organized July 16, 1836 in the home of Amariah Hembree as a Missionary Baptist Church. The charter members were: James Baker, Amariah Hembree, James L. Hembree, Luke Bently, Charles Edwards, James Oliver, Ferdinand Jett, Mary Bently, Catherine Fields, Mary Edwards, Sally M. Oliver, Susan Hembree, Malissa Fields, Sarah Jett, Elizabeth Henderson and Mary Ann Danger.
The membership grew rapidly. The slaves joined with the whites as was the custom of the times. The name of the owner appeared opposite that of each slave.
When the time came for a church building to be erected, one of the conditions was that, when not in use by that organization, it was to be free to a minister of any denomination in good standing in his own church. Also to Sunday Schools, Missionary Societies, Temperance Societies, Bible Schools and Tract Societies.
At each meeting the Moderator pronounced the church “In Peace”. Therein lay its strength. In 1841-42, a great depression spread over Georgia, caused by drought, crop failure, locusts and other pests. This caused many hardships and great suffering. A number of families were without food and clothing, and were hard-pressed by their creditors for debts which they could not pay. Lebanon Church organized “The Lebanon Agricultural Society”. The creditors were told to send in itemized accounts of the debts of the community. Money was taken from the surplus of some to supply the needs of others. Lumber was bought, spinning wheels and a loom made for the Missionary Society. Cotton and wool were spun and woven, and no one in the settlement wore any garment which was not made with those wheels and loom. The debts were paid and many homes were saved and families kept together.
No undertaking is too great when the hearts of the community are filled with Peace. That “Peace I leave with you”. Like a brilliant Star the word Peach led those earnest men and women through the puzzling pioneer days as they strove to serve their Lord and Master through practical Christian daily living.
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Copyright 2007-2009 by Betty Turner