Church History

1886 -

 

Founding of Antioch Baptist Church - After being freed from slavery, a small community group who found themselves with no place to worship founded Antioch Baptist Church, prior to the establishment of Antioch Baptist Church they worshiped with other religious groups in the Barnesville area including another Antioch Baptist Church which was White.  They grew weary not having a place of their own to worship and decided to purchase land to build a church home and called a shepherd to lead them.   

 

Founding Members – Adolphus Lindsey, Jarvis Stephens, John Riddle and Henry Willis.  

 

December 15, 1886, a deed of trust was entered into for the purchase of land to build Antioch Baptist Church.  The deed of trust was between William F. Kennedy of the first part and Adolphus Lindsey, Jarvis Stephens, John Riddle and Henry Willis trustees Antioch Baptist Church of the second part.    

 

Early Members who helped to build Antioch Baptist Church - Antioch Baptist Church was first know as Colored Antioch Baptist Church, through the early years of Antioch Baptist Church, some of the leaders were Reverend John Dibinion, Reverend Reuben A. Lindsey and Reverend Tom Perdue.  Others who came to help build Antioch were Brother Abe Myers, Deacon Willie Myers, Brother Pete Bush and Deacon Hull Simmons.  

 

Other families who moved into the community -The Lord blessed Antioch and our membership continued to grow. Other families moved into the community and joined the church. Some of these families were The Walker Family, The Battle family, The Jones family, The Perdue Family, Sister Willie B. Robinson and Sister Mary Thurman.  

 

The church burned - Tragedy struck and Antioch Baptist Church was burned.

This left the members with no place to worship again. By invitation from the Upson County Board Of Education, the members worshiped in the schoolhouse and God increased our membership so much that we built a larger building.  

 

Reverend A.C. Daniels was a very talented black man who moved from Phoenix City, Alabama to Pastor Antioch Baptist Church and Sardis Baptist Church.  Pastor Daniels made many accomplishments at Antioch and was instrumental in the formation of The Union.  Pastor Daniels labored at Antioch through the lean years and until his death in 1948. 

 

The Union – The members of Antioch Baptist Church played a great part in the formation of the Union. The small membership of a rural church, even though active in spiritual guidance, often finds itself deficient of funds necessary to continue its charge of delivering the gospel.  In an act of unity and cooperation, Antioch Baptist Church and Sardis Baptist Church organized a “Union” of churches in 1943. The founders of the union included Pastor A.C. Daniel, Deacon Thomas J. Walker of Antioch Baptist Church. The Union was joined later by Pine Grove Baptist Church, Saint Timothy Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church. 

 

Today the union is made up of only four churches, Antioch Baptist Church, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church.  

 

Tragedy struck again - This building also burned, being faced again with no place to worship, each member pledged to give a load of timber to rebuild our Church.  A supportive white friend, Mr. Emmett Kennedy, gave us framing for the building and the Upson County School Superintendent provided flooring, pews and a roof. Reverend A. C. Daniels labored long and hard, without pay, to see that this building was completed. Because of this second tragedy much of our history was lost but thanks be to God we have been able to reconstruct some of that history. 

 

A school was established on the site of Antioch Baptist Church by The Upson County School Board -Brother Adolphus Lindsey assisted with the rebuilding of Antioch Baptist Church and opened his home to one

of the first teachers of color in the public school system, Mrs. Thelma L. Jesters.   

   

    Early Deacons                           

·         Deacon Len Battle

·         Deacon Earnest Fryer                                 

·         Deacon Lawyer Lyons

·         Deacon Dave McGough

·         Deacon William Myers

·         Deacon Tom Perdue

·         Deacon Hull Simmons

·         Deacon Thomas J. Walker

·         Deacon Willie Walker 

 

Rev. D. R. Strickland – Rev Strickland became pastor of Antioch Baptist Church on or about the year of 1948, after the death of Pastor A. C. Daniels.  Pastor Strickland only     served at Antioch for one year and was moved to another church in the Thomaston Georgia area. 

 

Rev. Paul L. Randall – Rev. Paul L. Randall became pastor of Antioch, on or about the year of1949 after Pastor Strickland resigned, and resigned about 1978. Pastor Randall was a very dedicated pastor from Columbus Georgia. The fact that Pastor Randall lived in and commuted from Columbus Georgia did not deter his dedication to the growth of Antioch, he was in attendance anytime the doors were open for worship service or conferences. Several members joined the congregation under the leadership of Pastor Randall and are still actively supporting Antioch today.   

 

Our congregation grew and we found the need for a larger building - On the 4th Sunday,December 1974, under the leadership of Pastor P. L. Randall we marched into a new building. This building was made possible by the power of God and the dedication of the members of Antioch Baptist Church. God blessed usto ordain five new deacons, Deacon Johnny F. Caslin, Sr., Deacon Johnny B. Fryer, Deacon Samuel L. Lindsey, Deacon Willie Myers and Deacon John P. Walker, Sr. 

 

Rev. Daniel L. Driver – Rev. Daniel Driver became pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in October 1979 and resigned in Sept 1992.  Under the leadership of Pastor Daniel L. Driver, we continued to improve our church building.  We made many accomplishments; we installed central heating and air, opened a new fellowship hall, bought new furniture, installed a PA system, tinted windows. draperies, carpet and laid a Cornerstone. Our greatest accomplishment was the beginning of our Sunday school and the ordination of two new deacons, Deacon Hewlett Fletcher and Deacon Fred McKenzie.

 

Rev. Jerome Garland – Antioch Baptist Church called Rev. Garland as our pastor, the installation service for Pastor Garland was held on October 17, 1993.  Under the leadership of Pastor Jerome Garland, we installed a telephone, system and began our weekly bible study class. Pastor Garland resigned in November of 1993 to start Community Ministries Church International in Griffin Georgia. For a short time we were without a pastor, however, Reverend Hewlett Fletcher’s devotion helped to keep our congregation together; not one member left our service.  Reverend Robert Releford, who was a member of Pine Grove Baptist at that time, also gave unselfishness of his time and came by many Sundays to lead us in worship service.  

 

Rev. John Phillips, Sr. - On December 4, 1994 we held the installation service for Pastor John Phillips. Under the leadership of Pastor John Phillips, Sr. we built and furnished a new fellowship hall, added and furnished a pastor’s study, installed a new baptizing pool, expanded our sanctuary, purchased new furniture, installed new carpet and windows, began our weekly prayer service, women ministry, children church and vacation bible school.  Pastor Phillips ended his term at Antioch in 1997.

  

Four new deacons were ordained - Deacon Clarence Lindsey, Sr., Deacon James E. Lindsey, Deacon Morris Myers and Deacon John P. Walker, Jr.

 

We found ourselves without a pastor again – In October 1998 we again found ourselves without a pastor. The members of Antioch were no stranger to this process by this time so we immediately band together like links in God’s chain and prayed that God would send us a pastor. We also found ourselves without a Sunday school teacher. Two members, Sister Phyllis Walker and Sister Miriam Byrd boldly stepped out and began teaching our youth and adult Sunday School classes. 

 

Rev. Stanley Moore – In December 1998 a preacher by the name of Reverend Stanley Moore graced our pulpit. Little did we know that this would be the pastor that God would place in our vineyard.  Revered Moore must have been sent by God because during this time our eldest member, mother Katherine Fryer made her journey home and Reverend Moore was there with encouraging words for our church family.  On April 30, 1999, being lead by the Holy Spirit, the Antioch Baptist Church family called Reverend Stanley Moore as our pastor.  Reverend Stanley Moore a native of Arkansas ended up at Antioch Baptist Church in Yatesville, Georgia. We believe that he was truly sent by God and that he was sent with a vision.  Under the leadership of Pastor Moore, Antioch became a full time church serving a full time God.  In September 1999, our church chartered a bus at no cost to the members of Antioch and as a church family we accompanied Pastor Moore to Colt  Arkansas with 40 members and 6 guests in attendance. We organized a second Usher Board, upgraded our PA system, and installed a second heating and air condition system. We held our first Women’s Conference, our first Community Outreach Ministry, and our first Watch Night Service to bring in a new century, the year 2000. 

 

2000, the beginning of the new century - In June we held our first All Auxiliary Day Celebration, In July we went to Plant City Florida on our second church trip.  We held our first Deacon Anniversary in August and in September we held our first Women’s Day Celebration. A new choir was formed, The Voices of Antioch. A new well was installed and we began the process of expanding our church so that we would have rooms for our Sunday school and Finance Department, etc.

 

Three new deacons were ordained – In November 2000, three new deacons were ordained, Deacon Jimmie L.Caslin, Deacon Bobby Chambliss and Deacon Arthur Moore, we also expanded our church building.  

 

Associate Ministers – We increased our membership by 21 members which includes two associate ministers, Reverend Robert Releford, Reverend Willie McKind. We began our New Members class with Reverend Robert Releford as our first teacher.

 

In 2001 we completed the Sunday school rooms and the men’s sitting area.  In August 2001, we began our television ministry.  In September 2001 Reverend James Edward joined our church family and became our newest associate minister.  We purchased a new key board for our music department. 

 

In 2002 we held our second Women’s Conference also our first Men’s conference.  We established a Pastor’s Aid Ministry and held our first Pastor’s Anniversary Banquet.  We held our first Holy Ghost party for our children and young at heart adults. We gained 11 new members, which included our newest associate Minister, Charles Carter

 

Two new deacons were ordained - In 2002 we ordained 2 new deacons, Deacon Darrell McMullen and Deacon Willie McKind, Sr.

 

 In 2003, In February we were honored to be the recipients of the F. E. Fuller Christian Service Award at a ceremony held at Gordon College.  We received a new outside message board. In November 2003, the Music Ministry decided that God has truly blessed our church family and they wanted to give back to the community. The Music Ministry held its first Thanksgiving concert/food drive, the admission was to donate a can good or a non-perishable food items. The Music Ministry was able to donate food baskets to three (3) Families in the community.  Four new members joined our Church family during this year. 

 

In 2004 we established our own web-site (www.antioch-baptistchurch.org) with no expense to Antioch, the cost for the development of the website was donated by Carolyn Lindsey Ridley owner of Caro Travel, IncIn May we celebrated, along with family and friends, the 5^th Pastor’s Anniversary of Pastor and Sister Stanley Moore. We established a Creative Arts Ministry that included 3 age groups, youth, teens and adults.  With the success of our Thanksgiving Concert/Food Drive in 2003 we decided to do this program again.  The love for our fellow man, the desire to share our blessing and the contribution from our members and friends allowed us to donate food baskets to 7 families.  By the end of 2004 we gained 6 new members. 

 

In 2005 Minister Duane Larkin accepted his call into the ministry and preached his first sermons, Rev. Xavier Johnson and Minister Angela Johnson also joined the staff of associate ministers.

 

In 2005- In 2005 we were blessed with 6 new members, an Adult Dance Group, and a male chorus. The Adult Dance Group gave their first public performance and the Male Choir was formed during the Men’s Conference.  In July 2005 God elevated Pastor Moore and he was moved to Iowa, we were again without a Pastor but through prayer and strong leadership and The Holy Spirit we continued on. 

 

Reverend Keith Battle - December, 2005, God sent a dynamic man of God to us by the name of Reverend Keith Battle. Under the leadership of Pastor Battle we are committed to going higher and to following the vision that God has sent us by way of Pastor Battle. 

 

In 2006, In February we held our first Valentine Banquet, March 2006 we held the installation service for Pastor and First Lady Battle. June 2006 we held our Women’s SPA Retreat, August, 2006 we held our second Community Outreach Ministry, A Sounds of Joy Festival, we also began leadership class and child safety seminar.

 

In 2007, In February we held our second Valentine Banquet. In March we celebrated the first anniversary for Pastor and First Lady Battle.  2007 was a very busy year for the youth department, in February the youth ministry celebrated Black History Month.  In July the youth ministry held a dynamic 4 day Youth Explosion, Facing Your Giants – The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall, with such speakers as our own Pastor Keith Battle, Minister Dr.Todd Shipp, Pastor Jerome Bennett, Minister Raphael Hodo, Gosper Hip Hop Artist Versatyle and Celebrity Guest Speaker Cee Cee Michaela the police officer Yvonne, William’s fiancé from the hit UPN comedy Girlfriends.  In October the youth ministry held their fifth Hallelujah Harvest.

In November the music ministry held our fifth Thanksgiving Concert/Food Drive and set a record in the number of food baskets donated to families in the surrounding communities. In December the Youth Ministry presented a Christmas Play.  The Lord blessed Antioch with 6 new members which included our newest associate minister Minister Eddie L Puckett.

 

In 2008, In February we held our third Valentine Banquet at the Gathering Place and celebrated Black History Month.  March we celebrated the second anniversary for Pastor and First Lady Battle.  April 18 and 19 the Outreach Ministry reached out to assist Mrs. Sara Elizabeth Williams Kasulaitis from Griffin, Georgia who was in need of liver transplant surgery. Antioch Baptist Church hosted its first Chicken Q and donated over $1,000.00 to assist with her surgery.  May 31 the Outreach Ministry held a Festival of Praise in the Wimberly-Myers Park where several local groups provided praise service, we also donated clothes, food and other items.

 

In September, the Women’s ministry, S.W.I.F.T. held a 4 day women conference, prayer breakfast and women day celebration. The theme was Extra-Ordinary Women with an Extra-Ordinary Purpose. In October the Youth Ministry held its sixth Hallelujah Harvest, this event was held at the Barnesville Gym however it was the first time we invited other churches to share in this annual event.  The Hallelujah Harvest was a tremendous success with youth and adults participation from Antioch Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Orange Grove Baptist Church, Sardis Baptist Church and the E. P. Roberts Center. In November the music ministry held our sixth Thanksgiving Concert/Food Drive donating food baskets to families in the surrounding communities. In December the Youth Ministry hosted a Christmas fellowship lunch for the church.  The Lord blessed Antioch with 14 new members. 

 

In 2009 we began the year with our annual Family and Friends Day.   In February we held our fourth Valentine Banquet at the Gathering Place and celebrated Black History Month we also celebrated the 123^rd anniversary for the church and honored the active Gold and Silver service members.  We honor and thank God for the following Gold-Star Members who have fifty plus years of membership at Antioch Baptist Church and the Silver-Star Members of Antioch Baptist Church who have 25 plus years of membership. We have come this far by faith; we have accomplished this by the foundation established from the devotion, dedication and hard work of these members.

 

Golden Members    

    1954 - Mother Carolyn Lindsey Ridley       - 54 Years of service

   1958 - Mother Ruby Caslin                    -  50 Years of service

   1958 - Deacon Clarence L. Lindsey, Sr.    - 50 Years of service

   1958 - Deacon James E. Lindsey             - 50 Years of service

   1958 - Mother Mary F. Lindsey               - 50 Years of service

   1958 – Mother Jamie McKenzie               - 50 Years of service

   1958 - Sister Elantha Lindsey Russell       - 50 Years of service

 

Silver Members

   1966 - Sister Mary Lindsey Baldwin         - 42 Years of service

   1966 - Sister Gracie Lindsey Holder         - 42 Years of service

   1966 - Sister Janie Lindsey Smith           - 42 Years of service

   1970 - Deacon John Perry Walker, Jr.      - 38 Years of service.

   1971 - Sister Rosa Chambliss                 - 37 Years of service

   1971 - Sister Alicia Crawford                 - 37 Years of service

   1971 - Sister Ira Caslin Smith                - 37 Years of service

   1973 - Deacon Morris Myers                  - 35 Years of service

   1977 - Sister Gabrielle Danise Caslin       - 31 Years of service

   1982 - Sister Sylvia Lindsey                  - 26 Years of service

   1983 - Sister Phyllis Walker                   - 25 Years of service

 

 

 

In March we celebrated the third anniversary for Pastor and First Lady Battle, Pastor Harold J. Banks of Bethel AME Church, Barnesville was the speaker for the 11:00 AM service and Pastor Adrian T. Usher was the speaker for the 2:20 PM service. One of the highlights for this third Anniversary was when Special Guest,  Professor Adrianne Monk presented Pastor Battle with his Certificate for completing his degree at Pneuma School of the Bible, Stockbridge, Ga.     

Marh 27, 2009 - The Antioch Baptist Church Youth Ministry made history when they presented a stage play "The Life of A Teenager" by Pastor Donald Gray and The Warriors of Worship Youth Ministry.  The play was produced by Pastor Donald Gray who have written and produced several plays, such as, "Why Loving You is Hurting Me", "Man of Her Dreams" and many more.

Former pastors of Antioch are: 

(Listed in order or tenure)

 Pastor Reuben A. Lindsey                           Pastor D. R. Strickland

 Pastor Tom Perdue                                    Pastor  Paul L. Randall 

 Pastor John Dibinion                                  Pastor Daniel L. Driver           

 Pastor D. F. Fuller                                      Pastor Jerome Garland

 Pastor Penn                                              Pastor John Phillips, Sr.

 Pastor Rucker                                           Pastor Stanley Moore            

                Pastor A. C. Daniel 

      

Former Chairmen of Deacon Board:                                    Former Associate Pastors

(Listed in order or tenure)                                    (Listed in order or tenure)     

Deacon Thomas J. Walker                                                     Rev. Harris                        

Deacon Willie A. Walker                                                        Rev. Walker                                       

 Deacon John P. Walker, Sr                                                   Rev. Joseph Driver