our history
established 1869
inception of
holly spring baptist church
In 1868, one year before the birth of Holly Spring Baptist Church, the Middle Georgia Missionary Baptist Association was organized. The title Missionary Baptist was the way churches could be identified as having black memberships versus white memberships. Many blacks that had received their religious training under the churches of their masters were converted and became deacons and preachers in black membership churches.
Some churches were organized for blacks in the areas in which they lived during the Civil War. A few retained their membership in the churches of the Ebenezer Baptist Association until they were encouraged to withdraw their membership and join Missionary Baptist churches.
Around 1868, some of the white pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Association assisted black pastors and lay people to organize the Middle Georgia Missionary Baptist Association here in Laurens County. With these events occurring, many “Colored” churches, as they were known during that time, were born.
In 1869, Holly Spring Missionary Baptist Church took its first breath of life and became not only a dream for its members, but a beautiful reality.
growth of
holly spring baptist church
Because of the lack of formal records, we are unable to trace the first years of our origin, so our history will begin with Rev. H.E.C. Evans. Rev. Evans labored and served at Holly Spring Missionary Baptist Church for 37 years. Under his leadership great things were achieved. Rev. Evans was a great leader and teacher. Rev. Evans was a professor of spiritual power and made phenomenal contributions to this church. Rev. Evans served long and fruitfully.
Rev. James Robert Travick Jr. injected new life into many of the existing organizations. Under Rev. Travick’s leadership, the church annex was added and the bricking of the church took place.
Rev. Sammie Lee Hawkins, Jr. was an enviable spiritual leader and organizer. Under his leadership the church was enlarged to twice the original size. Padded pews were added and the baptism pool was constructed.
Rev. Ronnie Burch was called to Holly Spring after Rev. Hawkins. Under Rev. Burch’s leadership, the church was inspirationally and spiritually enlightened. The church began its full-time worship services.
WE ARE HOLLY SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH
1993 - current
After Rev. Burch, the Lord blessed Holly Spring Missionary Baptist Church with a great leader, Rev. Joe Frank Moore, Sr. Rev. Moore showed great skills as an organizer, administrator, and above all a teacher of the Holy Word. Rev. Moore utilized every opportunity to display the ways of Christ through the examples of his life. Under the guidance of God and the leadership of Rev. Moore, Holly Spring Baptist Church was able to purchase some forty-plus acres of land. A Building Annex was added, giving access to much-needed classroom and office space. The most important additions, by Rev. Moore were the many ministries that were borne under his great leadership, including Married Couples Ministry, Singles’ Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Ministers’ Training Class, Men’s Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study, Youth Department Ministry, Trustee Ministry, Video Ministry, Van Ministry, Cloth Closet Ministry, Ministers’ Wives Ministry, Dance Ministry and Media Ministry.
Many souls were led to Jesus Christ as we journeyed forth in the “Favour of God.” The Ministerial Staff experienced astounding growth under the guidance of Pastor Moore. Eight servants were called into ministry under the leadership of Rev. Moore: Rev. E. Neal Dixon, Rev. Willie Edwards, Rev. Joe Shinhoster, Rev. James Jackson, Rev. Devin Hill, Rev. Sylvia Rozier, Min. Ellen Smith and Min. Eugene Smith and Min. Sonya Shinhoster. Rev. Johnny Baker Jr. and Rev. Victor Sweet joined the Ministerial Staff as Ordained Ministers. We were also blessed to add Deacon Brian Taylor and Deacon Carl O’Neal to the Deacon Ministry.
Under Pastor Moore, the choir ministry experienced tremendous growth, with the addition of the Sunbeam Choir, Senior Citizens’ Choir and Praise Team. In April 2003, we also added Sunrise Services to our church calendar. In 2004, minor church renovations were done to add to the beautification of God’s House. In January 2005, Holly Spring Baptist Church became a member of the Second Rehoboth Missionary Baptist Association. On July 30, 2007, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for the new worship facility of Holly Spring Baptist Church at 705 Buckeye Rd, East dublin, GA. On July 20, 2008, a new edifice was dedicated to God Almighty.
There have been many accomplishments by this great man of God throughout the years of his service at Holly Spring Baptist Church. We, the members, are indebted to his sacrifice & ability to follow the Holy Spirit!
On July 11, 2018, Rev. Patrick W. Toney was called to pastor Holly spring Baptist Church. His first Sunday as Pastor-Elect at Holly Spring Baptist Church was Sunday, July 15, 2018. He was officially installed as Pastor of Holly Spring Baptist Church on Sunday, October 7, 2018. Since the calling of Pastor Toney, he has committed to keep the richness of foundation established by his predecessors, while still putting his finger print on the ministry with new & innovative ideas. In an effort to beautify & place focus on our baptismal pool, a back-lit cross was added to the wall of our sanctuary under the leadership of Pastor Toney. So far, in his short but energized tenure, we have experienced many technological upgrades & process enhancements. Pastor Toney expresses a desire to make our approach to ministry relative and effective for those we are assigned to minister to. With the restructuring of the order of service & the plans to add television monitors to our sanctuary, we are definitely headed in the right direction to see the maximum impact of 21st century ministry on the surrounding communities.
We, the members, pray that Pastor Toney will continue to be led by the Holy Spirit as he leads this organization to higher heights in Jesus. We shall never forget that our church continues on only by the grace of God, because He truly loves us!