Henderson Baptist marks 177 years of service

In 1839, eight ministers and residents came together and founded Henderson Baptist Church. This month the church will mark its 177th birthday.

Instead of a huge cake with 177 candles, pastor Larry Finley said Louis Pearce, who was ordained in the church some 44 years ago, will do the preaching on Aug. 14.

Pearce is now director of missions for Emanuel Baptist Association in Emanuel County.

The church is south of Perry on U.S. 41, right past its intersection with Ga. 26, about 1 mile west of Interstate 75.

Finley has been at Henderson for the past two and a half years, coming here from Northside Baptist Church in Starke, Fla.

Three months after coming to Middle Georgia, Finley said he had a heart attack.

“I called a male nurse who’s in our congregation and asked if I needed to go to the hospital,” Finley said. “He said I didn’t need to go; I could just sit here and die or wait for the ambulance to come.”

Finley laughs at the memory.

“I went in on a Saturday, got out of the hospital on a Tuesday, preached on a Wednesday and preached twice on a Sunday,” he said. “I have been blessed.”

He said he could have stayed at the church in Starke, but God called him to come to Middle Georgia.

He’s seen increases in baptisms and Sunday school attendance.

“Everybody’s not going to heaven, but everybody can,” he said. “Sometimes we get relaxed in our religion and forget there is a heaven and a hell.”

The church draws from all over Middle Georgia; there is no community surrounding it.

“We have a unique fellowship and do a lot of family things,” Finley said. “We have Wednesday night suppers, and 80 percent of our membership comes back for Sunday evening services. We preach the gospel.”

He said he didn’t know who started the Wednesday evening tradition, but feels the agricultural community of the time needed a mid-week preaching, so to speak.

“To preach the gospel it takes work,” he said, adding that doing three sermons a week can take up a lot of time in preparation.

But it is more than worth it, he said. “Our church is more of a close-knit family.”

People who don’t normally do much speaking will sing hymns and worship songs, he said. “Something that meets your needs should happen when you’re singing.”

He singles out Charlene Rackley, who directs the choir, for special praise, but he also has laudatory words for the congregation that sings. It doesn’t matter if they’re off-key, he said, the effort and sincerity more than make up for any technical shortcomings.

One of the more interesting aspects of the church is the booklet, possibly from the 1970s, that spell out the history and goings-on at the church.

In the 19th century, African-Americans attended church and were accepted as members. The minutes called them “colored” people.

In 1847 the minutes recorded there were 85 white persons and 29 colored persons as church members. By 1860 there were 107 white persons and 102 colored persons, making the church membership 209 people.

Take this entry dated July 27, 1868: “Baptist Church at Henderson met in conference. Letters of dismissal were granted to the colored people for the purpose of constituting a church.”

Or this one, dated Dec. 27, 1868: “The colored people were allowed to have use of the church until the first of March.”

However, some transgressions were dealt with harshly: “Nov. 27, 1875 – Excommunicated brother John Faulkner for dancing.”

And some history put into context with this entry: “June 8, 1861 – It was moved and seconded that the members of the Baptist Church at Henderson meet with those of the Methodist Church next Thursday the 13th day of June for the purpose of observing that day as one of fasting and prayer being appointed by the President of the Confederate States.”

The church has its own Web site: www.hendersonbaptist.com. Upcoming events include the Aug, 14 Welcome Home celebration, and the Back the Blue celebration in honor of law enforcement officials on Sunday, Sept. 11.

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