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As early as 1929, the Presbytery of Hopewell had
thirty-one churches. Among these was Thomaston, organized in 1829. However,
this church was not listed until after 1835.
At the invitation of Dr. John W. Suggs,
the Rev. John Jones, an evangelist of Atlanta Presbytery, came to Thomaston
in 1871. The present church was organized in the home of Mr. William Oliphant
on June 27, 1871. There were ten charter
members. These came from the Suggs, Oliphant, Hannah, and Adams families. The first
officers of the church were Dr. J.W. Suggs, and Mr. William Oliphant; Elders,
and Dr. G.W.T. Hannah and Mr. J.R. Adams; Deacons. The church was indebted to
the Methodist and Baptist churches for the use of their facilities in its
early years.
In December 1890, the church, down to
six members, resolved to buy a lot and build a church. In May 1894, the
little building which stood at the corner of Church and Thompson Streets was
dedicated. This building was used, with the addition of an educational
building in 1946, until the fall of 1964 when we moved into our present
building at 403 Birdsong Street.
In its early years, the church was
often without a pastor. With or without, the congregation carried on. The
Rev. Richard F. Simpson came on September
7, 1934 to serve this church ably, faithfully, and lovingly until his
retirement in April 1956. From that time, we have had five pastors: the Rev.
Thomas M. Dews, 1956 - 1965; the Rev. William R. Conine, Jr., 1965 - 1979;
the Rev. Dr. Albert E. Simmons, 1979 - 1994; the Rev. David Delph, 1995
– 2003, and, currently, the Rev.
Joe R. Blevins. Our present membership is 316.
Some earlier compilations of the
history of the church and the Women of the Church.
Sanctuary Dedication,
March 9, 1969
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