Our History
SARDIS BAPTIST
By F. Leslie Jenkins, Jr.
The year was 1803. Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States and John Milledge was governor of Georgia. Georgia had been settled just 70 years. On September 28 of that year, a group of thirteen dedicated people meeting in the Beech Branch Meeting House saw the need for a Church in the area. The closest settlement was a small village known as Frog Wallow. The Reverends Henry Hand and John Ross “found the group to be in the true Baptist faith”, and as a presbytery constituted the Body into a Baptist Church.
In December 1808, the members voted to build a new church on a “Mount on the Savannah -Waynesboro Road near Squire Sapp’s on a lot containing 10 acres and given by Brethren William and G. W. Sapp”. By March of 1810, the building was nearing completion. A conference was held in the unfinished meeting house and the Church was named Sardis. The membership in 1810 had grown to 33 souls. Later, the village of Frog Wallow changed its name to Sardis.
The meeting house that was built during 1808-1810 burned in 1840. A new building was erected by 1850 on the same spot. This building serviced until 1925 when a new church was built in the town of Sardis. The old building was used on occasions until 1939 when it was decided to disassemble the building and use the lumber to build a pastorium beside the new church in town. The pastor, Henry Taylor, saw to the demolishing of the church and the building of the pastorium. By 1940 he and his family were living in the new house. In 1968 a Sunday School and fellowship wing was added to the church. A few years later the fellowship hall had to be expanded.
Early in the Church’s history black slaves became members of the congregation. They met on a different Sunday from the whites. A few white members met with them, but the blacks had their own preachers. From time to time, the Church ordained black slaves as preachers. After the War Between the States, the black members chose to form their own Church. There was a transition period between 1867 and 1870. During this time the Beech Branch Baptist Church was organized with the aid of white members of Sardis Baptist. Since then, Beech Branch has been a thriving Church probably rivaling the size of Sardis Baptist.
Sardis Baptist has survived through wars, depressions, and the evil arrows fired at the Church by Satan, himself. Though besieged by these adversities, the church has grown and continues to spread the gospel. Through the years Sardis Baptist has grown not in huge spurts, but a little each year. Around 100 to 120 attend church regularly. Our Sunday School holds at around 75 to 85. Our prayers are for more young couples to attend Sunday School and church and bring there children.
During the Church’s history, there have been many distinguished pastors. Some have served short tenures while others served much longer. A long serving pastor in recent years was the Reverend J. Troy Hollingsworth, who served 26 years. Another, the Reverend Bill King, served 13 years. Our present pastor is the Reverend Ken Nichols. He has been with us since 2006. He is a fine administrator, excellent Bible teacher and a great and caring pastor.
The members of Sardis Baptist urge all unchurched people in this community to come be a part of this friendly, caring and loving Church. You will be glad you did. There is a place here for everyone, and a place of service for everyone. For well over 200 years Sardis Baptist has brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who would receive it. Our goal is the same now as it has been through all those years. Please consider making Sardis Baptist your Church Home.