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Double Branch Free Will Baptist Church
History
United Free Will Baptist Double Branch Church was established in the year of 1896, where services were first held in a log school house. Over the years, many people have believed that a blind man by the name of Sinclair was the first pastor. Research has shown that most likely Dr. Eugene Louis St. Claire was the founding father of this church.
In a biographical sketch submitted by Miss Laura Belle Barnard to the Free Will Baptist Historical Society, Dr. St. Claire is praised as being a very prominent evangelist who started many Free Will Baptist churches and Associations in Georgia. In 1900, he was listed as the Pastor in the Georgia Union Association minutes along with A. J. Dunaway as clerk.
The original church building sits in an area where two branches come together and thus the church received its name Double Branch. The land on which the church rests was donated by Mr. Henry Nutt. The church building itself was a shell of a structure, with improvements being made gradually through member support. One of our oldest members, Brother Arthur Etheridge, recalls as a young boy going to church on wintry Sunday mornings with his father to build fires in the wood stove which sat in the middle of the building. A rail down the middle of the church served as a divider between the men and the women. It was not until the early '30s that the rail was removed. He remembers communion being held only twice yearly generally following revival services. During communion, only two cups were used, one for the men and one for the women. Water was brought from the spring for the feet washing service. The baptismal pool, which is located near the spring and behind the original building, has existed for as long as he can recall. Other baptismal places included Mock Springs and Blue Hole.
The only available records for Double Branch Church date back to 1923. Also available was a collection of Georgia Union Association Minute books that date back to 1909. These were provided by Mrs. Mary McKinney and they proved to be an invaluable resource in re- searching the history of Double Branch. According to these records, over twenty-four men of God have served as Pastors during this one hundred year period.
Church services were held once a month starting with conference and preaching on Saturday then on Sunday regular worship services were held. In the late 30's, services were held twice a month for a short time and then every Sunday thereafter. Revival meetings were conducted usually in the spring and the fall. They would last one to two weeks. Cottage prayer meetings were held in homes scattered throughout the community. In 1937, Mrs. Sally Crosby was responsible for starting prayer meeting services at Double Branch on a regular basis. Mr. T. B. (Brink) Etheridge and Mrs. Eula Dunaway were responsible for starting Sunday School. Women's Auxiliary was started back in the 1950s and today it is still a very important asset to our foreign mission programs.
Many additions were made over the years to the original church building. Around the early 1940's, the inside furnishings of the building were reversed placing the pulpit facing the west instead of the east. Later, a concrete porch and steps were added to replace the steep and narrow steps that some of our present members recall as being dangerous. Sunday School rooms were added in 1954. The fellowship hall and bathrooms were added in 1968. In 1971, major inside renovations were done that included carpeting, air conditioning and padded pews. Rev. James (Jim) Osborn and his family were the first to reside in the parsonage which was built in 1975.
After several unsuccessful attempts to get the dirt road paved, discussion began concerning building a new church. In April of 1981, under the leadership of Rev. Willie Martin, a vote was taken and passed in conference to build a new building in a more visible and accessible location. A building committee was then selected Land approximately a quarter of a mile from the old church site was donated by Mr. Raymond Nutt, Mrs. Lucille Andrews and Mr. Emmett Dunaway. The first church services were held at the new location April 11th of 1982. A note burning service was held shortly thereafter. The church again was debt-free. Since this time more additions and improvements have been made under the leadership of Rev. Paul Smith. Some of these include paving the parking lot, the addition of several Sunday School rooms and a larger fellowship hall with as well as addition and improvements to the parsonage.
2005 - 6 Improvements
Music has always been a significant part of the worship service at Double Branch. Four pianos have been used in the history of the church, the first being donated by Poole Merchant Company of Hawkinsville in 1912. The second was purchased in 1971, the third piano was purchased in 1996, and the fourth is a Baby Grand as part of the new sanctuary in 2005. An organ was bought in September of 1986. Congregational singing has been led by Mr. Brink Etheridge, Mr. Albert Dunaway, Mr. Covie Langford, Mr. Troy Sullivan, Mr. Gary Rucker and Monte Mckenzie, just to name afew. Mrs. Fossie Stokes is remembered as being our first pianist and following her many of the church's young ladies shared this duty. Mrs. Elaine Langford has served as our pianist for the last 40+ years. Carmen McKenzie serves presently as well as offering piano lessons. Mrs. Mary Holden Dunaway has been our organist for the past 10 years.
Older members recall many singing schools being held at the church. Several quartets have been made up of members from Double Branch. The two most recalled groups were:
The South Georgia Quartet which was made up of Mrs. Virginia Peavy, Mrs. Evelyn Goodroe, Mrs. Evelyn Peavy, Mrs. Myrtle Everett and Mrs. Gladys Neighbors (pianist).
The Joy Makers which was made up of Mrs. Laura Faye Horne, Mr. O.B. Easom, Mrs. Mattie Lou Peavy, Mr. Russell Horne and Mrs. Mary Frank Foshe (pianist).
Former member Mrs. Shirley Kelly with the Dixie Prophets and present member Mr. D.B. Easom with The Messengers remain a part of two well known singing groups in Middle and South Georgia .
Presently, Stewart Allen Clark, Monte McKenzie and Scott Langford form the trio called “Scrap Iron”. The trio has traveled to several states as well as singing at various functions around Georgia.
The church also has a Praise Team as well as the Choir.
Looking back over the past one hundred or so years, Double Branch Church has been a great influence in the community and the surrounding area. Today, many people can relate to a special Sunday service, a revival, a singing, a Sunday School class or youth meeting which resulted in the turning point in their lives. Some of these people who have been influenced by Double Branch continue to pass along God's Word through teaching and ministering.
Reverend Stewart-Allen Clark is our present pastor and Monte McKenzie is the Christian Education Director in the Free Will Baptist Denomination.
Double Branch has ministered to as many as six generations in the same family. By having so many generations of one family and others remain in the church shows the dedication and loyalty that exist within the hearts of our church members today.
Whatever the past has been for Double Branch Free Will Baptist Church, we still have tomorrow to conquer. So today, as we reflect on this past, let us also take this day to look forward to new horizons. Let us assume our role in making a positive impact on the history that our children and our children's children will reflect upon one day. May we continue to serve God today as our forefathers did in the past and pray that our service today will be as great an influence for generations to come as their influence has been to us.
Many changes have been made regarding Double Branch through the years but one thing that will never change is JESUS, YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.
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