Horeb Baptist
Hancock County | Organized in 1792
Horeb Baptist was constituted as Folsom Creek Baptist on June 28, 1792, by Jeptha Vining and Adam Jones. At the time, the United States was only sixteen years old, George Washington was president, and Georgia itself had been a state for just four years. This was decades before the Georgia Baptist Convention (1832) and the Southern Baptist Convention (1845).
Read more...Folsom Creek’s first pastor, Jeptha Vining, also served nearby Williams Creek Baptist. By 1793, the congregation created a storehouse to collect and sell grain as a means of supporting the church—an early form of structured tithing. In 1795, Parris, a man of color, became the first Black member on record. By 1798, plans were made for a permanent meeting house, and the church adopted the name Horeb. The first building, 24 by 36 feet, was completed in 1799 on the present property.
Records reflect both daily struggles and milestones. In 1824, the congregation built the current sanctuary, and in 1858, the pastor received a fixed salary of $200. During the Civil War, the church resolved to pray each morning for the soldiers, raised funds for hymnals, and even sent their Sabbath School Testaments to the front lines. Five Confederate veterans are buried in the cemetery. After emancipation, Horeb supported the founding of new Black congregations. In 1888, the church petitioned for a law banning liquor sales within three miles, which soon took effect. Minutes also record disciplinary cases—such as members charged for dancing or playing the fiddle.
The early 20th century brought changes: a piano in 1917, electric lights in 1920, and the purchase of nearby land for baptisms. In 1941, Horeb recorded its highest membership of 153. A year later, the church honored thirteen men serving in WWII. By the 1950s and 1960s, community decline reduced membership. At Horeb’s 200th anniversary in 1992, only six elderly members remained. Though regular services ceased, the church still hosts homecomings, including its 227th anniversary in 2020. Today, Horeb stands as a remarkable testament to faith and endurance. Maintained by a small group of trustees, this sanctuary—alive since George Washington’s presidency—remains a treasured piece of Georgia’s history.
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8 responses to “Horeb Baptist”
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In search of some historical information about Horeb around 1992. Specifically about any construction and/or renovations or restorations that may have occurred around this time. Please reach out to me through my email.
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Sorry, RJ, we wouldn’t have that kind of information as we’re not associated with the church. Best of luck!
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I am a direct descendant of Pastor Jeptha Vining. I am looking for sources or materials about my ancestor. Thanks for any help that you can give.
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I’ve read that some African Americans were allowed to use Horeb as a place of worship. Where can I find the church’s membership and/or burial records? Would they happen to be digitized?
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Stephanie,
African Americans would have been admitted to church prior to emancipation but the church remained a white church after that. Your best bet on the burial records would be to access them on Findagrave.com.
Good luck.
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Would love to attend a service here.
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Can someone tell me more about Jephtha vining?
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Miss Bowen, the Georgia Baptist History Repository at Mercer University in Macon has a biographical folder on Jeptha Vining. From our findings, he was known as one of the fathers of the Baptist faith in early Georgia and Vining’s Meeting House in Warren County (later Long Creek Baptist Church) was named for him. He came to Georgia from South Carolina (possibly the Camden area) and was a Calvinist Baptist as were many in that day. Baptist historian Jesse Harris Campbell said he “was instrumental in rearing up” several churches in SC before moving to GA where he located near Rocky Comfort Creek (12 miles from Louisville, Ga) either during or just after the Revolutionary War. Find A Grave says he was born 15 February 1738 in Massachusetts and the Long Creek BC Minutes say he died in October 1797. He was married twice and had several children. Ancestry.com family trees say he was born in Worcester to William and Anna (Nichols) Vining. He is buried at Long Creek church. I hope this helps! — Arlette Copeland, Mercer University Tarver Library Special Collections archival assistant.
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