Building on a Firm Foundation
By Kam Cook
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
We are all familiar with all the jokes concerning how long it takes a committee – especially a Baptist committee – to accomplish anything. I have been studying the early church history of HHBC while compiling the Church Profile for the Pastor Search Committee and have been amazed that it only took seven months from conception for HHBC to come to fruition, hire a pastor, and purchase the property on which our beautiful church now stands. We are living proof of what a people of faith can accomplish when guided by the Holy Spirit. I thought maybe we need to be reminded of the firm foundation on which HHBC was built as we rebuild.
On Saturday, January 31,1953, Mary and Bill Register invited Louise and Jim Bass, Marion and Milford Hatcher, Beverly and Ed Mallary and Mary and Frank Willingham to address a neighborhood concern. While the North Highlands/Shirley Hills area of Macon had all the amenities envied by local residents - beautiful homes, stately trees, hidden gardens, serene parks, and close proximity to the commercial downtown - there was no community church. Before the evening was over, these five young couples had decided to convene a meeting to see if people were interested in forming a neighborhood church.
The wives spent the next two weeks calling and inviting active church members in the two neighborhoods to a Dutch dinner, held on February 16, 1953. Attendees determined there was enough interest. After a block-by-block survey of the area, a follow-up meeting was held on March 2 to pursue their dream.
The fledgling church had to address three main issues: denomination, name, and location. Although many who joined came from other Protestant denominations or were unchurched, the majority supported becoming Baptist at the March 2 meeting. On Sunday, March 22, 1953, the church was officially named Highland Hills Baptist Church, to honor the two neighborhoods it would serve – North Highlands and Shirley Hills.
Location proved to be more problematic than denomination or name. The Founders hoped to be able to temporarily rent the Baconsfield Women’s Clubhouse, where both organizational meetings had been held, but Senator A.O. Bacon’s will stipulated Baconsfield Park was for use by white women and children. (Litigation contesting this eventually went to the US Supreme Court.) While the Bacon Estate Trustees delved into whether the facility could be utilized as a church that would include men and boys, HHBC met at the old Little Theater on Riverside Drive. (Ushers had to arrive early to clean up discarded beer cans and other debris from Little Theater practices or performances the night before.) It wasn’t until July 12 that the Bacon Trustees agreed to let us to move services to the Women’s Clubhouse. The first worship service was held on March 15 at the Little Theater.
On Charter Sunday, April 12, 1953, Dr. Lewis Batts preached to 179 new members representing 90 families. A week later, the first Deacons and Trustees were elected. Luke Smith, invited as guest speaker on May 3, 1953, accepted our call as our first Pastor on July 12.
In August, the church purchased 27.3 acres at 1370 Briarcliff Road from the estate of Senator Bacon for $31,500, an astronomical debt for young families to assume. However, outlying lots were sold, making the actual cost of the property on which the church would be built $7,000-$8,000. Before the end of the year, the property had been paid for in full.
Over the past few months, HHBC has been beset with seemingly insurmountable problems, exacerbated by the pandemic which has forever changed our lives. As a result, some of our members have left and several longtime members have passed away, but we still have a core of faithful members who are just as dedicated to rebuilding as were the early members of HHBC. Likewise, our members have stepped up to undertake whatever tasks were needed for HHBC to not only survive but thrive. What miracles can be wrought by those who are committed to finding solutions, with the help of God!
If you need help finding or following your dream and would like to have someone walk beside you and listen, our highly trained Stephen Ministers are available to provide confidential one-on-one lay pastoral care. For more information on how Stephen Ministry might serve you, contact Referrals Coordinator Peggy Williams at (478) 719-3340 or by email.
Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.