Photography by Scott Farrar
Hopewell Baptist
Jasper | Organized 1847
Hopewell Baptist Church in Jasper County has deep roots stretching back to the mid-19th century. Tax records suggest the church was built before 1850, but its story formally begins on April 16, 1847, when Samuel Blackwell and several neighbors organized the congregation. Blackwell had migrated from North Carolina in 1820, established a plantation south of the present church, and became a prominent civic leader, serving as sheriff and in the state legislature. He was a deacon at Hopewell for over 50 years and is buried in the church cemetery. Seven of his eight sons served in the 32nd Georgia Infantry during the Civil War.
+ Continue readingAt first, Hopewell shared a small meetinghouse with a nearby Presbyterian congregation. On April 18, 1847, after a sermon by Rev. Carter and others, the new Baptist church adopted its constitution and rules of decorum. These rules demanded punctual attendance, reverence during meetings, and orderly debate. Enforcement could be strict, and disputes occasionally arose—most notably when Dr. Shaw’s excuse for missing a conference was rejected, prompting him to move his membership to Shiloh.
The minutes also record important milestones. In October 1847, Hosiah, enslaved by Samuel Blackwell, became the church’s first Black member. By 1849, separate Sunday afternoon services were held for Black congregants. In the 1850s, members began planting mission churches such as Bethel, Liberty, and Kelly. During the Civil War, minutes often note members “excused from Conference to satisfy Military Commitment,” reflecting the number of men away in service.
Like many rural congregations, Hopewell experienced ups and downs but endured through the decades. Today, services are still held on the third Sunday of each month under the leadership of the pastor of Monticello First Baptist. Yet the church itself has fallen on hard times. Abandoned for years, the building now faces serious threats from roof and foundation damage. Without immediate attention, this 175-year-old landmark may soon be lost.
Hopewell’s history—rooted in the Blackwell family, the struggles of the Civil War, and the resilience of its members—is too important to let fade away. We can only hope for local support to help stabilize and preserve this irreplaceable piece of Georgia’s heritage.