First Baptist Church
612 College Street
Hapeville GA 30354

404.767.8211 - office
404.762.7363 - fax

info@hapevillefbc.com

History

First Baptist Hapeville was organized the last Sunday in August of 1884 with 10 charter members.  Soon, new members joined, and the need for a permanent place of worship arose.  First Baptist’s first building was a wooden frame structure that cost $713. Rev. J.M. DeFoor served as the first pastor of the church.

In 1909 Hapeville First Baptist joined the newly formed Atlanta Baptist Association.  The same year, the church voted to invite the children of the Georgia Baptist Orphans’ Home to attend Sunday School and church services.  Hapeville First Baptist remained the host and home church for the orphanage until it moved to its current location in Palmetto in 1968.

In 1923 the first permanent sanctuary, “the old stone church,” was erected, using Stone Mountain granite, and dedicated in April 1924. The Rev. Z.E. Barron served from 1931 to 1947.  During this time, the church made remarkable growth and celebrated its golden anniversary.

Education units were added in April of 1949 and October 1953.  The present sanctuary was dedicated in October of 1965 under the leadership of the pastor, Dr. William J. Lacy.  The Shantz pipe organ was dedicated one year later in 1966.

The late 1960s began a period of challenge for the church. The Children’s Home moved, taking with it both children and workers. Additionally, the Atlanta Airport expanded, swallowing a third of the housing in Hapeville. A declining population meant the closing of schools and businesses alike.

Yet, the ministry of the church continued to multiply and to reach out. The Fairfax Baptist Mission and Empire Boulevard Baptist Church both began as missions of First Baptist of Hapeville. The church began its bus ministry, senior adult ministry, and international parternship volunteer mission work, which continue to this day.

Additionally, the church sponsored its first Laotian family. Next came Vietnamese sponsorship. From that ministry came a Sunday School class and then a mission housed in our building. Mihn Truong was called as pastor. The Vietnamese church grew. In 1996, the first-ever Vietnamese Baptist Church in the state of Georgia was constituted by our church and is located a block from First Baptist Hapeville. 
           
As the community around the church building undergoes renovation and regeneration, the church is excited about our future.

	News Flash
		Worship Café Sundays 7:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Worship November 25 6:00 p.m. (HUMC)

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