History

     First Baptist Church is one of the oldest and most historically significant congregations in central
Georgia, closely tied to the development of Milledgeville. Its origins date to 1806, when it was
organized as Mount Zion Baptist Church. As Milledgeville became Georgia’s state capital in 1804,
the congregation grew alongside the city’s rising political and cultural importance. The first church
building was completed in 1811, when the church was formally constituted, with Reverend Edmund
Shackleford serving as pastor from 1811 to 1821. In 1834, the church became Milledgeville Baptist
Church and was later renamed First Baptist Church.
     From its earliest years, the church has served not only as a place of worship but also as a center for
community life, moral leadership, and civic engagement. Given the city’s role as a former state
capital and a hub for higher education, the church has long interacted with political leaders,
educators, and residents alike. Its ministers and members have contributed to broader Baptist life
in Georgia, reinforcing the church’s role within the state’s religious networks.
     During the antebellum period, the church mirrored the prominence of the city. Among its early
leaders was Reverend Adiel Sherwood (1827–1833), a key figure in founding the Georgia Baptist
Convention and establishing the first Sunday School in the state. The church was originally located
on the statehouse square, and in 1829 the Georgia House of Representatives passed a resolution
authorizing the governor to “extend the fence around the statehouse square” to include and
enclose the Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. During that time, the church served a
diverse population that included both white and enslaved members, though its development was
shaped by the realities of segregation. Notably, Black members outnumbered white members
during this period. In 1830, members helped establish Flagg Chapel Baptist Church, one of the
area’s earliest Black congregations. Wilson Lumpkin, governor of Georgia from 1931 to 1835, was
actively involved in the congregation.
     As the church grew, it constructed successive buildings that reflected changing needs and
architectural styles. By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it had established a
prominent presence in Milledgeville. The current church building was dedicated on December 7,
1952, under the leadership of Reverend John Hughston (1950–1961). The debt for the building was
fully paid, and the note was ceremonially burned during a church service on March 11, 1973. The
current sanctuary also houses the historic Pilcher organ, purchased new in 1895 and later lovingly
restored. Pastors during the modern era include Joseph Holiday (1961–1970), Dewey Norton (1971
1991), Gary Abbott (1992–2001), Jerry Bradley (2003–2018), and Clint Miller (2019–2022).
     Today First Baptist Church is shepherded by Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, and it maintains traditions rooted in
over two centuries of history while adapting to meet modern worship and community needs. Its
legacy reflects both the opportunities and complexities of Southern religious history, marked by
growth, influence, and evolving social contexts. The church is a historically rich institution, deeply
intertwined with the founding, development, and cultural life of Milledgeville and the broader
Baptist tradition in Georgia.