Our History

In July 1887, the record shows that an orderly council properly organized the church with sixteen (16) members. The council consisted of the following ministers: Rev. A.L. Byrd, A.S. Blanchard, William Dunn, and Rev. H.C. Brown. The following members were in the organization: Bros. D.L. Day, John Benning, Edmond Day, Stephen Benning, Eddie Henderson, James Cann, Moses D’Antignac, Arthur Cann, and Henry Boswell; Sisters Hannah Day, Martha Benning, Sally Day, Nancy Boswell and Nancy Henderson.
Those who were in the organization came by letter principally from the First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Appling, Ga. The church received its present name from Mother Benning and it is reasonable that we cherish the blessed name of Second Mt. Moriah.
Rev. T.H. Gadson was her first pastor. He served long until he was called from labor to reward.
Rev. J.M. Middleton, whose interest in the work seemed to have been great, succeeded him.
Rev. E.B. Lattimore was her next pastor, having been followed by Rev. C. L. Brown. Each of these ministers served only a short while, but rendered valuable service.
Rev. Flex Harrison was her next pastor. He was a gospel preacher and labored very hard to keep the church spiritually revived.

In 1903, Rev. Rev. G.D. Smith was called to the pastorate and served exceptionally for seven (7) years. He remodeled the church and many souls were added while Rev. Smith was pastor.
July 14, 1910, Rev. George T. White became pastor. Rev. White added many souls to the church and ordained seven (7) deacons.
They were: Deacons Joseph D. Cokes, Tyler Beard, O.C. Petett, James Petett, Ephriam Petett, George Ramsey, Claude Reese and Willie C. Hampton, Sr.
In 1913, Rev. White remodeled the church and added the land facing the church for a cemetery.
In 1948, when it was ordered that the rural district be electrified, Rev. White secured the service of an electrician that wired the church and after many appeals to Georgia Power Company, connection was made on June 30, 1950. The pews were installed by Roswell Seating Company along with the pulpit stand.
On July 13, 1956, after all plans had been made for our 69th Anniversary, our pastor, the late Rev. George T. White, ended a well-spent pastorate here. He served here for 46 years. He was often misunderstood but he stood for what was right.
After being without a pastor for 91/2 months, the church called Rev. Walter J. Crockett of Augusta, Georgia. While he was pastor, Rev. Crockett added many souls to the church and ordained the following Deacons: Joe Reid, Sr., Earnest Lamb, Sr., Isaiah Nelson, Sr., J.W. Brinson, James Hampton and Richard Harps. Two deacons were united with the church while Rev. Crockett was pastor: Deacon George Tankersly, Sr. in 1960 and Deacon James Avery in 1978.
After serving two (2) years and three (3) months, Rev. Crockett added a study, choir dressing room, enlarged the pulpit stand, organized a junior choir, reorganized the BTU and was having Vacation Bible School annually.
In 1959, a well-sealed baptism pool was installed. Also, in 1959, the church began to deteriorate and with the help of the pastor and members in 1960, the ground was broken for the church we now occupy.

December 1961, four (4) gas heaters were installed. In April 1962, Rev. Crockett laid a tile floor with the help of Dea. George Tankersly and Dea. Isaiah Nelson. Also, in April, 1962, the York Right Masons laid the cornerstone.
In 1965, the windows to the church were broken and Rev. Crockett repairs them one by one. Our ceiling began to drop and Rev. Crockett fixed it with two (2) steel beams poles.
In July 17, 1971, Sis. Verdell Harps donated a cement-serving table to the church.
In 1974, the church purchased three acres land joining the cemetery behind the church and names it “Second Mount Moriah Memorial Garden.” Pulpit and Communion furniture was bought.
In 1976, the Pulpit Aid Club, purchased furniture for the pastor study and the Senior Choir remodeled the choir dressing room. A gospel choir was organized in September 1976 and it was named the W.J. Crockett Gospel Choir in honor of the pastor.
On February 16, 1978, our loving pastor of 21 years, Rev. Walter J. Crockett, turned in his resignation and resigned on April 16, 1978. Rev Crockett was a gospel preacher and worked hard to keep the church spiritually revived. He was a community man; it was never too late or too early for Rev. Crockett to come to your rescue. May our love and best wishes go with him.
Having been without a leader for nine (9) months, the church agreed to call Rev. Lewis J. Tankersly of Augusta, Georgia on January 18, 1979.
Rev. Tankersly added four souls to the church, remodeled the church on the inside and outside, added a PA System and new stained glass windows.
On February 18, 1982, Rev. Tankersly turned in his resignation, to pastor his father church and resigned on May 23, 1982. Even though Rev. Tankersly had left Second Mt. Moriah, he still looked out for the church’s welfare.
On May 1, 1982, central heating and air conditioning was installed by Busby’s Incorporated.
On September 23, 1982, the church saw fit to call Rev. Hayward Dock of Augusta, Georgia to be her leader. Rev. Dock stated our 1st Sunday service and organized the weekly Bible Study Classes. In December 1982, 19 pews were purchased. On May 15, 1983, a bulletin board was purchased and in July 1983, carpet was installed and the pulpit chairs upholstered.
Rev. Dock resigned in November 1985.
In March 1986, the church saw fit to call Rev. Antonio Smith, of Augusta, Georgia to be her leader.
On July 16, 1986, the children of the late Rev. and Mrs. George T. White donated an organ to the church in memory of their parents.
Under Rev. Smith’s leadership, three (3) souls were added, a phone was installed, 10 tables and 100 folding chairs were purchased and the pastor’s study was re-decorated.
Rev. Smith resigned in October 1987.
Bro. James Beans, a member of this church, became a license minister and Son of the House in June 1988.
In December 1988, the church called Rev. Cleveland Garrison of Augusta, Georgia. Under Pastor Garrison, nine (9) souls were added four (4) were restored to the flock and four (4) were received by Christian experience.
On March 19, 1989, the church was deeply saddened by the accidental death of the Mother of this church, Sis. Maxie Bert, we will truly miss. Rev. Garrison ordained two (2) Deacons: Willie Tankersly and Floyd Bentley.
In April 1989, a 32-seat bus was purchased, a new PA system was installed, and the church began having worship service every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. On July 1989, the ground was broken for our new fellowship hall. In June 3, 1990, by the help of God and our friends, we had our dedication services for our 2300 sq. ft. Fellowship Hall. Sis. Bertha Singleton donated a refrigerator to the church and Rev Charles King became Son of the House.

June 12, 1993, the church called Rev. Thaddeus Myers, Sr. to lead her. In August 1993, Rev. Myers was installed as her pastor. Pastor Myers has 18 souls and restored two (2) back to the church. An executive board has been established along with a clothes closet for the community. A new piano was purchased on May 25, 1994.
September 25, 1994, Rev. Myers resigned.
Sis. Ossie Petett donated flowers to the church in memory of her husband, Dea. James Petett.
After working with Rev. Henderson Roberson, Jr. of Thomson, Georgia for four (4) months, the church called him as pastor on February 26, 1995. Under Pastor Roberson’s leadership, 63 new members have joined the church through Christian Experience, or baptism. We have purchased a 15-passenger van, new speakers, a cordless microphone, a water cooler, 40 new hymnals, 48 bibles, a television and VCR for the Children’s Church. On October 15, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. we began having mid-week services monthly.
Rev. Charles Dent and Rev Charles Kyles became Sons of the House. On April 29, 1998 Rev. Charles Dent departed this life. On June 17, 2002, 12 acres of land was purchased to build a new sanctuary. A new piano was purchased on November 1, 2003. On January 15, 2004, Sis Edwina Crump donated a set of drums to the church. On April 2005 Rev. Charles Kyles, Son of House departed this life. A new piano was purchased September 2009.
On the third in August, 2011 the ground was broken for our new sanctuary. On the third Sunday in March, 2012 we had our first service in the new, and on third Sunday in April 2012 we had our dedication service with Rev. Fredrick Favors, Pastor of Springfield Baptist church bringing the message. A computer and printer was purchase for the church.
In February 2013, Rev. Henderson Roberson, our pastor for 18 years decide that he would retire in July.
The youth ministry donated a new drums, 30 bibles, 10 hymnals 10 children bibles and 6 preschool bibles to the church. Sis Brenda Jones donated a baby changing table to the church. August 2014 ten new table was purchased.
After working with Rev. Anthony Martin for few months, the church installed him as pastor on September 7, 2014 @ 3:00pm. Under Pastor Martin’s leadership, 28 new members have joined the church through Christian Experience, or baptism. In July 2015 a projector, screen, laptop, security system and clothes bank were added to the church. In the year of 2016 a new van and tent was purchased. We are still striving to build up God’s Church. For we know, the Church’s foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.

Worship Schedule

Sunday School/Life Academy 8 AM
Worship Service 9 AM
Wednesdays in the Word 7 PM

Contact Us

Second Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
842 Appling Harlem Rd. | Harlem, GA
info@secondmtmoriah.org
(706) 556-8408

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