Near Blythe in Burke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hopeful Baptist Church
Cemetery & Historic Acreage
— National Register of Historic Places —
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
1. Hopeful Baptist Church Marker
Built 1850-1855, costing $5,000, this 4th building of Greek Revival style is unaltered and retains its original pews, pulpit, windows, shutters, moldings.
The church's white and Black antebellum congregations worshipped together the Baptist faith. In 1867 Black members formed Second Hopeful Baptist nearby, still active.
The cemetery (rear) dates to 1855 with graves: Nancy Palmer Johnson (1786-1855), mother of Ga. Gov. Herschal V. Johnson, 1853-1857, Rev. J. H. T. Kilpatrick (1788-1869) and wife, Harriett. He fostered missionary sentiment and was a first trustee of Mercer University.
Edmund Byne, founder, Byne family of Burke County, was the moving force in establishing Hopeful. He died in 1814 before seeing “fruition of his labors.” Hopeful's first service was dedicated to him.
Hopeful Baptist Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places April 1, 1993.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1814.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Carswell (within shouting distance of this marker); Ivanhoe Plantation (approx. 7.1 miles away); Skirmish at Ivanhoe Plantation (approx. 7.1 miles away); Hephzibah Methodist Church (approx. 7.3 miles away); First Ebenezer Baptist Church (approx. 8.1 miles away); Author "The Young Marooners" (approx. 8.8 miles away); Liberty Methodist Church (approx. 9˝ miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 10˝ miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Hopeful Baptist Church (PDF). National Register nomination for the church. (National Archives) (Submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Hopeful Baptist. The church's rich history stretches back almost 250 years. (Historic Rural Churches of Georgia) (Submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
2. Hopeful Baptist Church Marker
Featured marker is in the shrubbery on the right.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
3. Rev. James Hall Tanner Kilpatrick Monument
This monument directly in front of the church reads:
In appreciation of the ministry
of
James Hall Tanner Kilpatrick
(July 24, 1788 — January 9, 1869)
Baptist minister in Georgia, 1822-1869:
Builder of missionary sentiment in the Hephzibah Baptist Association, 1822-1836; A first trustee and part donor of the site for the high school of the Hephzibah Baptist Association; A first trustee of Mercer University 1838-1842; A delegate to the first session of the Southern Baptist Convention, Augusta, Georgia, May 1845.
Erected by the History Committee
Georgia Baptist Convention
1982
of
James Hall Tanner Kilpatrick
(July 24, 1788 — January 9, 1869)
Baptist minister in Georgia, 1822-1869:
Georgia Baptist Convention
1982
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022
4. Hopeful Baptist Church Marker
This stone notes the year of the church's organization.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
