How it all started...
In the year 1874, two former slaves, the late Robert Shackleford and the late Jacob Knox, who were baptized members of Clarks Creek Baptist Church in this community, saw the need of a church for their people to worship. They asked Mr. Mac McCowans for some land on which to build the church; he freely gave it. The land was deeded in 1874 in Franklin County, Georgia. Brother Shackleford and Brother Knox, officers of the Clarks Creek Baptist Church, and others met to organize the church.
The first church was a brush harbor, then a log building. It was given the name Little Hope because from little beginnings, greater things grow. The first pastor was Rev. Crockett Dooley. The first deacons were the two founders, Brother Robert Shackleford and Brother Jacob Knox. Wes Crump from Clarks Creek Baptist Church, was the first clerk. Months later, a frame structure was built. The following pastors served in this building: Rev. Wade Knox, Rev. I. A. Stovall, Rev. D. Wiley, Rev. Walt Blackwell, Rev. Larken Teasley, Rev. Matthew Scott, Rev. W.T. Burruss, Rev. J.H.Z. Anderson, and Rev. A. A. Rice.
Expanding the vision...
In 1930, a new frame building was constructed under the pastorate of Rev. A.A. Rice, and the church was renamed Greater Hope Baptist Church. Deacons serving at this time were: Lee Keels, Will Barmore, Sam Isom, Henry Scott, Lee Combs, and L.C. Isom.
This church had a steeple that contained a bell tower with a bell inside. On First Sundays, at 10:00am, the Sunday school superintendent would ring the bell by pulling on a rope that hung down within reach. The bell was also rung for funerals. That same bell now sits atop the signage encasement in front of the brick part of the church.
in 1949, Rev. G. B. Strickland became pastor and served for thirty-nine years. The frame church was later remodeled. The pastor and members came together with the decision to build a new brick church. Deacon L.C. Isom, who worked as a heavy equipment operator for a construction company, prepared the ground for building. on August 4th, 1976, the foundation for a new brick church was poured, and construction was completed. This building was dedicated on May 1st, 1977. After the church was built, Deacon L.C. Isom also used his expertise as a cement finisher to install the sidewalk on the left side of the church which is still used today.
In, 1988, Rev. Larry Norman became pastor and served for seven years. During his leadership, the church was renovated, pews were padded, and other furnishings were upgraded.
In December of 1996, Rev. J. Michael Johnson was elected pastor after serving several months as interim pastor and served for ten years. During his tenure, many developments took shape at Greater Hope such as:
-A trustee board that included the church's first female member
-Bible study classes
-Youth Department, which also gave rise to Youth Sunday
-Reorganization of the Senior Missionary Society
-Food Ministry
-Church Daycare
-Four musical groups
-and multiple renovations and upgrades.
Where we are headed...
coming soon...
Rev. Michael Sullivan was elected pastor of Greater Hope in December 2007. During his leadership, several things have also materialized:
We began the practice of giving a Bible, Certificate of Baptism, and a Church membership guide to each new member. Vacation Bible School sessions were planned and scheduled, and a food ministry called Greater Hearts Outreach Ministries was formed in 2024.
In 2018, drawings for our new church building were presented and a design committee was formed to assist with this. The new plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we were still able to gather as a church family through Zoom, which allowed for regular Sunday service to continue.
Ground was broken for our new church in the fall of 2023. However, inclement rain patterns hindered progression. Our contractor, Mr. Howard "Dundee" Andrews became ill and passed away. We were devastated and began to seek for another contractor. In February 2024, Nally Construction graciously resumed the project, and the church was completed. The brick building and the new church are now connected by a corridor.
A Consecration Revival was held March 31st, through April 4th, 2025, before entering the new church. Our first worship service in the new church was on April 6th, 2025, and included the baptism of nine new candidates. In July 2025, Greater Hope hosted the Congress of Christian Education- an auxiliary to the Union Missionary Baptist Association. This was the first region event to take place in the new church.
The brick church sanctuary underwent a full renovation and now serves as the Fellowship Hall. This endeavor was completed with the assistance of Mr. Joe Dicesare-a benefactor for the Fellowship project. His involvement was done in honor of Evangelist Shirley Combs. The basement of the brick church is now used as an operation area for the Greater Hearts Outreach Ministries.
We have faith in the future of this church and pray that this same faith will live and flourish in the hearts of our youth. We also hope that this church will continue to meet the spiritual and educational needs of its members.
