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.
Our Leadership History Our church's pastors
2008 - present ~ Dr. Bob Wiley
2003 - 2005 ~ Dr. J. W. Wallis
1993 - 2001 ~ Rev. G. B. Howell, Jr.
1973 - 1992 ~ Rev. Ronald M. Hinson
1969 - 1972 ~ Rev. Jay Cosmato
1963 - 1968 ~ Dr. William J. Lacy
1956 - 1963 ~ Rev. Bob Hite
1948 - 1956 ~ Dr. Durward V. Cason
1930 - 1947 ~ Rev. Z. E. Barron
1923 - 1929 ~ Dr. B. J. W. Graham
1921 - 1923 ~ Dr. Fred E. Smith
1919 - 1920 ~ Rev. H. N Massey
1916 - 1919 ~ Dr. C. Lewis Fowler
1911 - 1916 ~ Dr. B. J. W. Graham
1910 - 1911 ~ Dr. J. C. Solomon
1909 - 1910 ~ Rev. J. G. Hunt
1905 - 1908 ~ Rev. G. W. Wood
1901 - 1903 ~ Dr. A. J. Beck
1899 - 1900 ~supply pastors
1896 - 1898 ~ Dr. I. J. Van Ness
1894 ~ Rev. G. B. F. Stovall
1893 ~ Rev. E. H. Walker
1890 ~ Rev. N. N. Edge
1888 - 1889 ~ Rev. J. L. D. Hillyer
1886 - 1887 ~ Rev. G. W. Garner
1884 - 1886 ~ Rev. J. M. DeFoor
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.
