Historical Highlights of Galilee

Special Guest Messenger

In the year of our Lord, 1894, a small group of members of the Hale Street Baptist Church saw an opportunity to facilitate the spread of the gospel in a different area of the city of Augusta. With this vision to spread the word of God throughout the inner city, this group of Christians established the church which would later be known as Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. The first sanctuary was located on the corner of Fenwick and Twiggs Streets. God sent as the first spiritual leader, the Reverend Martin Trudell In the 129+ years of its existence, Galilee has been blessed with nine dynamic Pastors: Reverend Martin Trudell, Reverend Mitchell Crawford, Reverend G. S. Ellington, Reverend D. G. Smith, Reverend William Lovett, Reverend George C. Williams, Reverend Michael D. Billingsley, Reverend Dr. Oscar E. Wells, and Reverend Sheldon Cooper.

During the early history of Galilee, the name of the church changed with the relocation of its meeting place. A lot was purchased on Cedar Street in the late 1920s. Under the pastorage of Reverend William Lovett, a small-framed structure was erected. The name Twiggs Street Baptist Church was changed to Cedar Street Baptist Church. The existence of this sanctuary was short-lived. In 1930, the building was destroyed by fire. After the fire, the congregation met in a community hall located on the corner of Campbell and Florence Streets. It was during this period that Reverend Lovett was called from labor to his reward.

The church was without a leader. Prayerfully, the congregation asked for guidance in seeking a new shepherd to lead this flock. God soon sent an able young man to take on the ministry as the leader of this group of Christian warriors. In 1933, Reverend George C. Williams became the sixth pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church. This anointed man of God came to Galilee with the desire to teach and preach the Gospel to all who would hear. He saw the congregation as a progressive group of Christians who were willing to accept his guidance. He set forth to minister to the needs of this flock spiritually and personally. Many innovative programs and projects were established during his Administration as pastor of Galilee. He led the congregation in the completion of a new sanctuary on Cedar Street. Upon completion of the new structure, Reverend Williams suggested that a new biblical name be given to the church. The members agreed to change the name of the church from Cedar Street Baptist Church to the biblical city name of “Galilee.” Galilee was a place in the Bible where much of Jesus’ ministry was focused. During Reverend Williams’ pastorate, the church was remodeled and renovated several times. In addition to the improvements to the sanctuary, an annex was added to house the educational ministries as well as a kitchen and dining area. The annex was the first educational building built in this community for this purpose.

Galilee has been blessed with the capable leadership of dynamic spiritual leaders throughout her existence. These God-fearing men sought the advancement of the church in all ways. As visionary ministers they left behind ministries and organizations which still provide services to the needs of the church, its members, and the community. Under the leadership of Reverend Mitchell Crawford, the Senior Usher and Usherette Boards, the Sunday School, and the Missionary Circle were organized. The Senior Choir was organized in 1925, under the pastorage of Reverend G. S. Ellington. As pastor, Reverend Williams encouraged the youth of the church to become active in the worship service. His philosophy was that all leaders of the church should have knowledge of the operations of the church and the office that they held in the church. He felt that the youth - as future leaders of the churchneeded to be trained to carry on the various operations of the church. During his pastorate, the Youth Church was organized, which included Junior Deacons, a Junior Choir, Junior Ushers and Usherettes, Young Adult Choir, and Vacation Bible School. The Baptist Training Union [BTU] was one of the first training Ministries organized by Reverend Williams to help teach all the members the Baptist

Doctrine. The G. C. Williams Bible Reading Class, the Pastor’s Aide Circle, and the G. C. Williams Gospel Choir were also organized during his pastorate. An Educational Fund was set up to encourage members to pursue post-secondary education or training. Reverend Williams served as pastor until 1984, when he retired after serving faithfully for 51 years.

In 1986, Reverend Michael Darnell Billingsley became the seventh pastor of Galilee with more visions to share with the members. He was a younger, compassionate, supportive, and encouraging pastor. He understood the needs of the congregation during this transitional period and sought to help the church get through this change. He brought forth fresh ideas and revived existing ministries. His vision included the youth of the church and their needs. He established the Youth Group Ministry whose purpose was to direct wholesome, fun activities and training for the young members of the church. The younger children of the church were brought together to be trained for service and the Sunday School Choir was formed. To assist the Deacons in their ministry, he called various ladies of the church together to form the first Deaconess Board. The BTU was reactivated, and the church became actively affiliated with the New Era Baptist State Convention. This affiliation offered more opportunities for the church family to be trained to work in the various ministries of the church. There became a need for the sanctuary to be renovated and a committee was formed to assess the cost of the necessary repairs. This research led to the decision to build a new sanctuary and fellowship hall. Before such a project could begin, the church would need to be financially prepared. With this in mind, Reverend Billingsley suggested that a Building Fund be established. With professional financial advice, the church began to aggressively invest finances for the Building Fund. Reverend Billingsley came to a decision to continue other milestones and goals he wanted to achieve in his personal life. In April of 1991, Reverend Billingsley sadly resigned.

In 1992, God sent Reverend Oscar E. Wells to become the eighth pastor of Galilee. The Lord gave Reverend Wells a vision of the direction in which Galilee should move. He heeded the instructions of the Lord and inspired the growth and development of the church and its various ministries. Through the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, Reverend Wells led the congregation to higher levels of spirituality. One of his visions was to get more of the gentlemen in the church involved in the worship service. During his first year as pastor, he requested the men of Galilee come together to form a Male Chorus. The third Sunday of each month would be designated for the John Gunter Male Chorus to lead the service with praise and song. The Youth Ministry was also enhanced with the addition of The Children’s Church to minister to the needs and level of understanding for the youth ages 4 to 10. The older youth formed a Youth Bible Study Group to help them understand the meaning of God’s word. The “Can We Talk” Ministry was set up to provide the youth with social etiquette and to discuss current social issues. In 1999, the O. E. Wells Children’s Choir was formed, and the Youth Department took the lead in becoming worship leaders each 4th Sunday - Devotion, Ushers, Choir, and Prayer. Weekly Bible Study Classes for the congregation as well as the youth took place on Tuesday evening. A new level of Christian education and training had begun. Brother Henry Craig led a Singles Ministry; Sister Isadora Greene led the Golden Agers Ministry for members 50+. The Board of Trustees was revamped and new responsibilities for overseeing the financial concerns of the church were given to them. A Praise Team was established to lead the praise and worship service.

In 1994, Galilee rejoiced in the celebration of its Centennial Anniversary in a week-long observance of God’s blessings. Among the many guest pastors that came to aid in this celebration were Reverend C. W. Phinizy, Reverend John Starks, and Reverend Michael D. Billingsley. On Sunday, July 31, 1994, Reverend Roosevelt V. Palmer, Il and the members of Rehoboth Baptist Church of Washington, DC made this celebration a day to remember. Reverend Palmer delivered a powerful message of encouragement and challenged the congregation of Galilee to continue in the ways of the Lord in order to move forward to the bicentennial of the church. With the past etched in hearts and minds of the members, the Galilee Church Family began to look forward to the future and what God would have this congregation do over the next 100 years. With that in mind, Reverend Wells appointed a building committee to study the feasibility of building a new sanctuary.

The members decided to remain in the community and build the new sanctuary across the street from the old site. As Galilee celebrated its 101st Church Anniversary, a groundbreaking service was held for the new sanctuary. With the prayers and support of the faithful members and God blessed leadership, the members of Galilee joyfully entered the new sanctuary on October 27, 1996, with Reverend Wells delivering the 1st message. A Grand Opening Ceremony was being held before a standing room only congregation. The sanctuary and fellowship hall were dedicated to God on Sunday, November 4, 1996, with a host of area ministers present, as well as the New Era Baptist State Representatives, numerous civic leaders of the community, Georgia state representatives, friends, and well-wishers. Reverend Herman Bing delivered the Dedicatory message, and the Carpentersville Baptist Church Family were special guests for this milestone event.

Since the dedication of the sanctuary, Galilee has continued to grow and flourish. A new van was purchased, office equipment updated, and many enhancements were made to the structure. In the year 2000, continuing with the vision, additional property was purchased. Other properties that surround the sanctuary were also purchased, and the mortgage was soon paid off. In February of 2012, Reverend Dr. Oscar E. Wells resigned as pastor of Galilee. The members continued to unite to carry out the mission of the church and to fill the spiritual needs of its members.

In February of 2012, the members of Galilee, in order to continue to provide worship services to its members, elected to have visiting Pastors come in each week to deliver the spiritual word. It was agreed upon that there should be an Interim Pastor to carry on the duties and responsibilities of Pastor until a new Pastor is called to Galilee. In August of 2012, Reverend Sheldon Cooper was asked to take on the responsibility of Interim Pastor after delivering several inspiring and uplifting messages to the members of Galilee. Prayerfully, a Search Committee was formed to work with the Deacons to call the next Pastor to Galilee.

After a thorough search by the committee members, the congregation was ready to vote to decide who would be the ninth Pastor of Galilee. In December 2013, the members voted and Reverend Sheldon Cooper was called to be the Pastor of Galilee.

In February of 2014, Reverend Cooper was installed as the ninth Pastor. Reverend Cooper’s first priority was to reassure the members of Galilee that he would be there for them when needed. He immediately set up meetings to get to know the members and the Ministries, and to offer assistance wherever it was needed. Mrs. Germaine Cooper, the new First Lady of Galilee, was equally willing to help wherever and whenever she was needed. She taught the Bible Study and Youth Bible Study Groups, a Vacation Bible School Class, assisted with Holiday programs for the youth, she sings on the choirs, mentors the youth and young adults, and she displays a warm, loving, nurturing lady that is loved and respected by all

The church is indeed experiencing new beginnings under the guidance of Reverend and First Lady Cooper. In 2015, Sister Sharon D. White and the Golden Agers Ministry realized a well-honored tradition was missing. Reverend Copper agreed and the Women’s Day Celebration was revived. Along with Women’s Day, Sister White and the Golden Agers began a new tradition of honoring Galilee’s “Woman of Excellence.” The first recipient of the honor in 2015 was Sister Phyllis L. Thomas. In 2016, Sister Annie Brooks, and in 2017, three (3) women were chosen: Deaconess Rosa B. Lewis, Deaconess Annie S. Gray, and Deaconess Bertha C. Simmons. In 2018, three (3) more women were chosen: Sister Georgia Jordan (Church Mother and Senior Lady of the church), Sister Adele Jackson, and a surprise honoree, Sister Sharon D. White. A Youth and Young Adult Young Lady of Excellence was honored in 2016, Sister Fredicia L. Miles.

2015 and 2016 saw more than 13 souls become new members. The visions and guidance given to Reverend Cooper, by our Lord, evolved into ministries that are blessings to the church family as well as the community. In 2016, a Community Garden Ministry was formed with the assistance of building donations and financial donations from many members. Sister Isadora Greene, Brother George Greene, and Deacon Ronald Danforth led the Ministry with many gardeners from the congregation joining them. Fourteen (14) vegetable bins were installed and a variety of seeds and plantings were donated by the members. Healthy vegetables were harvested by the members and the residents in the neighborhood - as they tended to the garden also. Seven (7) of the bins were made possible by generous donations from area businesses and people who would like to remain active in the church even though they have moved. The Bended Knee Prayer Ministry was established in 2016 to assist the members with prayer requests and visits or phone calls. Sister Emmaline Stewart was appointed as President and First Lady Germaine Cooper as advisor. In August of 2016, Dr. and Mrs. Randy Gunter established a The Cordelia A. Gunter Scholarship Fund for deserving graduating high school seniors. Mr. And Mrs. Fred Sapp pledged a scholarship in honor of Sister Frendenner Sapp to further aid a high school senior in furthering their education. Both of the scholarships were given in honor of two of Galilee’s long-time secretaries. Reverend Cooper envisioned providing seminars for the financial planning and growth of Galilee and its members. Monthly Financial Planning Seminars were made possible by Financial Advisor, Mr. Henry Leverett, of Queensboro Bank. They covered an array of topics such as Retirement, How to Invest, and Types of Insurance to name a few.

In March 2019, Galilee was forced to close its doors due to COVID-19. As a result of this worldwide pandemic, churches had to find alternative means for their members to hear God's word. Virtual services were offered via Facebook and YouTube, as well as through conference call services. Some churches opted to broadcast their worship services on television without a congregation present. Face masks were required for everyone while restaurants, social venues, schools, businesses and stores shutdown for a period of time. Even family and social gatherings were strongly discouraged to decrease the risk of contamination and spread of the virus. Hospitals, morgues and funeral homes were overflowing with those who were most seriously infected and many mourned the loss of their loved ones as nearly 7 million people died as a result of the COVID-19 virus worldwide. It was, indeed, the worst of times. Nevertheless, we remained faithful and prayerful. After two years, three months, Galilee reopened its doors in July 2021, following the mandated procedures from the CDC. Conference calls and virtual options remained in place for our high-risk members and others who could not attend our worship services in-person.

Galilee continues to serve as a beacon in this community - for 129 years. With prayers, faith, and support of her members, trusting and obeying in the Holy Spirit, the congregation has continued to press forward and to grow spiritually in the ministries of the church. Galilee has provided assistance for educating the youth, feeding the hungry, giving assistance to the needy, providing support and encouragement to the faithful believers, and seeking to save the unsaved.