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JC HARWELL & SON FUNERAL HOME
Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians have Covington’s oldest chuches
By TOM SPIGOLON
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tspigolon@covnews.com
Most of Newton County’s oldest and most historic churches are nestled in the city of Covington, with many tracing their roots back to the 19th century while still operating today.
Some of the oldest are highlighted by the Newton County Historical Society detailed in its “History of Newton County Georgia” book: • Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Covington, was established in 1849 and is Newton County’s oldest, continuously operating African-American church, according to information from the “History of Newton County Georgia.”
The church’s first building was a log hut built near the railroad depot. The Rev. Toney Baker was called to the pastorate of the church in 1851 and the church was officially named Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Original church members, who were slaves, then wanted to move the church closer to the Covington Square and relocated it to the current site of an AT&T building.
Leaders of this growing and developing congregation included Henry Robinson, Joe Slaughter, Cole Johnson, John Bentley and Neat Bagby, according to the church website.
“As was the practice of the era, worship services were designated for second and fourth Sundays of the month, and this continued until 1959,” the website stated.
It eventually relocated to its current location at the west end of Usher Street. The current pastor is Ronnie M. Thomas Jr.
Not far behind it is Sims Chapel Baptist Church which is located at 61 Sims Chapel Rd. In Covington. The 137-year old predominantly African American congregation was founded in 1885. Pastor Cecil J. Rozier recently retired after 20-plus years of service as the church’s senior pastor.
Since 1893 J.C.Harwell & Son
FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CHAPEL
2157 East Street SE • Covington, GA 30014 770-786-2524
A locally owned & operated funeral home offering: Funeral & Cremation Services as well as Pre-Arrangements Options.
