Established on February 28, 1824, Sharon Baptist Church stands as a historic institution nestled in the serene countryside of Henry County, specifically within the Bearsheba district, approximately seven miles from the bustling city of McDonough. In its early days, the pastoral duties were shouldered by John and James Reeves, an intriguing duo whose familial connection remains uncertain. The inaugural service unfolded in the house of John Fry, a location that now neighbors the Ola High, Elementary, and Middle Schools.
The church's journey took an interesting turn when its leadership sought acceptance into the Ocmulgee Baptist Association. However, their application was met with resistance, with association leaders asserting that the church was illegitimately formed due to a lack of permission from the authorized presbytery. Undeterred, the church leadership pledged to rectify this situation, and on November 11th of the same year, the church was reconstituted under the guidance of Rev. Cyrus White and Rev. James Reeves.
Facing disagreements and disapproval, Sharon Baptist Church eventually parted ways with the Ocmulgee association and sought membership in the Yellow River Association in 1828. However, by 1829, spiritual differences prompted the church to request admission into the Flint River Association. This move, though challenging, led to a significant clash during a meeting between the church and association leaders, revolving around reported issues with faith. The contentious session resulted in the Flint River Association declaring only a select few members as genuine, sparking a schism within the church.
This division birthed the establishment of Little Sharon Church, located near the Ammons and Fargason property in the McMullins District, by the deemed "true" members. Meanwhile, the non-"true" members continued to worship at the original Sharon Church. The repercussions of this split reverberated beyond Sharon, as churches like Sardis in the Sandy Ridge District also withdrew from their membership in the Flint Association as a form of protest.
Theological tensions further escalated with the emergence of the Anti-Missionary movement within the Flint Association. This movement, in contrast to the Missionary movement, aimed to bring the Baptist faith back to its biblical roots, rejecting the mass conversion efforts of the latter. In this ideological battleground, Sharon Baptist Church aligned itself with the Missionary movement, setting the stage for a prolonged spiritual conflict that persisted for years.
Intriguingly, a semblance of reconciliation occurred when Little Sharon Church eventually became defunct before the onset of the Civil War. Thus, the theological saga at Sharon Baptist Church, marked by schisms, ideological conflicts, and protest withdrawals, serves as a fascinating chapter in the rich tapestry of its history.
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