New Canaan Baptist Church

New Canaan Missionary Baptist church was organized on September 20, 1856, making it one of the oldest churches in the DeKalb Baptist Association. E. Stone, G.W. Masters and Oliver P. Parris sat as a Presbytery for the organization of the church. The charter members were; G.W. Cox, O.P. Parris, Jessie Godfrey, James Cox, Alsey Jones, Garale Jones, Rasena Godfrey, Mary Cox, Mary E. Cox, Smitbey C. Parris, Sopba Matlock, Polly Matlock and Martha Cox.

There are no known records of New Canaan Church from the organization of the church in 1856 to 1872. However during the early years, the church worshipped in a small, one-room building. In 1939-40, the present building was constructed as the membership of the church continued to increase, the need for Sunday School rooms was recognized, so in 1956 four Sunday School rooms were built.

   In 1966-67, New Canaan Church agreed to offer its facilities to Whiton School which had burned shortly before the school term began. The DeKalb County Board of Education built two bathrooms in the church during this time. It was during this time that a well was dug to provide water for the bathrooms. Classes were held in the Sunday School rooms of the church during the 1966-67 school year.

   In 1967 the church was carpeted, and in 1971 the church was remodeled and bricked. Central heating and air conditioning were added in 1974, and in 1977, a nursery, a Sunday School room, a vestibule and two bathrooms were added.

The dream of a new Sanctuary had been in the hearts and minds of many members for quite a while and in 1995 that dream became a reality. With the help of everyone working together we were proud to have the dedication of our new Sanctuary in September 1996 which was the 140th anniversary of the Church.

Larger Fellowship Hall and additional Sunday School rooms have become a blessed necessity. As we celebrate the 150 birthday we are in the process of seeing this need fulfilled.

   New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church is proud of its history of dedication and faithful service by so many people through the years, and hopes to continue to spread the gospel and win souls for many years to come.

The following men have served as Pastors of New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church;

W.J. Hodgins, E.P. Borough, E.J. Barksdale, L. Chambers, J.R. Nix, Samuel Sparks, W.N. Smith, J.T. Chadwick, D.B. White, A.J. Chadwick, R.M. Perry, W.T. Luther, D.P. Galloway, J.M. Cash, H.J. Guyton, G.M. Yancey, J.L. Price, A.J. Hodgens, Will Bruce, Elbert Hicks, Horace Whitfield, Burey Shirey, Luther Chandler, Leonard Mathis, Harrison Ashley, Emery Pankey, Comer Baker, Thomas Lang, Aubie Phillips, Verlon Amason, Howard Westmoreland, Carl Champion, Max Roden, Richard Fox, Randall Lyles, Billy Masters, Wayland Head, Wayne White, Larry West, Melvin Hilley, Edwin Waldrop, Fred Bobo, Glenn Bruce and currently Charlie Rogers. All of these men have done a wonderful job of making our Church what it is today!

New Canaan Baptist Church around 1960

Thanks to Ted and Cindy Davis for providing the video from which these pictures were created.  

pictures in the section  frame # 7 L-R are Daisy Belle Cobb Littlejohn (my aunt), Evie Ann Rogers Cobb (my gandmother) and J.C. Cobb (my uncle). In frame # 3, L-R the "women" are: Jessie Rogers Rains (my great- aunt) and Bytha Rogers Brooks (my great-aunt).

We have all our Church records on CD, if you would like a copy of the CD please contact us.