The History of NPG

      In 1870, what was then Piney Grove Primitive Baptist Church, broke off from the white branch of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Howard Chapel (presently on  Lamar Road), Fambro Chapel (today on Thomaston Road), Union Bibb Primitive Baptist (presently on Zebulon Road), and many other Afro-American churches.  As time passed, several churches constructed their own buildings.  Piney Grove was built on land given to them located on Bass plantation in Bibb County.  Mr. Robert Bowman donated the land with the promise that it would be deeded to the church upon his death.  This promise was never kept and at his death his son-in-law forced the congregation to leave the land.  In the years proceeding  1908, it is not clear what occurred.  However, it is recorded that Rev. Barney Gaston organized and built New Piney Grove Baptist Church as it was recognized at the turn of the century.  Reverend Gaston served as the pastor of New Piney Grove Baptist Church from 1908 until 1939.  After his departure, several pastors served, including C. J. Brown, C. W. Williams and P. R. Binn.

          In April of 1952, the church called Rev. B. W. Chambers as pastor.  Under Rev. Chambers leadership, a larger building was constructed at a new site on VC & L Road (presently known as Northside Drive).  In 1967 the church purchased a piece of property located at 258 Straight Street and the present church was erected.  The first service was held upstairs in 1968.  However, it was not until 1969 that the sanctuary was opened for worship service.  The back of the church and the upstairs’ wing were used for the Happy Haven Day Care Center, which began operation in 1970.  The center was designed to serve 158 children, ages 6 weeks through school age, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 AM until 6:00 PM.  It had a paid staff of 18 dedicated persons, whose business was to teach and train the children.  Under Rev. Chambers administration, the church moved from second and fourth Sunday worship to every Sunday worship.  Rev. Chambers resigned May 31, 1981.

         After Rev. Chambers resigned Rev. David R. Tharpe was called as interim pastor, and in 1981 he was ordained by the officials to become the third recorded pastor of the New Piney Grove Baptist Church.  Pastor Tharpe served the church for eleven years.  His desire to do what “thus saith the Lord” was instrumental in many souls being saved.  Rev. Tharpe established an Outreach Ministry to feed the hungry and cloth the needy.  An average of 900-1000 people were fed monthly.  Rev. Tharpe resigned October 8, 1992.

          In November, 1992 Pastor Dave A. Wilcoxson was sent to shepherd the flock of New Piney Grove Baptist Church.  In 1995, Pastor Dave lead us, through God’s guidance, to add a sound room, add bathrooms to the front entrance and construct closets in the fellowship hall. The church sanctuary was recarpeted and the pews were  padded.

          As time passed, God continued to use His man to get His work done.  Due to continued growth, the church purchased some adjacent property to provide additional parking.  The entire lot was resurfaced and stripped to accommodate our growing church body.  The choir loft and pulpit were also adjusted to house our Mass Choir, a choir who officially became a “recording choir” in April, 1997. Our kitchen was totally renovated in 1998 and new air conditioning added to the fellowship hall.

          The land bought in 1997 under a five year payoff plan was paid off in two years.  A second loan was made to resurface and was paid off early also. Under the leadership of Pastor Dave, God called from the flock of New Piney Grove an anointed man who was already ministering through music, to minister through His word also.  Minister David Arnold, Sr. received his license to preach God’s Word on March 2, 1997.  In 2001, Minister Arnold was ordained as the first recorded Youth Pastor of New Piney Grove Baptist Church.

          In March 2001, Alfonso Taylor and James Graham were ordained as deacons of NPG. Our fellowship hall was renamed  (Deacon) Johnnie B. Smith Fellowship Hall and rededicated to his memory.  Deacon Smith spent over forty years working in the vineyard at New Piney Grove (many of those were as Chairman of Deacons). A plaque was hung in 2001 in honor of the memory of Deacon Sandy Montford, Deacon Joseph  Redding and Deacon Johnnie B. Smith.  These men all played important and key roles in NPG’s history.

         During our Church Anniversary in May 2002 many members made pledges to secure the payoff of the church’s third vehicle, a mini bus.  The mini bus was paid off in January 2003.  Minister James Owens, Sr.  was placed in training December 15, 2002 and licensed to preach the gospel June 15, 2003. Minister Kenneth McMillan was put in ministerial training on July 13, 2003. YMIT Marvin Morris was also set aside for ministerial training in 2003.

          In March 2003, Robert McElroy and Robert Grier were ordained as Deacons.  A second  set of AFCs (Ambassadors For Christ) were also established. Also the front posts on the building were replaced.  Negotiations were started to purchase land that would be a part of our Pastor’s Vision as given by God for our church. The church also received another face lift through painting, tiling and replacing carpet in the sanctuary and selected other areas.

          On March 15, 2004 the church took possession of the final piece of property needed to make the vision God unfolded a reality. In January 2004 we began a TWB (Together We Build) Program; this is a way for membership to give to the building of God’s House.  TWB will last for three years. All the loans were combined with a projection to pay off the entire loan in three years. A Building Project Committee was established in July for our church in the vision of the pastor. Rights were obtained  to the alley easement that separated our property.  The Mentors Ministry and the U-Turn Ministry were established in 2004.

          The Financial Planning Ministry and Hospitality Ministry were added to the church in 2004. Kenneth McMillan was licensed to preach the gospel on January 11, 2004 and ordained to co-pastor the Link on June 27, 2004. Marvin Morris was licensed to preach the gospel on his 17th birthday, August 8, 2004. December 12, 2004 Jeff Evans was licensed to preach the gospel. Minister David Arnold, Sr. resigned as Minister of Music in March, 2005.  Minister Victor Grubbs was named as Director of our Music Ministry April 1, 2005.  Minister Grubbs resigned in December 2006 as God lead him to start a new ministry.  Minister Kalaya Dollison was named Music Ministry Director in 2007.

          On September 11, 2005 Treyon Woolfolk was licensed to preach the gospel. On December 11th, 2005 AFCs Jackie Jones and Alvin Cearnal were set aside as candidates for training in the Deacons Ministry.   February 12, 2005, two other men were added to our Ambassador for Christ Ministry. Deacon Al Taylor resigned from the Deacon’s Ministry in 2006.

          On December 3, 2006  AFCs Jones and Cearnal were ordained as Deacons.  On August 8, 2006 God called our Church Mother, Ethel Nash, home and  on  January 2007 Mother Beatrice Montford was appointed Church Mother.  Our TWB Program ended December 31, 2006.  We continue to give to our Building Fund Program, waiting for the vision to unfold.

          May 13, 2007 Guss Bodison, Jr. and Joseph Brothers, Jr. were placed in Ministerial training.

          December 30, 2007 Joseph Brothers, Jr. and Kenneth Young were licensed to preach the Gospel.  Alvin Hutchieson was placed in ministerial training on the same day.

          In 2008 more improvement were made.  The front men’s restroom updated and our security system updated after our space was invaded by intruders in March.

          In the fifteen plus years here, Pastor Dave has pursued an excellence in all the church’s endeavors which includes renovating the church, updating and computerizing the church files, and reaching out to the community’s souls and spirits with the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior.  His efforts as a teacher has set many on the path to God and enlightened those who searched for the knowledge of God.

          As we approach another year, led by Pastor Dave, who is led by God Almighty we remember many accomplishments God has allowed thus far as we prepare for our future successes.  The congregation of New Piney Grove Baptist Church constant prayer is  that the Lord will continue to bless us with Pastor Dave and his family’s presence. Today, we proclaim that our Church Family will

Hear the Word to do the Work!

 

 

Meet our Pastor by clicking here.

For a map to our church, please click here.