Yesterday

In 1892, a group of believers attending the Bloomfield Baptist Church of Macon Georgia became interested in starting a church closer to the community in which they lived.  They began praying for God to show them where the church should be located.  As they prayed, a beloved member of the church, Mrs. Lizzie Denton, had a dream where God revealed to her that the church should be located on the corner of Bartlett and Berry Streets.

The Christians met in a little house next door until a church could be built. Sunday School and worship services started in the new church on October 12, 1892.  The founders were Rev(s) H.C. Clay, H. Woods, and Edgar Williams; three ordained deacons, Cy Williams, Will Denton, and Charlie Denton, Sr.; and nine members with letters; Sisters Annie Simmons, Mattie Kelsey, Ida Cliett, Mary McNiece, Jo Williams, Sue Johnston, Susan Johnson, Lula Denton and Lizzie Denton.

Rev. Ruffin Williams was the first pastor with Deacon Will Denton as the first Chairman of Deacons and Superintendent of the Sunday School.  Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the church so the members held meetings under a “bush arbor” on this site until the church was rebuilt.

Rev. R.W. Odom was the second pastor and served until his death.  There was a new beginning under his pastorate the proved to be a necessary and  sufficient foundation for the future of the church.  

The third pastor was Rev. Frank Howard. Unfortunately, much of history of his tenure of service has been lost.

The fourth pastor, Rev. E.J. Calhoun faithfully served for 24 years until his death in August 28, 1947.  Rev. Calhoun was a proficient and popular preacher who was in great demand as a revivalist.  The church during his pastorate tremendously grew, bringing in many souls into the kingdom.  Rev. Calhoun was so beloved by the membership that the church agreed to have his final resting placed next to the church that he faithfully served and dearly loved.

In 1948 Lizzie Chapel extended the call to the pastorate to a man of great wisdom and integrity to serve as the next pastor.  Rev. Ellis Sylvanus Evans accepted the call and faithfully led the church into a new era of service that service that established Lizzie Chapel as a premier church in the Macon community. 

Rev. Evans’ as an humble yet respected pastor served in leadership positions in all affiliated organizations on the local and state levels.  He also led boycotts during the turbulent 60’s and he along with Van J. Malone were jailed for refusing to sit in the back of the bus.  This act directly led to the desegregation of the Macon City Transit System, along with employing black bus drivers.

Under Rev Evan’s leadership the church added classrooms, office space, kitchen and a dining area. After 44 years of illustrious service, Rev. Evans announced to  a dismayed church that after much prayer, that he would be retiring.  During Rev. Evans’ tenure many ministries were added as the church grew in membership.

Today

On April 11, 1993, after much prayer and thoughtful consideration, Lizzie Chapel extended the call to be the next pastor to a young, energetic, pastor and preacher, the Rev. Ronald Gene Toney. Rev. Toney,  After 101 years of service, Rev. Toney became Lizzie Chapel’s first full time pastor.   Rev. Toney continues in the tradition of past pastors who faithfully served the church and community with passion and intelligence.

Since Rev. Toney’s arrival the Lord has blessed us to accomplish the following.

Two full time staff and four full time and four part time personnel were hired. A second worship service was added beginning at 8:00 am. began. The church adopted the small community of Tapio, Haiti.

Various groups to expand the  work of the church and to offer areas of services and ministries to a growing church were organized.  They are: the Angel Choir, Mass Choir, Praise Team, Teens In Action, Nurses’ Ministry, Athletic Ministry, Ministry Council, Single’s Ministry, Minister’s Spouses, Substance Abuse Ministry, Adoption of Hamilton Elementary School, reorganization of the Mission In Action, Board of Christian Education and Laymen’s Ministry.

The following deacons were licensed and ordained: Troy Scott, Alvin Randall, Jr., Bobby Edwards, Gregory Rhymes, Rodney Lockett, Herman Lockett, Sr., Moses Bundrage, Gregory Cubit, Michael Mims, Leroy Moore,Rex Sampson, Marvin Ware, Ronnie Wilder, Willie White, Troy Lawrence, James Taylor, Hank Howard adn Wayne Wilder.

Deacons joining in the labor: Bobby Jordan, Sr., Tommy Penix, Sr., N.R. Cubit, and Curtis Worsham.

Ministers joining in the labor: Rev(s) Kimberly Brooks and Jerri Green, Elijah Toney, Patrick Toney, L.M. Bell

Ministers licensed: Michael Rogers, Rodney Lockett, Gwengale Parker, James Graham, Kelda Cubit, Theresa Harris, Octavia Willis, Gary Carithers.

Six acres of land were purchased for further expansion and growth; the establishment of Manna Ministries, Inc, a 501c3 organization.

The establishment of Christian education opportunities for various levels of knowledge added.  They are: New Members Class, New Members Orientation, School of Nurture – Discipleship Training, workshops, seminars and conferences.

A new facility was completed in 2005 that will comfortably seat 800 worshipers and with a banquet setting that will seat 250 persons. 

With the addition of the new facility Lizzie Chapel will be better able to expand its mission of building God’s kingdom through “Proclaiming Christ, Preparing Lives, Preserving Families.”