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The Crabapple community from which this church takes its name is located north of Atlanta in the town of Milton. The community derived its name from the unusually beautiful and large crabapple tree that grew in the yard around the first school house.
The first settlers came to the community of Crabapple in 1833. Crabapple, in those early days, was said to be the “night stopping” place for travelers coming from the mountains and needing to rest for the night. Descendants of those first settlers helped form Crabapple First Baptist, and many later descendants still live in the community and are members of Crabapple.
On November 26, 1892 a meeting was held at the Crabapple School House for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. M. Persell, J.K. Harris, E. Cochran, and William West were present as ministers of the Gospel. J.D. Gentry and A.W. DeVore were deacons. Persell was elected as president, J.D. Harris was elected spokesman and D.W. DeVore was elected secretary. After prayer by William West, those present were given an invitation to come forward to present letters and enroll as charter members. The following twenty-one people united that day to become charter members:
Needham Broadwell Virginia O. Daniel
Jasper N. Dorris Rilla A. Dorris
John H. Bates Martha L. H. Crisler
Wm. F. Gillespie Nancy M. Gillespie
James H. Cowart Savilla C. Broadwell
James W. Broadwell Mary M. Broadwell
N.H. Broadwell, Sr. Mary L. Bates
Russell J. Rucker Frances A. Dorris
Nancy A.P. Jameson Nancy J. Broadwell
Frances N. Cowart Samantha Broadwell
Mary E. Rucker
E.E. (Ebb) Broadwell donated land for the first “meeting house” and J.W. Broadwell gave a portion of surrounding grounds. This fellowship was to be known as Crabapple Baptist Church. The first building, built by J.B. Broadwell cost $675.00 with bricks made in the area.
In 1893, under the church’s first pastor Elias Cochran, who was noted for his waist length white beard, thirty members joined the church. In 1896 the first Sunday School was organized with James Tatum serving as the first superintendent.
In 1998 the church purchased the old Northwestern Middle School and built the current facility.
Good luck!