A Church Motivating a Community to Move Forward through the Word of God in the new Millennium.

We as, “The Body of Christ”, come to recognize and maximize gifts God has assigned; That it may impact the Church to love, teach, train and motivate us to develop spiritual leadership in the Church of God!

Poplar Springs ‘Baptist Church was founded in 1871 by African American families from the Ellenwood community in the southern region of the 15th Land District, south of the South River between Snapfinger Creek to the east and Sugar Creek to the west. For the founding African American families, Poplar springs is a testament of their faith and a monument to their courage and tenacity.

THE BRUSH ARBOR MEETING PLACE
In the beginning, Poplar Springs held its worship services beside a clear running spring beneath an arbor of poplar trees. Their “meeting place beside the spring beneath the poplar trees was just over the hill from the current church. This was not an unusual start for many African American churches in Southern rural communities. Before and after Emancipation, they conducted their praise and worship services in secret places in the woods. These clearings were commonly referred to as “brush arbors,” “bush arbors,” and “hush harbors.” Their floors were covered with low growing scrub vegetation and they were sheltered by the overhanging branches of poplar and other trees. These forest enclaves provided a meeting place close to God from whom the worshipers sought hope and relief from the pain, weariness, and troubles of the world, or the patience to bear them. The meetings gave the congregation not only rest from continuous labor, but also gave them joy and companionship, and permitted them to shift their minds from immediate conditions to the bright future awaiting them reassured of God’s saving grace. They united to protect themselves from oppression and the internalization of unflattering stereotypes. This religious union led to an emphasis on mutual cooperation, joyful camaraderie, respect for elders, and an undisguised zest for life.

This religious culture fostered self-esteem, courage, confidence and hope. From these strong and courageous beginnings, Poplar Springs had its early development. Thus, the congregation called themselves the “Poplar Springs Mission”. The “handful” of faithful people who formed that first union included families whose descendants – Rice, Shepherd, White, Green, Strickland, Moore, Jackson and McKinley – still support the mission of Poplar Springs.

FROM BRUSH ARBOR TO CHURCH HOME
As the body of worshippers increased in number, the congregation sought the knowledge and services of a minister, a pastor for their “mission.” They were successful in securing the illustrious Reverend Willie Floyd from Atlanta, Georgia.

Shortly after Reverend Floyd’s arrival, he was inspired to seek a larger space for their worship services. Deacon Preston Rice, a member of the congregation, donated the one-half acre of land he had been given for the burial of his baby. The Rice family had received this land from their white neighbor, Warren Clark, for whom they worked as sharecroppers. Because of this donated land, the “mission” was able to move to its present site.

As the congregation continued to grow, the members put their hearts, minds, and meager money together to construct the first church building. Up to this point, they had been holding worship services only once a month under a brush arbor.

Reverend Floyd moved on and a second pastor, Reverend George Woodson, agreed to lead this group of spirit-minded Christians. They were hard working people with loving and compassionate spirits. Reverend Woodson was a dynamic leader.  He was not only a leader, but also a teacher and a friend to this community. He was also moderator of the Atlanta Baptist Association for many years. He went home to eternal rest in 1935.

No one seemed to be able to recall the name of the pastor who succeeded Reverend Woodson, but whoever he was, he had to have been a man of God, for he kept the church moving forward.

Notably, Reverend Paul Scruggs, the fourth pastor, was also a great preacher of the gospel. Reverend Mills, the fifth pastor