History

God had a plan. His plan was for His people to obey, despite the obvious odds, and to occupy the land He had chosen for them. After viewing the situation, the majority opinion was negative, because it looked impossible. But, as the Lord told Moses in the book of Numbers, "my servant Caleb had a different spirit and obeyed me." The Promised Land was occupied by God's people just like God said it would be. The children of God, thirty years ago, saw the obstacles. But those eighteen people found that they, too, had a "different spirit" and chose to obey God. Rosemont Baptist Church was born with a desire to worship God freely and share His love with others in an area that was white unto harvest.

In October 1967, eighteen people met together at the home of Harold and Linda Scott in their carport. Because Pastor Max McCord and his family were completing obligations at Pine View Baptist Church, Tommy Smith conducted services. Tommy was later ordained into the ministry by Rosemont Baptist Church.

Lack of space became a problem quickly, and the Lord began to work His miracles. John Colbert expressed a desire to join "the church," but there was no official church at that time. A professor at LaGrange College, Mr. Ronald Luke offered his home for services. As the number attending grew, Emmett Bailey offered the home of his deceased parents on the corner of Scott and Salem Roads. Pastor Max stood in the hallway and preached to each of the three rooms of people.

With limited resources and almost constant reminders that there was no land available in the Rosemont Community, the people prayed. Some of the men were riding past the present church site and commented about how good a church would look there. Another miracle was about to take place. The owner of this very land, Mr. Roy Webb, had no intention of selling any of his land. When he was approached by the men, he told them the land was not for sale. However, he added that if the Lord wanted a church there, he sure would not stop Him. Mr. Webb went into the woods to pray about it while the men staked out about two acres of land. Upon his return, Mr. Webb agreed to sell the land for $1.00 and a deed.

God used the talents He gave to His people. When blue prints were needed, Fred Smith drew them on meat wrapping paper. Because of the rapid growth of the congregation, Mr. Smith had to enlarge the plans three times before construction was started. Parker Construction Company was awarded the $12,050.00 contract to construct the building to a "dried in" status with interior completion to be done by the membership. The original building consisted of the sanctuary, baptistery, five Sunday School rooms and two rest rooms.

The first worship service was held in the new church on April 28, 1968, when the congregation gathered for an Easter Sunrise Service. Pastor Max delivered his sermon from a cardboard pulpit. Amid the concrete floors and block walls, one lady commented that the church had the cleanest windows she had ever seen - then someone explained to her that there was no glass in the windows!

After being under watch care status for a year, the church became a member of the Troup County Baptist Association in 1969. Max served almost one year with no salary or reimbursement for expenses. In August 1968, the church voted to pay him a salary of $25.00 a week. Due to tremendous growth the present sanctuary, which seats 550, was dedicated on January 15, 1978. At the time, membership was 549 and the church property was valued at over $800,000.

The Lord blessed Rosemont again through the church's geographic proximity to Pine Mountain. In 1969, the Missionary Orientation Center at Callaway Gardens opened. Throughout the next several years, many missionaries worshiped with us sharing their testimonies, talents, fears, and lives. As a result, missions became a personal concern to our members. In 1987, for $1.00, we were able to purchase the old Rosemont School gymnasium, which was going to be demolished. It was moved to the church site and has been utilized as meeting sites for Bible studies, a youth department, youth fellowships, plays, musicals, AWANA, and annual celebrations.

In 1996, construction began on a three story multi purpose building. The ground floor was to provide education space for preschool and children, as well as four adult classrooms. However, the children filled this floor completely the first Sunday the building was used. The second floor includes administrative offices, the Fellowship Hall, and connecting area to the Worship Center. Since construction, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer were added to accommodate the Wednesday night fellowship supper for three hundred. The third floor has adult education space. Sunday School classes for all ages of adults utilize this space. Recently, a playground for preschoolers was added with the help of a grant from Charter Bank. Future playground expansions have been planned, as well as updating of the gymnasium.

In 2003, Rosemont Church was listed as one of the "fastest growing medium sized churches" in the Georgia Baptist Convention. In fact, because of this tremendous growth, Rosemont, in 2004, was classified as the eighth fastest growing large "large church" in Georgia. Rosemont has doubled in Sunday School attendance in the last five years. God continues to bless Rosemont by allowing her to be used in reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are confident that God's will is to bear much fruit in and through us. We eagerly work to fulfill our mission statement: " reaching every person with the gospel and leading them to a fully mature relationship with Christ." As Pastor Max says, "Our best days at Rosemont Baptist Church are ahead."