Rev. Roy Cates, members of the building committee, and deacons of Fishing Creek Baptist Church are preparing to break ground for a new Sunday School building adjacent to the present church building. In front are (left) Roger Walker and Rev. Cates; (back, l-r) Frank Turner, Frankie Ware, Brian George, Lester Gales, Henry Holsenback, Calvin Blevins, and Boyce Fortson. Historic Fishing Creek Baptist Church in Wilkes County held a ground-breaking service Sunday, March 12, for a new 60x32 ft. Sunday School building adjacent to the church.

The building will consist of six classrooms, two restrooms, and a storage room, connected to the church by an enclosed passageway. The new addition will be as much like the present building as possible, with the men of the church providing the labor while ongoing promotion for funds is held. "What a joy it is to see people being saved, members coming by transfer of letter, and Sunday School attendance increasing by over 50 percent," said Rev. Roy Cates, pastor of the church for more than 26 years. "There has also been a large increase in attendance at the worship services," he continued.

Roger Walker, chairman of the deacons, says that about 30 years ago he thought that the future of Fishing Creek and other small country Baptist churches in the area would be either closing or consolidating with other churches.

"But," Walker said, "That has not been true with Fishing Creek. Rev. Cates and I agree that it's an exciting time for the church, and we invite others to come and be a part of it."

Boyce Fortson, a longtime deacon and treasurer of Fishing Creek, says that the church has come from a time years ago when they had not been able to pay the bills, to now having a sound financial base of support.

In closing, Rev. Cates said, "All we do and accomplish is for one purpose and that's to save a lost world. That's what our church is all about and we give God all the praise, glory, and thanks for using us to do His work."

Fishing Creek Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist church in Wilkes County and the Georgia Baptist Association, and the fourth oldest in the state of Georgia. The church was established in 1783.

Sunday School is at 10 a.m., and the worship service at 11 a.m.

Rev. Cates and members of the congregation extend an invitation to anyone interested to attend the services and grow with them.