Church History

The earliest worship services of this congregation were held in 1881 under a backyard arbor at the home of Matilda Lewis with nine other families. As the church continued to grow in wisdom and knowledge, the need for a more permanent home became evident. The first sanctuary, where the church now resides, was a small frame building.  Some of the early members and Rev. Daniel H. Shivers united with the LaGrange Baptist District Association in 1985.

Under the leadership of Rev. T. H. Green, a larger sanctuary was built in 1914. In 1961 the adjacent lot was purchased for parking spaces.

 On March 8, 1974, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. W. A. Cartwright, Jr.,  the church entered into a redevelopment contract with the Urban Renewal Project and made the decision to build a new church in the same location. The dedication and entrance service for the new church facility was held on September 14, 1975.  In June 1982, a new bell tower and sign were completed.  A Texas historical marker commemorating 104 years of religious teaching, gospel preaching, and spiritual singing was dedicated and unveiled at the Macedonia Baptist Church on December 8, 1985.  In the 1990s, Macedonia continued to grow in the Lord and prosper. The church parking lot was paved, and a church van was purchased for a bus ministry. In 2000, after 27 years of spiritual and faithful leadership, Rev. Cartwright retired.

The church called Rev. Dr. Jimmy H. Johnson, Sr., as its next and current pastor; the installation service was held on October 8, 2000.  God continued to bless Macedonia with spirit-filled worship services and active ministries. The church added a new steeple, new pews and pulpit furniture.  Macedonia was also blessed with a new sound system with capabilities to record and make CDs so that God’s word could be carried out beyond the walls of Macedonia Baptist Church. Long-range plans included the building of an educational wing to the church. Throughout the span of 15 years, a fellowship hall and education center were added; a scholarship program instituted; an album highlighting worship services from 1881 to 2010 was developed; discipleship training programs were instituted; television monitors were purchased; outreach ministries have been formed at nursing homes; started Veterans day Observance and a weekly Midday Bible Study Program. The church has maintained an active association in the Georgetown community through the Williamson County Relay for Life, the Georgetown Fellowship of Churches (GFOC), participating with the Georgetown Cultural Citizens Memorial Association (GCCMA), and participation on the Caring Place Advisory Board.   Affiliated with the LaGrange Baptist District Association since 1885, the Macedonia Baptist Church has hosted district meetings several times. 

From 2007 to present, several beautification projects were completed such as upgrading furniture for the Administration Office, enlarged and renovated serving area in fellowship hall, installed new handicap ramp, reconfigured men’s restroom for handicap accessibility, and new computers purchased.  Macedonia was the first church to participate in the Red Poppy Seed Festival, which allowed the church to share God’s message to a wider audience. The church began participation in the Family Independence Initiative (FII) project, which provides capital resources to families in the Georgetown community through the UpTogether Fund.  Families use the resources to progress their families. 

As the second oldest historical black church in the community and an important part of the religious heritage of Georgetown, Macedonia Baptist Church continues to be a source of strength and service for the community.

Macedonia has had 18 pastors since its founding in 1881. They are:  Rev. Daniel H. Shivers; Rev. Tilmond H. Green; Rev. L. K. Williams; Rev. George T. Burley; Rev. J. S. Simmons; Rev. A. N. Simmons, Sr.; Rev. Burr Tolliver; Rev. J. Moss Sanders; Rev. A. Anderson; Rev. Samuel Clifton Smith; Rev. Austin Hubbard; Rev. R. B.  Sanders; Rev. R. L. Elders; Rev. E. M. Logan; Rev. Robert Logan Blackshear; Rev. L. J. Johnson; Rev. William Allen Cartwright, Jr.; and now, Rev. Dr. Jimmy H. Johnson, Sr.