Our Beginning

Hilltop Freewill Baptist Church opened it's doors on January 23, 1954. The service was opened with "Amazing Grace", and the opening prayer was offered by Rev. Clarence Burnett. The scriptures were taken from Ephesians 5:24-26 and 1 Timothy 3:1-13, and was read by Rev. James Arrowood.

3 deacons were ordained, Bro. Jason Garland, Bro. Millard Garland, and Bro. D.W. Patterson. Rev. Clarence Burnett was appointed Pastor for the remainder of the year, and his wife Mildred was appointed clerk.

It was voted that the regular business meetings would be held on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Sixteen people joined the church that day, including Jason and Dora Garland, D.W. and Mae Patterson, James Garland, Alfanzer Buchanan, Millard and Lillie Mae Garland, Rev. Clarence Burnett and his wife Mildred, Floyd and Sue Garland, Nan Brown, Rev. Harrison Talley and his wife Thelma, and Shelby Jean Young.