The History of the Hartwell Church

The Church of God of Prophecy originally came to Hartwell during the early to mid seventies. The church was first organized in the home of Joanne and James Shiflet located on Rome Street, by then State Field Secretary, Bro. Newcurt. The pastor at that time was Earl Halborough from Atlanta Georgia. After Pastor Halborough’s tenure two other pastors (Rev. Jones and Rev. Smith) would follow him before the church would be disbanded due to lack of support.
In August of 1990 Minister Danny Hughes felt the call to initiate the process for establishing the church in Hartwell. Since there were no current facilities available, Minister Hughes conducted church services in various homes throughout the community. As interest for the ministry grew, the small group made a decision to obtain a larger place to worship. Minister Hughes was granted permission to hold services at Davenport Lodge located at the corner of Sanders and Patterson Street.
After holding services at the Lodge for a few months, the group moved to the chapel of Mack’s Funeral home to continue their quest to establish a church. During the group’s tenure at the funeral home, the church was organized by District Overseer Bernie King. Upon organizing the church, the State overseer, Bishop Allen Davis, appointed Minister Danny Hughes pastor of the newly organized church. In the pursuit of financial stability, the Church left the Chapel and began holding services in pastor Hughes’s home for the next year and a half. The church next move was to Elbert County Georgia where members spent nearly two years worshiping with a sister church located in the Dewy Rose community.
The church later returned to Hartwell and began holding services in the home of Pastor and Mrs. Hughes for a second time, converting every usable room into Sunday school classes and youth ministry areas. As the membership increased, the church purchased land and began construction for a house of worship. The location for the new church sanctuary would be at 114 Ernest Oliver Drive.
The Church moved into its new place of worship 3rd Sunday in August 1996. Since that time the church has continued to grow and has made several additions to its current facility. Pastor Danny Hughes and His wife Joyce are still currently Senior Pastor and First Lady of the church. They have been in the ministry for the past 17 years and pastored the Hartwell Church of God of Prophecy for the past 14 years. They have three children Aleisha, Danny Jr., and Javondre’. The current structure has a seating capacity of around 325 people. Services are currently held each Sunday morning with Sunday school from 9:50 – 10:50, morning worship beginning at 10:50 and Wednesday night bible study at 7:00. The mission of the church is to be a light for the community to see and to help others discover the exciting and everlasting anointing of Jesus Christ demonstrated through love and power.

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