Historic Fayette church rededicated, gets French oak

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The grounds of the old Hopeful Church on Ga. Highway 92 north of Fayetteville were filled to capacity May 2 as the long-awaited 190-year rededication ceremony unfolded under clear skies. The special guest on the occasion was Coralie Beaune, who brought a Marie Antoinette oak from the garden at the Palace at Versailles in France.

The old Hopeful Church was founded 190 years ago, in 1825, and is going through a extensive restoration. Organizer Dean Breest at the ceremony thanked the more than 300 volunteers and companies whose participation over the past 16 months, both on the church project and the cemetery, made the rededication possible.

“We’re well on the way to seeing it become a community icon for Fayette County,” Breest told the large audience.

Perhaps the highlight of the morning’s event was the announcement by Beaune, gardner for the Palace at Versailles, that a small oak grown from an acorn and taken from the Marie Antoinette oak located today on the palace grounds had been planted adjacent to the church near the historic cemetery.

“This is a present for you and we hope you enjoy it,” Beaune said with a smile.

Beaune was presented a plaque by Knox Herndon, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

While introducing Beaune, Herndon reminded the large audience of the connection between the nation of France and Fayette County, named for Marquis de Lafayette, the general who played a large role in colonists’ fight for independence against the British.

Rep. John Yates (District 73) in his remarks presented resolution from the Georgia General Assembly recognizing Hopeful Church for its 190-year history of serving the community.

Put in perspective, the Hopeful Church was established in 1825, only four years after Fayette County was established. And as Breest noted, the church records refer to Hopeful at the time of its founding as being on the “American frontier.”

Also at the rededication were elected officials from Fayette County and Fayetteville. One of those, Commissioner Pota Coston, called the restoration “a community effort and a labor of love.”

Hopeful Primitive Baptist Pastor Tim Mullins also gave brief remarks saying, “We are extremely grateful to all of the Hopeful volunteers, donors and supporters who turned a dream into reality.”

In all, it was quite a ceremony. Students sang and played a number of musical pieces and members of the local Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of Confederate Veterans presented the colors at the outset of the rededication and fired muskets at its conclusion.

After the ceremony ended, many got a photo of Beaune and her tree, all the way from the Palace at Versailles.