If you’ve lived in Middle Georgia for a minute, you know the name. Mabel White Baptist Church wasn't just a building on Bass Road; it was a local powerhouse. At its peak, this place was massive. We're talking thousands of members, a multi-million dollar budget, and a televised reach that made it a household name across Macon.
But honestly, if you drive past 1415 Bass Road today, things look a little different. The signs have changed. The leadership has shifted. There's a lot of confusion about whether the church still exists or if it just vanished into the "Rock Springs" brand.
The Story Behind the Name
Most people don't realize the church actually started as a mission of First Baptist Church in 1900. It wasn't officially named Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church until 1906. Who was Mabel White? She was the daughter of Dr. Ebenezer W. Warren, a prominent pastor in the area.
For decades, the church was the epicenter of traditional Southern Baptist life in Macon. Under the leadership of Reverend Jimmy Waters, who took over in the mid-20th century, the congregation exploded. Waters was a local legend. He wasn't just a preacher; he was the chaplain for the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department and the police. He understood that a church has to be more than just a Sunday morning social club.
He took Mabel White from 800 members to nearly 4,000. That’s huge for Macon. He even pioneered "The Victory Hour," a televised service that brought the gospel into living rooms long before "megachurch" was a buzzword.
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The Turning Point and the Rock Springs Era
Churches change. They age. Neighborhoods shift. By the early 2020s, Mabel White was going through some growing pains and identity shifts. For a while, the campus was known as Turning Point at Mabel White. It became a hybrid of sorts—a legacy church trying to navigate a modern landscape.
Then came the big change.
In January 2025, Rock Springs Church officially launched its Macon campus at the old Mabel White location. If you’re looking for the traditional "Mabel White Baptist Church" experience today, you’re basically looking at Rock Springs Church - Macon.
What the campus looks like now:
- Massive Scale: We are talking 65,000 square feet on 38 acres of prime real estate near I-75.
- Concert Venue Status: Because of the incredible acoustics and seating, the sanctuary still doubles as a major venue for Christian artists like Danny Gokey and Tasha Layton.
- Modern Vibe: The pews are still there in many areas, but the energy is definitely more contemporary worship than 1950s hymnal.
Why People Still Search for Mabel White
You might wonder why the name persists when the sign has changed. It's simple: legacy. For many Macon families, Mabel White is where they were baptized, where they got married, or where they said goodbye to loved ones. You can't just scrub a century of history off a ZIP code.
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The transition to Rock Springs was actually a strategic move to keep the facility active. Instead of letting a 65,000-square-foot building sit empty or turn into a Spirit Halloween, the leadership paved the way for a new era of ministry. Under Pastor Benny Tate, the Rock Springs network has revitalized several struggling or transitioning locations.
Practical Info for Visiting the Current Campus
If you're planning to head over there this Sunday, here’s the deal. Don't look for a tiny country church. Look for the massive complex right off the Bass Road exit.
Address: 1415 Bass Road, Macon, GA 31210
Current Identity: Rock Springs Church (Macon Campus)
Service Times: Usually 11:00 AM on Sundays, with small groups scattered throughout the week.
The acoustics in the sanctuary are still some of the best in Middle Georgia. If you catch a touring worship band there, the sound is crisp and the sightlines are solid. It’s got that "big church" feel without feeling like you're sitting in a cold, impersonal stadium.
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What to expect if you go:
- Plenty of Parking: You won't have to fight for a spot; the lot is sprawling.
- Kid-Friendly Spaces: They’ve invested heavily in the "RS Kids" areas.
- Community Focus: Despite the size, they still run recovery ministries and local outreach programs, much like the original Mabel White mission.
Actionable Steps for the Community
If you have history with the old Mabel White and haven't been back since the transition, it’s worth a visit just to see the renovations. The 2025 relaunch brought a lot of fresh paint and tech upgrades to the space.
For those looking for historical records—like old baptismal certificates or membership rolls from the 1900s—you'll likely want to contact the Rock Springs administrative offices at the Bass Road location. They’ve worked to maintain the archives of the original congregation.
Finally, if you're a local history buff, keep an eye on the Georgia Historical Society. They’ve documented the church’s origins as an offshoot of First Baptist, and it’s a fascinating look at how Macon’s religious landscape has shifted over the last 125 years. The name Mabel White might be fading from the roadside signage, but the impact of that 1902 mission still defines a huge part of North Macon's community life today.