James P. Cooper was united with the Baptist Church at Oakland, Georgia In July, 1892. He was baptized by Rev. P. L. Hudson in August, 1892. He was licensed to preach by vote of the church in 1900 at Mill's Chapel (Miller's Chapel?), Newnan, Georgia. On January 1, 1902 Rev. Cooper was called to the pastorate of Spalding Mills in Spalding County, Georgia.

James P. Cooper was ordained to the full work of the ministry on May 29, 1902 at Devotie Chapel Church in Griffin, Georgia. Presbytery consisting of the following ministers and deacons:
Rev. J. J. Burnett Deacon J. P. Nichols
Rev. J. W. Morrow Deacon W. A. Ballard
Rev. W. N. Kendrick Deacon W. R. Ballard
Rev. J. W. Butts Deacon W. G. Simmons
Rev. A. C. Smith Deacon D. Keheely

Brother J. W. Butts was elected moderator.
Brother A. C. Smith was elected clerk.
Sermon was preached by Rev. J. J. Burnett from Eph. 3-8.
Reading the scriptures and examination of church as tending(?) the moral ability(?) of
Brother Cooper by Rev. A. C. Smith.
Examination of candidate by Rev. J. J. Burnett.
Ordaining(?) prayer by Rev. W. N. Kendrick.
Presentation of Bible by Rev. J. W. Morrow.
Presentation(?) by Rev. J. P. Cooper

Spalding Mills, Griffin, Georgia Jan. 1, 1902 to Sept. 15, 1903

Baptisms:
6/29/1902
Davis Kent J. M. Hamric
Charlie Prichet Albert Echols
Cissero Prichet Monit Smith
Joseph Gaines Mary Gaines
Charlie Wilson Lizzie Toland

7/6/1902
Jesse Bell Arthur O. E. Wilson
Fannie Castleberry John Brown
Ida Bell Norris Prichet Willie Olives
Davis Philpman W. P. Burke
David Prichett Susie Morse
William Staham Katie Brown
Charlie Lewis Florence Collins
S. B. Drake Annie Hand

8/17/1902
Annie Teallin
5/13/1903
J. W. Jane Clara Pugh
E. S. Hickman Nola Hand

7/5/1903
J. W. Kent Nettie Whitley
L. L. Kent Sallie Whitley
J. J. Smith J. M. Prichett
Mary T. Parker Minnie Wiloghby
L. Dunn Susie Wiloghby Kent

1904
Maude Hollis
Georgia Abbot
Mrs. Cox

4/19/1903
Charlie Wilson and J. A. Abbott were ordained to the office of deacons.
On Sunday September 1906 (second) J. A Abbott was ordained to the full work of the ministry. The presbytery consisted of W. Kendrick, J. A. Abbott, J. P. Cooper, A. S. Kent, ?, W. J. Wilson, J. B. Barley, W. C. Clay, deacons.

Oak Hill, Griffin, Georgia 1902 to July, 1905

This church was organized September 14, 1902 by a presbytery consisting of Rev. J. B. Bennett, Rev. J. P. Cooper and deacons N. B. Drewry, J. P. Nichols, T. J. Collins, W. R. Ballard, D. Keherly and J. B. Bailey. N. B. Drewry was elected moderator and Rev. J. P. Cooper was made clerk. The question was asked by the moderator if they desired to organize a mission or an independent church. William T. Birk (?) answered that they wanted an independent church. Articles of faith, church covenant and rules of decorum by Rev. J. P. Cooper. the letters of those who desired to organize the church were collected and read. The right hand of church fellowship was extended by the moderator to the members in behalf of the presbytery. Rev. J. J. Bennett gave a charge to the church. A talk was given by D. Keherly. A minutes of the presbytery were read and adopted. The church was named Oak Hill. Sister Estelle Brooke was received as a candidate for baptism. The benediction was given by Rev. J. P. Cooper.

Baptisms:
8/31/1902
Thomas Moore Dora Moore Chappel
Allie Pelizani Irene Hand Ledbetter
Ida Moore Cody Minnie Mecko Wilson
Lizzie Crafford Wilifor Mattie Lee Taylor
Corine Taylor Mattee Brook
Robert Moore
9/14/1902 9/23/1902
Lila Moore Estelle Brooks

11/16/1902 2/15/1903
Susie Willouaghby Mrs. E. A. Brown

4/12/1903
George Reynolds James Moore
Fletcher Hand Grover Evans

4/16/1903
Charlie Hand Luther Kent
Clyde Kent May Daniel
Edna Cooper Helms Teala Cox

5/10/1903 9/20/1903
Essie M. Jimeson Idell Kennedy

10/18/1903
Docia Leach Sanford Leach
Emma Willoughby Safronia Davis

5/14/1904
Charley Davis
5/29/1904
Azzie Harris Epps Ethel Baker Martin
Katie ?ay Bowen Sadie Calloway
Norce Jarrell Kennedy

10/2/1904
Ethel Calaway Sally Martin Taylor
Mabelle Garrett Babe Nelnir
Aline Woods Reelie E. Creamer
Ninnie Creamer John Harris

4/1905
Bessie Wattai Nettie Willaby
Leila Malary Idel Bethune
Mattie Bethune Louisa Bethune
Mattie Moore

1904
James Moore and William F. Baruck were ordained as deacons.

Tirzah Church, Sunnyside, Georgia Feb. 1905 to Nov. 1905

Baptisms

8/4/1905
Boyd Wood

8/6/1905
L. Akin E. Smith
Mrs. Smith Pinkston Smith
Grady Smith Ben Stapleton

8/20/1905
Jessie Mitchell Balma Moore

9/17/1905
Ula Mitchell

Devalie Chapel, Griffin, Georgia Sept. 1905 to Sept. 1906

Baptisms

1903 10/1/1905
Mrs. Taltum Linnie Gowan

5/20/1906
Winnie Norris Hand

7/1/1906
Francis Butler Maggie Butler

7/8/1906
Lizzie Hale

4/1906
Almmo Kirkland was ordained to the office of deacon.

Funerals conducted by Rev. Cooper in Spalding County, Georgia

July 8, 1902 Ed Griffin(?) at Spalding Mills, Griffin, GA.
July 2_, 1902 Barbara Hales, Griffin, GA.
Aug. 6, 1902 _____ Calaway, Hampton, GA.
Aug. 20, 1902 Charles Willoughby, Hampton, GA.
Aug. 22, 1902 Malinda(?) Kinney, Griffin, GA.
April 26, 1903 Mahalie(?) Willoughby, Griffin, GA.
Sept. 7, 1903 Esther(?) Pelizenci, Griffin, GA.
Sept. 16, 190 Annie Pearl Pritchett, Griffin, GA.
Oct. 23, 1903 Olin Barnett, Griffin, GA.
Dec. 17, 1903 Mary ? Walker, Griffin, GA.
Sept. 17, 190 Mrs. Phelpman, Griffin, GA.
Nov. 1905 Mrs. Mitchell, Sunnyside, GA.
1906 Thomas Sluer (?) County Line Church, Brookatage (?)
Feb. 6, 1906 George Greer baby Experiment, GA.
1906 Emma Willoughby, Griffin, GA.
1906 Mat. Carnell baby, Experiment, GA.
1906 Miss ??nest, Experiment, GA.

Marriages performed by Rev. Cooper in Spalding County, Georgia

7/3/1902 Ed Fallen and Annie Muffat, Spalding Mills
7/3/1902 Emanual Pritchett and Flora Moore, Spalding Mills
7/27/1902 James O. Leach and Bettie L. Jordan , West Griffin 14th St., Griffin, GA
8/11/1902 E. H. Johnson and Fannie Iles at Spalding Mills
9/21/1902 Gobe Corder and Lena Marible at Spalding Mills
10/2/1902 Columbus Williams and Minatoria Barnett at Spalding Mills
10/19/1902 Davis Kent and Sallie Reaves at Spalding Mills
11/2/1902 James Irvin and Mary ?olcomb at Spalding Mills
4/19/1903 W. T. Thompson and Izola Smith at Spalding Mills
5/25/1903 W. H. Hicks and Bertha Stanley at Spalding Mills
6/7/1903 W. O. Horn and Mattie Adams at Spalding Mills
12/24/1903 Dan Pritchett and Lucy Upshaw at Spalding Mills
1/3/1904 George Lewis and Rosie Singleton at Kincaid Mills in Griffin, GA
1/24/1904 W. A. Stathams and Anna Brown at 14th St., Griffin, GA
3/13/1904 James Moore and Mattie Martin at 14th St., Griffin, GA
5/30/1904 John W. Martin and Ethel Baker at 14th St., Griffin, GA
7/10/1904 L. L. Register and Susie Wiliford at Oak Hill
7/31/1904 I. J. Caloway and Ada Westmoreland at 14th St., Griffin, GA
8/3/1904 John Norton and Tilla Garrett in the road near Oak Hill Church
9/4/1904 R. W. Jimerson and Essie Norton at Oak Hill
10/2/1904 C. S. Bullard and Nellie Creamer at West Griffin
10/2/1904 Walter Gresham and Annie Sulivan at 13th St, Griffin, GA
12/28/1904 N. H. Pass and Cornelia Leach at West Griffin
4/20/1905 Leroy Martin and Annie May Dean at West Griffin
5/28/1905 W. E. Gardner and Tat McCoy at 13th St, Griffin, GA
6/11/1905 John F. Harris and Annie May Gray at 14th St, Griffin, GA
8/13/1905 Augustus Kent and Susie wiioughby at Sugar Hill, Griffin, GA
9/17/1905 Glem L. Willis and Mara Lee Allen at Kinkaid Mills, Experiment, GA
10/22/1905 Elsie Kent and Zood Lewis at 13th St, Griffin, GA
12/17/1905 Lorenzo Jameron and Rosie Heygood at Rushton Mills, Griffin, GA
12/20/1905 Tilla Brown and Ola Bob at 18th St, Griffin, GA
1/21/1906 George Holloway and Katie Morris at Rushton Mills, Griffin, GA
1/21/1906 Person Cody and Ida Moore at Rushton Mills, Griffin, GA
2/25/1906 Edgar Young and Lena May Butler 33 N. 6th St. Griffin, GA
4/7/1906 John Hamilton and Nancy Rethune at Sugar Hill, Griffin, GA
9/9/1906 George W. Ledbetter and Sarah L. Reese Boyd and Maughan Mills, Griffin, GA
9/16/1906 Jettie McCullaugh and Leona Henderson Guilly St. Griffin, GA

Rev. Cooper moved with his family to Athens, GA between September 16 and October 1, 1906. He began serving East Athens Babtist on October 1, 1906. He remained in the Athens area until his death in 1932