Golaghat district boasts of a galaxy of literary geniuses who had made remarkable contributions to the  causes of Assamese Literature.

The most prominent writer of the 19th century who hailed from Golaghat was Hem Chandra Barua, the  writer of Assamese dictionary 'HEMKOSH'. He was born in village Rajabahar of Dergaon area. Besides writing a number of textbooks in Assamese grammar etc. his two satires  earned  much  acclaim.   Barua  is  also  accepted  as harbinger of modernism in Assam not only in his writings but also in his approach to life.

Raghunath Mahanta, Satradhikar of Doyang Alengi Satra of Golaghat, was another writer of 19th century who composed three masterpieces namely ' SHATRUNJOY KAVYA', 'ADBHOOT RAMAYAN' and 'KATHA RAMAYAN'. One noteworthy poet of Ahom age who hailed from Golaghat was Durgeswar Dwiji. He composed a book titled 'SANGKHOSUR BADH'.

Hem Chandra Goswami, who is regarded as one of the outstanding writers of the late 19th century and early twentieth century. He is first 'SONNET' writer of Assamese language. The poem was 'PRIYATOMMAR CHITHI'. The honour of first Assamese poetess as well as first Assamese short story writer amongst women writers went to Yamuneswari Khatoniar of Golaghat. Her poetry collection 'ARUN' was the first published book written by a woman poet.

Ghanashyam Barua of Golaghat who was also famous in the field of political arena as the first Central Minister of Assam translated Shakespeare's 'COMEDY OF ERRORS' into the Assamese language along with three of his associates. Kamal Chandra Sarma of Golaghat enjoyed the prestigious position of secretary of 'ASOMIYA BHASA UNNOTI SADHINI SABHA' established by the Assamese students at Calcutta. This organization is reckoned as the torchbearer of 'JONAKI ERA' of Assamese Literature. Yanumeswari's younger sister Rasheswari, younger brother Surendranath Saikia also enriched the Assamese literature with their writings.

Hari Parsad Barua who was more famous as an engineer also contributed a lot to  children literature. Krishna Prasad Duarah of Golaghat was the editor of 'BIJULI' , a magazine published from Calcutta in Assamese in late nineties. An important cum first progressive poet was Dhirendra Nath Dutta. His collection of poetry 'ABHIYAN' published in 1935 bore testimony of his modern and progressive outlook. Lakhsmi Nath Phukan, more known as journalist was a prolific writer. Siva Khatoniar of Golaghat was a man whose writings had an exceptional style and evoked much controversy in sixties. He even dared to prove that the uncle of Lachit Borphukan was a humanist in one of his thought provoking articles.

Syed Abdul Malik, the uncrowned king of Assamese literature also hailed from village Nahoroni of Golaghat. Till today no writer could achieve his distinction of writing so much books almost in all aspects of a Assamese Literature viz. short story, novel, satire, poem etc. He adorned the position of the president of Assam Sahitya Sabha. Malik received many prestigious awards including Sahitya Akademy, Sankar Dev Award, Xahityacharyya etc.

The other two worthy sons of Golaghat who adorned the presidentship of the Assam Sahitya Sabha are Kirtinath Hazarika and Dr. Nagen Saikia. Dr. Deva Prasad Barua the first Golaghatian to become the vice chancellor of Guwahati University is also a serious writer especially of socio - political topics. Mr. Nilamoni Phukan, who is recognized as one of the front ranking Assamese modern poets of the present era, is from Golaghat. So is Samir Tanti, another Assamese poet of eminence who hails from Bihora T.E. of Golaghat.

A few others who contributed a lot towards the Assamese Literature are Lakhikanta Mahanta, Purna Chandra Goswami, Dr Upen Kakoty, Lolit Barua, Golap Khound, Premadhar Dutta etc.

The Golaghat Sahitya Sabha is one of the oldest Sabhas of Assam Sahitya Sabha that came into existence in 1918. The first president of the Sabha was Ghanashyam Barua. The Sabha has its own building at Ward No 9 of Golaghat town near the circuit house.  The office building is named after Hemchandra Goswami, the outstanding writer of 'Jonaki Era'. This Sabha invited the annual session of the main Sabha twice to Golaghat one in 1929 and another in 1978.   The 'Phulchand Khandelwal Integration Award', 'Tillotama Barua Award',  'Rajendranath Barua Award' are given from the sabha every year, every 4th year and every year respectively. The Phulchand Khandelwal Award is given to those writers who enrich Assamese Literature with the message of integrity. The recipients till date are Govinda Chandra Paira, Hariprasad Gurka Rai and Yasha Dorjee Thongchi.

The Tillotama Barua Award is given to those writers of Golaghat district who contribute towards ancient Assamese culture and literature. The recipients till date are Pradip Chaliha, Dr Mohini Kumar Saikia, Bisheswar Hazarika and Lecham Turung. The RN Barua Award is given to the student who gets highest mark in Assamese in B A major from Dibrugarh University. The value in cash is Ten Thousand, Five Thousand and One Thousand respectively. Besides these, the organization regularly organizes different literary seminars, observes anniversaries of eminent writers etc. The present president of the Sabha is Dr. Ajit Barua and secretary is Prasanta Kumar Deka.

The presidents of the Sabha till date are Mohendra Nath Hazarika, Jiwan Das, Chidananda Saikia, Bhuban Chandra Saikia, Nanda Bora and Prafulla Bora. At present Prafulla Chandra Bora , a prolific short story writer is the president and Hemen Chandra Hazarika is the secretary.

Golaghat Baptist Church, one of the oldest and biggest Baptist Churches in Assam, which celebrated its Centenary Jubilee in 1999, came into being in December 1898. The pioneering man in this Great Venture was Dr. O. L. Swanson, a missionary from America, who had come to Assam in 1893 along with his wife. Dr. Swanson was assisted by a number of local people.

Activities & Services :

- The church holds regular devotional services and prayer services. Besides it holds special sessions from time to time on special occasions.

- The church has a full-time Evangelist to spread the Word of God.

- The church provides help and service with an open hand and heart to the needy and also to the victims of natural calamities.