According to Lorraine Frederick Minton, whose great-great-great-grandfather, Francis Eugene Flanders founded the church, it was designed with a “Quaker Heart”. Flanders was a circuit rider. Her great-great-great-great-grandfather, Richard Drake, was the architect. She notes: It was originally built on the other side of the “swamp” and later pulled by oxen and placed on logs to cross the swamp and placed where it is today. The original church records are now reported to be stored at Lake Junaluska, NC.
Bartow UMC was organized on 18 July 18 1879. In the late 1890’s the church was moved into the town of Bartow. The original church building was torn down and rebuilt.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
Brian, Thank you so much. I love to acknowledge the contributions our ancestors made for us. I appreciate your pictures and postings.
It underwent a significant restoration/ renovation around 1980-1981 or so, mostly done by my father’s brother, Zade Bernard “Buddy” Gross.
Do you have any info on the age of this church Brian? It is a lovely little building…it has details and proportions that make it appear that it might be a mid 19th century structure that has had a mid 20th century steeple added.
I’ve not found anything yet, Ben. It is a wonderful church, and I’d agree on 19th century. Not sure about the steeple, but it is interesting on its own. It’s a shake(shingle) steeple.
That might put the steeple early 20th century, but I don’t think it was always there. I may be wrong…it surely wouldn’t be the first time or, hopefully, the last! It is certainly another example of how the master carpenters of the past were better “architects” than some of the licensed architects of today.
Here is what I know about the church. It was founded by my GGG grandfather, Francis Eugene Flanders who was a circuit rider, and the architect was Richard Drake, my GGGG grandfather. It was designed with a “Quaker heart” according to Francis Eugene. It was originally built on the other side of the “swamp” and later pulled by oxen and placed on logs to cross the swamp and placed where it is today. The original church records are now reported to be stored at Lake Junaluska, NC.
Thanks, Loraine. I shared this information on the website!