A Georgia Historical Society marker placed in 1956 notes: This church, originally known as “Bird’s Chapel,” was founded in 1826 as the first church in the newly formed town of Crawfordville. It was an outgrowth of the now defunct Powder Creek Meeting House near Sandy Cross, which came into existence about 1805. “Bird’s Chapel” was ministered to by the Rev. Williamson Bird, Jr., who built and lived in the house now known as “Liberty Hall,” the home of Alexander Hamilton Stephens. This chapel, originally located at the corner of what is now Jackson and Askin Streets, was later moved closer in to town for the convenience of its members. It was disbanded just before the War Between the States due to the moving away of many of its members, but was re-formed by the Rev. Allen Thomas, in 1876, on the southwest corner of the Liberty Hall lawn on land donated by Alexander H. Stephens. By 1911, this old church was outgrown and a new and larger building was built a half-block north of this present site; that building was destroyed by a cyclone in 1918. The present building, of Greek Colonial design, was erected in 1920.
The church is a wonderful example of the use of Greek Revival architecture in public buildings in the early 20th century.
Crawfordville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Does anyone know if they still hold services in this church? I am related to Rev. Williamson Bird, Jr and would love to visit sometime. 🙂
My 4th great grandfather Willian Janes gave land for the original site of this church. He gave land for Crawfordville Baptist and cemetery as well as for the town of Crawfordville to be established in Taliaferro County, the area formally having been WilkesCounty. The late historian Mell Lunceford calls Janes the founding father of Crawfordville. William Janes’ son helped to found Mercer College now University and his grandson was Georgia’s First Commissioner of Agriculture. Their ancestors came to New Haven, CT from Essex, England, in 1638 to help found the colony there.
Was William Janes married to Selah Gresham? She was the sister of my 4th great grandfather Archibald Gresham.
Yes, she was. Would you like to contact me? Thank you.
Thanks for replying! I was doing some genealogy work years ago and I remembered the name William Janes. Archibald Gresham was a member of the Georgia state senate in the 1830s (representing Taliaferro County) and an inferior court judge.
Have you ever seen a picture of Selah Gresham Janes and William Janes home in Crawfordville? I’ve been looking quite a while for a picture. It was probably build around 1800 or so but torn down in 1901. It was at the time the oldest house in Crawfordville.
I’ve never seen a picture of the house, but it would certainly be exciting to find one. Did you try the Georgia state archives? I believe they have a large collection of old photographs.
I haven’t seen a picture of the house, but it would be exciting to find one. Did you check the Georgia state archives? They have a large collection of old photographs.
Thank you for the suggestion, but I don’t think they do. If I lived close to the GA Archives would go look. Online collections from Morrow don’t show one. Probably some Crawforville families have one.
I live about an hour away from the Georgia archives; I’m planning to visit in the near future and I’ll share anything I find.
Do you know where William and Selah are buried?
Yes, they are buried just outside of Crawfordville. I have been there.