Grace Baptist Church is an important vernacular Gothic Revival church and has been a landmark of Darien’s Gullah-Geechee community since its construction circa 1910-1915. Though segregated, the community was well-established in Darien and several architecturally significant historic churches from the first generations after Emancipation can still be found throughout the historic district, including First African Baptist, St. Cyprian’s, and St. John Baptist. A petition to to save the church can be accessed and signed here. According to Missy Brandt Wilson, notable names associated with the church include the Bleach and Stewart families, who found their way back to relatives in Darien after being sold during the Weeping Time, and W. H. Rogers, the only African-American member of the Georgia General Assembly in 1907.
In recent years, it was home to Emmanuel House of Prayer in Historic Grace, but the congregation has apparently been inactive for a long time. A tree fall impacted the rear section of the building a few years ago and lack of repair has led to encroachment of wildlife and vegetation. The collapsed section of roof is evident and has begun “pushing out” the left side of the cruciform. As a result, the city of Darien has designated the property dangerous and unfit, and will likely condemn it in the near future. Their concern is understandable, but hopefully, they will work with advocates who want to see it saved.
The stained glass windows are thought to have been placed during the 1930s.
They are perhaps the most endearing feature of the design.
Though they look damaged, most are in good condition. The blur effect is from plastic placed on the windows to protect from moisture. Note the collapsing roof at the right in this photo.
I think the loss of this resource would be a tragedy, not just for its aesthetic value but for its historic connections.
Since I don’t know what is being planned, I can only hope that signing a petition will help in a small way. Saving the church should at least be something the city will consider. It’s definitely worth saving.
Vernon Square-Columbus Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
It was purchased and is in the process of restoration. Hallelujah 🙂
Brian, I have good news to report! I was in Darien today(passing through) and made a point to stop by and check on the status of this building. Happily, substantial progress has been made on saving this important structure.
A chain-link fence surrounds it, the roof has been rebuilt, and the sacristy at the rear has been stabilized, though not yet repaired. I had seen the church when the tree was still on it (it was a big one), so getting this far along this quickly is just phenomenal.
I don’t know where the funding came from, or who was responsible, but it looks to me like the rebuilding is maybe 85-90% done, and work is likely underway to complete the project with regard to the small portion at the rear.
Darien is a small town, with limited resources. But the people there are friendly, resourceful and tenacious. My wife was a member of the McIntosh County Rotary Club, through her job, many years ago. I met the nicest group of people through that initial introduction to Rotary Club — and later joined a club in Savannah because of that experience with the McIntosh County Club.
I will never forget the annual end-of-year dinner they held to celebrate what they had done that year. The president was a mild-mannered fellow who worked for Darien Telephone Co., and spoke for something like 20 minutes, outlining all the projects that small club (22 members) had accomplished: community projects, various school-support projects, etc. I was astonished. I could go on and on.
So, I know they can do a lot. I am glad to see the community has rallied to save this simple but important building.
Has there been any move towards establishing a fund to work on ensuring its restoration? I would donate.
A frame building is the easiest to repair and restore. I hope someone in the community will see that and step up. If I lived in Georgia and had the money, i would do it.
Start by putting up a big blue tarp.