Kuanita Evette Murphy states in her book, The History of the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church: From the Brush Arbor to the Sanctuary, that the congregation dates all the way back to 1834 and began as a brush arbor church. From the era of enslavement to the present day, Piney Grove has been a spiritual resource for its members and is among the oldest black congregations in present-day Randolph County.

There’s a large historic cemetery beside the church. The following memorials are presented randomly, for their vernacular importance.

The roots of this tree look like they’re going to topple this nice old vernacular headstone.

These two memorials by renowned sculptor Eldren Bailey were purchased through the Haugabrooks Funeral Home in Atlanta.

It’s in a beautifully secluded location, far back in the woods down hilly roads of orange-red clay. This area of northwestern Randolph County is known locally as the Upper Corner. This historic congregation is still very active.