After the Civil War, the enslaved people of nearby Midway Congregational Church formed their own congregations throughout the county. The African-American community chose names based on the South Carolina locations where they came from, including Dorchester and Beech Hill. At some point, the spelling of Beech Hill was changed to Beach Hill. I haven’t been able to find a date for the organization of this congregation, but it would likely be circa 1865-1870, a common establishment date for the Freedmen churches of the area. In fact, Beach Hill is very close to the historic Freedman Grove community. The present church, originally a wood-framed structure, features the iconic “wedding cake” steeple often found in historic Black churches.
I have been inside this small church. It was packed that day, honoring the life and legacy of a local, Steve Mullis, who was at the time the President of Coastal Electric Cooperative, just a few miles down the road in Midway.
This church is still very much active in the community.
Rafe Semmes
Midway GA