Sandy Grove AME is of the “two-tower” style, once common among Black churches in Georgia.
Sandy Grove AME was organized by freedmen circa 1875, and as its name would imply, held its first meetings in a grove, or brush arbor as it is more commonly referred to in Georgia. They had an early association with Johnson Grove Methodist Church but acquired this property in 1875 and established their own congregation. They eventually built a small frame church, which was replaced with this structure in 1911.
Church interior
The church was a symbol of pride for the Black community in Warren County and architecturally, is perhaps the most significant remnant of a history that hasn’t yet been fully documented. The congregation held on for as long as it could but faced the same challenges affecting rural churches all over the country.
Sandy Grove School
Sandy Grove believed in the power of literacy and education, and like many rural Black congregations, they built their own school to educate as many children as they could. County-operated schools for African-Americans at the time were substandard at best and churches took up the slack.
Schoolhouse interior
These resources are among the most endangered in Georgia and it is sad to see them forgotten.
Church and school
Roof damage has created a permanent threat to the church building and its impacts may be irreparable. It is a real shame to see this important structure in this condition.
I’m posting the Sandy Grove AME Cemetery separate from the church and schoolhouse, due to the number of images. Like many rural cemeteries, it is kept up as best it can be. Small rural congregations of all races have dwindled greatly in the last generation, presenting a major challenge to the upkeep and survival of these landmarks. Cemeteries are avoided by many people. I consider them not only sacred spaces for obvious reasons, but works of art that invite quite contemplation.
Wilmon Shurley (1905-1983)
The memorials in Sandy Grove represent a variety of styles, from vernacular to commercial. These are presented in no particular order.
Wesley Rogers (1858-1924)
It’s highly likely that Mr. Rogers was born into slavery. Simple memorials like his are the most vulnerable to the elements and should all be documented.
William H. Brown (?-1945) and Fannie H. Brown (?-1943)
There are a number of commercial memorials in Sandy Grove, as well. This example notes when Mr. and Mrs. Brown passed, but I didn’t locate either of their birth dates.
Dawson Rivers (1838-1924) and Francis “Fannie” Aldridge Rivers (1849-1932)
Dawson and Fannie Rivers were both from mixed racial backgrounds and were prominent members of Sandy Grove. They had 14 children.
Nancy Francis Neely (1889-1918)
Memorials of this type are commonly found in rural cemeteries, and I enjoy documenting them. They add symbolic images to otherwise simple stenciled markers and are thus surrogates for the more costly commercial markers.
Lovie Ruff (1886-1917)
Sometimes, the names of those honored are their most fascinating legacy.
Benjamin Walker (1918-1918)
The lamb is often used on children’s gravestones.
D. C. Rogers (1915-1975) – Memorial by Eldren Bailey
I always document the work of Eldren Bailey when I find it. This and the next example were acquired through the Dawson Funeral Home.
Henry C. Murray (1916-1973) – Memorial by Eldren Bailey
Funeral homes acted as agents for Mr. Bailey’s work, I understand, and as a result various names appear on these iconic memorials.
Louise Howard (1876-1942)
The concrete markers with stenciled text are among the most commonly found types in many rural cemeteries. A sentiment is often added. On Mrs. Howard’s, it is: “Death is the Crown of Life”.
Willie Howard (1874-1953)
Mr. Howard’s epitaph is informative: “Servant of God 38 Years”.
Mary D. Rivers (1882-1947)
Mrs. Rivers’s memorial is quite typical, in contrast to her husband’s (below).
John Rivers (1871-1939)
Mr. Rivers’s headstone incorporates a triangle enclosing a mosaic of green and brown glass shards. Triangles can represent the Trinity in Christianity but also have Masonic connections. It’s impossible to discern from this photograph, but there is a small circle inside the triangle with rays radiating from its center. This may represent the Eye of God.
I turned down an old dirt road, just inside Warren County, and in getting back to the highway passed this amazing survivor. I presume it was a commissary as it appeared to be part of what was an historic farm site, near Little Brier Creek. It likely dates to the 1920s or 1930s.
These nice ladies, who were attending a fundraiser for the Knox Theatre renovation, reminded me of my grandmothers and so many Southern ladies I knew growing up, who had their hair done at the beauty shop every week and were always stylish and well-coiffed when seen in public. There aren’t many like them anymore.
I’m not sure how old this mural is, or if it’s just a replacement of an earlier version, but it’s typical of similar “ghost” murals found all over Georgia. They appear from time to time, sometimes after being hidden for decades.
Like the house in the previous post, this originated as a central hallway form and was later expanded. Barry Hyman noted in an earlier post that this was his grandfather’s house, but I haven’t been able to get more information.
I photographed this great building a few years ago and it’s still a mystery. It sits back in a field near Warrenton, and its layout is somewhat large for a standard saddlebag house. It’s possible that it was a residence, but also possible that it was something entirely different. Hopefully someone will know.
