Tag Archives: Churches of Bleckley County GA

Brown Hill Baptist Church, Bleckley County

2 Replies

Brown Hill Baptist is the oldest African-American congregation in Bleckley County. According to the sign, and other Bleckley County sources, it dates to circa 1795. This is an extremely early date for any congregation in this area and probably needs further documentation. Such an early date would suggest that the congregation was likely established on a plantation by enslaved people. The present structure is of much more recent construction. The church also had a school until 1969. That structure now stands on the grounds of Bleckley County Middle School.

Longstreet Methodist Church, Circa 1812, Bleckley County

1 Reply

The historic marker reads: Longstreet Methodist Church was organized around 1812 and the original building is still in use. Land for the church was given by Charles Walker, one of the five sons of George Walker, Revolutionary soldier and early settler. The sons built on a three and a half mile stretch of the “Federal Stage and Post Road” that became known as “Longstreet.” Two acres of land were given by Mr. Walker, one for a church and one for a school. The school was abandoned and its land reverted to the church. There is an old cemetery in the rear of the church.

Like nearby Evergreen Baptist, this church deserves listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The construction date is contemporary with the founding of the congregation.

There is a small cemetery behind the church, but few grave markers remain.

 

Evergreen Baptist Church, 1844, Bleckley County

1 Reply

An historic marker placed in 1955 is located at the entrance to this vernacular Greek Revival church off U.S. Highway 23 north of Cochran. It reads: Evergreen Baptist Church, built in 1844, was split off from old Mt. Horeb Baptist Church, constituted October 15, 1809, which stood at or near the site of the Centenary Methodist Church. On February 14, 1844, the congregation and pastor found themselves locked out of the church by a Brother Burkhalter. Most of the congregation, considered “Mission-minded,” formed a new church, called it Evergreen and constructed this building in 1844. In slavery days Negroes walked for miles to attend its services. In 1864 Negro members outnumbered White, 130 to 86.

The slave gallery is still intact, evidence of a large planter class in the area. And considering the large number of enslaved people in the area, they were undoubtedly involved in the construction of the church, from timber harvesting and milling to framing and finishing. Hopefully, the congregation will work to have the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the future.