Formed in 1849 as the Vienna Episcopal Methodist Church, Vienna United Methodist Church is today located in this beautiful Gothic Revival landmark. It’s the third location to house the congregation.
Vienna Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This was restored by the Vienna Historic Preservation Society and is now used as the Vienna Cultural Center.
Vienna Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The foundation stone reads: Shady Grove, C. M. E. Church, Draton [misspelled] , Ga. Built Sept. 1911 By Reverend R. M. Mathews. Pastor, Rev. Lee O’ Neal; L. H. Holsey, D. D.; Bishop C. M. Cross; Committee G. W. McKenzie, J. F. Key, T. F. Little, Tom Jones. The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1870 with the support of the leaders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Regarding this history of Drayton Methodist, the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church notes: When this church was built, Drayton, in Dooly County, was a village of several stores, saloon, post office, and courthouse. In 1840, the present church was built with land deeded in 1848. Mrs. Temlie Brooks recalled that as a nine-year-old in the 1800s, she attended regularly sitting in the balcony. When the church for black members was built across Turkey Creek, the same preacher served both churches for a time. Today, asbestos siding protects the outside, electric lights replace the two kerosene lamps, (one for the preacher, the other for the people) and the pump organ is silent.
This congregation was established in 1854 as Shiloh Baptist Church. It was renamed Drayton Baptist Church in 1889.
Located between Unadilla and Pinehurst, this tiny vernacular chapel sits at the rear of a pecan orchard and in front of a cotton field. There’s a cemetery beside it, as well as wooden dinner-on-the-grounds tables. This congregation apparently still meets the third Sunday of each month.
This congregation was organized as Friendship M. E. Church by Thomas Sweatinger, before Byromville was incorporated. Two structures, located elsewhere, were built before 1855, when a wooden church was built at this location. Construction of the present church began in 1908, though it wasn’t completed until 1912. Reverend Charles G. Earnest was pastor at the time.
Though no longer used as a church in the traditional sense, this landmark is used for receptions, reunions and the like.
Lilly Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This beautiful church was built by a local man, Perry G. Busbee, who was the father of Governor George Busbee.
Lilly Historic District, National Register of Historic Places