Tag Archives: Churches of Emanuel County GA

Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church, 1923, Emanuel County

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Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church was established in 1860. That date would suggest a plantation-based congregation; if just after the Civil War and the 1860 date is a bit off, it was a Freedmen church. Either way, it’s one of the most historic African-American churches in Emanuel County. A cornerstone placed on 20 May 1923 leads me to believe that 1923 was the date the present structure was erected. Rev. W. M. Kelley was the pastor at the time. Trustees were: S. W. Wadkins; J. F. Williams; and J. O. Oglesby. Stewards were: J. M. Ross; E. D. Oglesby; C. L. Oglesby; S. A. Ross; Rosa Pierce; and D. R. Williams. The Auxiliary were: J. E. Pierce; C. L. Clark; and and N. A. Blunt.

A newer cornerstone indicates that a renovation was completed in 2003. It’s a beautiful church and churchyard with an adjacent cemetery. The old oak out front is a landmark itself.

Garfield United Methodist Church, Circa 1905

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In 1905, Garfield Methodist Church was organized by Rev. E. C. Willis, as part of three church circuit. There was an Epworth League and a large Sunday school program. The church was involved in local and foreign mission work. I believe the congregation is still active.

The structure is a vernacular form with Gothic windows. The original clapboard veneer has been sided with vinyl, which is unfortunate, but the church is nonetheless a nice landmark in Garfield.

Dellwood United Methodist Church, 1890s, Emanuel County

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This classic rural Georgia church was built during the 1890s and for most of its history was home to the Dellwood M. E. and later Dellwood United Methodist Church. In recent years, it was home to the Son Light Inn congregation but appears to be empty at this time. The boxed returns on the front gable, as well as the narrow two over two windows are the distinguishing architectural features of the building.

When I encounter a place like this, I think of all the families who spent time here over the years and of how difficult it must have been to abandon the place when there weren’t enough people to keep it open. It’s perhaps the most significant historic structure remaining the Dellwood community and I hope it will be preserved.

Brinson Rock Baptist Church, Circa 1915, Emanuel County

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I’m not sure when this congregation was established, but this historic structure dates to circa 1915. The enclosed vestibule and rear hall were added circa 1965. The vinyl siding is obviously quite recent.

I don’t know if Brinson Rock is a religious reference or honors some nearby geologic feature. Historically, sandstone and clay outcrops were notable enough in the area to be documented by geologists, so the second option is a possibility.

Green Grove Church, Circa 1920, Emanuel County

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I’ve really only been able to locate a name and approximate date for this vernacular church. The Green Grove Church building was originally sided with clapboard, then covered with false brick siding [tar paper]. The present veneer was probably added in the past 20 or 30 years. Though it’s slightly larger than the praise houses of the coast and low country, it is very similar. It may also be a Freedmen church.

Noah’s Ark A. M. E. Church, Circa 1915, Emanuel County

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Though the present structure was built circa 1915, Donald Jenkins states that “Noah’s Ark was founded in 1866. The two prominent founders were Caesar Williams and Henry Whitaker.”

The years just after the Civil War saw the emergence of many Black congregations, as newly emancipated men and women could finally worship on their own and not under the watchful eye of plantation owners. Historic Black church structures are some of the least documented and most endangered places within our built environment, and I’m fascinated by their architecture. It is usually vernacular but embellished with individual interpretations of Gothic and other common church styles, as is the case with Noah’s Ark A. M. E.

Regular services haven’t been held here since 2003, when the congregation merged with Saint Paul A. M. E. in nearby Summertown, but the remaining members and their families have obviously taken pride in this wonderful old building. A new roof is a sign that it will be preserved.

Saint Paul-Noah’s Ark A. M. E. Church, Summertown

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This structure was built circa 1900 and has been home for many years to Saint Paul A. M. E. Church and is now also home to the surviving congregation of Noah’s Ark A. M. E. [I’ll share a photo of the amazing Noah’s Ark church soon.] I haven’t been able to identify any other church associated with this building, but the style is not very consistent with other A. M. E. churches I’ve documented and wonder if it may have originally been home to a white congregation. Most A. M. E. churches of this era featured steeples at the front of the building.

According to a “Church of the Week” feature in the Crossroads Chronicle, an online local news source for Emanuel County: Donald Jenkins at Saint Paul/Noah’s Ark AME Church…[stated] Saint Paul was established in 1874. Some of its earliest members were Edmond Williams, Jerry Wiggs, and Andrew Brown, to name a few.

St. Paul Church, Emanuel County

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Springfield Missionary Baptist Church, 1915, Oak Park

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This congregation was established in 1906.

Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, Canoochee

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This congregation was established as Mt. Gilead Baptist in 1891. A Masonic cornerstone indicates restoration or expansion was done in 1975.