Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church is an historic Black congregation in southwestern Jenkins County, established in 1909. This chapel was replaced by a newer structure across the road in 1999 but still stands beside the cemetery.
Established in 1842, the congregation of Elam Baptist Church was a major factor in the settlement of the surrounding area. The original church is no longer standing but congregants moved into the old school, saving it in the process.
This historic congregation was established in 1872.
This historic lodge is among the most significant African-American resources in Jenkins County, and though it is endangered, is not too far gone for restoration. It likely served as a school, lodge, and community center for the adjacent church, which I was unable to photograph.
Francis Jones brought his family from North Carolina to this section of Georgia before the Revolutionary War and the family has maintained land and been involved in its social and religious development ever since. His four great-grandsons, Henry, William, Joseph, and James, were responsible for the construction of Fair Haven, which stands today as one of the great architectural treasures of rural Georgia.
This congregation dates to 1885.
This small cemetery is located across the road from the church.
It is possible that some burials are obscured, but there are no records to support that idea.
The memorials are typical of the early Victorian era.
The names of the decedents would suggest that most were related, giving it the feel of a family cemetery.
This historic Black church has long been a part of the Emmalane community.
As seen in this 1970s photograph, the church originally featured two steeples, removed sometime later.
There is scant information to be found on the history of Scarboro or the Scarboro Baptist Church, but considering its early date, the church has been integral to the life of the community. I have not been able to confirm a construction date for the church but the congregation was organized in 1854.
As to Scarboro, the Georgia Historical Society noted on the historic marker it placed in 1951: This is one of the older settlements in this part of Georgia having been established sometime prior to 1840 and receiving its name from Enoch or Hardy Scarborough of Screven County. In 1839 it became Station No. 7 on the Central Rail Road and served this one of the very oldest rail roads in the United States as a refueling station for over 30 years. During the War Between the States, Gen. Sherman’s Army [USA] camped alongside the railroad here on the night of Dec. 3, 1864. The Scarboro Baptist Church was organized in 1854. About 1/2 mile east of here stands the old Woods’ house constructed in part about ten years before the War Between the States.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 