This landmark near the Savannah River has often been identified as Smith (Smith’s) Chapel, but further research indicates it was actually the Smith Chapel schoolhouse. Its architecture is typical for a rural schoolhouse of the early 1900s.
A 1989 Georgia Historic Resources Survey notes that the church was torn down at some point and this building was used for a society meeting hall. The sign someone added in recent years notes that the church was established on 28 July 1911. The resource survey dates this structure to circa 1934.
Old school bus seats used as benches or pews are a fascinating feature, something I’ve never encountered before. They wouldn’t have been here originally. Nationally famous outsider/folk artist Leonard Jones painted the sign in tribute to the congregation. His work on tin is widely collected. George W. Bush owns one.
The painting at bottom left gives an idea of what the church looked like, a typical vernacular church with a steeple.
