This historic African-American congregation near Cox was established in the 1890s but that’s all the information I’ve been able to locate so far. I’m guessing there was an earlier Woodland Church, hence the name.
Grace Baptist Church is an important vernacular Gothic Revival church and has been a landmark of Darien’s Gullah-Geechee community since its construction circa 1910-1915. Though segregated, the community was well-established in Darien and several architecturally significant historic churches from the first generations after Emancipation can still be found throughout the historic district, including First African Baptist, St. Cyprian’s, and St. John Baptist. According to Missy Brandt Wilson, notable names associated with the church include the Bleach and Stewart families, who found their way back to relatives in Darien after being sold during the Weeping Time, and W. H. Rogers, the only African-American member of the Georgia General Assembly in 1907.
In recent years, it was home to Emmanuel House of Prayer in Historic Grace, but the congregation has apparently been inactive for a long time. A tree fall impacted the rear section of the building a few years ago and lack of repair has led to encroachment of wildlife and vegetation. The collapsed section of roof is evident and has begun “pushing out” the left side of the cruciform. As a result, the city of Darien has designated the property dangerous and unfit, and will likely condemn it in the near future. Their concern is understandable, but hopefully, they will work with advocates who want to see it saved.
The stained glass windows are thought to have been placed during the 1930s.
They are perhaps the most endearing feature of the design.
Though they look damaged, most are in good condition. The blur effect is from plastic placed on the windows to protect from moisture. Note the collapsing roof at the right in this photo.
I think the loss of this resource would be a tragedy, not just for its aesthetic value but for its historic connections.
Since I don’t know what is being planned, I can only hope that signing a petition will help in a small way. Saving the church should at least be something the city will consider. It’s definitely worth saving.
Update: As of 2026, the church is being restored, a big win for preservation in Darien.
Vernon Square-Columbus Square Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church is the only representative congregation of the Alabaha Association Crawfordites in McIntosh County. It was established in 1873 but little else is known about it. It is no longer active but the cemetery is still used for burials.
Like all of the Crawfordite meeting houses, Wayfair is free of ornament and any modern creature comforts.
Members of this faith believed that such enhancements distracted from worship.
The carpentry skills of the members are on full display in each of these meeting houses, and Wayfair is no exception.
These photographs were made in 2012; they were originally posted on Vanishing South Georgia.
This church was constructed between 1979-1983, likely replacing an earlier building. I believe it was established by Freedmen from nearby plantations. Set in a beautiful grove of moss-draped oaks, its of a style typical among African-American congregations in Coastal Georgia. [“Carneghan” is a phonetic spelling of Carnochan The community was named for William Carnochan, who was an early industrialist and enslaver on the McIntosh coast. It has been changed to “Carnigan” on modern maps.]
Arguably Darien’s most beautiful church, St. Cyprian’s can trace its origins to the years of devastation following the Civil War. Reverend Dr. James Wentworth Leigh arrived in the area from Great Britain in 1873 and initiated a project to provide a church for the freedmen of Darien. Donations came from Europe, Philadelphia, and elsewhere to assist the fledgling congregation in their quest to build a suitable home. They named their church St. Cyprian’s for the martyred African Bishop. Using the construction techniques they knew best, the men of St. Cyprian’s built the church using tabby and brick. It is one of the most significant tabby structures still in use.
Darien Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This remote community was first settled in the 1880s by James H. Young and Samuel B. Rowe, son of Fred and Margaret Young Rowe (1839-death date unknown). Because it was located on high ground in a low-lying swamp, it came to be known as Youngs Island. Farming and rice cultivation were the primary economic focus of the area until the Warsaw Lumber Company sawmill provided employment in the 1920s. The church was likely established around 1920, as that is the date of the earliest marked burial in the cemetery. The present structure dates to 1965.
First African Baptist Church of Harris Neck was organized by Reverend Andrew Neal in 1867.
This is now a private residence.
