This historic African-American congregation is located near Kimbrough, just inside the Stewart County line.
Bethel A. M. E. Church, Stewart County
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Tag Archives: Churches of Stewart County GA
Louvale Church Row, Stewart County
As you’ll see in the following posts, Louvale’s Church Row (a National Register Historic Site) is one of the most historic and unique religious landmarks in Georgia. The marker placed by the Chattahoochee Historical Commission and the people of Louvale in 1986 reads: Originally Antioch, the town developing at the terminus of the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery (Little SAM) Railroad, was renamed Louvale in 1886. Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, founded 1832 in Pleasant Valley, moved to Moccasin Gap 1842 and here 1851. Present church was erected c. 1885 to replace original log structure. Marvin Methodist Church, founded 1830 in Green Hill moved here 1900 when present building was erected. New Hope Baptist Church constituted 1860 two miles from here moved to present building in 1901.
Louvale Church Row Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, 1885, Louvale
Antioch Primitive Baptist began in 1832 in Spring Valley, moved to Moccasin Gap in 1842 and finally settled here in 1851. A log cabin was used for services, as well as the Institute next door, until this structure was built in 1885.
Louvale Church Row Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Antioch Institute, 1850s, Louvale
At first glance it’s not as imposing as the other three structures on Louvale’s wonderful Church Row, but the Antioch Institute is the most historic of the lot. Antebellum school buildings are rare in South Georgia. It was built in the 1850s and operated by the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church until 1895. It is believed to have also been used as the church until the structure to the south was built in 1885. Today it serves as the Louvale Community House and is the home of the Sybil and John B. Richardson School of Sacred Harp Singing.
The historic marker, placed by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church in 1986 reads: Built in the 1850s, the school was operated by the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church until it was sold to Stewart County in 1895. The building is believed to have been used for church services until the handsome building to the south was erected for that purpose about 1885. The county operated the Louvale High School here until 1928 when the upper grades were transferred to Lumpkin. The elementary school remained until 1942. The school is now used as the Louvale Community House which serves as the home for the Sybil and John B. Richardson School of Sacred Harp Singing.
Louvale Church Row Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Marvin Methodist Church, 1900, Louvale
Founded in Green Hill in 1830, Marvin Methodist moved to Louvale in 1900 when the present structure was built.
Like New Hope Baptist next door, Marvin Methodist has pillows on the pews.
The pulpit features a beautiful curved altar.
Louvale Church Row Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
New Hope Baptist Church, 1901, Louvale
Constituted in 1860, two miles from this location, New Hope built the present church in 1901. It’s still an active congregation today and members keep it comfortable with cushions and pillows on the old pews.
The church is very well-maintained; I really liked the yellow walls.
Though it’s a small congregation, it’s very aware of its history and importance in the area.
Louvale Church Row Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Omaha Baptist Church, 1914, Stewart County
Though the congregation was established in the late 1800s, the present structure was built in 1914 as a replacement to the original, which was destroyed by a tornado in 1913.
Allen Chapel Community Church, Stewart County
Providence Methodist Church & Cemetery, 1859, Stewart County
I’ve always found this simple old church at Providence Canyon to be fascinating. According to the historic marker placed by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Stewart County Historical Society in 1980: Providence Church, when first organized, 1832-33, was a log building on the south side of the road. Two acres were donated by David Lowe for a church and school (Providence Academy). This land is now between two of the canyons. The present building was built in 1859, on the north side of the Old Lumpkin-Florence Road. Many Stewart County pioneer families are in the cemetery. Charter members were Goodes, Lowes, Worthingtons, Perkins, Kirkpatricks, Seays, Pitts, Adams, Shermans, and Pattersons.
On my last visit (2013) I was appalled at the horrible condition of the cemetery. This is on state park land (or at least accessible only via the state park road at which an entrance fee is collected) and an absolute mess. It’s one of the oldest cemeteries in this section of the state and deserves better.
Samuel B. Walton (23 June 1815 – 29 March 1875) Matilda E. Walton (28 September 1819 – 7 January 1894)
Headstone of R. C. C. McGinty (b. 1820)
Yelverton Family Plot Penelope Yelverton (1 February 1794 – 25 May 1884?) Moses C. Yelverton (27 January 1822 – 27 May 1887) Wright Yelvington (Company E, 31st Regiment, Georgia Infantry – No Dates) The misspelling on the veteran’s headstone is an error.
Church Sign, Stewart County
This amazing sign for the First Pentecostal Episcopal Holiness Church of Deliverance [Upper Sardis Baptist] was removed not long after I photographed it. I hope it was saved and not stolen.
