Tag Archives: Churches of Taliaferro County GA

Crawfordville Methodist Church, 1920

A Georgia Historical Society marker placed in 1956 notes: This church, originally known as “Bird’s Chapel,” was founded in 1826 as the first church in the newly formed town of Crawfordville. It was an outgrowth of the now defunct Powder Creek Meeting House near Sandy Cross, which came into existence about 1805. “Bird’s Chapel” was ministered to by the Rev. Williamson Bird, Jr., who built and lived in the house now known as “Liberty Hall,” the home of Alexander Hamilton Stephens. This chapel, originally located at the corner of what is now Jackson and Askin Streets, was later moved closer in to town for the convenience of its members. It was disbanded just before the War Between the States due to the moving away of many of its members, but was re-formed by the Rev. Allen Thomas, in 1876, on the southwest corner of the Liberty Hall lawn on land donated by Alexander H. Stephens. By 1911, this old church was outgrown and a new and larger building was built a half-block north of this present site; that building was destroyed by a cyclone in 1918. The present building, of Greek Colonial design, was erected in 1920.

The church is a wonderful example of the use of Greek Revival architecture in public buildings in the early 20th century.

Crawfordville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Jennings Baptist Church, 1904, Taliaferro County

 This historic congregation was established in 1894.

Greater Level Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Taliaferro County

Greater Level Hill is one of the most beautiful old churches in Taliaferro County. The congregation, also known as Level Hill, was established in 1870.

Locust Grove Cemetery, 1794, Sharon

This sacred ground, Georgia’s first and oldest Catholic cemetery, is a great place for walking around and exploring. A real sense of peace came over me when I was there. Though none of the late-18th-century burials are marked or discernible today, the first burial was recorded here in 1794. Fieldstones mark some graves and those are likely the earliest burials.  The headstones are similar to the styles you’d find in Savannah or Charleston, not in the Georgia Piedmont.

Lt. John Cratin (1752=8 September 1826)

One of the more interesting interments is that of Lieutenant John Cratin of the 2nd Maryland Regiment, Revolutionary War. Lieutenant Cratin was among the first Catholic settlers of Georgia. Born in 1752 in Maryland, he died on 8 September 1826 in Locust Grove.

John Burke (b. 1784, County Tipperary, Ireland – d. 25 September 1846)

Though a few headstones are damaged, the greatest danger to most is the erosion of the script due to nearly 200 years of exposure to the elements.

If you ever find yourself in the area, take the time to visit Locust Grove. You won’t be disappointed.

Thomas Turley (b. 1807, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland – d. 20 November 1835)

A list of interments at Locust Grove, compiled by Drexel Beck, can be viewed here.

Church of the Purification, 1883, Sharon

The first Catholic congregation in Georgia dates to 1790, when several English families from Maryland established a church at Locust Grove, in present-day Taliaferro County. They first called their colony Mary Land, in honor of their home state, but the name was quickly changed, first to Mount Panoma and finally to Locust Grove, for the large number of locust trees in the area. (All that remains of Locust Grove, about 1.7 miles from Sharon, is the Catholic cemetery). A log church, built there in 1792 to accommodate 50-60 parishioners was the first Catholic church ever built in Georgia. It was christened the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The “Maryland English” at Locust Grove were soon joined and surpassed in number by French Catholics seeking refuge from the revolution and from the slave revolt in Haiti. Their priest, Father Souze, accompanied them. Father Jean le Moyne settled here around 1793-94, though records now indicate that Father Oliver le Mercier was the first priest to officially serve the congregation. Over the next two decades, German and Irish settlers were added to the congregation. Ancestors of Margaret Mitchell and Flannery O’Connor were early members.

While the first Georgia Catholics were not people of great means, they were educated and wanted the same for their children. In 1818 or 1819, they established Locust Grove Academy in the old log church and in 1826 it was chartered by the General Assembly as the first Catholic school in Georgia. A more substantial church structure was built to serve the congregation in 1821. In 1883, the present church was built. By 2001, the church was downgraded to station status by the Atlanta Archdiocese and it was essentially abandoned. An effort is presently being made to restore the structure and ultimately, rebuild the congregation. Presently, a well-attended Christmas Eve Mass is held here.

Source: Jane Abbott, “English Catholics at Locust Grove”, pp 12-15. One Faith…One Family: The Diocese of Savannah 1850-2000

 

Liberty Presbyterian Church, 1855, Sharon

Founded as South Liberty Presbyterian in Wilkes County in 1820, this historic congregation first built a log church about four miles from the present location in 1828. This structure was built in 1855 and moved here in 1877.

It’s a simple but beautiful church.

 

 

Sharon Methodist Church, Circa 1902, Taliaferro County

Though the congregation at Sharon Methodist dates to around 1886, the community that organized this church came from the nearby Raytown Methodist Church. It’s one of the most unique church buildings in all of Georgia and its Victorian design is more reminiscent of a house than a church. It was built by a local carpenter from Crawfordville.

Antioch Baptist Church, 1899 & 1923, Taliaferro County

This is one of the most-photographed old churches in Georgia, even though it’s far off the beaten path.

An historic Black congregation, it was founded in 1886. Most of the original 1889 structure was rebuilt in 1923 after a fire. Today, it’s in serious danger of being lost without stabilization.

There is definitely a desire by descendants of church members to save it but I’m unsure where those efforts stand at this time.

Crawfordville Baptist Church, 1889

Founded in 1802 by Reverend Jesse Mercer and Reverend James Matthews, this was the first Protestant church in the region. Known widely for its liberality, the congregation was the setting of many fiery political debates. It’s hard to imagine any Baptist church today being so liberal.

Crawfordville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places