This structure was home to the Collins Study Group, which was associated with the Nation of Islam. I believe study groups are nascent congregations within that faith.
Collins Study Group, Tattnall County
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Tag Archives: Churches of Tattnall County GA
Shiloh Methodist Church, 1899, Tattnall County
William Eason organized Shiloh Methodist Church circa 1810, making it the second oldest congregation in Tattnall County after Mt. Carmel (1808). Tattnall County was established in 1801, from Montgomery County, which begs the question as to why no congregation formed before 1808. Perhaps earlier churches with Montgomery County associations already existed. The original Shiloh Church was a log frame structure located at the site of the Old Shiloh Cemetery, about a mile away from the present church. A newer frame structure was built at this site in 1858 and was replaced by this building in 1899. The windows are replacements but otherwise, it is largely true to its original appearance. Though Shiloh is no longer active, it is still used for special events.
Collins United Methodist Church, Circa 1902, Tattnall County
Recent divisions within the United Methodist Church have made it difficult to locate the histories for many congregations, including the Collins church, but Judy and Jimmy Duke shared the following history: “From History of the South Georgia Conference, 1866-1984, p.303:: Collins Methodist Church, Organized by 8 people in 1902 in Baptist Church which was used until new church built. Rev. Thomas Williams of the Quince (Cobbtown) Circuit preached. First Building frame, gift from ‘Uncle Luda” Walling, Collins lumber man. Extensive repairs, 1950. 1956-7, 2 story educational building constructed. Sanctuary remodeled, 1964-65.”
Saving Cedar Grove: Janisse Ray Brings Her Passion to a Country Church
Janisse Ray is known for her thoughtful books that seamlessly weave narrative with an appreciation for our fragile natural environment and over the years she’s been a fearless advocate for fostering community involvement in her beloved South Georgia.
One of her causes has been the restoration of Cedar Grove Methodist Church, which she now owns with her husband, Raven Waters. It has been a labor of love for Janisse, who has devoted many hours raising money and locating carpenters and artisans to complete the project. I’ve proudly served on the board with her, though Janisse has made it all happen.
When Hurricane Helene roared through Tattnall County this past September, the work was nearly complete. Javier Ramos had just put the finishing touches on exterior repairs when the storm came.
Janisse shared the following on her Substack account: “Surveying the damage after a hurricane is like waking up after surgery. You’re bleary-eyed and half crazed, but you’ve got to see what’s forever gone…I found that the damage was relatively minor. A few trees down, a few holes in roof…Thanks to a lot of generous people, the church got a roof for 12K. Then it got handmade windows, built by an 80-year-old carpenter. Then a new pulpit. Then all the repairs inside were finished. Every one of those jobs has a story. The roof story was told in “A Roof for Cedar Grove” a segment of Saving Grace, which aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting…”
Undaunted, Janisse acted quickly to raise more funds to remove fallen trees and put the finishing touches on Cedar Grove. On 14 December 2024, she hosted a lunch at Red Earth Farm and then treated patrons to a concert inside the church, featuring Walter Parks, who once toured the world with Woodstock opening act and musician extraordinaire Richie Havens. Walter’s band Swamp Cabbage accompanied him.
Janisse first learned of Walter’s work in a New York Times article detailing his use of historic hollers from the Okefenokee Swamp in his music. This wasn’t lost on Janisse, who has long championed the swamp and its folklife. And it somehow seemed appropriate for celebrating an historic country church. I’m constantly inspired by Janisse Ray and am grateful for the community she’s created in her corner of Tattnall County.
Anderson Primitive Baptist Church, Circa 1885, Tattnall County
Replacing the original log church built around 1847, the present meeting house of Anderson Primitive Baptist Church is thought to date to the mid-1880s. Organized by Tattnall County pioneer Peter Anderson, the congregation, like many in rural areas, went through periods of great growth only to dwindle to low membership as members died and moved away. [Andersons alone make up nearly ten percent of the 1000+ burials in its historic cemetery]. Luckily, a revival of the congregation resulted in what is today one of Tattnall County’s most active historic congregations to this day. It’s among the nicest Primitive Baptist church yards I’ve encountered.
Battle Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Tattnall County
William Eason, Tattnall County
William Eason (22 May 1771 – 1 October 1831) , one of the first settlers of Tattnall County and ancestor of many was born in Perquinman County, N. C., May 22, 1771, a son of George Eason, R. S. The family moved to Barnwell District, S. C., and William grew up there. Around 1802 William’s family with several others sold their holdings in S. C. and moved to Georgia. William settled in Tattnall County and married Sarah Mattox (3 December 1777 – 16 May 1859). In addition to farming he was a local Methodist preacher and was so effective in this work he was instrumental in organizing Mt. Carmel and Shiloh and helped in establishing other Methodist Churches to the extent he became known as the “Father of Methodism” in this area. He served in the War of 1812 as a private at Fort Perry on the Altamaha River in 184. William Eason and his family lived in a two-story log house 0.7 miles south of Mt. Carmel Church. He died Oct. 1, 1831 and was buried in a unmarked grave probably near his house.
Mount Carmel Methodist Church, Tattnall County
Mt. Carmel Methodist Church is the oldest congregation in Tattnall County. It was founded by pioneer settler Rev. William Eason (1771-1831) in 1808. A “Methodist Memorial” obelisk in front of the little chapel was placed in 1908 to honor of Mt. Carmel’s centennial and the memory of William & Sarah Mattox Eason. I’m unsure as to the date of construction of the present structure.
Rome Primitive Baptist Church, 1903, Tattnall County
This church is located next to Mt. Carmel Methodist.
Love’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, Circa 1930, Tattnall County
From the historic marker erected in 2000: This church was constituted and its first sanctuary built in 1888 on “Love’s Old Field”, land donated by G. M. Love. Charter members were the J. J. Kicklighters, the Dennis Lynns, Allen Lynn, and D. B. Smith, the church’s first clerk. Elders on the constituting presbytery were H. B. Wilkerson, Bazil Jones, and M. F. Stubbs, the first pastor. In 1896 the church was one of seven organizing members of the Bethel Primitive Baptist Association. J. Walter Hendricks, pastor from 1932-43, became the first president of Birdwood College, now Thomas College, in Thomasville. This c. 1930 sanctuary was remodeled in the 1960s.