One of the oldest churches in Boston, Trinity Missionary Baptist is a Freedmen’s congregation established in 1867. The present structure, likely dating to the early 1900s, is a typical uneven-steeple style common among Black churches at the time. It was originally a frame structure before the addition of the brick veneer.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
I haven’t been able to locate a history for this congregation, but the church building, stuccoed and restored in 2009, is in its original form.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
There’s little information to be found on the history of St. James C. M. E. Church, but the Boston town website notes that the congregation was established in 1896. I believe the present structure was built in the early 1900s.
A 1909 broadside in the Hargrett Library in Athens advertises a gospel meeting for the week of October 12-17, and illustrates the progressive nature of the congregation. Rev. G. A. Thomas was pastor at the time. The broadside reads: “Behold a royal feast of mind and soul. This promises to be one of the best occasions of its kind. Together with the religious services there will be a literary feature attached. It is ours to seek the general welfare and uplift of our people irrespective of denominations. In all things let God have the uppermost place in our hearts.” Tuesday night, Professor L. S. Wingfield gave the introductory sermon, and Mrs. Lilla Robinson gave a speech entitled “Our Young Men”. Wednesday night’s sermon by Rev. A. R. Starling addressed “The Safety of the Young Men” and Mrs. L. S. Wingfield spoke of “Our Young Ladies”. Rev. Brookins of the A. M. E. Church gave the Thursday night sermon, while Mrs. Dr. Taylor talked about “The Moral and Intellectual Progress of the Negro”. On Friday, Professor Wingfield spoke of “The Demand for an Education, Ministry and the Idea of the Young Men becoming Christians”. Dr. Taylor addressed “Hygiene and the Laws of Health”. After music there was further discussion, this time by several speakers, suggesting that the Middle Class were more ardent supporters of the Church than the more wealthy. Saturday night attendees heard Mrs. M. M. Davis discuss “The Business Turn of the Negro”. Sunday was “High Day”, with preaching all day. Music was provided by: Adie Richardson, Maggie and Nellie Massey, Bessie Walton, Rosa L. Slater, Lessie L. Robinson, Bessie Slater, and Bertha Slater, Mrs. Wright Brooks, Mrs. James Zanders, Adeline Richards, Carrie Thomas, Mary Jane Richardson, and others. They were directed by Mrs. L. S. Wingfield.
Boston Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This beautiful country church stands among some of Thomas County’s most idyllic farmland, surrounded by pecan trees. It’s northeast of Thomasville. I’ve only been able to locate an approximate date of construction (1900) for the church, and can locate nothing about the congregation. The earliest burial I could find in the small attached cemetery was in the early 1930s. Whatever the history, I’m glad to be able to share this landmark.
Enslaved people who had previously attended Baptist services with their White enslavers in Thomasville began holding separate services at the First Baptist Church in 1853. In 1866, they established the First African Baptist Church. The first pastor, Rev. Jacob Wade, served from the establishment until his death in 1877.
The present church building was completed in 1900. The congregation continued its association with the African Baptist Church until 1964, when they reorganized as First Missionary Baptist Church.
The church was granted $155,000 in 2024 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for future efforts to preserve the property.
Dawson Street Residential Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
The Church of the Good Shepherd was established in 1894 by 27 men and women familiar with the services of the Episcopal church and who wanted a congregation of their own. Members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, with the full support of Rev. Charles LeRoche, assisted in construction of Good Shepherd. It’s one of just a few Black Episcopal congregations formed by African-Americans in Georgia, although it was always welcoming of all races. The vernacular Victorian sanctuary was built in 1894, and the parish hall (seen right, above) was built circa 1896 and expanded circa 1923. The parish hall served as a parochial school from 1894,-1964. John W. ‘Jack’ Carter, a prominent member of the Black community, was instrumental in establishing the school. [The vicarage, not pictured, is also included in the National Register, and was built in 1908.]
National Register of Historic Places
Friendship Baptist Church is the oldest Baptist congregation in Thomas County, established near the Florida line a few miles south of present-day Metcalfe. Its first congregants met in a log structure at least as early as the late 1830s. The earliest burial I can find in the cemetery located adjacent to the original church dates to circa 1840. An interesting fact is that many members of the Roddenberry family were early and active members, and pioneer settlers in the area. These are the same Roddenberrys known for their syrups and other foods, as well as the ancestors of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the cult phenomenon Star Trek.
Apparently, the log church served them well. The coming of the railroad brought growth to the new village of Metcalfe, and the congregation decided to relocate to a more substantial structure to accommodate their expanding numbers. They built this handsome structure between 1884-1888 and have thrived here ever since. The pride members have taken in this place is obvious, as it is very well maintained. The original cemetery is still in use.
According to Pebble Hill Plantation, “The original Piney Grove Church was organized as Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1885 as a “Bush Arbor” by black families who lived and worked on the plantation. The first wooden church structure was built by Mrs. Kate Hanna Ireland Harvey for the plantation’s staff and their families. Every year, the staff, their families, and the plantation owners joined together for a Christmas service inside the church. After two fires, Pebble Hill’s last owner, Elisabeth Ireland Poe, paid for the design, by architect Hugh Seaver, and for the construction of the church building that stands today. Construction was completed in the summer of 1936. At the time, it was the only church in the area with the innovation of electric lights. There is still an active congregation at Piney Grove that meets for services twice a month.”
Located in the Red Hills southwest of Thomasville, Springhill Methodist is the oldest church in Thomas County. The vernacular Greek Revival structure, built circa 1833, was restored by Charlie Howard Whitney in 2010. The congregation dates to 1822, when a log church was built by pioneers Peter McKinnon, Lockland Morrison, Angus Morrison, and one other man, whose name is lost to the ages.
John Ferrell, who wrote a history of the congregation in 1924, notes that regular services began in 1826. By the 1840s, the congregation numbered nearly 500 members. Over time, it dwindled to point that regular services weren’t feasible, but it still meets on fifth Sundays, a few times a year, and is available for weddings and funerals.
The historic cemetery is a fascinating peek into the early history of the area.
The tomb of Isabella Graham Morrison is the most notable memorial in the cemetery, not only because Mrs. Morrison was the wife of one of the founders of the congregation, Angus Morrison (1783-1865) but for its unusual appearance. Isabella, a native of North Carolina, and Angus Morrison, Sr., were married on 13 January 1830 in Telfair County and they had seven children. After Isabella’s death, Angus married Mary A. Strange (1818-1919) in 1852 and to that union two more children were born to Angus Morrison. He died at Sopchoppy, Florida, and is buried there. The unsigned but finely executed marble marker on the front reads: This tomb was erected to the memory of Isabella Morrison – consort of Angus Morrison – Who died in the triumphs of a gospel faith June the 9th 1843 aged 30 years – Leaving a husband, children, numerous relatives to mourn the loss of an affectionate companion, a fond dutiful mother, and faithful friend who always made it her motto in life to live the life of the righteous that her latter end might be as his.
The most curious grave is a concrete slab featuring an unusual medallion. The identity of the decedent has been obliterated by time, and it appears someone painted the medallion to make it distinguishable. It was obviously made from a mold of some kind; it features a whimsical water bird, wearing glasses and a hat, with a coconut-laden palm in the background. I first though it to be a stork but now I’m not sure. If anyone knows the story of this one, please get in touch.
Zinc headstones (known to taphophiles and cemetery tourists as ‘zinkys’) were very trendy in the late 1800s, and were advertised to last as long as marble and other stone memorials. Many have survived nicely and can be found in cemeteries throughout the country, thanks to the excellent marketing of their primary manufacturer, the Monumental Bronze Company.
Margaret McIntosh was a native of a pioneer family of Brooks County, according to her obituary. She and James Ferrell were married in 1853 and had five children. Two died of tuberculosis, or consumption as it was known at the time. The disease was also noted as the cause of death for Margaret.
James Farrell outlived his wife Margaret by about two years. He was the son of Hutchins and Celia Morgan Ferrell.
My friend, the photographer Mandy Green Yates, has found and documented numerous forgotten places in South Georgia in recent years but when she found this church, she decided to get involved with saving part of its history. At first, she was fascinated by the structure but soon realized the forlorn cemetery was even more important. While photographing the property, she met Aundre Walker, who has connections to the congregation and has been working to clean up the property and the cemetery with no outside help for at least three years. Mandy put her principles to practice and has been helping with the cleanup ever since. She created a Facebook page to schedule volunteers, as well as a GoFundMe page for donations. And apparently, the project is moving along quite successfully, with lots of volunteers and progress being made. I am amazed at what she and Mr. Walker have been able to accomplish.
The congregation was established by recently emancipated freedmen just after the Civil War and became associated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal sect in the early 1870s. Like many churches of the era, it got its start in a brush arbor or “hush arbor” in the parlance of African-Americans of the time. “Hush” indicated a private place for worship, away from whites who often monitored their activities. It also served the community as a school for a time.
The church itself is typical of the construction of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The congregation officially disbanded about 15 years ago and many members joined nearby churches.
As is evident in this image, the steeple has long ago been compromised by the loss of its roof and has begun to collapse.
Though the cemetery remains the primary focus, it would be nice if the church could be saved, as well. Unfortunately, the area it is located in is undergoing rapid urbanization.
When I looked around the cemetery, I could only imagine the sadness and determination Aundre Walker felt when he decided to begin the reclamation. The grounds are quite large and looked nothing like this three years ago. It would have looked more like a forest than a graveyard.
Doing all of this work by hand has been a labor of love and a means of respecting the lives of those who would have otherwise been forgotten had he not taken on this project. I’m sure he is grateful for the new attention that Mandy Green Yates has brought to the work, though neither of these people is doing it for praise or recognition. In my opinion, they deserve it.
Most of the graves weren’t previously documented, but Mandy enlisted help from our friend Cynthia Jennings, who added the known burials to Findagrave.
