Tag Archives: Churches of Washington County GA

Pleasant Springs United Methodist Church, Washington County

Located on Hog Road, Pleasant Springs Methodist Church was established in 1874 and was last affiliated with the United Methodist Church. A large historic cemetery lies adjacent to the building, which interestingly has burials dating to 1864, ten years before the church is known to have been established. Pleasant Springs is built in the most common style to be found among 19th and early 20th century Georgia churches. It’s so common, in fact, that it can make dating of the structure a bit difficult, but I believe this to be circa 1890-1910. It also features two front doors, one for men and one for women, as was typical of the time.

Jones Chapel C. M. E. Church, Washington County

Jones Chapel C. M. E. Church was likely a Freedmen congregation, formed in the years after the Civil War when Black Georgians were establishing their own churches away from the plantations where they had been enslaved. I have been unable to locate any history, and don’t know if it was originally associated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal movement or if it was an independent congregation. I confirmed it was a C. M. E. church through obituaries. There are a few members of a Jones family buried in its historic cemetery. Perhaps there are clues as to its origin in their stories. The church building as it stands today was likely built in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

The church survives in an idyllic setting today, beside a pond surrounded by a managed longleaf pine plantation, but the pond is a recent addition, dating to circa 2009-2010. Nonetheless, it’s not every day you see an old church with its own dock. The church isn’t part of the managed property, according to maps, but is likely an easement for the surviving family of its former members.

Mount Zion A. M. E. Church, Davisboro

This is one of two historic African Methodist Episcopal congregations near Davisboro. I am unsure of the date, but I believe it’s a fairly early church.

Unidentified Church, Washington County

St. James C. M. E. Church (Circa 1915) & Schoolhouse, Washington County

This historic Christian Methodist Episcopal congregation likely dates to the late 19th century. An architectural survey dates the church building to circa 1915. A cemetery is also located on the property.

Down a short lane from the chapel stands this one-room schoolhouse, typical of church-associated African-American communities in Georgia from the late-19th to the mid-20th century. This structure probably dates from 1910-1930.

Tennille Baptist Church, 1903, Washington County

Organized on 24 March 1876, Tenille Baptist began construction on this church in 1900; it was completed in 1903. It’s significant as the only religious structure designed by Charles E. Choate and is a most impressive example of Gothic design.

National Register of Historic Places

Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1890, Warthen

Constituted in 1790, Bethlehem Baptist’s congregation is thought to be the oldest in Washington County. It was first known as the Church of Christ on Cag Creek [now Keg Creek]. It later relocated and was known as Williamson Swamp Meeting House. When they finally moved to Warthen in 1795, they welcomed the members of Paley Church and the old Cag Creek Church and became Bethlehem. The old wooden church burned in 1890 and was replaced with the present structure.

Warthen Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Warthen United Methodist Church, 1886

Tom Warthen gave the land upon which this church was built in 1886, as his new wife was Methodist and there was no such church in the area.

Warthen Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Dixon’s Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Washington County

This historic African-American church was located near Deepstep. When I photographed it, it was obviously in bad shape. Someone tried to keep it propped up but by 2019 it had collapsed. Thanks to Nancy Futral for the update.

Harrison Springs Baptist Church, Washington County