Tag Archives: Georgia Freedmen Churches

Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church, Bulloch County

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Exterior view of a white wooden building with a metal roof, featuring steps and a porch, surrounded by grass and trees.

Also known as Fish Trap Primitive Baptist, Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church is a Freedmen’s congregation established by Elder Aaron Munlin in 1883. It’s one of the oldest Black congregations in Bulloch County. Elder Munlin was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1843 and was sold to an enslaver in Bulloch County in 1856. After the Civil War, he helped establish other congregations of Black Primtive Baptists in Bulloch County, including Banks Creek and Bethel.

According to Alvin D. Jackson of the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center: “Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church is located in Bulloch County, Georgia. It was organized on November 21, 1883. There were only 5 people present at the time of the organization. Brother Howard and Sister Martha Kirkland, Brother Cain Parrish, Elder Aaron Munlin and a white Brother, Elder J. L. Smith, who acted as clerk during the organizational. These few met on Thursday, before the 4th Sunday in November and constituted the church (Mt. Pisgah). The door of the church was open to accept members. On came – Brother Andy Donaldson. They chose Elder Aaron Munlin to be their pastor. These few began doing work for the master in their own way and God blessed them.”


“Elder Aaron Munlin served as pastor 18 years. He was a great man, sold as a slave, the founder of Sister, Bank Creek Primitive Baptist Church and Moderator of the Mt. Pleasant Association. He departed from this life April 11, 1911. The 2nd pastor was Elder Washington Hodges. He served 20 years. The 3rd pastor was Elder Hershel Smith who served 12 years.”

Eureka Church Cemetery: A Landmark of The Level, A Lost Community of Evans County

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Gravestones in a grassy area with a dilapidated building in the background surrounded by trees.
Eureka Church seen from the cemetery, 18 August 2013.

The cemetery associated with historic Eureka Church is the last remaining public landmark of The Level, a Black community near Hagan. The church collapsed circa 2018. A nice collection of vernacular memorials set Eureka Cemetery apart as a historic resource for Evans County. I am sharing random shots, including commercial markers, but focusing on the vernacular pieces.

A weathered gravestone in a cemetery, engraved with the name 'A.J. Collins' along with dates and age information, surrounded by dry grass.
A. J. Collin(s) (1886-1952)

I believe the name was misspelled on this memorial, as there are others buried here whose name is Collins.

A weathered gravestone marking the burial site of Leasan Ray, who died on June 29, 1915, at the age of 75 years.
Leasan Ray (1850?-29 June 1915)

Like many in this Freedmen’s congregation, Leasan Ray was likely born enslaved.

A weathered gravestone engraved with the name 'Mary Wright,' the inscription 'Died Mar. 22, 1911,' and 'Aged 79.' The stone is surrounded by dry leaves and grass.
Mary Wright (1858?-25 March 1911)

The fallen marker notes that Mary Wright was aged 59 years at the time of her death.

A gravestone marking the burial of Mary Rease, with her birth date of March 10, 1868, and death date of June 27, 1926, inscribed along with a message about grace.
Mary Rease (10 March 1868-27 June 1926)

This is one of the earlier commercially made memorials in the cemetery, featuring a dove.

A weathered gravestone in a cemetery, surrounded by dry grass and a blurred background of other tombstones and trees.
Unfinished

This marker has no information, but was likely meant for a family.

Close-up of an old gravestone partially covered with grass, displaying the engraved name 'Sarah Davis', with the words 'Bob Small Sister' visible.
Sarah Davis (Birth and death dates unknown)

The only information, other than the decedent’s name, notes that she was Bob Small’s sister.

A weathered gravestone in a cemetery, inscribed in memory of Venus Bacon, with dates of birth and death visible, surrounded by dry grass.
Venus Bacon (2 January 1820-9 October 1889)

Venus Bacon’s marker is an early commercial form with stenciled lettering.

A weathered gravestone marked 'In Memory of O.F. Kennedy, Born July 19, 1877, Died September 15, 1892, with an inscription about the blessed dead.
O. F. Kennedy (19 July 1877-15 September 1892)

The hearts were a nice addition on this handmade memorial.

Gravestone of Sammie Wright, a private in the 157th Depot Brigade during World War I, located in Georgia. The stone displays his birth date of May 23, 1895, and death date of August 19, 1958.
Sammie Wright (23 May 1895-15 August 1958)

Mr. Wright was a Private, 52 Co, 157 Depot Brigade, World War I.

Weathered grave marker in a grassy area covered with fallen leaves, featuring faded inscriptions.
Illegible

I have tried to interpret the words on this memorial to no avail.

A weathered hexagonal stone marked with a faded red star, surrounded by dry grass and fallen leaves.
Unidentified

The red star likely denotes a Masonic affiliation.

Weathered grave marker partially obscured by dry leaves and grass in a natural setting.
York Jones (Birth date unknown-1935?)

All the Jones family memorials have a similar shape and were likely the work of the same maker. This small stone has faded badly.

Old gravestone partially obscured by dry leaves and grass, featuring engraved text and weathered surface.
Jim Jones (dates illegible)

I will try to add birth and death dates if I am able to interpret them. I believe they all may be children.

An old, weathered gravestone with inscriptions partially visible, situated in a wooded area covered with fallen leaves.
Mary Jones (1937-1938)

Like the memorial for Jim Jones, Mary Jones’s features the name in cursive.

An unusual geometric carving on a headstone, featuring a right angle and a triangular point.

The memorial for D. V. Richardson is perhaps the most notable work in the cemetery. It features hand lettering and an unusual symbol, seen in detail above. It appears to have something to do with carpentry or, perhaps, Masonry.

A weathered grave marker in a cemetery, partially covered in moss, with inscriptions indicating the name, birth date, and death date of the individual it commemorates.
D. V. Richardson (11 August 1892-16 July 1930)

Greater Saint Mark AME Church, 1961, Columbus

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Exterior view of Greater Saint Mark A.M.E. Church, showcasing the brick building with a cross and signage, surrounded by greenery and a well-maintained lawn.

Greater Saint Mark was organized in as Saint Mark AME Church in 1886 and the present sanctuary was built in 1961, during the pastorate of Rev. W. L. Brown. An old cornerstone saved by the congregation indicates an earlier church was built in 1889, during the pastorate of Rev. M. R. Wilson.

Saint James AME Church, 1876, Columbus

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Decorative brown double doors made by enslaved men with ornate details, framed by brick walls and stairs.
The oldest features of Saint James are the ornate hand-carved front doors, which came from the Asbury M. E. Church. They were made by enslaved men at the Dudley Sash and Door Company.

Saint James is one of the most beautiful historic churches in Columbus. The following history (abridged), is from the church website: Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbus, Georgia was organized in November 1863. [It is the second oldest AME church in Georgia.]  In 1864, the Reverend William Gaines, an ordained Deacon and brother of Bishop J. Gaines of Charleston, SC, became the first pastor of Saint James. The property on which Saint James AME Church stands was given to the African Methodist Episcopal Church by an act of the Georgia Legislature in 1873. The present edifice, a cathedral in structure and design, was erected during the pastorate of the Reverend Wesley J. Gaines at a cost of $20,000.00. It was completed in 1876. The bell tower was built while the Reverend Larry Thomas was pastor (1886-1887). The most interesting features of the building are the center spire and twin turrets on each side of the tower built in 1886. The twin turrets are stone trimmed and have brick details on the exterior. The interior spiral stairs lead from the narthex to the balcony. A semicircular apse containing an altar and choir loft was added at a later date.

Exterior view of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Georgia, featuring a tall steeple, twin turrets, and a brick facade under a blue sky.

National Register of Historic Places

First African Baptist Church, 1915, Columbus

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A low-angle view of the First African Baptist Church's brick facade, showcasing its tall towers and windows against a blue sky.

First African Baptist Church is the oldest Black congregation in Columbus. In 1840, after 11 years of worshiping with White congregants of Ephesus Baptist Church, enslaved members, along with free people of color, formed the African Baptist Church.

Front entrance of the First African Baptist Church featuring three double doors flanked by three large arched entries and red brick walls.

They first met in the former home of Ephesus Baptist, built in 1830 and vacated for a larger sanctuary. White ministers would serve the African Baptist Church until the early 1860s. In 1862, a gift to the African Baptist Church from Ephesus allowed construction of a new chapel. The first Black minister was Rev. Harry Watson.

Close-up of a stained glass window displaying the text 'FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH' above a set of double doors.

A fire claimed the new church in the 1870s and a brick structure replaced it in 1881. The new church was located at 6th Avenue and 11th Street and the name was changed to Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. In the 1880s and 1890s, discord among members led to the formation of Metropolitan Baptist Church and Friendship Baptist Church.

Exterior view of First African Baptist Church featuring a brick facade, pointed arch windows, and a decorative fountain in the foreground.

The present church was built in 1915, during the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Carter. It grew from the membership of earlier and disparate congregations and was christened First African Baptist Church. In one form or another, it has served the Black community of Columbus for the better part of two centuries. The “Mother of the Blues”, Gertrude Pridgett (later known as Ma Rainey) was baptized at First African Baptist.

Exterior view of First African Baptist Church, a large red brick building with two prominent towers, featuring arched windows and doorways.

National Register of Historic Places

Union Baptist Church, Ben Hill County

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Union Baptist Church is a historic congregation in northeastern Ben Hill County, near the Ocmulgee River. I believe it to be a Freedmen’s church, after documenting its nearby cemetery and considering the birth dates of some of its earliest burials. Also, the association with the Dorminy’s Mill Love of Honor Lodge, which is connected to other nearby Freedmen’s congregations, is an indication of its age.

Note: This replaces a post first published in 2008.

Greater Historical Elem Missionary Baptist Church, Ludowici

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Elim and Jones Creek are the two oldest churches in Long County, and after the Civil War, freedmen from both congregations formed their own churches. St. Thomas Missionary Baptist grew out of Jones Creek and I understand that the Greater Elem Historical Missionary Baptist Church was connected to Elim Baptist. It was established in 1873.

Trinity CME Church, 1921, Milledgeville

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Trinity CME is one of Milledgeville’s most historic Black congregations. Some of the founding members attended the Methodist Episcopal Church with their enslavers, but newly freed, they soon formed their own congregation, in the mid-1860s. They built their first church at the corner of Liberty and Franklin Streets, beside Memory Hill Cemetery. A grand renovation took place in 1883 and the work was done by Charlie and Frank Steele and William Brooks; some sources even note that it had the largest steeple in Milledgeville. The Rev. Gideon Hill was prominent in the church during this period.

After the old church burned down, the present church, itself a Milledgeville landmark, was built in 1921 during the pastorate of George L. Word. It’s located at the corner of North Wilkinson Street and West Thomas Street.

Milledgeville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Scotts Chapel AME Church, Stevens Pottery

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Though it is now known as His Mercy Ministries, this church near the Stevens Pottery community was originally home to Scott’s Chapel CME. I photographed the cornerstone but it is difficult to read. The information I can discern is the name of the church, the name of Bishop R. S. Williams, and the fact that the church was remodeled in 1925. The cinderblock indicates that it was rebuilt at a later date. It’s likely Scott’s Chapel was a freedman’s congregation, considering that the area was well-populated by 1851, if not sooner. Information on the church has been difficult to access.

Sandy Grove AME Church, 1911 + Sandy Grove School, Warren County

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Sandy Grove AME is of the “two-tower” style, once common among Black churches in Georgia.

Sandy Grove AME was organized by freedmen circa 1875, and as its name would imply, held its first meetings in a grove, or brush arbor as it is more commonly referred to in Georgia. They had an early association with Johnson Grove Methodist Church but acquired this property in 1875 and established their own congregation. They eventually built a small frame church, which was replaced with this structure in 1911.

Church interior

The church was a symbol of pride for the Black community in Warren County and architecturally, is perhaps the most significant remnant of a history that hasn’t yet been fully documented. The congregation held on for as long as it could but faced the same challenges affecting rural churches all over the country.

Sandy Grove School

Sandy Grove believed in the power of literacy and education, and like many rural Black congregations, they built their own school to educate as many children as they could. County-operated schools for African-Americans at the time were substandard at best and churches took up the slack.

Schoolhouse interior

These resources are among the most endangered in Georgia and it is sad to see them forgotten.

Church and school

Roof damage has created a permanent threat to the church building and its impacts may be irreparable. It is a real shame to see this important structure in this condition.