[{"_1":2,"_3":-5,"_4":-5},"loaderData",{"_5":6,"_7":8},"actionData","errors","root",{"_1446":1447,"_1448":1449},"routes/tour",{"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":14,"_15":16,"_17":-7},"tenant","historic-rural-churches","tour_set",{"_37":1436,"_31":1437,"_1438":-5,"_1439":-5,"_1440":75,"_1441":1442,"_1443":1104,"_1444":-5,"_1445":10},"tour",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23,"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":-5,"_31":32,"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":-5,"_42":-5,"_43":-5,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":40,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":27,"_63":27,"_64":50,"_65":66,"_67":16,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_9":10,"_74":75,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_80":81,"_82":13,"_83":84,"_85":40},"tourParam","savannah-coastal-tour","stopParam","_index","otb_historic-rural-churches_tours_production_20261001150246877","_id","16","_score",1,"_ignored",[1435],"blank_map",false,"bounds",{"_1427":217,"_1428":1354,"_1429":654,"_1430":1355,"_1431":1432,"_1433":1434},"default_lng","description","

Explore the rich history of Georgia's coastal region by visiting some of the most beautiful and earliest churches in the state. The oldest church on this itinerary is Midway Congregational, built in 1792, while the newest is Good Shepherd Episcopal, which will reach 100 years in 2028. Starting in Savannah and ending near Brunswick, this trip meanders down the coast through land that was once home to expansive rice plantations. With 15 churches from six different denominations along the way, you'll have no trouble finding stops that speak to your heart and love of history.

","flat_pages",[],"icon_color","#a93237","id",16,"is_geo",true,"link_address","link_text","map_icon","map_overlay","map_type","roadmap","media",[],"meta_description","Explore the rich history of Georgia's coastal region by visiting some of the most beautiful and earliest churches in the state. The oldest church on this itinerary is Midway Congregational, built in 1792, while the newest is Good Shepherd Episcopal, which will reach 100 years in 2028. Starting in Savannah and ending near Brunswick, this trip meanders down the coast through land that was once home to expansive rice plantations. With 15 churches from six different denominations along the way, you'll have no trouble finding stops that speak to your heart and love of history.","mode",{"_37":1266,"_76":1424},"modes",[1420,1421],"open_geographies_endpoint","https://coredata.ecds.io/open_geographies/v1/historic-rural-churches-of-georgia/tours/savannah-coastal-tour","published","published_on","2026-09-28","read_duration","25 minutes reading","restrict_bounds","restrict_bounds_to_overlay","sanitized_description","splash",{"_76":1273,"_1417":-5,"_1418":1419},"slug","slugs",[1416,16],"stop_count",15,"stops",[87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101],"tenant_title","Historic Rural Churches","title","Savannah Coastal Tour","travel_duration","About 4 hours driving","theme",{"_37":38,"_76":86},"type","voice_overs",[],"use_directions","hrcga",{"_102":1352,"_31":1353,"_37":1271,"_106":1354,"_108":1355,"_47":1356,"_49":1357,"_112":1358,"_113":23,"_114":-5,"_64":1359,"_67":1272,"_68":1360,"_76":1273,"_82":120},{"_102":1259,"_31":1260,"_37":1184,"_106":1261,"_108":1262,"_47":1263,"_49":1264,"_112":1265,"_113":1266,"_114":1267,"_64":1268,"_67":1185,"_68":1269,"_76":1186,"_82":120},{"_102":1172,"_31":1173,"_37":1109,"_106":1174,"_108":1175,"_47":1176,"_49":1177,"_112":1178,"_113":1179,"_114":1180,"_64":1181,"_67":1110,"_68":1182,"_76":1111,"_82":120},{"_102":1097,"_31":1098,"_37":1034,"_106":1099,"_108":1100,"_47":1101,"_49":1102,"_112":1103,"_113":1104,"_114":1105,"_64":1106,"_67":1035,"_68":1107,"_76":1036,"_82":120},{"_102":1022,"_31":1023,"_37":903,"_106":1024,"_108":1025,"_47":1026,"_49":1027,"_112":1028,"_113":1029,"_114":1030,"_64":1031,"_67":904,"_68":1032,"_76":905,"_82":120},{"_102":891,"_31":892,"_37":744,"_106":893,"_108":894,"_47":895,"_49":896,"_112":897,"_113":898,"_114":899,"_64":900,"_67":745,"_68":901,"_76":746,"_82":120},{"_102":732,"_31":733,"_37":663,"_106":734,"_108":735,"_47":736,"_49":737,"_112":738,"_113":739,"_114":740,"_64":741,"_67":664,"_68":742,"_76":665,"_82":120},{"_102":651,"_31":652,"_37":582,"_106":653,"_108":654,"_47":655,"_49":656,"_112":657,"_113":658,"_114":659,"_64":660,"_67":583,"_68":661,"_76":584,"_82":120},{"_102":570,"_31":571,"_37":524,"_106":572,"_108":573,"_47":574,"_49":575,"_112":576,"_113":577,"_114":578,"_64":579,"_67":525,"_68":580,"_76":526,"_82":120},{"_102":512,"_31":513,"_37":455,"_106":514,"_108":515,"_47":516,"_49":517,"_112":518,"_113":519,"_114":520,"_64":521,"_67":456,"_68":522,"_76":457,"_82":120},{"_102":443,"_31":444,"_37":373,"_106":445,"_108":446,"_47":447,"_49":448,"_112":449,"_113":450,"_114":451,"_64":452,"_67":374,"_68":453,"_76":375,"_82":120},{"_102":361,"_31":362,"_37":310,"_106":363,"_108":364,"_47":365,"_49":366,"_112":367,"_113":368,"_114":369,"_64":370,"_67":311,"_68":371,"_76":312,"_82":120},{"_102":298,"_31":299,"_37":227,"_106":300,"_108":301,"_47":302,"_49":303,"_112":304,"_113":305,"_114":306,"_64":307,"_67":228,"_68":308,"_76":229,"_82":120},{"_102":215,"_31":216,"_37":122,"_106":217,"_108":218,"_47":219,"_49":220,"_112":221,"_113":222,"_114":223,"_64":224,"_67":123,"_68":225,"_76":124,"_82":120},{"_102":103,"_31":104,"_37":105,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_47":110,"_49":111,"_112":-5,"_113":71,"_114":115,"_64":116,"_67":117,"_68":118,"_76":119,"_82":120},"address","780 Pennick Rd, Brunswick, GA 31525","

The photo above shows Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, built in 1928, and the small parochial school next door, built in 1901. Both were founded by Deaconess Anna Alexander, consecrated in 1907 as the only African American deacon in the Episcopal denomination. Her headstone is seen in the foreground. Anna’s story is one of dedication and determination to serve her coastal community of Pennick, near St. Simons Island. In the early 1900s, the schoolhouse served as both church and school, as well as living quarters for Deaconess Alexander. While the school has long been closed, the church remains active.

Anna was born in 1865 to parents formerly enslaved on the Butler Island Plantation across the river from Darien. Her mother, Daphne, was of mixed race, the daughter of plantation manager Roswell King Jr., who later founded the town of Roswell, Georgia. Her father, James, was one of the few enslaved men allowed some education and served as personal assistant to plantation owner Pierce Butler. Daphne and James had eleven children, instilling in them a strong commitment to education and community service. Many were active at St. Cyprian Episcopal Church in Darien.

Anna, raised in the Episcopal Church, found public education in Glynn County lacking for African Americans. She began teaching at the parochial school at St. Cyprian’s, founded by her sister, Mary Alexander Mann. After the Civil War, such church-run schools were often the only source of education for Black children in the region. In 1894, Anna established the Episcopal mission of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pennick.

The school is one of the few surviving African American church-sponsored school buildings in Georgia. After emancipation, many freedpeople sought education as a path to a better future, often starting with one-room schools like this. A second room was later added, and the building served as church, school, and residence for Anna. In 1998, Anna Alexander was named a Saint of Georgia by the Diocese of Georgia. Her work profoundly shaped the Pennick community and its educational opportunities. In 2022, the Good Shepherd School was listed among the Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril, ensuring its history will continue to be shared for generations.

","e0809bf4-40c2-4872-bd1d-7929e752f4bb","lat",31.320491,"lng",-81.559394,[125,126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137],"The photo above shows Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, built in 1928, and the small parochial school next door, built in 1901. Both were founded by Deaconess Anna Alexander, consecrated in 1907 as the only African American deacon in the Episcopal denomination. Her headstone is seen in the foreground. Anna’s story is one of dedication and…","next","position","previous",{"_37":122,"_67":123,"_76":124},"The photo above shows Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, built in 1928, and the small parochial school next door, built in 1901. Both were founded by Deaconess Anna Alexander, consecrated in 1907 as the only African American deacon in the Episcopal denomination. Her headstone is seen in the foreground. Anna’s story is one of dedication and determination to serve her coastal community of Pennick, near St. Simons Island. In the early 1900s, the schoolhouse served as both church and school, as well as living quarters for Deaconess Alexander. While the school has long been closed, the church remains active. Anna was born in 1865 to parents formerly enslaved on the Butler Island Plantation across the river from Darien. Her mother, Daphne, was of mixed race, the daughter of plantation manager Roswell King Jr., who later founded the town of Roswell, Georgia. Her father, James, was one of the few enslaved men allowed some education and served as personal assistant to plantation owner Pierce Butler. Daphne and James had eleven children, instilling in them a strong commitment to education and community service. Many were active at St. Cyprian Episcopal Church in Darien. Anna, raised in the Episcopal Church, found public education in Glynn County lacking for African Americans. She began teaching at the parochial school at St. Cyprian’s, founded by her sister, Mary Alexander Mann. After the Civil War, such church-run schools were often the only source of education for Black children in the region. In 1894, Anna established the Episcopal mission of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pennick. The school is one of the few surviving African American church-sponsored school buildings in Georgia. After emancipation, many freedpeople sought education as a path to a better future, often starting with one-room schools like this. A second room was later added, and the building served as church, school, and residence for Anna. In 1998, Anna Alexander was named a Saint of Georgia by the Diocese of Georgia. Her work profoundly shaped the Pennick community and its educational opportunities. In 2022, the Good Shepherd School was listed among the Georgia Trust’s Places in Peril, ensuring its history will continue to be shared for generations.","good-shepherd-episcopal-church-and-school-glynn",[121,117],"Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and School","stop","good-shepherd-episcopal-church-and-school","5326fb7d-bac5-455a-b930-2067fe5f6085","needwood-baptist-church-and-school-glynn","Needwood Baptist Church and School",{"_76":210,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":211},{"_76":205,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":206},{"_76":200,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":201},{"_76":195,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":196},{"_76":190,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":191},{"_76":185,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":186},{"_76":180,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":181},{"_76":175,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":176},{"_76":170,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":171},{"_76":165,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":166},{"_76":160,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":161},{"_76":155,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":156},{"_76":138,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":147},"Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-34","alt_text","decorative","missing_alt_text","provider","embed","embed_id","video","files",{"_148":149,"_150":151,"_152":153,"_154":149},"original","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7965ab6c-ef49-42e3-9e2c-14dd3600c876/iiif","mobile","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7965ab6c-ef49-42e3-9e2c-14dd3600c876/thumbnail","tablet","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7965ab6c-ef49-42e3-9e2c-14dd3600c876/preview","desktop","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-1",{"_148":157,"_150":158,"_152":159,"_154":157},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd8bdd2a-d6da-4499-984f-32b12f56ecae/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd8bdd2a-d6da-4499-984f-32b12f56ecae/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd8bdd2a-d6da-4499-984f-32b12f56ecae/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-3",{"_148":162,"_150":163,"_152":164,"_154":162},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/382f97b5-b5b0-4dd1-9e23-efa3050f3a2a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/382f97b5-b5b0-4dd1-9e23-efa3050f3a2a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/382f97b5-b5b0-4dd1-9e23-efa3050f3a2a/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-5",{"_148":167,"_150":168,"_152":169,"_154":167},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c2e342dd-c5bd-40df-a91a-34833c7d697d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c2e342dd-c5bd-40df-a91a-34833c7d697d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c2e342dd-c5bd-40df-a91a-34833c7d697d/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-8",{"_148":172,"_150":173,"_152":174,"_154":172},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52a16544-bb30-47a2-8de4-8545f76cc712/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52a16544-bb30-47a2-8de4-8545f76cc712/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52a16544-bb30-47a2-8de4-8545f76cc712/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-9",{"_148":177,"_150":178,"_152":179,"_154":177},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d7786073-bd47-4e91-8350-61df49d265a3/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d7786073-bd47-4e91-8350-61df49d265a3/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d7786073-bd47-4e91-8350-61df49d265a3/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-33",{"_148":182,"_150":183,"_152":184,"_154":182},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/99bab4b2-0f19-4d61-bbec-be7b79dd4c7b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/99bab4b2-0f19-4d61-bbec-be7b79dd4c7b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/99bab4b2-0f19-4d61-bbec-be7b79dd4c7b/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-68",{"_148":187,"_150":188,"_152":189,"_154":187},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9f9b4e6-62b7-4dcd-b9eb-3d0b819923c9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9f9b4e6-62b7-4dcd-b9eb-3d0b819923c9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9f9b4e6-62b7-4dcd-b9eb-3d0b819923c9/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-20",{"_148":192,"_150":193,"_152":194,"_154":192},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eb1d1744-8233-4576-9b15-90a074d67f82/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eb1d1744-8233-4576-9b15-90a074d67f82/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eb1d1744-8233-4576-9b15-90a074d67f82/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-16",{"_148":197,"_150":198,"_152":199,"_154":197},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e4833c1-e8fc-4792-90ad-bfccad95e20d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e4833c1-e8fc-4792-90ad-bfccad95e20d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e4833c1-e8fc-4792-90ad-bfccad95e20d/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-23-1",{"_148":202,"_150":203,"_152":204,"_154":202},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/170b2d69-bc9d-401f-a9bd-4ba2958aaa77/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/170b2d69-bc9d-401f-a9bd-4ba2958aaa77/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/170b2d69-bc9d-401f-a9bd-4ba2958aaa77/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-44",{"_148":207,"_150":208,"_152":209,"_154":207},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eca6e836-ea2f-4a43-9a06-d87ee8311157/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eca6e836-ea2f-4a43-9a06-d87ee8311157/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/eca6e836-ea2f-4a43-9a06-d87ee8311157/preview","Glynn-Good-Shepherd-Episcopal-65-scaled",{"_148":212,"_150":213,"_152":214,"_154":212},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/25b66844-cbe2-47d4-9596-754dda316b90/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/25b66844-cbe2-47d4-9596-754dda316b90/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/25b66844-cbe2-47d4-9596-754dda316b90/preview","7HJ5+VP Brunswick, Georgia","

Needwood Baptist Church, originally named Broadfield, was organized in 1866, shortly after the Civil War, and became part of the newly formed Zion Baptist Association. The congregation was founded by formerly enslaved people from the Broadfield and Needwood Plantations. The first church stood on land belonging to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, now a state-owned historic site about a mile away. In the 1880s, the church was moved to its current site and renamed Needwood. According to the National Register, the original building dates to the 1870s, with its twin towers added in the mid-1880s.

Architecturally, the church reflects the style of many African American places of worship built in the decades after emancipation—simple, functional, and without elaborate ornamentation. Inside, wooden tongue-and-groove boards line the walls and ceiling, with plywood covering the original floors. The pews remain original. The frame, built in a “modified post-and-beam/balloon” style popular in the 1870s, houses one of the church’s most treasured features: a bell believed to have been cast in 1884 in Baltimore.

On the same property stands a rare one-room schoolhouse, likely built before 1907. These small schools once served rural African American children, many of whom had no other access to formal education. The school was not originally part of the church, but after its closure, the property was acquired by Needwood in 1954. Before integration, black children were not permitted to ride county school buses, and county support was limited to paying the teacher’s salary. Students graduating from Needwood School’s sixth grade attended Risley Elementary in Brunswick, commuting daily with Greyhound bus tickets. Many church members today recall relatives who attended the little school.

In 1998, the Needwood Church and School were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation honors the congregation and the original families who have worked to maintain these buildings despite declining membership and limited funds. Needwood stands as one of the most significant surviving examples of post–Civil War African American history in rural Georgia—a place whose preservation ensures these stories can be told for generations to come.

",31.2821875,-81.4406875,[230,231,232,233,234,235,236,237,238,239,240,241],"Needwood Baptist Church, originally named Broadfield, was organized in 1866, shortly after the Civil War, and became part of the newly formed Zion Baptist Association. The congregation was founded by formerly enslaved people from the Broadfield and Needwood Plantations. The first church stood on land belonging to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, now a state-owned historic site…",{"_37":105,"_67":117,"_76":119},14,{"_37":227,"_67":228,"_76":229},"Needwood Baptist Church, originally named Broadfield, was organized in 1866, shortly after the Civil War, and became part of the newly formed Zion Baptist Association. The congregation was founded by formerly enslaved people from the Broadfield and Needwood Plantations. The first church stood on land belonging to the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, now a state-owned historic site about a mile away. In the 1880s, the church was moved to its current site and renamed Needwood. According to the National Register, the original building dates to the 1870s, with its twin towers added in the mid-1880s. Architecturally, the church reflects the style of many African American places of worship built in the decades after emancipation—simple, functional, and without elaborate ornamentation. Inside, wooden tongue-and-groove boards line the walls and ceiling, with plywood covering the original floors. The pews remain original. The frame, built in a “modified post-and-beam/balloon” style popular in the 1870s, houses one of the church’s most treasured features: a bell believed to have been cast in 1884 in Baltimore. On the same property stands a rare one-room schoolhouse, likely built before 1907. These small schools once served rural African American children, many of whom had no other access to formal education. The school was not originally part of the church, but after its closure, the property was acquired by Needwood in 1954. Before integration, black children were not permitted to ride county school buses, and county support was limited to paying the teacher’s salary. Students graduating from Needwood School’s sixth grade attended Risley Elementary in Brunswick, commuting daily with Greyhound bus tickets. Many church members today recall relatives who attended the little school. In 1998, the Needwood Church and School were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation honors the congregation and the original families who have worked to maintain these buildings despite declining membership and limited funds. Needwood stands as one of the most significant surviving examples of post–Civil War African American history in rural Georgia—a place whose preservation ensures these stories can be told for generations to come.",[226,123],"needwood-baptist-church-and-school","e89b8cc9-fa4a-4290-b254-5534f8002ac8","sapelo-first-african-baptist-mcintosh","Sapelo First African Baptist",{"_76":293,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":294},{"_76":287,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":292},{"_76":287,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":288},{"_76":282,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":283},{"_76":277,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":278},{"_76":272,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":273},{"_76":267,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":268},{"_76":262,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":263},{"_76":257,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":258},{"_76":252,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":253},{"_76":247,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":248},{"_76":242,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":243},"Glynn-Needwood-00294_HDRSmallWEB_preview-1",{"_148":244,"_150":245,"_152":246,"_154":244},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/04ade99a-4c34-4273-b35c-51ec20bfca13/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/04ade99a-4c34-4273-b35c-51ec20bfca13/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/04ade99a-4c34-4273-b35c-51ec20bfca13/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00266_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":249,"_150":250,"_152":251,"_154":249},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/81cae4ad-6dfc-4aa2-b4ce-7b9d746ca1d5/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/81cae4ad-6dfc-4aa2-b4ce-7b9d746ca1d5/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/81cae4ad-6dfc-4aa2-b4ce-7b9d746ca1d5/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00280_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":254,"_150":255,"_152":256,"_154":254},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e90b3e96-8f62-4794-b0fc-4354cf575592/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e90b3e96-8f62-4794-b0fc-4354cf575592/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e90b3e96-8f62-4794-b0fc-4354cf575592/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00364_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":259,"_150":260,"_152":261,"_154":259},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/edf58afe-3da4-4ae3-bcca-a47bb99fd106/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/edf58afe-3da4-4ae3-bcca-a47bb99fd106/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/edf58afe-3da4-4ae3-bcca-a47bb99fd106/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00399_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":264,"_150":265,"_152":266,"_154":264},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/88fa5f13-a32f-44ff-8118-f6c5de34314a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/88fa5f13-a32f-44ff-8118-f6c5de34314a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/88fa5f13-a32f-44ff-8118-f6c5de34314a/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00385_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":269,"_150":270,"_152":271,"_154":269},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6d2ba10-7b8d-4181-8620-d5c5bf16c141/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6d2ba10-7b8d-4181-8620-d5c5bf16c141/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6d2ba10-7b8d-4181-8620-d5c5bf16c141/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00462_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":274,"_150":275,"_152":276,"_154":274},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c4aba84b-bf61-4f40-b6a0-31cb52a7344b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c4aba84b-bf61-4f40-b6a0-31cb52a7344b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c4aba84b-bf61-4f40-b6a0-31cb52a7344b/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00357_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":279,"_150":280,"_152":281,"_154":279},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/422e9264-be86-46a8-a310-a69ea2c795cb/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/422e9264-be86-46a8-a310-a69ea2c795cb/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/422e9264-be86-46a8-a310-a69ea2c795cb/preview","Glynn-Needwood-00280-2_HDRSmallWEB_preview",{"_148":284,"_150":285,"_152":286,"_154":284},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7831f6da-ca47-48a9-886f-927a14d9f520/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7831f6da-ca47-48a9-886f-927a14d9f520/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7831f6da-ca47-48a9-886f-927a14d9f520/preview","Glynn_Needwood_01",{"_148":289,"_150":290,"_152":291,"_154":289},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f2255e3-6554-45c2-844f-c6ac2bd50cbc/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f2255e3-6554-45c2-844f-c6ac2bd50cbc/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f2255e3-6554-45c2-844f-c6ac2bd50cbc/preview",{"_148":289,"_150":290,"_152":291,"_154":289},"Glynn_Needwood_01-1-scaled",{"_148":295,"_150":296,"_152":297,"_154":295},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a49c80f7-be82-4f8f-b59c-cdd42f563e07/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a49c80f7-be82-4f8f-b59c-cdd42f563e07/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a49c80f7-be82-4f8f-b59c-cdd42f563e07/preview","CPMR+MH Sapelo Island, Georgia","

The First African Baptist Church on Sapelo Island is a remarkable treasure of Georgia’s coastal history. Founded in 1866 by freed slaves in the Hanging Bull settlement, the congregation began as a symbol of resilience and independence in the post-Civil War era. The original church was destroyed in the hurricane of 1898, but the congregation rebuilt two years later at its present site in Raccoon Bluff.

By the late 20th century, the sanctuary had been abandoned for decades and had fallen into ruin. Beginning in 2000, a partnership between the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, the State of Georgia, and students from the Savannah College of Art & Design undertook a painstaking restoration. Thanks to their efforts, the church—listed today on the National Register of Historic Places—stands as both a sacred space and a cornerstone of the Geechee-Gullah culture that endures along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina.

Sapelo’s layered history stretches back centuries. Spanish missionaries first arrived in the 17th century, establishing outposts like San José de Zápala, from which the island’s name is derived. Before that, the island was home to the Guale people. In 1736, Highland Scots from Inverness, brought by General James Oglethorpe, founded nearby Darien to guard Georgia’s southern frontier. Later, the McIntosh family, of Scottish Highland descent, became central figures in Georgia’s history, including Revolutionary War hero General Lachlan McIntosh.

Slavery arrived on Sapelo in 1762, when Patrick Mackay purchased the island and brought enslaved Africans to work cotton and cattle operations. Ownership changed hands several times until Thomas Spalding, an innovative planter, consolidated power in the early 1800s. Spalding became one of Georgia’s most influential slaveholders, relying on enslaved labor to cultivate Sea Island cotton, rice, and sugar. On the eve of the Civil War, the Spalding estate counted 252 enslaved people living in 50 houses.

After emancipation, freedmen established self-sustaining communities across Sapelo. At Hog Hammock and Raccoon Bluff, they built churches, farmed, and maintained African traditions that shaped the unique Geechee-Gullah culture. Hog Hammock remains an active community today, the last African American settlement on Georgia’s fourth-largest barrier island. Of Sapelo’s 16,500 acres, all but 434 are state-owned and managed, but the church at Raccoon Bluff continues to testify to the faith and endurance of Sapelo’s freedmen and their descendants. The First African Baptist Church is more than an architectural landmark—it is a living emblem of freedom, resilience, and cultural survival.

",31.4341875,-81.2585625,[313,314,315,316,317,318,319,320],"The First African Baptist Church on Sapelo Island is a remarkable treasure of Georgia’s coastal history. Founded in 1866 by freed slaves in the Hanging Bull settlement, the congregation began as a symbol of resilience and independence in the post-Civil War era. The original church was destroyed in the hurricane of 1898, but the congregation…",{"_37":122,"_67":123,"_76":124},13,{"_37":310,"_67":311,"_76":312},"The First African Baptist Church on Sapelo Island is a remarkable treasure of Georgia’s coastal history. Founded in 1866 by freed slaves in the Hanging Bull settlement, the congregation began as a symbol of resilience and independence in the post-Civil War era. The original church was destroyed in the hurricane of 1898, but the congregation rebuilt two years later at its present site in Raccoon Bluff. By the late 20th century, the sanctuary had been abandoned for decades and had fallen into ruin. Beginning in 2000, a partnership between the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society, the State of Georgia, and students from the Savannah College of Art & Design undertook a painstaking restoration. Thanks to their efforts, the church—listed today on the National Register of Historic Places—stands as both a sacred space and a cornerstone of the Geechee-Gullah culture that endures along the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. Sapelo’s layered history stretches back centuries. Spanish missionaries first arrived in the 17th century, establishing outposts like San José de Zápala, from which the island’s name is derived. Before that, the island was home to the Guale people. In 1736, Highland Scots from Inverness, brought by General James Oglethorpe, founded nearby Darien to guard Georgia’s southern frontier. Later, the McIntosh family, of Scottish Highland descent, became central figures in Georgia’s history, including Revolutionary War hero General Lachlan McIntosh. Slavery arrived on Sapelo in 1762, when Patrick Mackay purchased the island and brought enslaved Africans to work cotton and cattle operations. Ownership changed hands several times until Thomas Spalding, an innovative planter, consolidated power in the early 1800s. Spalding became one of Georgia’s most influential slaveholders, relying on enslaved labor to cultivate Sea Island cotton, rice, and sugar. On the eve of the Civil War, the Spalding estate counted 252 enslaved people living in 50 houses. After emancipation, freedmen established self-sustaining communities across Sapelo. At Hog Hammock and Raccoon Bluff, they built churches, farmed, and maintained African traditions that shaped the unique Geechee-Gullah culture. Hog Hammock remains an active community today, the last African American settlement on Georgia’s fourth-largest barrier island. Of Sapelo’s 16,500 acres, all but 434 are state-owned and managed, but the church at Raccoon Bluff continues to testify to the faith and endurance of Sapelo’s freedmen and their descendants. The First African Baptist Church is more than an architectural landmark—it is a living emblem of freedom, resilience, and cultural survival.",[309,228],"sapelo-first-african-baptist","7989466b-659f-4cce-9ea9-1d225d8092b9","st-cyprians-episcopal-mcintosh","St. Cyprians Episcopal",{"_76":356,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":357},{"_76":351,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":352},{"_76":346,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":347},{"_76":341,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":342},{"_76":336,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":337},{"_76":331,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":332},{"_76":326,"_139":229,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":327},{"_76":321,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":322},"sapelo005wcm210614800-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":323,"_150":324,"_152":325,"_154":323},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c7a9ced-c6e3-4c26-b921-b9fef1c26bfa/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c7a9ced-c6e3-4c26-b921-b9fef1c26bfa/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c7a9ced-c6e3-4c26-b921-b9fef1c26bfa/preview","sapelo005wcm210614800",{"_148":328,"_150":329,"_152":330,"_154":328},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/720af7b7-52a5-4066-a245-60cf920ecc7e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/720af7b7-52a5-4066-a245-60cf920ecc7e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/720af7b7-52a5-4066-a245-60cf920ecc7e/preview","sapelo001wcm210614800",{"_148":333,"_150":334,"_152":335,"_154":333},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/21b52b87-de4f-4308-8a10-88fc41044c91/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/21b52b87-de4f-4308-8a10-88fc41044c91/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/21b52b87-de4f-4308-8a10-88fc41044c91/preview","sapelo009wcm210614800",{"_148":338,"_150":339,"_152":340,"_154":338},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c700893-dce8-41ee-b13f-5162e290a2d0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c700893-dce8-41ee-b13f-5162e290a2d0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c700893-dce8-41ee-b13f-5162e290a2d0/preview","sapelo010wcm210614800",{"_148":343,"_150":344,"_152":345,"_154":343},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/796b9289-55c1-485e-8466-debf2f210c42/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/796b9289-55c1-485e-8466-debf2f210c42/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/796b9289-55c1-485e-8466-debf2f210c42/preview","sapelo011wcm210614800",{"_148":348,"_150":349,"_152":350,"_154":348},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d11bf32b-2a2c-430d-8b93-f898577f7a30/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d11bf32b-2a2c-430d-8b93-f898577f7a30/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d11bf32b-2a2c-430d-8b93-f898577f7a30/preview","sapelo012wcm210614800",{"_148":353,"_150":354,"_152":355,"_154":353},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/64076b56-1af0-42d5-bbbb-6681170ce00e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/64076b56-1af0-42d5-bbbb-6681170ce00e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/64076b56-1af0-42d5-bbbb-6681170ce00e/preview","sapelo014wcm210614800",{"_148":358,"_150":359,"_152":360,"_154":358},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31d9a78c-9040-4bb7-bd9a-188dbd938985/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31d9a78c-9040-4bb7-bd9a-188dbd938985/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31d9a78c-9040-4bb7-bd9a-188dbd938985/preview","401 Fort King George Dr, Darien, GA 31305","

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1876, is one of Georgia’s rare Episcopal congregations founded specifically for African Americans—and one of the most beautiful. Its story is deeply entwined with the fascinating history of Darien itself, a town whose origins stretch back to 1736 when Scottish Highlanders arrived on the Altamaha River to defend the southern frontier of the Georgia colony. These “warrior farmers,” brought by Oglethorpe, named their new settlement for the ill-fated Scottish colony of Darien in Panama. Today, though its population is fewer than 2,000, Darien remains the second-oldest town in Georgia outside of Savannah, and it is home to five remarkably historic churches.

The Episcopal presence in Darien began in the 1840s with St. Andrews, which ministered to both whites and enslaved people. By the eve of the Civil War, records show 37 white and 54 Black communicants. That promising growth was destroyed in 1863 when Union troops looted and burned Darien to the ground. The attack—led by Col. James Montgomery and the young Col. Robert Gould Shaw, later memorialized in the film Glory—erased much of the town’s antebellum history.

In the aftermath of war, a new beginning came from the Butler Plantation across the river. In 1873, the Rev. Dr. Leigh, who had married into the Butler family, secured plans for a church that would serve Darien’s African American community. Built by freedmen from Butler Island and Darien, the sanctuary was completed in 1876 and named St. Cyprian’s, honoring the martyred African bishop.

One of its most remarkable features is its construction of tabby concrete, a material made from lime, water, and oyster shells that was widely used in the 18th and early 19th centuries. St. Cyprian’s is believed to be one of the largest surviving tabby structures in Georgia still in use today.

Both a cultural treasure and a sacred place of worship, St. Cyprian’s stands as a rare testament to resilience and faith in the African American Episcopal tradition. To step inside is to touch a piece of Georgia’s coastal history—one worth honoring and preserving for generations to come.

",31.3667201,-81.43213569999999,[376,377,378,379,380,381,382,383,384,385,386],"St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1876, is one of Georgia’s rare Episcopal congregations founded specifically for African Americans—and one of the most beautiful. Its story is deeply entwined with the fascinating history of Darien itself, a town whose origins stretch back to 1736 when Scottish Highlanders arrived on the Altamaha River to defend the…",{"_37":227,"_67":228,"_76":229},12,{"_37":373,"_67":374,"_76":375},"St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1876, is one of Georgia’s rare Episcopal congregations founded specifically for African Americans—and one of the most beautiful. Its story is deeply entwined with the fascinating history of Darien itself, a town whose origins stretch back to 1736 when Scottish Highlanders arrived on the Altamaha River to defend the southern frontier of the Georgia colony. These “warrior farmers,” brought by Oglethorpe, named their new settlement for the ill-fated Scottish colony of Darien in Panama. Today, though its population is fewer than 2,000, Darien remains the second-oldest town in Georgia outside of Savannah, and it is home to five remarkably historic churches. The Episcopal presence in Darien began in the 1840s with St. Andrews, which ministered to both whites and enslaved people. By the eve of the Civil War, records show 37 white and 54 Black communicants. That promising growth was destroyed in 1863 when Union troops looted and burned Darien to the ground. The attack—led by Col. James Montgomery and the young Col. Robert Gould Shaw, later memorialized in the film Glory—erased much of the town’s antebellum history. In the aftermath of war, a new beginning came from the Butler Plantation across the river. In 1873, the Rev. Dr. Leigh, who had married into the Butler family, secured plans for a church that would serve Darien’s African American community. Built by freedmen from Butler Island and Darien, the sanctuary was completed in 1876 and named St. Cyprian’s, honoring the martyred African bishop. One of its most remarkable features is its construction of tabby concrete, a material made from lime, water, and oyster shells that was widely used in the 18th and early 19th centuries. St. Cyprian’s is believed to be one of the largest surviving tabby structures in Georgia still in use today. Both a cultural treasure and a sacred place of worship, St. Cyprian’s stands as a rare testament to resilience and faith in the African American Episcopal tradition. To step inside is to touch a piece of Georgia’s coastal history—one worth honoring and preserving for generations to come.",[372,311],"st-cyprians-episcopal","08d39859-d985-40df-9eb9-d4acbeb1b685","st-andrews-episcopal-mcintosh","St. Andrews Episcopal",{"_76":438,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":439},{"_76":433,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":434},{"_76":428,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":429},{"_76":423,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":424},{"_76":418,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":419},{"_76":413,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":414},{"_76":408,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":409},{"_76":403,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":404},{"_76":398,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":399},{"_76":392,"_139":393,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":394},{"_76":387,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":388},"StCyprian-exterior1-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":389,"_150":390,"_152":391,"_154":389},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/30e1e1a4-07a1-4cd9-a061-8d8b4ab0ae10/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/30e1e1a4-07a1-4cd9-a061-8d8b4ab0ae10/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/30e1e1a4-07a1-4cd9-a061-8d8b4ab0ae10/preview","StCyprian-exterior1","St. Cyprian Episcopal",{"_148":395,"_150":396,"_152":397,"_154":395},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b2742f19-864e-4073-ae37-da810928ba42/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b2742f19-864e-4073-ae37-da810928ba42/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b2742f19-864e-4073-ae37-da810928ba42/preview","StCyprian-ext-front",{"_148":400,"_150":401,"_152":402,"_154":400},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e1b8f909-ae83-49c0-9c0f-7e5ecd46fdac/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e1b8f909-ae83-49c0-9c0f-7e5ecd46fdac/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e1b8f909-ae83-49c0-9c0f-7e5ecd46fdac/preview","StCyprian-front",{"_148":405,"_150":406,"_152":407,"_154":405},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ac026bb9-a782-48d5-a119-6ffd3c150ed7/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ac026bb9-a782-48d5-a119-6ffd3c150ed7/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ac026bb9-a782-48d5-a119-6ffd3c150ed7/preview","StCyprian-front-bW-1024x682",{"_148":410,"_150":411,"_152":412,"_154":410},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d6e1bbe7-a1a8-4df1-a7e9-c3058ed8b0ae/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d6e1bbe7-a1a8-4df1-a7e9-c3058ed8b0ae/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d6e1bbe7-a1a8-4df1-a7e9-c3058ed8b0ae/preview","StCyprian-interior",{"_148":415,"_150":416,"_152":417,"_154":415},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ff7f3ff-ea56-411f-a3e4-80b6d57aff4c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ff7f3ff-ea56-411f-a3e4-80b6d57aff4c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ff7f3ff-ea56-411f-a3e4-80b6d57aff4c/preview","StCyprian-pulpit",{"_148":420,"_150":421,"_152":422,"_154":420},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/44586544-24aa-4d67-a030-7cc5d10ebb9e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/44586544-24aa-4d67-a030-7cc5d10ebb9e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/44586544-24aa-4d67-a030-7cc5d10ebb9e/preview","StCyprian-side",{"_148":425,"_150":426,"_152":427,"_154":425},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5ecc633-1acb-49ee-966c-8f6854481a93/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5ecc633-1acb-49ee-966c-8f6854481a93/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5ecc633-1acb-49ee-966c-8f6854481a93/preview","StCyprian-tabbey",{"_148":430,"_150":431,"_152":432,"_154":430},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b78502-324f-4d01-bd18-fd46d9f92b1a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b78502-324f-4d01-bd18-fd46d9f92b1a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b78502-324f-4d01-bd18-fd46d9f92b1a/preview","StCyprian-ext-front-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":435,"_150":436,"_152":437,"_154":435},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c92249e9-1026-4af8-869f-f13957cba3bc/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c92249e9-1026-4af8-869f-f13957cba3bc/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c92249e9-1026-4af8-869f-f13957cba3bc/preview","StCyprian-exterior1-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":440,"_150":441,"_152":442,"_154":440},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/652fda74-3322-435b-84e7-0ac0102420f9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/652fda74-3322-435b-84e7-0ac0102420f9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/652fda74-3322-435b-84e7-0ac0102420f9/preview","9H99+74 Darien, Georgia","

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1879, is one of the most striking examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Georgia. Its story, like that of Darien itself, is steeped in resilience and rebirth.

Darien was founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders brought over by Oglethorpe to defend the southern frontier. Fiercely Presbyterian, the Highlanders held to their faith for nearly a century before other denominations gained a foothold. The Baptists organized in 1834, the Methodists in 1836, and the Episcopalians in 1841. The church was first organized as St. Peter’s in 1841, renamed St. Andrew’s in 1842, and completed its first wooden sanctuary in 1844. That early building stood only a short distance from today’s church.

Darien’s fortunes, however, declined in the mid-19th century. Railroads bypassed the port, the powerful Darien Bank failed, and during the Civil War the town met near-total destruction. On June 11, 1863, Union troops looted and burned Darien to the ground. Only the Methodist church survived.

The beautiful sanctuary you see today rose from the ashes in 1879. The vision came from timber merchant James K. Clarke and the Rev. James W. Leigh, an English clergyman who had married Frances Butler, daughter of plantation owner Pierce Butler. Rev. Leigh secured plans from an English architect who modeled the design on a 14th-century Gothic stone church near Manchester, England. Built on the site of the old Darien Bank, the new church drew from local timber floated down the Altamaha.

The result is a masterpiece of Carpenter Gothic style, with steep-pitched roofs, pointed-arch windows, and intricate woodwork. The interior, inspired by medieval stone churches, carries a more austere tone, with vaulted ceilings and a sense of quiet grandeur.

St. Andrew’s stands today as a jewel of McIntosh County and a symbol of Darien’s rebirth after devastation. Thanks to generations of faithful stewardship, this architectural treasure continues to tell the story of resilience, faith, and artistry along Georgia’s coast.

",31.3681875,-81.4321875,[458,459,460,461,462,463,464,465,466],"St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1879, is one of the most striking examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Georgia. Its story, like that of Darien itself, is steeped in resilience and rebirth. Darien was founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders brought over by Oglethorpe to defend the southern frontier. Fiercely Presbyterian, the Highlanders held…",{"_37":310,"_67":311,"_76":312},11,{"_37":455,"_67":456,"_76":457},"St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, dedicated in 1879, is one of the most striking examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Georgia. Its story, like that of Darien itself, is steeped in resilience and rebirth. Darien was founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders brought over by Oglethorpe to defend the southern frontier. Fiercely Presbyterian, the Highlanders held to their faith for nearly a century before other denominations gained a foothold. The Baptists organized in 1834, the Methodists in 1836, and the Episcopalians in 1841. The church was first organized as St. Peter’s in 1841, renamed St. Andrew’s in 1842, and completed its first wooden sanctuary in 1844. That early building stood only a short distance from today’s church. Darien’s fortunes, however, declined in the mid-19th century. Railroads bypassed the port, the powerful Darien Bank failed, and during the Civil War the town met near-total destruction. On June 11, 1863, Union troops looted and burned Darien to the ground. Only the Methodist church survived. The beautiful sanctuary you see today rose from the ashes in 1879. The vision came from timber merchant James K. Clarke and the Rev. James W. Leigh, an English clergyman who had married Frances Butler, daughter of plantation owner Pierce Butler. Rev. Leigh secured plans from an English architect who modeled the design on a 14th-century Gothic stone church near Manchester, England. Built on the site of the old Darien Bank, the new church drew from local timber floated down the Altamaha. The result is a masterpiece of Carpenter Gothic style, with steep-pitched roofs, pointed-arch windows, and intricate woodwork. The interior, inspired by medieval stone churches, carries a more austere tone, with vaulted ceilings and a sense of quiet grandeur. St. Andrew’s stands today as a jewel of McIntosh County and a symbol of Darien’s rebirth after devastation. Thanks to generations of faithful stewardship, this architectural treasure continues to tell the story of resilience, faith, and artistry along Georgia’s coast.",[454,374],"st-andrews-episcopal","20bf5653-01e3-4c2a-b6a5-2efc0e9fb83c","first-presbyterian-of-darien-mcintosh","First Presbyterian of Darien",{"_76":507,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":508},{"_76":502,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":503},{"_76":497,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":498},{"_76":492,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":493},{"_76":487,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":488},{"_76":482,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":483},{"_76":477,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":478},{"_76":472,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":473},{"_76":467,"_139":375,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":468},"StAndrews-exterior",{"_148":469,"_150":470,"_152":471,"_154":469},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6713822-88c7-4c53-a5fd-dd7f3f39762a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6713822-88c7-4c53-a5fd-dd7f3f39762a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a6713822-88c7-4c53-a5fd-dd7f3f39762a/preview","StAndrews-back-to-front",{"_148":474,"_150":475,"_152":476,"_154":474},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54d0d553-df01-481a-b0dd-86010e66dc45/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54d0d553-df01-481a-b0dd-86010e66dc45/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54d0d553-df01-481a-b0dd-86010e66dc45/preview","StAndrews-exterior-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":479,"_150":480,"_152":481,"_154":479},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7049db0b-0b9c-471d-a7d8-1998685c8be4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7049db0b-0b9c-471d-a7d8-1998685c8be4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7049db0b-0b9c-471d-a7d8-1998685c8be4/preview","StAndrews-chancel",{"_148":484,"_150":485,"_152":486,"_154":484},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4612bb23-cc14-4267-9d8a-d7428ec0875e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4612bb23-cc14-4267-9d8a-d7428ec0875e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4612bb23-cc14-4267-9d8a-d7428ec0875e/preview","StAndrewsEpiscopalWCM008BW800x533",{"_148":489,"_150":490,"_152":491,"_154":489},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2946d9c7-a00e-4e0c-8506-c73512429113/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2946d9c7-a00e-4e0c-8506-c73512429113/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2946d9c7-a00e-4e0c-8506-c73512429113/preview","StAndrewsEpiscopalWCM016BW800x533",{"_148":494,"_150":495,"_152":496,"_154":494},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/213c56da-c409-49c5-8263-271ab5f67f79/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/213c56da-c409-49c5-8263-271ab5f67f79/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/213c56da-c409-49c5-8263-271ab5f67f79/preview","StAndrews-exterior2",{"_148":499,"_150":500,"_152":501,"_154":499},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5a9762f1-b659-4940-a5f5-d01ee6fa1dc2/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5a9762f1-b659-4940-a5f5-d01ee6fa1dc2/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5a9762f1-b659-4940-a5f5-d01ee6fa1dc2/preview","StAndrews-front-to-back",{"_148":504,"_150":505,"_152":506,"_154":504},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cf32199-64e1-4916-b66e-df4da40f986c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cf32199-64e1-4916-b66e-df4da40f986c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cf32199-64e1-4916-b66e-df4da40f986c/preview","StAndrews-podium",{"_148":509,"_150":510,"_152":511,"_154":509},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6f5435ac-4bb3-4fdf-aed7-f4bb370cb4c0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6f5435ac-4bb3-4fdf-aed7-f4bb370cb4c0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6f5435ac-4bb3-4fdf-aed7-f4bb370cb4c0/preview","403 Jackson St, Darien, GA 31305","

The First Presbyterian Church of Darien is the oldest of the town’s five historic churches, its origins reaching back nearly three centuries to the founding of the settlement by Scottish Highlanders in 1735. These “warrior farmers,” brought to Georgia by General James Oglethorpe, established Darien as a military outpost to guard against Spanish incursions into the colony. They brought with them their families, their Presbyterian faith, and their own minister, Reverend John McLeod. Though his ministry ended abruptly when he left Georgia in 1741, the Highlanders had firmly planted the seeds of Presbyterianism in coastal Georgia.

The formal congregation that became First Presbyterian was not organized until 1809, when Dr. William McWhir, a respected Irish preacher and reported confidant of George Washington, arrived in McIntosh County. He first gathered a small flock at Sapelo Bridge, then permanently relocated to Darien in 1820, establishing the First Presbyterian Church with seventy members. By 1861, just before the Civil War, the congregation had grown to 120 members, over half of whom were Black—making it a thriving bi-racial community of faith.

The war, however, brought devastation. Union naval forces controlled the Altamaha by early 1862, and the congregation dispersed after March of that year. Then, in June 1863, Union troops under Colonel James Montgomery—along with the young Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, later immortalized in the film Glory—burned Darien to the ground. The church was lost, and Presbyterian life in Darien lay dormant for over a decade.

Resilience, though, is part of Darien’s character. In 1874, townspeople resolved to rebuild, and by 1876 a new sanctuary rose at the present site. Yet more trials followed: a devastating hurricane in 1898 and a fire in 1899 once again destroyed the church. From this hardship came the striking tabby-concrete sanctuary that still stands today, completed in 1900 at a cost of $4,100.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the First Presbyterian Church of Darien embodies the persistence of faith in a town that has weathered war, fire, and natural disaster. Its story reflects the wider history of Darien itself—Scottish settlement, coastal defense, prosperity, devastation, and renewal. Nearly 300 years after the Highlanders first arrived on the banks of the Altamaha, Presbyterians still gather here to worship in the “village by the sea.”

",31.3720524,-81.4362459,[527,528,529,530,531,532,533],"The First Presbyterian Church of Darien is the oldest of the town’s five historic churches, its origins reaching back nearly three centuries to the founding of the settlement by Scottish Highlanders in 1735. These “warrior farmers,” brought to Georgia by General James Oglethorpe, established Darien as a military outpost to guard against Spanish incursions into…",{"_37":373,"_67":374,"_76":375},10,{"_37":524,"_67":525,"_76":526},"The First Presbyterian Church of Darien is the oldest of the town’s five historic churches, its origins reaching back nearly three centuries to the founding of the settlement by Scottish Highlanders in 1735. These “warrior farmers,” brought to Georgia by General James Oglethorpe, established Darien as a military outpost to guard against Spanish incursions into the colony. They brought with them their families, their Presbyterian faith, and their own minister, Reverend John McLeod. Though his ministry ended abruptly when he left Georgia in 1741, the Highlanders had firmly planted the seeds of Presbyterianism in coastal Georgia. The formal congregation that became First Presbyterian was not organized until 1809, when Dr. William McWhir, a respected Irish preacher and reported confidant of George Washington, arrived in McIntosh County. He first gathered a small flock at Sapelo Bridge, then permanently relocated to Darien in 1820, establishing the First Presbyterian Church with seventy members. By 1861, just before the Civil War, the congregation had grown to 120 members, over half of whom were Black—making it a thriving bi-racial community of faith. The war, however, brought devastation. Union naval forces controlled the Altamaha by early 1862, and the congregation dispersed after March of that year. Then, in June 1863, Union troops under Colonel James Montgomery—along with the young Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, later immortalized in the film Glory—burned Darien to the ground. The church was lost, and Presbyterian life in Darien lay dormant for over a decade. Resilience, though, is part of Darien’s character. In 1874, townspeople resolved to rebuild, and by 1876 a new sanctuary rose at the present site. Yet more trials followed: a devastating hurricane in 1898 and a fire in 1899 once again destroyed the church. From this hardship came the striking tabby-concrete sanctuary that still stands today, completed in 1900 at a cost of $4,100.Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the First Presbyterian Church of Darien embodies the persistence of faith in a town that has weathered war, fire, and natural disaster. Its story reflects the wider history of Darien itself—Scottish settlement, coastal defense, prosperity, devastation, and renewal. Nearly 300 years after the Highlanders first arrived on the banks of the Altamaha, Presbyterians still gather here to worship in the “village by the sea.”",[523,456],"first-presbyterian-of-darien","8bc3050c-be09-4c8c-ab81-331751316acb","wayfair-primitive-baptist-mcintosh","Wayfair Primitive Baptist",{"_76":565,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":566},{"_76":560,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":561},{"_76":555,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":556},{"_76":550,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":551},{"_76":545,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":546},{"_76":539,"_139":540,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":541},{"_76":534,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":535},"DarienPresbyterian-exterior-1024x682-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":536,"_150":537,"_152":538,"_154":536},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4ae390b4-6dbb-4c41-b83b-e8593c699d3a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4ae390b4-6dbb-4c41-b83b-e8593c699d3a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4ae390b4-6dbb-4c41-b83b-e8593c699d3a/preview","DarienPresbyterian-exterior-1024x682","Darien Presbyterian",{"_148":542,"_150":543,"_152":544,"_154":542},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fbb66e76-b577-4a15-8613-d8feee94f9a7/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fbb66e76-b577-4a15-8613-d8feee94f9a7/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fbb66e76-b577-4a15-8613-d8feee94f9a7/preview","DarienPresbyterian-alcove-1024x682",{"_148":547,"_150":548,"_152":549,"_154":547},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e344033-783c-4f31-a34e-bd9dd69e7e10/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e344033-783c-4f31-a34e-bd9dd69e7e10/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e344033-783c-4f31-a34e-bd9dd69e7e10/preview","DarienPresbyterian-back-to-front-2-1024x682",{"_148":552,"_150":553,"_152":554,"_154":552},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/9fe02614-bc7c-40e0-9bbc-5558381da5d7/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/9fe02614-bc7c-40e0-9bbc-5558381da5d7/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/9fe02614-bc7c-40e0-9bbc-5558381da5d7/preview","DarienPresbyterian-bible-bW-840x1024",{"_148":557,"_150":558,"_152":559,"_154":557},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc95f7f2-1a4f-4ee0-9be2-87c31f0bdd6a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc95f7f2-1a4f-4ee0-9be2-87c31f0bdd6a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc95f7f2-1a4f-4ee0-9be2-87c31f0bdd6a/preview","DarienPresbyterian-ext-bw-1024x682",{"_148":562,"_150":563,"_152":564,"_154":562},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/35580aa0-d949-4d58-8772-95e1f72658ff/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/35580aa0-d949-4d58-8772-95e1f72658ff/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/35580aa0-d949-4d58-8772-95e1f72658ff/preview","DarienPresbyterian-pews-1024x690",{"_148":567,"_150":568,"_152":569,"_154":567},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a294f19b-c72c-4687-a717-6993684f63ee/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a294f19b-c72c-4687-a717-6993684f63ee/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a294f19b-c72c-4687-a717-6993684f63ee/preview","FCQG+G3 Townsend, Georgia","

Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church (not to be confused with Wayfare Primitive Baptist in Echols County) stands as the only known Crawfordite meetinghouse in McIntosh County. Tucked among longleaf pines and palmetto palms, it reflects the austere architectural tradition of the Wiregrass Primitive Baptists: plain, unpainted, rectangular buildings without steeples, porticoes, or decorative features of any kind. The congregation was organized in 1873 with sixteen members and disbanded in recent years. A small cemetery adjoins the church, with its oldest marked grave dating to 1927—though the remoteness of the area and the devastation after the Civil War suggest that older, unmarked burials may exist. Local lore even hints that hurricanes in the 1890s may have forced the relocation of the church, though that remains speculation.

The story of Wayfair cannot be told without understanding the Primitive Baptist tradition. Since their beginnings in Georgia, Baptist congregations organized themselves into associations. By the 1830s, a deep division emerged over missions, Sunday schools, and other innovations not explicitly mentioned in scripture. The “New School” or Missionary Baptists supported these efforts, while the “Old School” or Primitive Baptists rejected them, holding fast to the principle that worship and church life must remain simple and scripturally grounded.

An additional fracture came during Reconstruction, when the Georgia Homestead Act of 1866 allowed debt restructuring. Many Primitive Baptists opposed participation, but some—including the son of Elder Reuben Crawford—did. When Elder Richard Bennett condemned the practice, a bitter split formed in the Alabaha River Association. By 1871–72, the Crawford and Bennett factions had formed, and Wayfair Primitive Baptist, founded in 1873, aligned with the Crawfordites.

For the Crawfordites, simplicity was both theological and practical. They believed comfort and ornamentation distracted from worship, insisting that their meetinghouses reflect the unadorned creation of God. While other Primitive Baptist churches eventually added glass windows, paint, and conveniences, the Crawfordites maintained stark sanctuaries without embellishment. Today, only a handful of these austere meetinghouses survive, and Wayfair is among them.

Unfortunately, little written history remains. Primitive Baptist churches kept minutes at the local level, and with no larger denominational hierarchy, records often vanished when a congregation disbanded. Still, the persistence of Wayfair into the late 20th century speaks to the strength of its founders’ convictions. Among the Crawfordite “articles of faith” was a commitment to baptism by immersion, communion, and even the washing of feet—rituals they believed must be perpetually observed.

Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church, simple in its form but rich in its story, stands as a rare example of Crawfordite faith and practice in Georgia’s coastal wiregrass country.

",31.4888125,-81.5748125,[585,586,587,588,589,590,591,592,593,594,595],"Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church (not to be confused with Wayfare Primitive Baptist in Echols County) stands as the only known Crawfordite meetinghouse in McIntosh County. Tucked among longleaf pines and palmetto palms, it reflects the austere architectural tradition of the Wiregrass Primitive Baptists: plain, unpainted, rectangular buildings without steeples, porticoes, or decorative features of any…",{"_37":455,"_67":456,"_76":457},9,{"_37":582,"_67":583,"_76":584},"Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church (not to be confused with Wayfare Primitive Baptist in Echols County) stands as the only known Crawfordite meetinghouse in McIntosh County. Tucked among longleaf pines and palmetto palms, it reflects the austere architectural tradition of the Wiregrass Primitive Baptists: plain, unpainted, rectangular buildings without steeples, porticoes, or decorative features of any kind. The congregation was organized in 1873 with sixteen members and disbanded in recent years. A small cemetery adjoins the church, with its oldest marked grave dating to 1927—though the remoteness of the area and the devastation after the Civil War suggest that older, unmarked burials may exist. Local lore even hints that hurricanes in the 1890s may have forced the relocation of the church, though that remains speculation. The story of Wayfair cannot be told without understanding the Primitive Baptist tradition. Since their beginnings in Georgia, Baptist congregations organized themselves into associations. By the 1830s, a deep division emerged over missions, Sunday schools, and other innovations not explicitly mentioned in scripture. The “New School” or Missionary Baptists supported these efforts, while the “Old School” or Primitive Baptists rejected them, holding fast to the principle that worship and church life must remain simple and scripturally grounded. An additional fracture came during Reconstruction, when the Georgia Homestead Act of 1866 allowed debt restructuring. Many Primitive Baptists opposed participation, but some—including the son of Elder Reuben Crawford—did. When Elder Richard Bennett condemned the practice, a bitter split formed in the Alabaha River Association. By 1871–72, the Crawford and Bennett factions had formed, and Wayfair Primitive Baptist, founded in 1873, aligned with the Crawfordites. For the Crawfordites, simplicity was both theological and practical. They believed comfort and ornamentation distracted from worship, insisting that their meetinghouses reflect the unadorned creation of God. While other Primitive Baptist churches eventually added glass windows, paint, and conveniences, the Crawfordites maintained stark sanctuaries without embellishment. Today, only a handful of these austere meetinghouses survive, and Wayfair is among them. Unfortunately, little written history remains. Primitive Baptist churches kept minutes at the local level, and with no larger denominational hierarchy, records often vanished when a congregation disbanded. Still, the persistence of Wayfair into the late 20th century speaks to the strength of its founders’ convictions. Among the Crawfordite “articles of faith” was a commitment to baptism by immersion, communion, and even the washing of feet—rituals they believed must be perpetually observed. Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church, simple in its form but rich in its story, stands as a rare example of Crawfordite faith and practice in Georgia’s coastal wiregrass country.",[581,525],"wayfair-primitive-baptist","70d6ebfc-2252-48ff-b9df-af0a58517453","jones-creek-baptist-long","Jones Creek Baptist",{"_76":646,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":647},{"_76":641,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":642},{"_76":636,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":637},{"_76":631,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":632},{"_76":626,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":627},{"_76":621,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":622},{"_76":616,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":617},{"_76":611,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":612},{"_76":606,"_139":526,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":607},{"_76":601,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":602},{"_76":596,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":597},"Wayfair-PB-wiregrass-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":598,"_150":599,"_152":600,"_154":598},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d4743867-abe6-43ca-8bd7-b33ce7f302c6/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d4743867-abe6-43ca-8bd7-b33ce7f302c6/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d4743867-abe6-43ca-8bd7-b33ce7f302c6/preview","Wayfair-PB-exterior-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":603,"_150":604,"_152":605,"_154":603},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c8c3bde-1f08-45f3-92f2-6a9634a67e0e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c8c3bde-1f08-45f3-92f2-6a9634a67e0e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c8c3bde-1f08-45f3-92f2-6a9634a67e0e/preview","Wayfair-PB-exterior",{"_148":608,"_150":609,"_152":610,"_154":608},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/879af457-c89c-4456-83ea-7b8eb54b558e/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/879af457-c89c-4456-83ea-7b8eb54b558e/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/879af457-c89c-4456-83ea-7b8eb54b558e/preview","Wayfair-PB-business",{"_148":613,"_150":614,"_152":615,"_154":613},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e13d56b6-db0a-4a5a-b004-47958974342d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e13d56b6-db0a-4a5a-b004-47958974342d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e13d56b6-db0a-4a5a-b004-47958974342d/preview","Wayfair-PBC-sign-off",{"_148":618,"_150":619,"_152":620,"_154":618},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd53050f-cb69-4012-b1ff-80c08dd470b6/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd53050f-cb69-4012-b1ff-80c08dd470b6/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cd53050f-cb69-4012-b1ff-80c08dd470b6/preview","Wayfair-PB-hinge",{"_148":623,"_150":624,"_152":625,"_154":623},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ad83a2eb-2c13-4ffc-b6fb-5a927f9d2baf/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ad83a2eb-2c13-4ffc-b6fb-5a927f9d2baf/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ad83a2eb-2c13-4ffc-b6fb-5a927f9d2baf/preview","Wayfair-PB-interior",{"_148":628,"_150":629,"_152":630,"_154":628},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/caea659f-a037-454d-8c7c-d7477d2fabc4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/caea659f-a037-454d-8c7c-d7477d2fabc4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/caea659f-a037-454d-8c7c-d7477d2fabc4/preview","Wayfair-PB-out-structure",{"_148":633,"_150":634,"_152":635,"_154":633},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/09f03624-f8bc-43f1-8399-b1fd74b82c1a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/09f03624-f8bc-43f1-8399-b1fd74b82c1a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/09f03624-f8bc-43f1-8399-b1fd74b82c1a/preview","Wayfair-PB-pulpit-broom",{"_148":638,"_150":639,"_152":640,"_154":638},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d04b3247-b0fe-4ceb-83f4-4607f6d44357/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d04b3247-b0fe-4ceb-83f4-4607f6d44357/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d04b3247-b0fe-4ceb-83f4-4607f6d44357/preview","Wayfair-PB-windows",{"_148":643,"_150":644,"_152":645,"_154":643},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52b6f222-fad1-487b-b3c9-12e38151ceba/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52b6f222-fad1-487b-b3c9-12e38151ceba/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/52b6f222-fad1-487b-b3c9-12e38151ceba/preview","Wayfair-PB-wiregrass",{"_148":648,"_150":649,"_152":650,"_154":648},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fb6eb718-6bd8-4f68-8326-49bb99b97ad1/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fb6eb718-6bd8-4f68-8326-49bb99b97ad1/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fb6eb718-6bd8-4f68-8326-49bb99b97ad1/preview","69 Jones Creek Church Loop, Ludowici, GA 31316","

On April 22, 1810, Jones Creek Baptist Church was constituted by Reverends John Goldwire and Moses Westberry along with thirteen members from Beard’s Creek Baptist. Reverend Westberry became the first pastor, serving faithfully for 35 years. In its earliest days, the congregation gathered under a brush arbor before erecting a log meetinghouse in 1817 on land given by William Walthour. By 1832, a larger frame building was added, complete with a shed for enslaved members.

The current sanctuary, completed in 1856, was designed by Hendley Foxworth Horne, a local craftsman whose home still stands nearby. Remarkably, the church has remained much the same since, though the former slave gallery has since been adapted for Sunday School rooms and now displays church memorabilia.

Church minutes, carefully preserved, offer a vivid glimpse into 19th-century rural life. In 1822, one member admitted to striking another in anger, calling him “a damned raskel,” while in 1824, two members were expelled after disputes over lying and cheating. By contrast, William H. Parker, once embroiled in conflict, was later ordained as a minister in 1844. Records also show more everyday matters, such as the 1856 decision to commission two dozen spit boxes for the sanctuary.

The Civil War also left its mark. In 1861, so many members were serving in the Confederate Army that church business was postponed. By 1865, notes reflect the challenge of how to handle “colored members who went over to the enemy.” Two years later, the church established a separate burying ground for Black members. Jones Creek Baptist remains a remarkable link to Georgia’s early 19th-century frontier and to the complex, layered history of its people. Thanks to careful stewardship, this history is still here for us to learn from today.

",31.7561796,-81.81177199999999,[666,667,668,669,670,671,672,673,674,675,676],"On April 22, 1810, Jones Creek Baptist Church was constituted by Reverends John Goldwire and Moses Westberry along with thirteen members from Beard’s Creek Baptist. Reverend Westberry became the first pastor, serving faithfully for 35 years. In its earliest days, the congregation gathered under a brush arbor before erecting a log meetinghouse in 1817 on…",{"_37":524,"_67":525,"_76":526},8,{"_37":663,"_67":664,"_76":665},"On April 22, 1810, Jones Creek Baptist Church was constituted by Reverends John Goldwire and Moses Westberry along with thirteen members from Beard’s Creek Baptist. Reverend Westberry became the first pastor, serving faithfully for 35 years. In its earliest days, the congregation gathered under a brush arbor before erecting a log meetinghouse in 1817 on land given by William Walthour. By 1832, a larger frame building was added, complete with a shed for enslaved members. The current sanctuary, completed in 1856, was designed by Hendley Foxworth Horne, a local craftsman whose home still stands nearby. Remarkably, the church has remained much the same since, though the former slave gallery has since been adapted for Sunday School rooms and now displays church memorabilia. Church minutes, carefully preserved, offer a vivid glimpse into 19th-century rural life. In 1822, one member admitted to striking another in anger, calling him “a damned raskel,” while in 1824, two members were expelled after disputes over lying and cheating. By contrast, William H. Parker, once embroiled in conflict, was later ordained as a minister in 1844. Records also show more everyday matters, such as the 1856 decision to commission two dozen spit boxes for the sanctuary. The Civil War also left its mark. In 1861, so many members were serving in the Confederate Army that church business was postponed. By 1865, notes reflect the challenge of how to handle “colored members who went over to the enemy.” Two years later, the church established a separate burying ground for Black members. Jones Creek Baptist remains a remarkable link to Georgia’s early 19th-century frontier and to the complex, layered history of its people. Thanks to careful stewardship, this history is still here for us to learn from today.",[662,583],"jones-creek-baptist","6e0124fe-9089-477c-bbea-048c37b09046","walthourville-presbyterian-long","Walthourville Presbyterian",{"_76":727,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":728},{"_76":722,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":723},{"_76":717,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":718},{"_76":712,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":713},{"_76":707,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":708},{"_76":702,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":703},{"_76":697,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":698},{"_76":692,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":693},{"_76":687,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":688},{"_76":682,"_139":584,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":683},{"_76":677,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":678},"Jones-Creek-exterior-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":679,"_150":680,"_152":681,"_154":679},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f0136066-730c-4155-a67a-62d997d96117/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f0136066-730c-4155-a67a-62d997d96117/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f0136066-730c-4155-a67a-62d997d96117/preview","Jones-Creek-exterior",{"_148":684,"_150":685,"_152":686,"_154":684},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/70810865-87c6-42da-930e-20e5c3fc0846/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/70810865-87c6-42da-930e-20e5c3fc0846/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/70810865-87c6-42da-930e-20e5c3fc0846/preview","Jones-Creek-Bible",{"_148":689,"_150":690,"_152":691,"_154":689},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/08ca2de1-fde0-4042-9418-240f3370c462/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/08ca2de1-fde0-4042-9418-240f3370c462/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/08ca2de1-fde0-4042-9418-240f3370c462/preview","Jones-Creek-consort-stone",{"_148":694,"_150":695,"_152":696,"_154":694},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c827122-d84f-4721-b310-4677f5cfe0e3/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c827122-d84f-4721-b310-4677f5cfe0e3/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c827122-d84f-4721-b310-4677f5cfe0e3/preview","Jones-Creek-double-grave-BW",{"_148":699,"_150":700,"_152":701,"_154":699},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ebf79e83-40e4-4614-8c87-d4da07640c43/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ebf79e83-40e4-4614-8c87-d4da07640c43/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ebf79e83-40e4-4614-8c87-d4da07640c43/preview","Jones-Creek-old-bw",{"_148":704,"_150":705,"_152":706,"_154":704},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cc4e7580-f2ad-45b2-b38b-e367fcb4db39/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cc4e7580-f2ad-45b2-b38b-e367fcb4db39/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cc4e7580-f2ad-45b2-b38b-e367fcb4db39/preview","Jones-Creek-Peacock-murder1",{"_148":709,"_150":710,"_152":711,"_154":709},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0a5a7a3-3787-429f-b649-735cca849062/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0a5a7a3-3787-429f-b649-735cca849062/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0a5a7a3-3787-429f-b649-735cca849062/preview","Jones-Creek-pew-gallery",{"_148":714,"_150":715,"_152":716,"_154":714},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a5192429-beb2-4f49-a93c-c32e914f4ca2/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a5192429-beb2-4f49-a93c-c32e914f4ca2/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a5192429-beb2-4f49-a93c-c32e914f4ca2/preview","Jones-Creek-pews",{"_148":719,"_150":720,"_152":721,"_154":719},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/af46a79d-6c37-4b63-9bb4-862d3386a3cd/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/af46a79d-6c37-4b63-9bb4-862d3386a3cd/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/af46a79d-6c37-4b63-9bb4-862d3386a3cd/preview","Jones-Creek-podium",{"_148":724,"_150":725,"_152":726,"_154":724},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/11ffd1b8-6a9d-4e33-878c-5029ac2e3a08/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/11ffd1b8-6a9d-4e33-878c-5029ac2e3a08/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/11ffd1b8-6a9d-4e33-878c-5029ac2e3a08/preview","Jones-Creek-exterior-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":729,"_150":730,"_152":731,"_154":729},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/480a3b70-2272-4b37-a339-11595e811c85/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/480a3b70-2272-4b37-a339-11595e811c85/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/480a3b70-2272-4b37-a339-11595e811c85/preview","Q92P+3G Allenhurst, Georgia","

Walthourville Presbyterian is an architectural jewel, preserved almost exactly as it stood when it was built in 1884. The congregation’s story, however, reaches back much further. The first meetinghouse was established in 1820 to serve both Baptists and Presbyterians. A new sanctuary followed in 1845, but it was destroyed by fire in 1877. Rebuilt the next year, that structure was then lost to a storm in 1881. Undeterred, the congregation erected the current sanctuary in 1884 on land purchased from the Walthour estate.

Walthourville was one of three “Retreat Churches” connected to Midway Congregational Church, founded in 1752. These retreat sanctuaries were built inland, away from the mosquito-ridden swamps that plagued the low country. Flemington Presbyterian was the first, Walthourville the second, and Dorchester Presbyterian the third.

In 1855, thirty-three members of Midway were dismissed to form a new congregation here. When asked whether they wished to remain Congregationalist or join the Presbyterian Church, twenty-two members voted for Presbyterian governance, and Walthourville was officially organized. By 1861, it had become the second-largest congregation in its presbytery and was known for its generous benevolence.

Church records also reveal the complex story of race and worship in the South. In the late 1850s, a small building was erected nearby for Black congregants, where women of the church led Sunday School classes. After the war, those members went on to establish their own churches. Today, the sanctuary remains a beautiful example of 19th-century craftsmanship and a vital link to Liberty County’s early history. Though inactive, it still hosts a homecoming reunion every October. For many years, James Davis and his family lovingly cared for the church, ensuring that this landmark continues to tell its story for generations to come.

",31.7501875,-81.6136875,[747,748,749,750,751,752,753,754,755,756,757,758,759,760,761,762,763,764,765,766,767,768,769,770],"Walthourville Presbyterian is an architectural jewel, preserved almost exactly as it stood when it was built in 1884. The congregation’s story, however, reaches back much further. The first meetinghouse was established in 1820 to serve both Baptists and Presbyterians. A new sanctuary followed in 1845, but it was destroyed by fire in 1877. Rebuilt the…",{"_37":582,"_67":583,"_76":584},7,{"_37":744,"_67":745,"_76":746},"Walthourville Presbyterian is an architectural jewel, preserved almost exactly as it stood when it was built in 1884. The congregation’s story, however, reaches back much further. The first meetinghouse was established in 1820 to serve both Baptists and Presbyterians. A new sanctuary followed in 1845, but it was destroyed by fire in 1877. Rebuilt the next year, that structure was then lost to a storm in 1881. Undeterred, the congregation erected the current sanctuary in 1884 on land purchased from the Walthour estate. Walthourville was one of three “Retreat Churches” connected to Midway Congregational Church, founded in 1752. These retreat sanctuaries were built inland, away from the mosquito-ridden swamps that plagued the low country. Flemington Presbyterian was the first, Walthourville the second, and Dorchester Presbyterian the third. In 1855, thirty-three members of Midway were dismissed to form a new congregation here. When asked whether they wished to remain Congregationalist or join the Presbyterian Church, twenty-two members voted for Presbyterian governance, and Walthourville was officially organized. By 1861, it had become the second-largest congregation in its presbytery and was known for its generous benevolence. Church records also reveal the complex story of race and worship in the South. In the late 1850s, a small building was erected nearby for Black congregants, where women of the church led Sunday School classes. After the war, those members went on to establish their own churches. Today, the sanctuary remains a beautiful example of 19th-century craftsmanship and a vital link to Liberty County’s early history. Though inactive, it still hosts a homecoming reunion every October. For many years, James Davis and his family lovingly cared for the church, ensuring that this landmark continues to tell its story for generations to come.",[743,664],"walthourville-presbyterian","e10eb377-9c04-4a65-9254-fa42bed7fc75","flemington-presbyterian-liberty","Flemington Presbyterian",{"_76":886,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":887},{"_76":881,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":882},{"_76":876,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":877},{"_76":871,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":872},{"_76":866,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":867},{"_76":861,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":862},{"_76":856,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":857},{"_76":851,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":852},{"_76":846,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":847},{"_76":841,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":842},{"_76":836,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":837},{"_76":831,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":832},{"_76":826,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":827},{"_76":821,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":822},{"_76":816,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":817},{"_76":811,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":812},{"_76":806,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":807},{"_76":801,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":802},{"_76":796,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":797},{"_76":791,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":792},{"_76":786,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":787},{"_76":781,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":782},{"_76":776,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":777},{"_76":771,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":772},"Long-Walthourvilled97a3b7Q-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":773,"_150":774,"_152":775,"_154":773},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/26756aca-97b3-4f3a-aa17-594a620cadf0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/26756aca-97b3-4f3a-aa17-594a620cadf0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/26756aca-97b3-4f3a-aa17-594a620cadf0/preview","Long-Walthourville8",{"_148":778,"_150":779,"_152":780,"_154":778},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/446e74ce-0c51-4d44-b0c0-15b65213f221/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/446e74ce-0c51-4d44-b0c0-15b65213f221/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/446e74ce-0c51-4d44-b0c0-15b65213f221/preview","Long-Walthourville7-1",{"_148":783,"_150":784,"_152":785,"_154":783},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b127430-1fc0-4b9b-8eb5-ea37cef7da56/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b127430-1fc0-4b9b-8eb5-ea37cef7da56/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b127430-1fc0-4b9b-8eb5-ea37cef7da56/preview","Long-Waltourville-6",{"_148":788,"_150":789,"_152":790,"_154":788},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ff6aa2e8-e44c-49d1-84b8-91cd84a4ec03/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ff6aa2e8-e44c-49d1-84b8-91cd84a4ec03/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ff6aa2e8-e44c-49d1-84b8-91cd84a4ec03/preview","Long-Walthourville6",{"_148":793,"_150":794,"_152":795,"_154":793},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d2c2a414-289f-4f38-9281-f12d9db9f627/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d2c2a414-289f-4f38-9281-f12d9db9f627/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d2c2a414-289f-4f38-9281-f12d9db9f627/preview","Long-Walthourville5",{"_148":798,"_150":799,"_152":800,"_154":798},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ec1f61a6-3f33-4b3e-a2db-e7247508da3d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ec1f61a6-3f33-4b3e-a2db-e7247508da3d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ec1f61a6-3f33-4b3e-a2db-e7247508da3d/preview","Long-Walthourville4",{"_148":803,"_150":804,"_152":805,"_154":803},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3dc0ffc5-3c54-4b13-8e17-6769aaf5cc21/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3dc0ffc5-3c54-4b13-8e17-6769aaf5cc21/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3dc0ffc5-3c54-4b13-8e17-6769aaf5cc21/preview","Long-Walthourville3",{"_148":808,"_150":809,"_152":810,"_154":808},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a91a53cd-2a95-46b3-ac03-bd7e6693a64d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a91a53cd-2a95-46b3-ac03-bd7e6693a64d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a91a53cd-2a95-46b3-ac03-bd7e6693a64d/preview","Long-Walthourville2.1jpeg-1",{"_148":813,"_150":814,"_152":815,"_154":813},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ea18591-56a2-403a-be70-7b21f5183558/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ea18591-56a2-403a-be70-7b21f5183558/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6ea18591-56a2-403a-be70-7b21f5183558/preview","Long-WalthourvillenhcJn-oA",{"_148":818,"_150":819,"_152":820,"_154":818},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a73ffa07-8e51-47ee-b7d4-8f2f805e3284/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a73ffa07-8e51-47ee-b7d4-8f2f805e3284/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a73ffa07-8e51-47ee-b7d4-8f2f805e3284/preview","Long-Walthourville4daoa33g",{"_148":823,"_150":824,"_152":825,"_154":823},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cdcc5e63-cdf1-49eb-8c44-70a4f109ea35/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cdcc5e63-cdf1-49eb-8c44-70a4f109ea35/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cdcc5e63-cdf1-49eb-8c44-70a4f109ea35/preview","Long-Walthourvillepuc2mPbA",{"_148":828,"_150":829,"_152":830,"_154":828},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5c76b49-9cda-4b76-9de0-c4839609693c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5c76b49-9cda-4b76-9de0-c4839609693c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d5c76b49-9cda-4b76-9de0-c4839609693c/preview","Long-WalthourvilleakN-2pIA",{"_148":833,"_150":834,"_152":835,"_154":833},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02120607-3639-4072-966d-f29567286c22/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02120607-3639-4072-966d-f29567286c22/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02120607-3639-4072-966d-f29567286c22/preview","Long-WalthourvillePUOxNPFA",{"_148":838,"_150":839,"_152":840,"_154":838},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/218e8cdb-127b-4fbb-b4bc-51acd74509c7/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/218e8cdb-127b-4fbb-b4bc-51acd74509c7/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/218e8cdb-127b-4fbb-b4bc-51acd74509c7/preview","Long-Walthourvilleq3Pl7u9g",{"_148":843,"_150":844,"_152":845,"_154":843},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e35585c8-506d-42c2-a7fe-995fd2d9b2a0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e35585c8-506d-42c2-a7fe-995fd2d9b2a0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e35585c8-506d-42c2-a7fe-995fd2d9b2a0/preview","Long-WalthourvillevTqXTHkg",{"_148":848,"_150":849,"_152":850,"_154":848},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7281eb31-bce0-49ff-b634-a29fc5632c3b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7281eb31-bce0-49ff-b634-a29fc5632c3b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7281eb31-bce0-49ff-b634-a29fc5632c3b/preview","Long-WalthourvilleWI6U4eow",{"_148":853,"_150":854,"_152":855,"_154":853},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7164d33e-178c-42b7-b6e1-428d2bf39dfd/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7164d33e-178c-42b7-b6e1-428d2bf39dfd/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7164d33e-178c-42b7-b6e1-428d2bf39dfd/preview","Long-Walthourvilley0LtSF0w",{"_148":858,"_150":859,"_152":860,"_154":858},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0ebd97ac-2c89-41ff-ae07-0095b6044d55/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0ebd97ac-2c89-41ff-ae07-0095b6044d55/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0ebd97ac-2c89-41ff-ae07-0095b6044d55/preview","Long-Walthourvilled97a3b7Q",{"_148":863,"_150":864,"_152":865,"_154":863},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/12fca1e0-f4ba-490d-a46b-669503966e02/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/12fca1e0-f4ba-490d-a46b-669503966e02/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/12fca1e0-f4ba-490d-a46b-669503966e02/preview","Long-Walthourvillegu4KWwag",{"_148":868,"_150":869,"_152":870,"_154":868},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0a4988b1-79a1-46d6-96aa-0bdb98e1191d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0a4988b1-79a1-46d6-96aa-0bdb98e1191d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0a4988b1-79a1-46d6-96aa-0bdb98e1191d/preview","Long-Walthourville1.2-scaled",{"_148":873,"_150":874,"_152":875,"_154":873},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/573ce20d-46f7-41ba-9653-fd6d087e97ad/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/573ce20d-46f7-41ba-9653-fd6d087e97ad/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/573ce20d-46f7-41ba-9653-fd6d087e97ad/preview","Long-Walthourville14",{"_148":878,"_150":879,"_152":880,"_154":878},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f59cf2d3-e533-4445-ae9e-dc806cd6b98d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f59cf2d3-e533-4445-ae9e-dc806cd6b98d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f59cf2d3-e533-4445-ae9e-dc806cd6b98d/preview","Long-Walthourville10",{"_148":883,"_150":884,"_152":885,"_154":883},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/47bd9613-5893-4034-8678-d3e265cd2278/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/47bd9613-5893-4034-8678-d3e265cd2278/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/47bd9613-5893-4034-8678-d3e265cd2278/preview","Long-Walthourvilled97a3b7Q-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":888,"_150":889,"_152":890,"_154":888},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6a25e72b-e557-4c56-92c6-41371e524e02/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6a25e72b-e557-4c56-92c6-41371e524e02/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6a25e72b-e557-4c56-92c6-41371e524e02/preview","875 Old Sunbury Rd, Hinesville, GA 31313","

Flemington Presbyterian, once known as Gravel Hill, is one of the “three daughters” of Midway Church and Society. Its story begins in 1815, when William Fleming established a summer retreat in the pine-lands to escape the malaria that plagued the swamps of Midway. He laid out lots for his friends, keeping one for himself, and from this gesture grew a small seasonal village that later became Flemington.

By 1832, residents raised funds to build a simple frame church on four acres donated by Simon Fraser. For two decades, families worshiped there while still traveling to Midway as often as possible. In 1853, the congregation completed the meetinghouse that stands today, a quiet landmark in coastal Georgia.

What makes Flemington remarkable is its unique religious journey. Originally organized as a Congregationalist church, it transitioned to Presbyterian in 1866 after the Civil War, severing ties with the Midway Society. This shift was unusual, especially in the Deep South where Congregationalists were rare and Presbyterians remained a small minority.

The church’s endurance speaks to the devotion of its members, who preserved it through war, hardship, and changing times. Flemington remains a testament to Georgia’s early “retreat villages” and the families who built them. Thanks to generations of careful stewardship, Flemington Presbyterian stands today not only as a house of worship but also as a significant chapter in Liberty County’s story.

As you will see from the photos below, Flemington Presbyterian is a wonderful example of historic preservation, and the love of the congregations over the years that have passed it along from one generation to another. She is a very significant contributor to our coastal Georgia history. We are so grateful for this gift.

Thanks to the National Register History for the background on this church.

To read the complete National Register history document, click here. For additional history regarding the church click here.

",31.8695539,-81.5707181,[906,907,908,909,910,911,912,913,914,915,916,917,918,919,920,921,922,923,924,925],"Flemington Presbyterian, once known as Gravel Hill, is one of the “three daughters” of Midway Church and Society. Its story begins in 1815, when William Fleming established a summer retreat in the pine-lands to escape the malaria that plagued the swamps of Midway. He laid out lots for his friends, keeping one for himself, and…",{"_37":663,"_67":664,"_76":665},6,{"_37":903,"_67":904,"_76":905},"Flemington Presbyterian, once known as Gravel Hill, is one of the “three daughters” of Midway Church and Society. Its story begins in 1815, when William Fleming established a summer retreat in the pine-lands to escape the malaria that plagued the swamps of Midway. He laid out lots for his friends, keeping one for himself, and from this gesture grew a small seasonal village that later became Flemington. By 1832, residents raised funds to build a simple frame church on four acres donated by Simon Fraser. For two decades, families worshiped there while still traveling to Midway as often as possible. In 1853, the congregation completed the meetinghouse that stands today, a quiet landmark in coastal Georgia. What makes Flemington remarkable is its unique religious journey. Originally organized as a Congregationalist church, it transitioned to Presbyterian in 1866 after the Civil War, severing ties with the Midway Society. This shift was unusual, especially in the Deep South where Congregationalists were rare and Presbyterians remained a small minority. The church’s endurance speaks to the devotion of its members, who preserved it through war, hardship, and changing times. Flemington remains a testament to Georgia’s early “retreat villages” and the families who built them. Thanks to generations of careful stewardship, Flemington Presbyterian stands today not only as a house of worship but also as a significant chapter in Liberty County’s story. As you will see from the photos below, Flemington Presbyterian is a wonderful example of historic preservation, and the love of the congregations over the years that have passed it along from one generation to another. She is a very significant contributor to our coastal Georgia history. We are so grateful for this gift. Thanks to the National Register History for the background on this church. To read the complete National Register history document, click here. For additional history regarding the church click here.",[902,745],"flemington-presbyterian","83c57bd0-4510-46a8-873a-841887e80ef2","midway-congregational-liberty","Midway Congregational",{"_76":1017,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1018},{"_76":1012,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1013},{"_76":1007,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1008},{"_76":1002,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1003},{"_76":997,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":998},{"_76":992,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":993},{"_76":987,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":988},{"_76":982,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":983},{"_76":977,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":978},{"_76":961,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":976},{"_76":971,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":972},{"_76":966,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":967},{"_76":961,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":962},{"_76":956,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":957},{"_76":951,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":952},{"_76":946,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":947},{"_76":941,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":942},{"_76":936,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":937},{"_76":931,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":932},{"_76":926,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":927},"Flemington-14",{"_148":928,"_150":929,"_152":930,"_154":928},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc422e0c-411b-4b4b-99de-e0a2144b93c0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc422e0c-411b-4b4b-99de-e0a2144b93c0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dc422e0c-411b-4b4b-99de-e0a2144b93c0/preview","Flemington-13",{"_148":933,"_150":934,"_152":935,"_154":933},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c7b8cc7-84aa-455b-af61-b848aab976dc/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c7b8cc7-84aa-455b-af61-b848aab976dc/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6c7b8cc7-84aa-455b-af61-b848aab976dc/preview","Flemington-11",{"_148":938,"_150":939,"_152":940,"_154":938},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6fd6f05f-a956-4904-8d7e-faace97300db/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6fd6f05f-a956-4904-8d7e-faace97300db/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6fd6f05f-a956-4904-8d7e-faace97300db/preview","Flemington-10-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":943,"_150":944,"_152":945,"_154":943},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ecd940ed-ac80-4d2f-8811-3b625a897771/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ecd940ed-ac80-4d2f-8811-3b625a897771/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ecd940ed-ac80-4d2f-8811-3b625a897771/preview","Flemington-8",{"_148":948,"_150":949,"_152":950,"_154":948},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8a2c056a-75e1-4139-be75-f099e7de9d86/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8a2c056a-75e1-4139-be75-f099e7de9d86/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8a2c056a-75e1-4139-be75-f099e7de9d86/preview","Flemington-7",{"_148":953,"_150":954,"_152":955,"_154":953},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/14711d3b-e245-4679-948c-d48c7b333735/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/14711d3b-e245-4679-948c-d48c7b333735/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/14711d3b-e245-4679-948c-d48c7b333735/preview","Flemington-6",{"_148":958,"_150":959,"_152":960,"_154":958},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ebae5c5-929b-4bf1-93d9-7e5736305ea3/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ebae5c5-929b-4bf1-93d9-7e5736305ea3/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ebae5c5-929b-4bf1-93d9-7e5736305ea3/preview","Flemington-4",{"_148":963,"_150":964,"_152":965,"_154":963},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/60a2c762-cc47-4935-991f-e7fb14c586d8/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/60a2c762-cc47-4935-991f-e7fb14c586d8/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/60a2c762-cc47-4935-991f-e7fb14c586d8/preview","Flemington-5",{"_148":968,"_150":969,"_152":970,"_154":968},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4a321e80-c21c-4f8b-bd80-1be738257527/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4a321e80-c21c-4f8b-bd80-1be738257527/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4a321e80-c21c-4f8b-bd80-1be738257527/preview","Flemington-2",{"_148":973,"_150":974,"_152":975,"_154":973},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/66dc1dd2-3dd0-44e8-bcc6-6a54af29819c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/66dc1dd2-3dd0-44e8-bcc6-6a54af29819c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/66dc1dd2-3dd0-44e8-bcc6-6a54af29819c/preview",{"_148":963,"_150":964,"_152":965,"_154":963},"Flemington-Cem-",{"_148":979,"_150":980,"_152":981,"_154":979},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e701a61-b372-4f2c-ab69-eb5bf674fb64/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e701a61-b372-4f2c-ab69-eb5bf674fb64/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4e701a61-b372-4f2c-ab69-eb5bf674fb64/preview","Flemington-Cem11",{"_148":984,"_150":985,"_152":986,"_154":984},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8cdf585a-6828-4725-be7c-dc522434067b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8cdf585a-6828-4725-be7c-dc522434067b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8cdf585a-6828-4725-be7c-dc522434067b/preview","Flemington-entry",{"_148":989,"_150":990,"_152":991,"_154":989},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/377076f1-05bf-481e-8328-ca702479196b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/377076f1-05bf-481e-8328-ca702479196b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/377076f1-05bf-481e-8328-ca702479196b/preview","Flemington-Ext2.peg_",{"_148":994,"_150":995,"_152":996,"_154":994},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e49eb8a3-1553-4efe-aba7-8b92dd63745d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e49eb8a3-1553-4efe-aba7-8b92dd63745d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/e49eb8a3-1553-4efe-aba7-8b92dd63745d/preview","Flemington-side",{"_148":999,"_150":1000,"_152":1001,"_154":999},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/311e28de-9a81-4edb-acc9-18f6bfc359f8/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/311e28de-9a81-4edb-acc9-18f6bfc359f8/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/311e28de-9a81-4edb-acc9-18f6bfc359f8/preview","Flemington-sign-off",{"_148":1004,"_150":1005,"_152":1006,"_154":1004},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/01c46948-22be-4706-98e4-50cfe51242f4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/01c46948-22be-4706-98e4-50cfe51242f4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/01c46948-22be-4706-98e4-50cfe51242f4/preview","Flemington-Porch",{"_148":1009,"_150":1010,"_152":1011,"_154":1009},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8b9fbc8e-11f0-41ed-8679-30ce5b21df6b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8b9fbc8e-11f0-41ed-8679-30ce5b21df6b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8b9fbc8e-11f0-41ed-8679-30ce5b21df6b/preview","Flemington-Bible",{"_148":1014,"_150":1015,"_152":1016,"_154":1014},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c6af1a3-8360-4a3c-9485-6f06c7c4f7df/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c6af1a3-8360-4a3c-9485-6f06c7c4f7df/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2c6af1a3-8360-4a3c-9485-6f06c7c4f7df/preview","Flemington-10-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":1019,"_150":1020,"_152":1021,"_154":1019},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a4747d34-792b-4065-8c69-867ee5b754ee/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a4747d34-792b-4065-8c69-867ee5b754ee/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a4747d34-792b-4065-8c69-867ee5b754ee/preview","401 N Coastal Hwy, Midway, GA 31320","

It is hard to believe that the wood-frame church before you was built in 1792. With its symmetry and graceful lines, it looks as if it belongs on the banks of the Potomac, a reminder of the wealthiest planter class. In truth, Midway was founded by prosperous planters from South Carolina’s Dorchester region. They brought with them enslaved labor, rice and indigo culture, and the means to build an enduring community.

Slavery had been banned in the early Georgia colony, but that prohibition was lifted in 1751. Soon after, South Carolina planters poured into the Georgia lowcountry, reshaping the economy and politics. By the 1750s, sixty planters and their enslaved people dominated this new frontier. Midway grew from a 31,950-acre land grant designed to serve as a buffer against Creek tribes and the Spanish. The congregation’s first church was built in 1752, with a cemetery just across the road.

Midway’s settlers were strong supporters of independence. In 1775, Lyman Hall, a member of the church, was sent to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Nathan Brownson, another resident, also served in the Continental Congress. Their loyalty to the patriot cause came at a high cost. In 1778, the British sacked Midway, destroying farms and burning the church to the ground.

It took fourteen years before another sanctuary rose on the same site. Completed in 1792, the present structure has stood ever since as a symbol of survival. With its galleries once reserved for enslaved worshipers and its pews polished by centuries of devotion, it tells both the story of privilege and of struggle. Today, Midway Congregational and its cemetery form part of the Midway Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It remains one of Georgia’s most treasured colonial landmarks.

",31.8060288,-81.4303752,[1037,1038,1039,1040,1041,1042,1043,1044,1045,1046],"It is hard to believe that the wood-frame church before you was built in 1792. With its symmetry and graceful lines, it looks as if it belongs on the banks of the Potomac, a reminder of the wealthiest planter class. In truth, Midway was founded by prosperous planters from South Carolina’s Dorchester region. They brought…",{"_37":744,"_67":745,"_76":746},5,{"_37":1034,"_67":1035,"_76":1036},"It is hard to believe that the wood-frame church before you was built in 1792. With its symmetry and graceful lines, it looks as if it belongs on the banks of the Potomac, a reminder of the wealthiest planter class. In truth, Midway was founded by prosperous planters from South Carolina’s Dorchester region. They brought with them enslaved labor, rice and indigo culture, and the means to build an enduring community. Slavery had been banned in the early Georgia colony, but that prohibition was lifted in 1751. Soon after, South Carolina planters poured into the Georgia lowcountry, reshaping the economy and politics. By the 1750s, sixty planters and their enslaved people dominated this new frontier. Midway grew from a 31,950-acre land grant designed to serve as a buffer against Creek tribes and the Spanish. The congregation’s first church was built in 1752, with a cemetery just across the road. Midway’s settlers were strong supporters of independence. In 1775, Lyman Hall, a member of the church, was sent to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Nathan Brownson, another resident, also served in the Continental Congress. Their loyalty to the patriot cause came at a high cost. In 1778, the British sacked Midway, destroying farms and burning the church to the ground. It took fourteen years before another sanctuary rose on the same site. Completed in 1792, the present structure has stood ever since as a symbol of survival. With its galleries once reserved for enslaved worshipers and its pews polished by centuries of devotion, it tells both the story of privilege and of struggle. Today, Midway Congregational and its cemetery form part of the Midway Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It remains one of Georgia’s most treasured colonial landmarks.",[1033,904],"midway-congregational","0c79e106-80ec-4217-8157-01590728e524","dorchester-presbyterian-liberty","Dorchester Presbyterian",{"_76":1092,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1093},{"_76":1087,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1088},{"_76":1082,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1083},{"_76":1077,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1078},{"_76":1072,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1073},{"_76":1067,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1068},{"_76":1062,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1063},{"_76":1057,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1058},{"_76":1052,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1053},{"_76":1047,"_139":905,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1048},"MiddwayChurch061614WCM002800",{"_148":1049,"_150":1050,"_152":1051,"_154":1049},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/383f8e60-c286-4417-8d67-e83c1d3794e4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/383f8e60-c286-4417-8d67-e83c1d3794e4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/383f8e60-c286-4417-8d67-e83c1d3794e4/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM012",{"_148":1054,"_150":1055,"_152":1056,"_154":1054},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ea4440f2-2fd4-42d3-bd01-681d50c5c9f4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ea4440f2-2fd4-42d3-bd01-681d50c5c9f4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ea4440f2-2fd4-42d3-bd01-681d50c5c9f4/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM026small",{"_148":1059,"_150":1060,"_152":1061,"_154":1059},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54fd9f5a-3e53-43f1-ab6e-832033230f6f/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54fd9f5a-3e53-43f1-ab6e-832033230f6f/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/54fd9f5a-3e53-43f1-ab6e-832033230f6f/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM006800",{"_148":1064,"_150":1065,"_152":1066,"_154":1064},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/84bb06cf-edd7-4c73-80b0-747ec5a4b2a9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/84bb06cf-edd7-4c73-80b0-747ec5a4b2a9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/84bb06cf-edd7-4c73-80b0-747ec5a4b2a9/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM017800",{"_148":1069,"_150":1070,"_152":1071,"_154":1069},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b806fdc-72cb-43e0-a148-f93c3f7cba49/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b806fdc-72cb-43e0-a148-f93c3f7cba49/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/5b806fdc-72cb-43e0-a148-f93c3f7cba49/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM020800",{"_148":1074,"_150":1075,"_152":1076,"_154":1074},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43265e8e-d9e9-45c0-b37b-4b3c5d8f01a5/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43265e8e-d9e9-45c0-b37b-4b3c5d8f01a5/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43265e8e-d9e9-45c0-b37b-4b3c5d8f01a5/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM029800",{"_148":1079,"_150":1080,"_152":1081,"_154":1079},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a661ce53-0bcb-4d10-8210-ca408beae760/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a661ce53-0bcb-4d10-8210-ca408beae760/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a661ce53-0bcb-4d10-8210-ca408beae760/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM031800",{"_148":1084,"_150":1085,"_152":1086,"_154":1084},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/83d8af1f-5ae0-4d88-b98a-7d5b1c08f26b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/83d8af1f-5ae0-4d88-b98a-7d5b1c08f26b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/83d8af1f-5ae0-4d88-b98a-7d5b1c08f26b/preview","MiddwayChurch061714WCM0288001",{"_148":1089,"_150":1090,"_152":1091,"_154":1089},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6e8688e4-3422-4654-a436-4ea3922e5747/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6e8688e4-3422-4654-a436-4ea3922e5747/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6e8688e4-3422-4654-a436-4ea3922e5747/preview","GA-ORIG-Midway-church-liberty-with-cars-pre-hwy-17",{"_148":1094,"_150":1095,"_152":1096,"_154":1094},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31203f7d-bf95-49cd-bc4c-3f5dfaba803d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31203f7d-bf95-49cd-bc4c-3f5dfaba803d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/31203f7d-bf95-49cd-bc4c-3f5dfaba803d/preview","102 John Oxford Rd, Midway, GA 31320","

Dorchester Presbyterian was built in 1854 on four acres donated by B. A. Busbee and at first was used only for summer services. It was the last of three “retreat churches” that grew out of Midway Church, with the others located at Flemington and Walthourville. At that time, Liberty County was a landscape of plantations, with Midway and Sunbury as its most important towns.

The idea for Dorchester began in 1843 when Rev. T. S. Winn, a private teacher in the home of Dr. C. C. Jones, suggested creating a village halfway between Midway and Sunbury. The community was laid out with 28 one-acre home sites surrounding a central square for a school and church. The school was completed in 1852, and two years later the sanctuary was built. After the Civil War left the community scattered and impoverished, residents organized their own congregation. Dorchester Presbyterian was officially recognized in 1871 with fourteen members and one ruling elder. For many years, ministers rotated between Dorchester, Walthourville, and Flemington, each church receiving the pastor every third Sunday. Records from 1898 note 49 members in the congregation.

Like many churches of its era, Dorchester included enslaved worshipers before emancipation, who sat in the balcony. Even after the war, African Americans continued to attend until they formed congregations of their own. One local story recalls the Rev. James Thomas Hamilton Waite, who ministered to Black congregants, and whose family crafted the carved wooden hand that once adorned the steeple of the Negro Presbyterian Church in Midway.

Today, Dorchester Presbyterian still holds monthly services. Thanks to the care of its members, this sanctuary and its adjoining academy remain a well-preserved reminder of Liberty County’s deep colonial and religious history.

",31.7589666,-81.3547888,[1112,1113,1114,1115,1116,1117,1118,1119,1120,1121],"Dorchester Presbyterian was built in 1854 on four acres donated by B. A. Busbee and at first was used only for summer services. It was the last of three “retreat churches” that grew out of Midway Church, with the others located at Flemington and Walthourville. At that time, Liberty County was a landscape of plantations,…",{"_37":903,"_67":904,"_76":905},4,{"_37":1109,"_67":1110,"_76":1111},"Dorchester Presbyterian was built in 1854 on four acres donated by B. A. Busbee and at first was used only for summer services. It was the last of three “retreat churches” that grew out of Midway Church, with the others located at Flemington and Walthourville. At that time, Liberty County was a landscape of plantations, with Midway and Sunbury as its most important towns. The idea for Dorchester began in 1843 when Rev. T. S. Winn, a private teacher in the home of Dr. C. C. Jones, suggested creating a village halfway between Midway and Sunbury. The community was laid out with 28 one-acre home sites surrounding a central square for a school and church. The school was completed in 1852, and two years later the sanctuary was built. After the Civil War left the community scattered and impoverished, residents organized their own congregation. Dorchester Presbyterian was officially recognized in 1871 with fourteen members and one ruling elder. For many years, ministers rotated between Dorchester, Walthourville, and Flemington, each church receiving the pastor every third Sunday. Records from 1898 note 49 members in the congregation. Like many churches of its era, Dorchester included enslaved worshipers before emancipation, who sat in the balcony. Even after the war, African Americans continued to attend until they formed congregations of their own. One local story recalls the Rev. James Thomas Hamilton Waite, who ministered to Black congregants, and whose family crafted the carved wooden hand that once adorned the steeple of the Negro Presbyterian Church in Midway. Today, Dorchester Presbyterian still holds monthly services. Thanks to the care of its members, this sanctuary and its adjoining academy remain a well-preserved reminder of Liberty County’s deep colonial and religious history.",[1108,1035],"dorchester-presbyterian","75e446e1-7dca-486e-ab9f-748ca1a5490e","bryan-neck-presbyterian-bryan","Bryan Neck Presbyterian",{"_76":1167,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1168},{"_76":1162,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1163},{"_76":1157,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1158},{"_76":1152,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1153},{"_76":1147,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1148},{"_76":1142,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1143},{"_76":1137,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1138},{"_76":1132,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1133},{"_76":1127,"_139":1036,"_140":27,"_141":27,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1128},{"_76":1122,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1123},"DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM97-1-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":1124,"_150":1125,"_152":1126,"_154":1124},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/78d5403c-1b0d-4c89-ab7c-22feb781c5c9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/78d5403c-1b0d-4c89-ab7c-22feb781c5c9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/78d5403c-1b0d-4c89-ab7c-22feb781c5c9/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM97",{"_148":1129,"_150":1130,"_152":1131,"_154":1129},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bde1cf00-f9ad-43f4-bb0a-8aebb2e5df35/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bde1cf00-f9ad-43f4-bb0a-8aebb2e5df35/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bde1cf00-f9ad-43f4-bb0a-8aebb2e5df35/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM01",{"_148":1134,"_150":1135,"_152":1136,"_154":1134},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/97685b57-0501-4d0a-89be-653fe8085123/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/97685b57-0501-4d0a-89be-653fe8085123/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/97685b57-0501-4d0a-89be-653fe8085123/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM02",{"_148":1139,"_150":1140,"_152":1141,"_154":1139},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/91e74564-5ddb-4578-9f77-bf2ab823450a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/91e74564-5ddb-4578-9f77-bf2ab823450a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/91e74564-5ddb-4578-9f77-bf2ab823450a/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM05",{"_148":1144,"_150":1145,"_152":1146,"_154":1144},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/166a9e5b-1cdd-4daa-bfea-bf5d025ad14f/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/166a9e5b-1cdd-4daa-bfea-bf5d025ad14f/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/166a9e5b-1cdd-4daa-bfea-bf5d025ad14f/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM11",{"_148":1149,"_150":1150,"_152":1151,"_154":1149},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/141dd866-660b-4417-8fb5-e31975b30b2b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/141dd866-660b-4417-8fb5-e31975b30b2b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/141dd866-660b-4417-8fb5-e31975b30b2b/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM13",{"_148":1154,"_150":1155,"_152":1156,"_154":1154},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4167fe7c-58dc-4927-a232-0034d6aecf77/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4167fe7c-58dc-4927-a232-0034d6aecf77/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4167fe7c-58dc-4927-a232-0034d6aecf77/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM88",{"_148":1159,"_150":1160,"_152":1161,"_154":1159},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dbf8c4b5-17ca-456a-9e48-e59cc52e538a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dbf8c4b5-17ca-456a-9e48-e59cc52e538a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/dbf8c4b5-17ca-456a-9e48-e59cc52e538a/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM91",{"_148":1164,"_150":1165,"_152":1166,"_154":1164},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/916722a9-1c21-4feb-ab97-abff0285365c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/916722a9-1c21-4feb-ab97-abff0285365c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/916722a9-1c21-4feb-ab97-abff0285365c/preview","DorchesterPresbyterian012916WCM94bw",{"_148":1169,"_150":1170,"_152":1171,"_154":1169},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddccd2fb-d297-4818-b4c6-d18393ae72cb/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddccd2fb-d297-4818-b4c6-d18393ae72cb/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddccd2fb-d297-4818-b4c6-d18393ae72cb/preview","7196 Belfast Keller Rd, Richmond Hill, GA 31324","

Bryan Neck Presbyterian owes much of its roots and its relative prosperity to the fact that it was located in one of the richest rice growing areas on the eastern seaboard and the resulting planter class that dominated the trade. These “Rice Kings” represented some of the wealthiest people in America and included storied families such as Clays, Maxwells, Arnolds, Rogers, and McAllisters. Thousands of acres were under cultivation and were worked by one of the largest slave populations on the coast. The rice production peaked, according to Richmond Hill Reflections, in 1860 when the Bryan Neck plantations along the Ogeechee produced 1.5 million pounds. This prosperity created a need for a local congregation to support these families who had previously been affiliated with churches in Savannah or the Congregational church at Midway. Bryan Neck Presbyterian was established by several of the planter class families in 1830 with the official sanction of the Savannah Presbytery and with assistance from the Congregational Church at Midway.

The first church was established in November of 1830 by Trustees John Maxwell, Thomas Clay, Richard Arnold, Edward Footman and George McAllister, some of the wealthiest planters in the region. The church, which was incorporated on December 27,1831, made use of a former Episcopal church building until a new church building was dedicated in 1841. This building was a wooden framed building with two entrances, a belfry and a slave gallery. This church served the community for over 40 years until it was destroyed by fire in 1882. After the second church was destroyed by fire, services ceased to be held until two church leaders, Habersham Clay and C. C. Maxwell, began conducting services. These men eventually purchased land for the current church approximately two miles from the original site and provided funds for its construction in 1885. The church is very unusual in it’s size, architectural configuration and interior finishes. The present congregation has done a remarkable job of maintaining the original structure.

The church cemetery, known as Burnt Church Cemetery, is located at the original 1831 church site. The cemetery includes the family plots of early church leaders, such as the McAllisters and Clays. Thomas Savage Clay was a devout Presbyterian who led the movement on Bryan Neck for the “Religious Instruction” of the slaves of the local plantations. He was instrumental in enabling the Bryan Neck church to become a leader in this movement in coastal Georgia. Bryan Neck Presbyterian was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and furnished much of the above history.

",31.841832,-81.26083009999999,[1187,1188,1189,1190,1191,1192,1193,1194,1195,1196,1197,1198],"Bryan Neck Presbyterian owes much of its roots and its relative prosperity to the fact that it was located in one of the richest rice growing areas on the eastern seaboard and the resulting planter class that dominated the trade. These “Rice Kings” represented some of the wealthiest people in America and included storied families…",{"_37":1034,"_67":1035,"_76":1036},3,{"_37":1184,"_67":1185,"_76":1186},"Bryan Neck Presbyterian owes much of its roots and its relative prosperity to the fact that it was located in one of the richest rice growing areas on the eastern seaboard and the resulting planter class that dominated the trade. These “Rice Kings” represented some of the wealthiest people in America and included storied families such as Clays, Maxwells, Arnolds, Rogers, and McAllisters. Thousands of acres were under cultivation and were worked by one of the largest slave populations on the coast. The rice production peaked, according to Richmond Hill Reflections, in 1860 when the Bryan Neck plantations along the Ogeechee produced 1.5 million pounds. This prosperity created a need for a local congregation to support these families who had previously been affiliated with churches in Savannah or the Congregational church at Midway. Bryan Neck Presbyterian was established by several of the planter class families in 1830 with the official sanction of the Savannah Presbytery and with assistance from the Congregational Church at Midway. The first church was established in November of 1830 by Trustees John Maxwell, Thomas Clay, Richard Arnold, Edward Footman and George McAllister, some of the wealthiest planters in the region. The church, which was incorporated on December 27,1831, made use of a former Episcopal church building until a new church building was dedicated in 1841. This building was a wooden framed building with two entrances, a belfry and a slave gallery. This church served the community for over 40 years until it was destroyed by fire in 1882. After the second church was destroyed by fire, services ceased to be held until two church leaders, Habersham Clay and C. C. Maxwell, began conducting services. These men eventually purchased land for the current church approximately two miles from the original site and provided funds for its construction in 1885. The church is very unusual in it’s size, architectural configuration and interior finishes. The present congregation has done a remarkable job of maintaining the original structure. The church cemetery, known as Burnt Church Cemetery, is located at the original 1831 church site. The cemetery includes the family plots of early church leaders, such as the McAllisters and Clays. Thomas Savage Clay was a devout Presbyterian who led the movement on Bryan Neck for the “Religious Instruction” of the slaves of the local plantations. He was instrumental in enabling the Bryan Neck church to become a leader in this movement in coastal Georgia. Bryan Neck Presbyterian was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 and furnished much of the above history.",[1183,1110],"bryan-neck-presbyterian","26d3b878-ccdd-4841-be03-7fdd419be381","st-bartholomew-episcopal-chatham","St. Bartholomew Episcopal",{"_76":1254,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1255},{"_76":1249,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1250},{"_76":1244,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1245},{"_76":1239,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1240},{"_76":1234,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1235},{"_76":1229,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1230},{"_76":1224,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1225},{"_76":1219,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1220},{"_76":1214,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1215},{"_76":1209,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1210},{"_76":1204,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1205},{"_76":1199,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1200},"BryanNeck-exterior-1-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":1201,"_150":1202,"_152":1203,"_154":1201},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/18721f47-5062-4a11-a19d-0c28950add59/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/18721f47-5062-4a11-a19d-0c28950add59/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/18721f47-5062-4a11-a19d-0c28950add59/preview","BryanNeck060515WCM302800BryanNeck",{"_148":1206,"_150":1207,"_152":1208,"_154":1206},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8d1e0141-f051-4f95-b488-21c811c870d9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8d1e0141-f051-4f95-b488-21c811c870d9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8d1e0141-f051-4f95-b488-21c811c870d9/preview","BryanNeck-back-to-front",{"_148":1211,"_150":1212,"_152":1213,"_154":1211},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/39d730ea-395f-44bf-aef1-74297e4e40ff/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/39d730ea-395f-44bf-aef1-74297e4e40ff/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/39d730ea-395f-44bf-aef1-74297e4e40ff/preview","BryanNeck-burnt-church-cemetery",{"_148":1216,"_150":1217,"_152":1218,"_154":1216},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3b9d0096-6cb9-48d2-9eb3-a897d2242e3b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3b9d0096-6cb9-48d2-9eb3-a897d2242e3b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3b9d0096-6cb9-48d2-9eb3-a897d2242e3b/preview","BryanNeck-cemetery-entrance",{"_148":1221,"_150":1222,"_152":1223,"_154":1221},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/537e753a-7e64-49cb-b9d5-17db36aae1dc/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/537e753a-7e64-49cb-b9d5-17db36aae1dc/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/537e753a-7e64-49cb-b9d5-17db36aae1dc/preview","BryanNeck-exterior-1",{"_148":1226,"_150":1227,"_152":1228,"_154":1226},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f5fba4ad-06bf-472e-95f8-989a4b325436/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f5fba4ad-06bf-472e-95f8-989a4b325436/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f5fba4ad-06bf-472e-95f8-989a4b325436/preview","BryanNeck-exterior-side",{"_148":1231,"_150":1232,"_152":1233,"_154":1231},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2e43231b-583f-451a-8a80-4894ffac909a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2e43231b-583f-451a-8a80-4894ffac909a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2e43231b-583f-451a-8a80-4894ffac909a/preview","BryanNeck-front-to-back-",{"_148":1236,"_150":1237,"_152":1238,"_154":1236},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a31cdd06-ff61-42cc-b566-8200af02800d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a31cdd06-ff61-42cc-b566-8200af02800d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/a31cdd06-ff61-42cc-b566-8200af02800d/preview","BryanNeck-other-side",{"_148":1241,"_150":1242,"_152":1243,"_154":1241},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddc141af-38df-4a16-ad1f-2e6df38e42f0/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddc141af-38df-4a16-ad1f-2e6df38e42f0/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ddc141af-38df-4a16-ad1f-2e6df38e42f0/preview","BryanNeck-podium",{"_148":1246,"_150":1247,"_152":1248,"_154":1246},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9c88d79-6be5-4818-b843-2c5cd2800fbd/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9c88d79-6be5-4818-b843-2c5cd2800fbd/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c9c88d79-6be5-4818-b843-2c5cd2800fbd/preview","BryanNeck-side-room",{"_148":1251,"_150":1252,"_152":1253,"_154":1251},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/87313970-1b73-444e-a92c-0d3fa61d51c6/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/87313970-1b73-444e-a92c-0d3fa61d51c6/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/87313970-1b73-444e-a92c-0d3fa61d51c6/preview","BryanNeck-exterior-1-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":1256,"_150":1257,"_152":1258,"_154":1256},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6cf2ef8c-2bad-4df6-9acc-eb13b32e812b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6cf2ef8c-2bad-4df6-9acc-eb13b32e812b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/6cf2ef8c-2bad-4df6-9acc-eb13b32e812b/preview","889 Chevis Rd, Savannah, GA 31419","

St. Bartholomew Episcopal is a striking example of Victorian architecture, rich with detail inside and out. It is also one of Georgia’s most historically significant African American churches, with origins reaching back to the 1830s. At that time, about 1,000 enslaved people worked the rice fields on nearby plantations.

According to the National Register of Historic Places, Episcopal religious education for enslaved people in the area began in 1832 when a white family opened instruction on their plantation. In 1845, the Ogeechee Mission was formally established when the Episcopal bishop appointed Rev. William C. Williams as the first permanent pastor to the region. Serving several plantations, Williams built chapels and schools on each, and by 1860 his congregation was the largest in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, black or white.

Before the Civil War, enslaved people were usually required to attend their owner’s church and rarely allowed to form their own congregations. African American Episcopal churches have always been rare in Georgia, concentrated mainly in the coastal region. The Episcopal Church was unusual in its dedication to educating enslaved people so they could read and follow the liturgy, although teaching writing was discouraged and even outlawed for a time in Colonial Georgia.

St. Bartholomew is located in the village of Burroughs, the oldest continuing Black congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. After the Civil War, Burroughs became a settlement of formerly enslaved people who, in the 1870s and 1880s, were able to purchase the land they lived on. In 1881, St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City donated $400 to the mission congregation for a new schoolhouse and church. The present church building was consecrated in 1896, and the parish house was completed the following year.

Through the years, St. Bartholomew has served as both a religious and educational center for its community. The congregation reached more than 400 members in the early 1900s and remains active today, though smaller in number. In 1982, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation of this remarkable piece of Georgia’s African American heritage.

",31.970355,-81.2448059,[1274,1275,1276,1277,1278,1279,1280,1281,1282,1283,1284,1285,1286],"St. Bartholomew Episcopal is a striking example of Victorian architecture, rich with detail inside and out. It is also one of Georgia’s most historically significant African American churches, with origins reaching back to the 1830s. At that time, about 1,000 enslaved people worked the rice fields on nearby plantations. According to the National Register of…",{"_37":1109,"_67":1110,"_76":1111},2,{"_37":1271,"_67":1272,"_76":1273},"St. Bartholomew Episcopal is a striking example of Victorian architecture, rich with detail inside and out. It is also one of Georgia’s most historically significant African American churches, with origins reaching back to the 1830s. At that time, about 1,000 enslaved people worked the rice fields on nearby plantations. According to the National Register of Historic Places, Episcopal religious education for enslaved people in the area began in 1832 when a white family opened instruction on their plantation. In 1845, the Ogeechee Mission was formally established when the Episcopal bishop appointed Rev. William C. Williams as the first permanent pastor to the region. Serving several plantations, Williams built chapels and schools on each, and by 1860 his congregation was the largest in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, black or white. Before the Civil War, enslaved people were usually required to attend their owner’s church and rarely allowed to form their own congregations. African American Episcopal churches have always been rare in Georgia, concentrated mainly in the coastal region. The Episcopal Church was unusual in its dedication to educating enslaved people so they could read and follow the liturgy, although teaching writing was discouraged and even outlawed for a time in Colonial Georgia. St. Bartholomew is located in the village of Burroughs, the oldest continuing Black congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. After the Civil War, Burroughs became a settlement of formerly enslaved people who, in the 1870s and 1880s, were able to purchase the land they lived on. In 1881, St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City donated $400 to the mission congregation for a new schoolhouse and church. The present church building was consecrated in 1896, and the parish house was completed the following year. Through the years, St. Bartholomew has served as both a religious and educational center for its community. The congregation reached more than 400 members in the early 1900s and remains active today, though smaller in number. In 1982, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring the preservation of this remarkable piece of Georgia’s African American heritage.",[1270,1185],"st-bartholomew-episcopal","c73e8d0a-cdb2-4f11-b2fa-5c0c19ded9e9","isle-of-hope-methodist-chatham","Isle of Hope Methodist",{"_76":1347,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1348},{"_76":1342,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1343},{"_76":1337,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1338},{"_76":1332,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1333},{"_76":1327,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1328},{"_76":1322,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1323},{"_76":1317,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1318},{"_76":1312,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1313},{"_76":1307,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1308},{"_76":1302,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1303},{"_76":1297,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1298},{"_76":1292,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1293},{"_76":1287,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1288},"Chatham-St_Bartholomew-exterior-2-1-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_148":1289,"_150":1290,"_152":1291,"_154":1289},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4c141006-9794-453d-aaef-70eb39d0b815/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4c141006-9794-453d-aaef-70eb39d0b815/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4c141006-9794-453d-aaef-70eb39d0b815/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-back-to-front",{"_148":1294,"_150":1295,"_152":1296,"_154":1294},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c398e3fd-c12f-4bda-b3bb-f2b7d6f2c315/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c398e3fd-c12f-4bda-b3bb-f2b7d6f2c315/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c398e3fd-c12f-4bda-b3bb-f2b7d6f2c315/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-back-wall",{"_148":1299,"_150":1300,"_152":1301,"_154":1299},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2f40ed8f-bd0b-456f-acad-1dd613b45c5a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2f40ed8f-bd0b-456f-acad-1dd613b45c5a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2f40ed8f-bd0b-456f-acad-1dd613b45c5a/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-Bible",{"_148":1304,"_150":1305,"_152":1306,"_154":1304},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b61e32fd-769c-4c96-83c6-69c7beffa67a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b61e32fd-769c-4c96-83c6-69c7beffa67a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b61e32fd-769c-4c96-83c6-69c7beffa67a/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-Bible-2",{"_148":1309,"_150":1310,"_152":1311,"_154":1309},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/237c2ef0-afd9-48b4-bb44-40bc83deadfe/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/237c2ef0-afd9-48b4-bb44-40bc83deadfe/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/237c2ef0-afd9-48b4-bb44-40bc83deadfe/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-corner",{"_148":1314,"_150":1315,"_152":1316,"_154":1314},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/106b85b6-ffdd-4770-8ddf-97c451deb87f/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/106b85b6-ffdd-4770-8ddf-97c451deb87f/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/106b85b6-ffdd-4770-8ddf-97c451deb87f/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-entry",{"_148":1319,"_150":1320,"_152":1321,"_154":1319},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0b6fa6e-8294-4854-9ffe-5a15e8f7b16a/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0b6fa6e-8294-4854-9ffe-5a15e8f7b16a/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c0b6fa6e-8294-4854-9ffe-5a15e8f7b16a/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-exterior-2-1",{"_148":1324,"_150":1325,"_152":1326,"_154":1324},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/562af4cd-c145-4bcd-8aa5-9d8e13909490/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/562af4cd-c145-4bcd-8aa5-9d8e13909490/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/562af4cd-c145-4bcd-8aa5-9d8e13909490/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-exterior3-1",{"_148":1329,"_150":1330,"_152":1331,"_154":1329},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b30855fe-b07a-4150-8c12-1938de77ccdc/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b30855fe-b07a-4150-8c12-1938de77ccdc/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/b30855fe-b07a-4150-8c12-1938de77ccdc/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-Foyer",{"_148":1334,"_150":1335,"_152":1336,"_154":1334},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ca43184-9fc5-4423-854b-4c1fcfa77b5c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ca43184-9fc5-4423-854b-4c1fcfa77b5c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/1ca43184-9fc5-4423-854b-4c1fcfa77b5c/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-sign-off",{"_148":1339,"_150":1340,"_152":1341,"_154":1339},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/00c7f296-1162-473e-a394-f3c941f657f4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/00c7f296-1162-473e-a394-f3c941f657f4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/00c7f296-1162-473e-a394-f3c941f657f4/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-Windows",{"_148":1344,"_150":1345,"_152":1346,"_154":1344},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/69f74a3c-9035-4fb5-b494-d4ddcee260c4/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/69f74a3c-9035-4fb5-b494-d4ddcee260c4/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/69f74a3c-9035-4fb5-b494-d4ddcee260c4/preview","Chatham-St_Bartholomew-exterior-2-1-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_148":1349,"_150":1350,"_152":1351,"_154":1349},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f1e8d119-c54f-41e9-b068-b61852c34829/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f1e8d119-c54f-41e9-b068-b61852c34829/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f1e8d119-c54f-41e9-b068-b61852c34829/preview","412 Parkersburg Rd, Savannah, GA 31406","

Established in the 19th century as a summer retreat for Savannah’s elite, Isle of Hope offered relief from the city’s heat and frequent malaria outbreaks. Originally owned by Henry Parker, the land was divided into lots in the 1850s and 1860s and sold to prominent families who built grand homes along the water. After the Civil War, freed slaves from Wormsloe Plantation formed a small settlement here. In 1871, a railroad connected Isle of Hope to Savannah, and by the early 20th century, many residents lived on the island year-round.

Isle of Hope United Methodist Church was organized on December 18, 1851, on the mainland, then moved to its current location on land gifted by Dr. Stephen Dupon in 1859. Built with funds from island residents and Savannah citizens, the original vernacular-style structure featured gable ends, a gallery for enslaved worshippers, and straight-back pine pews that remain in use today.

During the Civil War, a Confederate battery stood on the church lot, mounting two 8-inch Columbiads and two 32-pounder cannons. The building served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers, with pews used as beds. Thirty-three soldiers from Effingham County were buried in the churchyard.

For 90 years, the church functioned as part of a circuit, sharing a pastor with other congregations. Horses and buggies were once tethered in the yard during services. In 1950, the growing community received a full-time pastor, and in 1957 the Sanctuary was moved to its present roadside location.

A major expansion began in 1983, adding a vestibule, front porch, connecting hallway, extended seating, and a copper roof. During construction, all furnishings were removed and stored, but in February 1984, an electrical fire destroyed the nearly completed building. Support poured in from across Georgia, and the rebuilt Sanctuary was dedicated debt-free on February 10, 1985.

In 1998, two transepts increased seating capacity by 200, and the Sanctuary was refurbished with new paint, carpet, and a Rodgers organ. Today, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church remains an active congregation, carrying forward a history of faith and resilience that has shaped the island community for more than 160 years.

",31.9819693,-81.0597768,[1362,1363,1364,1365,1366,1367,1368,1369,1370],"Established in the 19th century as a summer retreat for Savannah’s elite, Isle of Hope offered relief from the city’s heat and frequent malaria outbreaks. Originally owned by Henry Parker, the land was divided into lots in the 1850s and 1860s and sold to prominent families who built grand homes along the water. After the…",{"_37":1184,"_67":1185,"_76":1186},"Established in the 19th century as a summer retreat for Savannah’s elite, Isle of Hope offered relief from the city’s heat and frequent malaria outbreaks. Originally owned by Henry Parker, the land was divided into lots in the 1850s and 1860s and sold to prominent families who built grand homes along the water. After the Civil War, freed slaves from Wormsloe Plantation formed a small settlement here. In 1871, a railroad connected Isle of Hope to Savannah, and by the early 20th century, many residents lived on the island year-round. Isle of Hope United Methodist Church was organized on December 18, 1851, on the mainland, then moved to its current location on land gifted by Dr. Stephen Dupon in 1859. Built with funds from island residents and Savannah citizens, the original vernacular-style structure featured gable ends, a gallery for enslaved worshippers, and straight-back pine pews that remain in use today. During the Civil War, a Confederate battery stood on the church lot, mounting two 8-inch Columbiads and two 32-pounder cannons. The building served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers, with pews used as beds. Thirty-three soldiers from Effingham County were buried in the churchyard. For 90 years, the church functioned as part of a circuit, sharing a pastor with other congregations. Horses and buggies were once tethered in the yard during services. In 1950, the growing community received a full-time pastor, and in 1957 the Sanctuary was moved to its present roadside location. A major expansion began in 1983, adding a vestibule, front porch, connecting hallway, extended seating, and a copper roof. During construction, all furnishings were removed and stored, but in February 1984, an electrical fire destroyed the nearly completed building. Support poured in from across Georgia, and the rebuilt Sanctuary was dedicated debt-free on February 10, 1985.In 1998, two transepts increased seating capacity by 200, and the Sanctuary was refurbished with new paint, carpet, and a Rodgers organ. Today, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church remains an active congregation, carrying forward a history of faith and resilience that has shaped the island community for more than 160 years.",[1361,1272],"isle-of-hope-methodist",{"_76":1411,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1412},{"_76":1406,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1407},{"_76":1401,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1402},{"_76":1396,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1397},{"_76":1391,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1392},{"_76":1386,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1387},{"_76":1381,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1382},{"_76":1376,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1377},{"_76":1371,"_139":-5,"_140":40,"_141":40,"_142":-5,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":-5,"_146":1372},"Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-9",{"_148":1373,"_150":1374,"_152":1375,"_154":1373},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cd5a341-5fe6-4aee-8561-ecf868c18235/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cd5a341-5fe6-4aee-8561-ecf868c18235/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/7cd5a341-5fe6-4aee-8561-ecf868c18235/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-67",{"_148":1378,"_150":1379,"_152":1380,"_154":1378},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/576d95b9-9698-4ad6-bba5-80ffd8f2d21c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/576d95b9-9698-4ad6-bba5-80ffd8f2d21c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/576d95b9-9698-4ad6-bba5-80ffd8f2d21c/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-60",{"_148":1383,"_150":1384,"_152":1385,"_154":1383},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c354254-9765-4625-a910-9b842ef7f42d/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c354254-9765-4625-a910-9b842ef7f42d/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/0c354254-9765-4625-a910-9b842ef7f42d/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-61",{"_148":1388,"_150":1389,"_152":1390,"_154":1388},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3cd55604-f951-475a-b005-c9c620b3ed28/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3cd55604-f951-475a-b005-c9c620b3ed28/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3cd55604-f951-475a-b005-c9c620b3ed28/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-53",{"_148":1393,"_150":1394,"_152":1395,"_154":1393},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bbe7a6f4-2d84-4bc9-9833-dd29c3a7dc6f/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bbe7a6f4-2d84-4bc9-9833-dd29c3a7dc6f/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/bbe7a6f4-2d84-4bc9-9833-dd29c3a7dc6f/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-47-1",{"_148":1398,"_150":1399,"_152":1400,"_154":1398},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67e4187c-9139-41cf-b590-aaa24d3f76de/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67e4187c-9139-41cf-b590-aaa24d3f76de/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67e4187c-9139-41cf-b590-aaa24d3f76de/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-46",{"_148":1403,"_150":1404,"_152":1405,"_154":1403},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/34c4a935-69ac-4403-8229-ad81a9a29bae/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/34c4a935-69ac-4403-8229-ad81a9a29bae/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/34c4a935-69ac-4403-8229-ad81a9a29bae/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-30",{"_148":1408,"_150":1409,"_152":1410,"_154":1408},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4d4ced70-ac8b-4c56-9c6c-b69bbc42b4e3/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4d4ced70-ac8b-4c56-9c6c-b69bbc42b4e3/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/4d4ced70-ac8b-4c56-9c6c-b69bbc42b4e3/preview","Chatham-Isle-of-Hope-UMC-81-scaled",{"_148":1413,"_150":1414,"_152":1415,"_154":1413},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/36d28c6c-def0-4fd4-832a-437d0f26aebe/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/36d28c6c-def0-4fd4-832a-437d0f26aebe/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/36d28c6c-def0-4fd4-832a-437d0f26aebe/preview","new-tour-1790272324070","caption","url","https://api.opentour.site/historic-rural-churches/v4/public/media/2sh9xzurrzsmgiusx5g0lg1m95gm?variant=desktop",{"_1422":1425,"_37":23,"_76":1426},{"_1422":1423,"_37":1266,"_76":1424},"relation_id",63,"DRIVING",62,"BICYCLING","south","north","west","east","centerLat",31.632078399999997,"centerLng",-81.43577439999999,"stops.media.lqip_data",30,"","external_url","footer_logo","name","logo_url","https://opentour-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/public/neyvwp6rem16d8uc50lggnz42r8d?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22HRCT_opentour_logo_C.png%22%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%27HRCT_opentour_logo_C.png&response-content-type=image%2Fpng&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAUQYJBBG7WXJ2TCYY%2F20261113%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20261113T001225Z&X-Amz-Expires=604800&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=9119a1a105d80fb63a28674cdcce8564efd7a00bccdd30447325e19b99592698","matomo_id","notes","subdir","tourSet",{"_37":1454,"_82":1455,"_1456":1457,"_1458":1459},"request",{"_1450":1451,"_1452":1453},"protocol","http","host","historic-rural-churches.opentour.site","30","tour_sets","attributes",{"_1440":75,"_1445":10,"_1464":1465,"_1466":1467,"_1441":1442,"_1468":1469},"relationships",{"_1460":1461},"admins",{"_1462":1463},"data",[],"published_tours",[1484],"mapable_tours",[1479],"logo",{"_1440":1468,"_1470":1471},"record",{"_37":1436,"_1440":75,"_1472":1473,"_1474":1475,"_1445":10,"_1476":-5,"_1438":-5,"_1444":-5,"_1439":-5,"_1477":-5,"_1478":-5,"_31":1437,"_1443":1104},"created_at","2020-11-11T17:06:49.438Z","updated_at","2026-11-09T15:06:25.825Z","tour_id","base_sixty_four","logo_title",{"_76":77,"_67":16,"_1480":1481},"center",{"_106":1482,"_108":1483},31.644298434480362,-81.42805254901637,{"_76":77,"_67":16,"_1485":1486},"location",{"_106":1482,"_108":1483}]