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This tour of historic rural churches in Wilkes County, Georgia, features a diverse group of buildings. Some are simple structures with plain windows while others have elaborate steeples and beautiful stained glass. With congregations dating back to the 1790s, Wilkes County was one of the earliest areas in Georgia claimed by white settlers from Virginia and the Carolinas.

From the final resting place of Revolutionary War soldiers at Smyrna Methodist to the recent restoration of the schoolhouse at Cherry Grove Baptist, this tour has something for everyone to explore and learn about Georgia's history.

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Smyrna Church was organized by two Presbyterian ministers in 1785. For a number of years there was no church building and the members worshiped in their homes or under brush arbors. Sir John Talbot, an Episcopalian, had moved to Wilkes in 1783 to occupy his land grant of 50,000 acres. During the 1780’s he had been disappointed to find no Episcopal Church to attend. In 1788 he decided to affiliate with the Presbyterians and worship with them. In 1793 he deeded two acres of land to the Presbyterians. A church made of logs with a gallery for slaves was erected that year, and Reverend John Springer, the first Presbyterian minister to be ordained in Georgia, became its first pastor.

By 1820, the church had not thrived and membership had fallen to just 15. Those congregants decided it best to transfer their membership to the more successful and active Washington Presbyterian church and offer their building to the Methodists who soon had a flourishing Society there. During the 1840’s, the Presbyterians and Methodists held union camp meetings annually on the church grounds under brush arbors.

In 1860 the Methodists decided to demolish the log structure and build a larger frame structure. That church was remodeled in 1883 and stood until 1911 when the present structure was built. Smyrna is still, in the 21st Century, an active and vibrant member of the community. The Smyrna cemetery is one of the most historic in this section of the state. Here lie Sir John Talbot and his son Matthew, President of the Georgia Senate in 1811, 1817-22 and briefly as Governor of Georgia in 1819. Also present are Revolutionary War officers and War of 1812 officers as well as soldiers of every other war in which the United States was engaged in the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.

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In rural Wilkes County, Cherry Grove Baptist Church looks like a simple brick country church with a small cemetery, but its story runs much deeper. Founded in 1875 by members of Springfield Baptist in nearby Washington, Cherry Grove began as a brush arbor before being replaced by a log building and later the frame sanctuary that still stands beneath its brick veneer.

Behind the cemetery sits a rare piece of Georgia history—a one-room schoolhouse, built around 1910 to educate African American children in the local community of Cohentown. Cherry Grove School operated until 1956, part of a broader movement after emancipation when Black families, long denied education, organized schools through their churches. Counties sometimes supplied teachers or worn textbooks, but communities built, furnished, and sustained the schools themselves.

Cohentown itself was established in 1881 when Peter Arnett, a formerly enslaved man, purchased 62 acres of land. The community flourished with its own cemetery, which was later lost to time until rediscovered through archaeological study. Researchers have since identified more than 60 burials there, most unmarked—reflecting the poverty of sharecropping families who often could not afford carved headstones.

By the early 21st century, Cherry Grove’s schoolhouse was deteriorating. In 2015, local leaders organized Friends of Cherry Grove Schoolhouse, a nonprofit dedicated to its preservation. Their efforts secured listing on the Georgia and National Registers of Historic Places and recognition on the Georgia Trust’s “Places in Peril” in 2021.

Today, Cherry Grove Baptist, its cemetery, and its schoolhouse remain powerful symbols of resilience, community, and the pursuit of education in the face of hardship.

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The roots of New Ford Baptist, one of the oldest congregations in Georgia, go back to 1795 when George Washington was still in office. The church was originally located on the banks of Newford Creek, located not far away from the present location. One of the first pastors of Newford was James Mathews, Sr. who moved into Georgia in 1782. His first wife had died but Rev. Mathews remarried in 1786 and had twelve children as a result of this union. According to a church history written in 1882, his pastorage was very successful and he Baptized over 100 new church members. He was a close associate of Jesse Mercer, who preached at his funeral in 1822. In 1832, the current church was built on land donated by William McLendon and over the years, the name evolved from Newford Baptist to New Ford Baptist.

The first Federal Census in 1790, reveals that African Americans made up 19% of Wilkes County population. However, Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in 1794, and the resulting boom in Wilkes County cotton production greatly increased the black population. By 1860, it was 69%. Since the 1830’s, people of color had been allowed to unite as members of the church but worshiped in separate services. Church minutes reveal that in 1857, New Ford had a membership of 125 members and that 86 of these were black.

After the war, in November of 1866, a specific request was made that the colored members of the congregation be allowed to have separate worship services at New Ford and the church was shared in that fashion with the white members. Later, in the 1870s, the white congregation decided to build a new church a short distance away in Danburg and discussions were held to transfer ownership of the original 1832 church to the black members. In 1879, the African American congregation of New Ford purchased the old church and approximately six acres of land on which it stands.

New Ford has an active congregation and a proud history that goes back over 200 years. We are indebted to the membership for being such wonderful stewards of this important part of Georgia history. We are especially indebted to the Rev. Ed Anderson, Sr. who has long been a student of Wilkes County African American history. He is also a fifth generation member of New Ford and serves as the Church Assistant Pastor and Adult Sunday School Teacher.

",33.8767125,-82.65492189999999,[331,332,333,334,335,336,337,338,339,340,341,342,343,344,345,346,347,348,349],"The roots of New Ford Baptist, one of the oldest congregations in Georgia, go back to 1795 when George Washington was still in office. The church was originally located on the banks of Newford Creek, located not far away from the present location. One of the first pastors of Newford was James Mathews, Sr. who…",{"_35":115,"_65":116,"_74":117},5,{"_35":328,"_65":329,"_74":330},"The roots of New Ford Baptist, one of the oldest congregations in Georgia, go back to 1795 when George Washington was still in office. The church was originally located on the banks of Newford Creek, located not far away from the present location. One of the first pastors of Newford was James Mathews, Sr. who moved into Georgia in 1782. His first wife had died but Rev. Mathews remarried in 1786 and had twelve children as a result of this union. According to a church history written in 1882, his pastorage was very successful and he Baptized over 100 new church members. He was a close associate of Jesse Mercer, who preached at his funeral in 1822. In 1832, the current church was built on land donated by William McLendon and over the years, the name evolved from Newford Baptist to New Ford Baptist. The first Federal Census in 1790, reveals that African Americans made up 19% of Wilkes County population. However, Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in 1794, and the resulting boom in Wilkes County cotton production greatly increased the black population. By 1860, it was 69%. Since the 1830’s, people of color had been allowed to unite as members of the church but worshiped in separate services. Church minutes reveal that in 1857, New Ford had a membership of 125 members and that 86 of these were black. After the war, in November of 1866, a specific request was made that the colored members of the congregation be allowed to have separate worship services at New Ford and the church was shared in that fashion with the white members. Later, in the 1870s, the white congregation decided to build a new church a short distance away in Danburg and discussions were held to transfer ownership of the original 1832 church to the black members. In 1879, the African American congregation of New Ford purchased the old church and approximately six acres of land on which it stands. New Ford has an active congregation and a proud history that goes back over 200 years. We are indebted to the membership for being such wonderful stewards of this important part of Georgia history. We are especially indebted to the Rev. Ed Anderson, Sr. who has long been a student of Wilkes County African American history. He is also a fifth generation member of New Ford and serves as the Church Assistant Pastor and Adult Sunday School Teacher. 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Broad Rd, Tignall, GA 30668","

Friendship Baptist and its picturesque, intriguing , 19th century grave yard rests alone on a grassy knoll set back from a winding country road. The church and cemetery rise alone out of the field with no nearby neighbors. There is no paved drive or dirt tracks to this gaunt but still proud church. There are no signs of visitors, no dead flowers on graves, no outside signs of painting or maintenance of any kind in recent years. But, the structure is still sound, the grounds clear of weeds and debris, the cemetery in remarkably though well-worn condition, and one gets the feeling it is still loved by someone.

Friendship Church is listed as “presently inactive.” The interior is in relatively good shape, has its original lovely primitive pews, the windows and doors are sound, there are obvious signs of cleaning and attention and, clearly, the church, grounds and cemetery are being cared for by someone.

Because it has been inactive for some time, records concerning its past are sketchy. We know that the church began as an arm of Clark’s Station Baptist in January, 1826 and that on May 7, 1831 it was constituted with 33 members, 12 of whom were black. So, clearly it was a very early church. The size and quality of the present structure indicate that it did at one time prosper. The last known Deacon from the mid 1970’s was Lonnie C. Moon.

We hope to be able to expand our commentary on Friendship Baptist in the future. It is certainly worth time and attention as an incredibly preserved historic rural church.

",33.9473133,-82.71035719999999,[460,461,462,463,464,465,466,467],"Friendship Baptist and its picturesque, intriguing , 19th century grave yard rests alone on a grassy knoll set back from a winding country road. The church and cemetery rise alone out of the field with no nearby neighbors. There is no paved drive or dirt tracks to this gaunt but still proud church. There are…",{"_35":199,"_65":200,"_74":201},4,{"_35":457,"_65":458,"_74":459},"Friendship Baptist and its picturesque, intriguing , 19th century grave yard rests alone on a grassy knoll set back from a winding country road. The church and cemetery rise alone out of the field with no nearby neighbors. There is no paved drive or dirt tracks to this gaunt but still proud church. There are no signs of visitors, no dead flowers on graves, no outside signs of painting or maintenance of any kind in recent years. But, the structure is still sound, the grounds clear of weeds and debris, the cemetery in remarkably though well-worn condition, and one gets the feeling it is still loved by someone. Friendship Church is listed as “presently inactive.” The interior is in relatively good shape, has its original lovely primitive pews, the windows and doors are sound, there are obvious signs of cleaning and attention and, clearly, the church, grounds and cemetery are being cared for by someone. Because it has been inactive for some time, records concerning its past are sketchy. We know that the church began as an arm of Clark’s Station Baptist in January, 1826 and that on May 7, 1831 it was constituted with 33 members, 12 of whom were black. So, clearly it was a very early church. The size and quality of the present structure indicate that it did at one time prosper. The last known Deacon from the mid 1970’s was Lonnie C. Moon. We hope to be able to expand our commentary on Friendship Baptist in the future. It is certainly worth time and attention as an incredibly preserved historic rural church.",[456,329],"friendship-baptist","203f1378-c45f-4fbc-95da-8fe3c7f03907","clarks-station-baptist-wilkes","Clark's Station Baptist",{"_74":503,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":504},{"_74":498,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":499},{"_74":493,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":494},{"_74":488,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":489},{"_74":483,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":484},{"_74":478,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":479},{"_74":473,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":474},{"_74":468,"_128":330,"_129":25,"_130":25,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":469},"Friendship-Baptist-Distant-View1",{"_137":470,"_139":471,"_141":472,"_143":470},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2322c5f9-5cef-4a28-b23b-3f7e8dd87af8/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2322c5f9-5cef-4a28-b23b-3f7e8dd87af8/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/2322c5f9-5cef-4a28-b23b-3f7e8dd87af8/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Cemetery-11",{"_137":475,"_139":476,"_141":477,"_143":475},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f84179af-710b-433b-8541-98ef844d5a59/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f84179af-710b-433b-8541-98ef844d5a59/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/f84179af-710b-433b-8541-98ef844d5a59/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Cemetery-21",{"_137":480,"_139":481,"_141":482,"_143":480},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8e07c427-c08a-4bbd-aaad-b86abba8f9c9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8e07c427-c08a-4bbd-aaad-b86abba8f9c9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8e07c427-c08a-4bbd-aaad-b86abba8f9c9/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Front-View1",{"_137":485,"_139":486,"_141":487,"_143":485},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43f528a3-91dc-488a-8ce1-d780c8fa5c32/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43f528a3-91dc-488a-8ce1-d780c8fa5c32/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/43f528a3-91dc-488a-8ce1-d780c8fa5c32/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Front-View-with-Cemetery1",{"_137":490,"_139":491,"_141":492,"_143":490},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d812123a-dc12-45bf-9450-5d2c07190441/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d812123a-dc12-45bf-9450-5d2c07190441/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/d812123a-dc12-45bf-9450-5d2c07190441/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Interior-Wide1",{"_137":495,"_139":496,"_141":497,"_143":495},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fd1b8285-27bb-4738-b353-15f5df6be2ca/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fd1b8285-27bb-4738-b353-15f5df6be2ca/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/fd1b8285-27bb-4738-b353-15f5df6be2ca/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Pews-with-Cemetery1",{"_137":500,"_139":501,"_141":502,"_143":500},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f1ee022-6ecd-40b2-8951-0c154ebdeaac/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f1ee022-6ecd-40b2-8951-0c154ebdeaac/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/8f1ee022-6ecd-40b2-8951-0c154ebdeaac/preview","Friendship-Baptist-Pews-with-Tree1",{"_137":505,"_139":506,"_141":507,"_143":505},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c7791d6c-eb4e-49b1-ae38-547342bf04d6/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c7791d6c-eb4e-49b1-ae38-547342bf04d6/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/c7791d6c-eb4e-49b1-ae38-547342bf04d6/preview","V4MW+XC Tignall, Georgia","

This historic church, originally located on Clark’s Creek, was constituted in 1788 by Elders Sanders Walker and Silas Mercer, with 11 members. It was at the meeting of the Association at Clark’s Station in 1821 that resolutions were passed which resulted in the organization, the next year at Powellton, of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In 1850, the house of worship was removed from its original site two or three miles west to its present location. That building was remodeled in 1944 under the pastorate of Rev. J.R. Kirkland. Clark’s Station Baptist was one of the first of around eight Baptist churches that sprung forth in Wilkes county before the end of the 18th Century. Following the lead of nearby Fishing Creek Baptist(founded in 1783), the first Baptist church in the county, Clark’s Station and the others that followed became the focal points within each community for hundreds of years to come.

",33.8849375,-82.8539375,[525,526,527,528,529,530],"This historic church, originally located on Clark’s Creek, was constituted in 1788 by Elders Sanders Walker and Silas Mercer, with 11 members. It was at the meeting of the Association at Clark’s Station in 1821 that resolutions were passed which resulted in the organization, the next year at Powellton, of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In…",{"_35":328,"_65":329,"_74":330},3,{"_35":522,"_65":523,"_74":524},"This historic church, originally located on Clark’s Creek, was constituted in 1788 by Elders Sanders Walker and Silas Mercer, with 11 members. It was at the meeting of the Association at Clark’s Station in 1821 that resolutions were passed which resulted in the organization, the next year at Powellton, of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In 1850, the house of worship was removed from its original site two or three miles west to its present location. That building was remodeled in 1944 under the pastorate of Rev. J. R. Kirkland. Clark’s Station Baptist was one of the first of around eight Baptist churches that sprung forth in Wilkes county before the end of the 18th Century. Following the lead of nearby Fishing Creek Baptist(founded in 1783), the first Baptist church in the county, Clark’s Station and the others that followed became the focal points within each community for hundreds of years to come.",[519,520,458,521],"clarks-station-baptist","clark-s-station-baptist","clark-s-station-baptist-wilkes","fd769841-973b-4588-a069-cf391c52d25b","beaverdam-baptist-wilkes","Beaverdam Baptist",{"_74":556,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":557},{"_74":551,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":552},{"_74":546,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":547},{"_74":541,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":542},{"_74":536,"_128":459,"_129":25,"_130":25,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":537},{"_74":531,"_128":-5,"_129":38,"_130":38,"_131":-5,"_132":-5,"_133":-5,"_134":-5,"_135":532},"Clarks-Station-Baptist-Rural-Church-Wilkes-County-Georgia-Front1-topaz-upscale-4x-scaled",{"_137":533,"_139":534,"_141":535,"_143":533},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3a4017ef-4eb8-4a6b-9da7-6a4518fa19d5/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3a4017ef-4eb8-4a6b-9da7-6a4518fa19d5/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/3a4017ef-4eb8-4a6b-9da7-6a4518fa19d5/preview","Clarks-Station-Baptist-Rural-Church-Wilkes-County-Georgia-Front1",{"_137":538,"_139":539,"_141":540,"_143":538},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02dd1e73-2a94-41bc-a85d-5890a653adb6/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02dd1e73-2a94-41bc-a85d-5890a653adb6/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/02dd1e73-2a94-41bc-a85d-5890a653adb6/preview","Clarks-Station-Baptist-Church-Rural-Wilkes-County-Georgia-interior-I1",{"_137":543,"_139":544,"_141":545,"_143":543},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ca3b7731-4a94-4d6a-bd88-7236831d18a9/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ca3b7731-4a94-4d6a-bd88-7236831d18a9/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/ca3b7731-4a94-4d6a-bd88-7236831d18a9/preview","Clarks-Station-Baptist-Rural-Church-Wilkes-County-Georgia-Bell1",{"_137":548,"_139":549,"_141":550,"_143":548},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67c55c1f-30eb-4898-92b8-692cbcb05c95/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67c55c1f-30eb-4898-92b8-692cbcb05c95/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/67c55c1f-30eb-4898-92b8-692cbcb05c95/preview","Clarks-Station-Baptist-Rural-Country-Church-Wilkes-County-Georgia-Front-Three-Quarters1",{"_137":553,"_139":554,"_141":555,"_143":553},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cf66c374-7323-47ec-9bf8-5979aac6264b/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cf66c374-7323-47ec-9bf8-5979aac6264b/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/cf66c374-7323-47ec-9bf8-5979aac6264b/preview","Clarks-Station-Baptist-Rural-Church-Wilkes-County-Georgia-Front1-topaz-upscale-4x",{"_137":558,"_139":559,"_141":560,"_143":558},"https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b5dcf4-5729-4132-bcc9-0e8964e2097c/iiif","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b5dcf4-5729-4132-bcc9-0e8964e2097c/thumbnail","https://iiif-cloud.ecds.io/public/resources/24b5dcf4-5729-4132-bcc9-0e8964e2097c/preview","857 Beaver Dam Rd, Washington, GA 30673","

The first records show that “The Church of Christ at Beaverdam” was constituted on March 19, 1836. As was most often the case, a small crowd of close neighbors, seven men, and seven women, wanted to start a church. The Rev. William Stokes was chosen as the first pastor. Records of this first meeting have been preserved. They show columns listing the name of each member, the date received into the church, how received, and how dismissed. These listings reflect what was a normal practice in antebellum days throughout Georgia. Men, women, white and black all belonged in the same congregation. Regular church meetings were held the second Sunday of each month, but they also met in “conference” the day before to take care of business matters.

After the Civil War, African American members began to form separate churches but this did not take place for several years in many cases. Immediately after the war, almost all of the churches conducted business as usual, but eventually the black members decided to form their own separate congregations. That point for Beaverdam did not come until 1874, according to the church records. The minutes of May 16, 1874 – “Granted letters of dismission to 13 colored members for the purpose of constituting a colored Baptist Church in the vicinity.”

Actions such as this took place throughout Wilkes and all other Georgia counties. In many instances, the blacks were given the older meeting house to use while the whites built a new sanctuary nearby. An example of that practice can be found in Wilkes County where the whites at Newford moved to a new church in nearby Danburg, Danburg Baptist was erected in 1879. The blacks, staying in the old sanctuary, reorganized that year keeping the name Newhope. Though heavily remodeled, that sanctuary remains intact and in use by the congregation today.

Be sure to click and scroll the photos below for more information about Beaverdam. The cemetery is a real treasure and there are some good stories there.

",33.7648599,-82.8575982,[576,577,578,579,580,581,582,583,584,585,586,587,588,589,590,591],"The first records show that “The Church of Christ at Beaverdam” was constituted on March 19, 1836. As was most often the case, a small crowd of close neighbors, seven men, and seven women, wanted to start a church. The Rev. William Stokes was chosen as the first pastor. Records of this first meeting have…",{"_35":457,"_65":458,"_74":459},2,{"_35":573,"_65":574,"_74":575},"The first records show that “The Church of Christ at Beaverdam” was constituted on March 19, 1836. As was most often the case, a small crowd of close neighbors, seven men, and seven women, wanted to start a church. The Rev. William Stokes was chosen as the first pastor. Records of this first meeting have been preserved. They show columns listing the name of each member, the date received into the church, how received, and how dismissed. These listings reflect what was a normal practice in antebellum days throughout Georgia. Men, women, white and black all belonged in the same congregation. Regular church meetings were held the second Sunday of each month, but they also met in “conference” the day before to take care of business matters. After the Civil War, African American members began to form separate churches but this did not take place for several years in many cases. Immediately after the war, almost all of the churches conducted business as usual, but eventually the black members decided to form their own separate congregations. That point for Beaverdam did not come until 1874, according to the church records. The minutes of May 16, 1874 – “Granted letters of dismission to 13 colored members for the purpose of constituting a colored Baptist Church in the vicinity.”Actions such as this took place throughout Wilkes and all other Georgia counties. In many instances, the blacks were given the older meeting house to use while the whites built a new sanctuary nearby. An example of that practice can be found in Wilkes County where the whites at Newford moved to a new church in nearby Danburg, Danburg Baptist was erected in 1879. The blacks, staying in the old sanctuary, reorganized that year keeping the name Newhope. Though heavily remodeled, that sanctuary remains intact and in use by the congregation today. Be sure to click and scroll the photos below for more information about Beaverdam. 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Bethel United Methodist Church was founded in the days of the great Methodist expansion of the early 1800’s. The exact date is (at this time) unknown. New settlers and farmers entering the area realized the need for a place of worship and built a small log house located on Scull Shoals Road seven miles from Washington, GA. That structure was used for worship as well as a schoolhouse. The first Bethel church was located about a mile from where the present structure is located. Records of the church and class meetings were kept by George Smith and document the congregation’s growth. There are records of slave members as early as 1838.

By 1849, the church recognized the need to move to larger quarters. After receiving a gift of 3.7 acres nearby, a new church was built on that lot in a pine grove situated behind the present church’s location. This new church was a white frame building with large windows and green blinds and had a seating capacity of 300. There were two front doors, one for men and one for ladies. A partition three or four feet in height divided the center row of pews and not even husbands and wives sat together but, instead, sat across the partition from each other. Young men and ladies who came together did the same. The old men sat in the “amen corner” near the pulpit on the left and the old ladies sat on the right.

In 1912 discussions began concerning erection of a new building for Bethel. The present structure, sited closer to the front of the lot and to the road was opened and dedicated on July 23, 1916. The church with furnishings, piano, etc was completed and paid for at a cost of approximately $7,000. Today, the Bethel congregation enjoys a lovely historic church with arched doorways welcoming them into a 300 seat sanctuary with beautiful stained glass windows, pulpit furniture, oak pews and two, Civil War era , captains chairs from the old church placed near altar.

",33.7260625,-82.8496875,[682,683,684,685],"Bethel United Methodist Church was founded in the days of the great Methodist expansion of the early 1800’s. The exact date is (at this time) unknown. New settlers and farmers entering the area realized the need for a place of worship and built a small log house located on Scull Shoals Road seven miles from…",{"_35":522,"_65":523,"_74":524},"Bethel United Methodist Church was founded in the days of the great Methodist expansion of the early 1800’s. The exact date is (at this time) unknown. New settlers and farmers entering the area realized the need for a place of worship and built a small log house located on Scull Shoals Road seven miles from Washington, GA. That structure was used for worship as well as a schoolhouse. The first Bethel church was located about a mile from where the present structure is located. Records of the church and class meetings were kept by George Smith and document the congregation’s growth. There are records of slave members as early as 1838.By 1849, the church recognized the need to move to larger quarters. After receiving a gift of 3.7 acres nearby, a new church was built on that lot in a pine grove situated behind the present church’s location. This new church was a white frame building with large windows and green blinds and had a seating capacity of 300. There were two front doors, one for men and one for ladies. A partition three or four feet in height divided the center row of pews and not even husbands and wives sat together but, instead, sat across the partition from each other. Young men and ladies who came together did the same. The old men sat in the “amen corner” near the pulpit on the left and the old ladies sat on the right. In 1912 discussions began concerning erection of a new building for Bethel. The present structure, sited closer to the front of the lot and to the road was opened and dedicated on July 23, 1916. The church with furnishings, piano, etc was completed and paid for at a cost of approximately $7,000. 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