The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer has been a place of worship and community since its founding on September 23, 1863, by the Right Reverend Stephen Elliott, Georgia’s first bishop. Its original members included two local families and several women who had fled Charleston and Savannah during the Civil War.

Today, this historic church continues to hold services, welcoming all who seek faith and fellowship. To learn more about its rich history and ongoing ministry, visit greensborogaepiscopal.org.

Following the Civil War, many Black congregations sought independence from white churches, and Springfield Baptist Church in Downtown Greensboro, GA, was no exception. In 1864, with a $200 donation from First Baptist Church of Greensboro, former Black members founded Springfield, purchasing 1.25 acres and later acquiring the old Georgia Railroad Depot to serve as their first house of worship.

Under the leadership of Rev. Levi Thornton of Penfield, GA, the church quickly grew to 500 members. In the early 1900s, the original wooden structure was replaced with the current brick building, which still stands today as a symbol of resilience and faith.

📍 Want to explore more of Downtown Greensboro’s historic churches? Take a walking tour to uncover their rich history!

First Christian Church of Sandersville, established in 1907, is a congregation within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) fellowship, rooted in the early 19th-century Restoration Movement. In 2011, a fire destroyed much of the sanctuary; however, the congregation restored the structure, preserving the original external walls and stained glass windows. The church’s architecture features traditional design elements, including a prominent steeple and arched windows that reflect its longstanding presence in the community.

Today, the church continues to serve as a welcoming place of worship and community engagement in Sandersville, Georgia.​ 

Founded on January 17, 1834, the Church of Christ at Antioch was built on land donated by David Curry and William May, serving as a spiritual hub for both white and black congregants until 1868, when black members withdrew to form Holly Springs Baptist Church. By 1885, the church had 152 members, reflecting the post-Civil War trend of a higher number of female worshippers.

Like many rural churches, Antioch faced decline as people moved toward town life, and by the mid-1940s, regular services ceased. However, the church continued to host annual homecomings and singing conventions, traditions that persist today. Every second Sunday in May, former members and descendants gather to revive the spirit of Antioch, filling the air with hymns that echo through the Georgia pines.

Tucked away on a remote dirt road, Antioch Baptist Church stands as a quiet, dignified reminder of early Georgia life. Though plain on the outside, its sanctuary and historic cemetery tell the story of a once-thriving congregation.

Mount Olive Church of the Nazarene, located at 591 Mount Olive Church Road in Wrightsville, Georgia, is a welcoming congregation dedicated to loving God and others. Nestled in the piney forests of Johnson County, the church offers a variety of services and ministries aimed at fostering spiritual growth and community connection. It was established in 1963 and has been a cornerstone of the Johnson County community for decades.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wrightsville, Georgia, has been a part of the community for over 144 years. Established in 1879, the church is located at 179 US Highway 319 South. The original sanctuary, a historic wooden structure built 143 years ago, served as the primary place of worship. In recent years, this building functioned as a social hall until it was damaged by fire in 2022. Despite this loss, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church continues to serve its congregation under the leadership of Pastor Chris Mitchell, with services including Sunday School at 9:30 am, Worship at 10:30 am, Sunday Night service at 5 pm, and Wednesday gatherings at 6 pm.

Established in the summer of 2009, Christ Community Church (CCC) in Baxley, Georgia, began as a small gathering of families seeking a place for heartfelt worship and fellowship. Their commitment to prayer and community led to the official incorporation of the church on October 21, 2009.

Today, under the leadership of Pastor Tim Carlson, Christ Community offers vibrant Sunday services, active youth programs through the Southern Roots Youth Group, and community outreach initiatives. The church also operates PromiseLand Preschool, providing early childhood education rooted in Christian values.

Spring Branch Baptist Church, located at 707 Spring Branch Church Road in Baxley, Georgia, is a faith-centered congregation dedicated to serving the community with love and devotion. The church offers a welcoming environment where members can grow spiritually and engage in fellowship.

The church holds Sunday School at 10:00 am, followed by Morning Worship at 11:00 am and an Evening Service at 6:00 pm. On Wednesday nights, activities include Youth Worship, The Gospel Project, and a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm, with a fellowship supper beforehand at 6:30 pm.

With a strong focus on missions and outreach, Spring Branch Baptist Church embodies the message of 1 John 4:7, which calls believers to love one another as a reflection of God’s love. The church invites individuals and families to join its services and become part of its faith community.

The Oaks Baptist Church, located at 920 NW Broad St. in Lyons, Georgia, serves the communities of Lyons and Vidalia. The church offers a blend of traditional and contemporary worship experiences, emphasizing grace and inclusivity. The building features a classic design with a welcoming façade. Regular services include Sunday School at 10:00 AM and Worship at 11:00 AM on Sundays, with additional fellowship and study opportunities on Wednesday evenings.

Center United Methodist Church, located in Vidalia, GA, has been a symbol of faith and community since its founding in 1882. Originally established in a log cabin on land donated by John O. Wilkes and his son M. F. Wilkes, the church’s original structure was eventually replaced by the current building in 1925-1926.

Though the original log structure was repurposed and later destroyed by fire in the 1940s, the church has remained a steadfast presence, offering a welcoming space for worship, fellowship, and service.

First Baptist Church of Soperton, located at 507 First Street South in Soperton, Georgia, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1904. The church moved to its current location that year, with the land donated to the Board of Trustees. The building features traditional Southern architecture, with a spacious interior designed to accommodate the congregation. Under the leadership of Pastor Chad, who began his tenure in 2019, the church continues to serve the community with various services and events. Regular services include Sunday School at 10:00 AM and Worship at 11:00 AM on Sundays, with additional fellowship and study opportunities on Wednesday evenings.

Morningside Baptist Church, located at 4327 Holton Chapel Road in Soperton, Georgia, has been serving the community since its establishment in 1964.

The church offers a welcoming environment for worship and fellowship, with a traditional architectural style featuring a prominent steeple and a brick exterior. Under the leadership of Dr. Vic Fordham, the congregation gathers for regular services and community events.

Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, founded in 1813, remains a stunning landmark along Highway 15 in Hancock County. This Greek Revival gem features a simple yet elegant design, with double doors opening into a pew-lined sanctuary that echoes centuries of worship.

Originally established as a Presbyterian church, it later became home to a Methodist congregation before closing its doors in 1958. Today, it stands as the sole reminder of the once-thriving community that surrounded it, lovingly preserved by the county’s historical society. If you’re traveling along Highway 15, take a moment to stop and appreciate this piece of history.

Powelton Methodist Church is a key part of the rich history of Powelton, Georgia, one of the state’s oldest villages and located in Hancock County. Established before 1800, the church reflects the prominence of Powelton in the post-Revolutionary War era. Once a major crossroads community, Powelton played an important role in Georgia’s early development, nearly securing the state capital location by just two votes. The village thrived in the early 19th century, home to prominent citizens, merchants, and academies for both men and women.

While the original church structure no longer stands, the current sanctuary, built around 1830, remains on the same historic grounds. It features hand-hewn support timbers and single field stone footings, showcasing early craftsmanship. The church, inactive for over 30 years, is still remarkably well-preserved but requires repairs. The adjoining cemetery holds graves dating back to at least 1817, with unmarked burials likely from even earlier.

Click here for an interior virtual tour of this beautiful piece of history!

Bethel United Methodist Church, once known as Alligator Creek Church, is a classic example of the small “three window” churches that dot the piney woods of South Georgia. Originally built in 1872, the church’s lumber was hauled by ox team from Florida, and its sturdy sills were assembled with wooden pegs. Over the years, time has taken its toll on the historic structure—mortar deterioration has caused sagging, the leaning brick chimney was removed, and signs of past repairs mark the roof and walls. Despite these challenges, the church remains active, holding monthly services, and its interior still exudes a quiet beauty.

Adjacent to the church located in Folkston, Bethel Cemetery holds graves dating back to 1861, with many unmarked resting places lost to time. Among those buried are seven Confederate veterans, though none have official government markers. Though records are scarce, Bethel’s legacy as a place of worship and community gathering endures, standing as a testament to faith and resilience in Georgia’s wiregrass country.

Located in Charlton County, Georgia, Corinth Primitive Baptist Church was part of the Wiregrass Primitive Baptist sect, a small religious group concentrated in South Georgia. Known for their unpainted, simple church structures, the Wiregrass Primitives believe that decorative embellishments detract from the purpose of worship. Their movement dates back to the early 1800s and remains largely within the same region today.

Corinth’s history is deeply tied to church splits within the Alabaha River Association, particularly over the Georgia Homestead Act of the 1870s, which divided members into factions. One such group, the Crawfordites, led by Elder Reuben Crawford, upheld a strict and austere form of worship, leaving behind meeting houses that remain largely unchanged since the late 1800s. In 1952, Corinth became part of a further split under Elder Sammy Hendrix, who led Corinth, Emmaus, and Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Churches. When Elder Hendrix passed in 1987, his faction dissolved, as there was no other Elder to lead worship. His funeral was a simple, traditional service, held on the church stoop before burial in the churchyard cemetery.

With no successor to administer church ordinances, Corinth and the other churches disbanded. While Mount Olive was later restored to fellowship with the Crawford faction in 1996, Corinth Primitive Baptist Church remains a historical reminder of the unique and deeply rooted traditions of the Wiregrass Primitive Baptists in South Georgia.