Flat Shoals Primitive Baptist
Troup County | Organized in 1829
Shortly after Troup County was organized, a small but determined group of twelve settlers came together to establish a church devoted to the worship of God. On February 11, 1829, they officially organized what was first called Smith’s Meeting House. Just a year later, on February 2, 1830, the name was changed to Flat Shoals Meeting House.
Read more...The church’s first house of worship was erected sometime between 1832 and 1836, about seven or eight hundred feet west of where the present sanctuary stands today. The land was purchased and deeded to the church in August 1833. That original building was about half the size of the current one. Later, a meeting house from nearby Old Troup Factory was moved intact and joined to the existing structure, creating the expanded church that still serves the congregation. The ceiling boards were hauled by wagon from the mountains of North Georgia, and the sills that support the sanctuary were hand-hewn from solid heart timber—a testament to the craftsmanship of its builders.
Across the road, the Flat Shoals Cemetery sits atop a gentle rise, shaded by old trees. Here rest many of Troup County’s earliest settlers and numerous Civil War veterans, including several from Company B of the 60th Georgia Infantry Regiment, which fought in the Lawton-Gordon-Evans Brigade of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Of the 7,000 men who once served in the brigade, fewer than 750 remained at Appomattox in 1865—a sobering reminder of the immense loss felt in communities like this one.
For nearly 200 years, Flat Shoals Baptist has stood as a steadfast witness to faith and resilience. Thanks to its devoted members, this historic sanctuary and its quiet hilltop cemetery remain a treasured piece of Georgia’s story—preserved for generations yet to come.
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8 responses to “Flat Shoals Primitive Baptist”
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The church is presently in the Troup County Baptist Association and Southern Baptist Convention. We welcome any and all visitors who would enjoy seeing our historic old church building and cemetery.Church services start at 11:00 AM every Sunday. If you would like any information or have any additional information about our church, feel free to contact me at (warren4389@msn.com).May god bless you.Rev.Randy Warren.
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Does this church maintain a list of members from its earlier days? It would be a great help to those of us doing genealogy studies in this area.
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You are absolutely correct in what you have written. I founded TRoup County Historical Society & Archives… I looked up much of the Flat Shoals/Troup Factory History. The Smith Family remains in LaGrange. Also, founders of Troup Factory. Many graves ( I use to visit that cemetery often) in the old cemetery are those of wonderful pioneers whose families have stayed in the area. The famous Sledge/Cox family is only one of them along with the Smiths. The old Smith house was at the turn-off from the HY leading over to the cemetery (“I’ve forgotten ” road names) that was made of logs. Smith’s store was of rock. I believe we got the house on the National Register, I’m unsure, but the family loved that we brought recognition to the place. That community remains very lovely! Keep up your wonderful work!
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Thank you Miss Biddy. Your support is important in that it validates what we are trying to do and how we are going about it. We appreciate it. And we also appreciate this additional history regarding Flat Shoals. Living history.
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Thank you for featuring these beautiful old churches and for remembering those brave men who fought for our Southland so long ago.
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Here is a ling with info on Elijah Satterwhite. He performed many marriages, so he was either an elder in the PB church or did so as part of his duties as a Justice of the Peace. A photo of the home he built is on the site. It’s abandoned, sure with someone would save it. http://normansatterwhite.com/Satterwhite/Elijah%20Satterwhite2.pdf
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Thanks for the link Kenny. The Satterwhites were a very important part of early Troup County history. This is a great link.
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Hello, I’ve been doing some research in my family tree. I’m a great-great-great granddaughter of Elijah Satterwhite. Virgil Wilborn Satterwhite was my grandfather. I would like to visit the cemetery and would absolutely love to his Elijah’s family home. Also, did I see where there is a booklet on the church and the founders? Please let me know. Looking forward to hearing back from you! Thanks!
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