Bethel Brick Methodist
Screven County | Organized in 1827
In 1827, Reverend Payton Wade conveyed two and three-quarter acres of land to seven trustees for the establishment of a Methodist Episcopal Church to be known as “Brick Church.” Built by enslaved craftsmen from the nearby Lebanon Forest Plantation, this remarkable sanctuary stands as both the oldest Methodist church and the oldest surviving church building in Screven County. For nearly two centuries, continuous services have been held here—an enduring testament to faith, skill, and endurance.
Read more...Most churches of this early period were simple log or clapboard structures, but this one was built of handmade brick, giving rise to its name. Located amid the plantations of southern Screven County, Bethel Brick once had a larger Black membership than white—records from 1859 list 150 white members and 418 Black members. White congregants worshiped on Sunday mornings, while Black members met in the afternoons.
The first known use of the name “Bethel” appears in the 1866 Savannah Conference minutes. A small door behind the pulpit, opening directly to the outdoors, remains a mystery to this day. Perhaps once used by ministers or for processions, it adds to the quiet intrigue of the sanctuary.
Outside, towering moss-draped oaks surround the church and cemetery, where elaborate marble headstones stand beside weathered fieldstones—marking graves of both the wealthy and the humble. Civil War veterans and local settlers rest here, including a constable murdered in 1900.
The story of Bethel Brick is inseparable from the Maner and Wade families, prosperous planters whose history reflects both the promise and contradictions of post-Revolutionary Georgia. Reverend Peyton Lisby Wade—who once enslaved as many as 500 people—expanded his holdings to over 10,000 acres. Many of his descendants, along with those whose labor sustained the plantation, lie beneath the shade of Bethel’s ancient trees. Nearly 200 years later, Bethel Brick still stands as a monument to faith, endurance, and the complex history of Georgia’s early years.
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12 responses to “Bethel Brick Methodist”
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The plantation Lebanon Forest was owned by Samuel Maner not Manor. Many of my family are buried at Brick Church and I have often visited there. Peyton Wade took ownership of Lebanon Forest when he married Sarah Maner who was much older than your article suggests. The white marble baptismal font by the alter rail was given by my grandparents.
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Thank you for these corrections, Sara.
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The stained glass windows of Bethel Brick UMC were installed in the 1980’s. John Powell was preacher at the time. I attended there as a child and remember the fund raising the church did to purchase them. I am sure that some of the wealthier farm owners who attended provided most of the funds needed.
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I have visited Brick Church several times growing up. My mother’s family was connected and some buried there. Her father was CA Meads, mother was Ada Mobley Meads.
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Thanks for sharing this Linda.
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So enjoyed reading this..my grandparents & dad are buried there..such a beautuful structure,so full of history! When I was a little girl visiting cousins in the summer,I attended sunday school there! I try to stop by when I go to Savannah…I love old structures,& I can literally smell history in and around them!!
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We know how you feel Carol. We feel the same way. Thanks for sharing your story.
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There were never doors on the pews unless that was before the 1900/s. Neither my parents or grandparents ever mentioned doors.
The floors are heart pine boards. I remember when the carpet was put down that covered the floors.
The additional rooms on the side were built in the 1930s. My father always said there was concern that some graves had been covered by the building.The top rail of the alter banister was brown when I was a child. My dad painted white when they repainted the inside in the 1960’s
The stain glass was installed in the late 70’s. Each family in the church bought a window. Cain family is the one on the left facing the pulpit, Sanders family is the one on the right. I don’t remember which families gave for the other windows. But the Olivers and Martins were two.-
Mack, thanks for the personal additions to the history and knowledge of this great part of Georgia history. It is much appreciated and now will be added to the record.
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The door behind the pulpit was an outside door up to the balcony. There were small windows around the top of the church for the balcony. The balcony was removed in the late 1940’s. and the windows sealed shut. My mom married in 1949 and said that the balcony was removed shortly after that.
It was refered to as the Slaves Balcony and they entered from outside behind the pulpit.
There was a massive brass chandelier with oil lamps that hung in the church until the summer of 1970 when it was stolen. It had been a gift from one of the early members of the church.
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Are there any pictures of the church before now? My husband is the new pastor there and the history is fascinating.
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Wendy,
the oldest photos I have seen are from my Aunts wedding in 1942. There was no front porch at that time.
Carol McGregor or Linda Gordon should have copies of the photos. Her photos also show the large brass chandelier that was stolen the night of July 27, 1969.
I remember because it was my 17th birthday. mackrcain@gmail.com
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