Coopers Creek Baptist
Fannin County | Organized in 1847
In 1999, to mark the 152nd anniversary of Coopers Creek Baptist Church, a history was compiled using original church minutes from the Tarver Library at Mercer University. These records reveal that the church was constituted in 1847 as Coopers Creek Meeting House and was part of the Chestatee Baptist Association. The language in these minutes offers a glimpse into the lives of early mountain settlers, whose education was limited but whose faith was strong. One entry records that “our Meeting House should be known and distinguished by the name of Coopers Creeke Meeting House.”
Read more...In 1847, “Isaac Burlison and Harmon Brown were appointed as trustees for the purpose of recording a deed to a bit of land for Cooper Creak Church yard and burying ground.” By 1903, spelling had improved little: a motion passed to “petition the office of the judge to grant a quarter of a mile around the church for the protection of the church and school.” The first Sunday School began in 1909, and a 1910 photograph shows a thriving congregation gathered in front of the church.
The church also observed the ritual of foot washing, a tradition symbolizing humility and love. During the ceremony, the preacher tied a long towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and washed the feet of another member—men washing men, women washing women—one foot at a time. The practice reflected the biblical account of the Last Supper.
The church cemetery sits on a hill above the sanctuary, holding several Confederate veterans among its burials. Most striking are the many small fieldstone markers, often a sign of limited means. In most cemeteries, these uninscribed stones remain anonymous, but here, many have been matched to specific individuals—a rare and valuable record. These markers stand as humble reminders of the hardships faced by the community’s early settlers, and the work to preserve their identities is a gift to future generations.
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13 responses to “Coopers Creek Baptist”
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My great great grandparents, George Washington Head (Civil War veteran) and Nancy Cavender Head are buried here. My mother and father both have family buried here.
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Thanks for sharing Glenda!
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One of the reasons that the graves are so well marked is that over the last 20 or so years, Bud Braddock, who lives in Suches (the community that is close to Cooper Creek) has made a point of marking as many graves as he can within the community. Through his work, many of the graves that would have been lost to history have been marked and preserved, including ones that are in cemeteries that are well off the beaten path.
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Kudos to Mr. Braddock for that noble effort.
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The information on the Meers family can be updated. We buried Stella Grace Meers at Cooper Creek yesterday 12/10/2020. These people are very special and I am proud to be a Meers.
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I have discovered that my wife’s great great great great grand father is possibly buried in one of those field stone marked graves. David p picklesimer he came there from Cherokee county n Carolina born in 1789 died in 1850s my wife’s mother was a picklesimer
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My momma was a Pickelsimer. Hattie Pickelsimer Chastain – she passed away 01/19/2019.George Dallas was her daddy, Millie Warren was her momma.
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Hey Charlotte,
Looks like we are kinfolk because my grandfather is (Carl William Warren) which would be uncle Carl to your mother Hattie. The last time I was at cooper creek cemetery was for my grandfather funeral back in 1991. Maybe you can help me with finding additional info about our great grandparents.
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Very interesting my name is Jerry Cooper I live in filmed county ga had ancestors here when this church was establishted
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Is there any way to obtain a list of members of this church? I had Davis, Seabolt, Fields, Sosebee and Jarrard ancestors who lived in the area.
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It is an active church so you should be able to contact someone who can help you. Good luck.
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Call church clerk and local historian Janie Turner. 706-838-4100
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My family were all members. They are the Meers family and some still attend.
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