Euphrates Baptist
Glascock County | Organized in 1830
Euphrates Primitive Baptist Church, built in 1873, is a simple weatherboard frame structure whose charm lies in its remarkable originality. The hand-hewn pews, wood-plank walls, and sagging wooden ceiling speak to its age and craftsmanship. Much of the interior remains intact and in good condition, offering a rare glimpse into 19th-century rural worship spaces. The church’s roots go back further—its organization date is 1830—suggesting this is the second building on the site.
Read more...The setting is deeply rural, resting quietly at the crossroads of two dirt roads near the community of Edge Hill. Like many once-vibrant rural towns, Edge Hill has faded with time, now holding the distinction of being the smallest incorporated city in Georgia. In the 2010 census, the population was just 24. Once, children attended a large brick school here; now it stands abandoned and vine-covered, its roof opening to the sky. Inside, traces of kerosene lamps and a wood stove vent in the ceiling hint at another era.
Across the road, a peaceful cemetery shaded by cedar trees contains both marked and unmarked graves. It is the final resting place of several Civil War soldiers and one Revolutionary War veteran, Jeremiah Wilcher. Born in Virginia in 1760, Wilcher received several land grants for his service and became a founder of the church. His grave, dating to 1830, is the first burial in the cemetery. The Wilcher family was among the most prominent in the area during the early 1800s, and 28 of the 120 burials here carry the Wilcher name.
The community’s name, Edge Hill, was chosen by Mrs. J. C. A. Wilcher (Sara Sallie Madison), a native Virginian and distant relative of President James Madison. After the Civil War, she came to Georgia to teach, eventually marrying Representative J. C. A. Wilcher and moving to his home in Glascock County. Teaching in a simple log schoolhouse, she was given the honor of naming the surrounding community, selecting Edge Hill after a small village in her home state. Today, Euphrates Primitive Baptist Church and its cemetery remain quiet witnesses to the lives, faith, and history of this small Georgia crossroads.
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14 responses to “Euphrates Baptist”
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Went here as a child . Not sure about the 1830 date. The old sign that was on the front for many years stated Euphrates Primitive Baptist Church EST. 1827 Rev Thurman Walden. He was my uncle. Several Pastors were there over the years also. I was told the original Log church burned down and it was rebuilt around 1950 ish… Either way it’s been around a while.
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Slight correction – Sallie Madison Wilsher (with an S) of VA was married to William Wilcher (with a C), not JCA Wilcher. William and Augustus Cesear Augustus Wilcher were brothers.
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Hello, I was tracing my ancestry & found out i’m related to Jeremiah Wilcher & Sara Madison Wilcher. I can’t believe i traced it this far back!! i’d love to come visit sometime.
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My Papa’s church! Rev. Thurman Walden
b.12/30/1929 – d.06/21/2019I wish I could add the many photos I have of this beauty church & it’s cemetery!
Papa was decendant of Geremiah Wiltshire (documents of Jefferson Co. are as Jeremiah Wilcher one of the Founding Fathers of Jefferson Co. Ga.)
Papa never changed a thing about this church the entire time he had it. His name even remained on the outside church marker for years! Down from the church is his birthplace home. The old homeplace & farm land of Macon & Lucy Swint Walden. They are my grt-grandparents & are as well buried there in the church’s cemetery. I have so many years growing up in this church. The memories of Papa behind the pulpit preaching & singing! Memories of granddaddy Macon & grandmother Lucy always sitting at the front of the church is the big antique throne-style chairs! The many church homecomings & gatherings there!-
Thanks for sharing these personal memories Rebecca. The old churches were the bedrock of the communities they served. If you have any old photos (the older the better) of the church, please scan and submit to info@hrcga.org. We could possibly add one or two to the website.
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Hey I would love to see those photos. I recently visited there and now have so many questions about this place. Please contact me at coleekennon@gmail.com
Thank you
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My great, great, great grandmother was a member here, this church is listed in her obituary, her name was Fannie Williford and she later married Wade H. Henderson. I am trying to research and learn my family roots. Beautiful church!!
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My ancestor, Daniel Hayes, was the elder of this church in the 1870s and married the widow of William Wilcher.
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Do your photographers travel with new Confederate flags? Wouldn’t the close-up of the tombstone suffice to convey the history?
Wil Johnson
Sandy Springs-
We do not travel with flags or get involved with political issues. We only honor the churches, tell the history and photograph what is there.
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My great grandparents, John and Susan Sammons Todd are buried in the church cemetery.
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Any connection to Lewis Sammons who married Nancy Hunter ? Roy Hunter < rghunter3@juno.com
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W.R. Hunter and his wife Mary A. Hunter are buried there. W. R. (William ) Hunter b 1821 died 1886 was son of Job Hunter
Roy Hunter , rghunter3@juno.com -
What a beauty! Please hurry with your second book. I want a copy!
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