Mt. Olivet Methodist
Banks County | Organized in 1868
The story of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church is really the story of Reverend Francis Marion Ragsdale—and the mill he operated on the property. Marion was the fourth son of Michael Ragsdale, one of the earliest settlers in what is now Banks County, Georgia. The Ragsdale family had migrated into Georgia from Virginia, and Marion, born in 1822, was named after one of his father’s heroes: Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox" of Revolutionary War fame.
Read more...Marion Ragsdale was a true entrepreneur. In the 1850 census, he was listed as a mechanic—a notable designation for the time. This suggests he may have worked as an assistant to the operator of the nearby mill located just below the large rock outcropping that created a 30-foot drop, supplying water power for grain milling along Nail’s Creek. While it's unclear exactly when the first mill was established on this site, it certainly predates 1837. In 1853, Marion acquired the mill site and 257 acres of land from his father and founded what became known as Ragsdale Mill.
During the Civil War era, the Methodist Church experienced a significant internal rift over the issue of slavery. Most Southern Methodists supported the institution, while Northern Methodists did not. The Ragsdales opposed slavery and, as a result, separated from Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, going on to found Mt. Olivet Methodist.
In 1868, Marion’s neighbor William Hix deeded 5½ acres to the Trustees of Mt. Olivet. Marion himself witnessed the deed as a Notary Public and was the driving force behind the church’s establishment. Reverend Ragsdale built the church and went on to perform many marriages and baptisms throughout the 1870s and 1880s. Clearly a man of many talents, he signed his documents with the initials M.G., short for “Minister of God.”
Rev. Ragsdale was also a visionary. He dreamed of founding a town called Nail’s Creek, and in 1883, a Grange Hall was constructed on the property as a first step. The Grange was a national organization of farmers aimed at promoting agricultural education and community development. In addition to its civic functions, the hall also served as a schoolhouse.
With the mill, the church, the Grange Hall, and the schoolhouse, Rev. Ragsdale hoped to create a vibrant township centered on community, faith, and learning. Unfortunately, that vision was never fully realized, and time quietly moved on. The last official church service at Mt. Olivet was held in 1961. In the 1960s, both the church and the mill were purchased by private owners who undertook significant repairs and restoration of the buildings. Today, the property is still used periodically for weddings and religious events, and it has been carefully preserved by its current stewards.
Each year, on the last Sunday in May, the community gathers for Old-Fashioned Day at Mt. Olivet. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period clothing and bring dishes to share for dinner on the ground, reviving the spirit of fellowship and tradition that Rev. Ragsdale envisioned so long ago.
Thank you to the stewards of Marion Ragsdale’s vision. Your dedication ensures that this sacred place and its history continue to inspire future generations.
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23 responses to “Mt. Olivet Methodist”
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My wife and I visited this church on Sunday, March 22, 2026. We had viewed the cemetery and were peering into the church windows when the owner, Dock Sisk, drove up and offered to show us inside. He proceeded to give us a guided tour of both the church and the Ragsdale house and invited us to visit the nearby mill as well.
We couldn’t have had a better experience and highly recommend visiting this site.-
Wow, great timing for y’all! We’re so happy you got a private tour and thanks to Dock for being a great local steward!
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My Great Uncle, George Acree and his wife, Nanny Pearl owned and ran the mill in the late 50’s-60’s..
They drove their buck board down the mountain from Habersham County daily. Aunt Pearl wore black high button shoes
and long cotton dresses.I grew up over in Stephens County, Toccoa. I am the Great-grand-daughter of James Clayton Acree; Grand-daughter of Robert Walter Acree; and Daughter of Walter Richard and his wife, Emily Wynne Edwards Acree. I have black and white photos of the four Acree brothers from the 1930s. 01/MAR/ The Acrees were Methodists.
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Rebecca, Thanks for sharing your memories with us!
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My maternal grandmother was Gertrude Poole Thurmond. Her father was Francis Marion Poole; the grandson of Francis Marion Ragsdale. Francis Marion (Frank) Poole married Lula Jane Ward. These were my granny’s parents.
My granny attended church at Mount Olivet as a child. She was born in 1914 and had fond childhood memories of living around Homer until her family moved at the onset of the Great Depression.
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Where was the history of Mount Olivet found? I am trying to put together a record of the church and would love to access the source/sources of this history.
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Bennett,
I think most of it came from the N Ga Methodist archives. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/pittsarchives/mss028/pdf/MountOlivet.pdf
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Hi! Jenny Ragsdale was my great, great grandmother. I haven’t been to Mount Olivet in over 20 years but am planning a trip soon and would love to take pictures inside. A great many of my ancestors are buried there. Do you have the contact information for who I would speak with?
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Sorry Katherine. We do not have a POC. Maybe you can find something online.
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Do you have a photo of the original church or the church when it had a bell on the building?
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We do not. Do you have one. Sure would like to see it.
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Are we able to go inside?
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Not sure about that Marie. It is probably locked.
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There is a service the Sunday before Memorial Day every year. Other Methodist churches in Banks County help keep it up.
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Can “anyone” please get into the church and snap a picture of the group of ladies on the wall? I believe there is a long list below the picture with names.
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Send an email to me. Several years ago, I snap shot the wall picture and plan to piece the pictures together.
I’ll send you what I have.
My great great grandfather (on the Ragsdake side) built that church.
William Claxton Poole is my great grandfather.
He married Jane Ragsdale who is in the picture with her mother and sisters.My cell phone is 229-413-2398
Make sure you put a subject in the mail like Ragsdale/Poole or I might delete it.
Tracy
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Tracy- several years ago we were allowed in the church. The picture I took of the cemetery list was blurry. Do you have a clear copy please?
You can email it to me. Thanks in advance. -
I would LOVE to have a copy of the photograph inside the church! I’m related through Vann Ragsdale/Virginia Ragsdale Poole. Feel free to email me at carly.alzen @ gmail.com (no spaces). Thank you!
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email me.
I’ve took a picture of the one you want.
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Can you still have weddings here?
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My family line ?
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Earlier, I commented that “M.G.” stood for “Minister of the Gospel,” not “Minister of God.” Did this comment not arrive?
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“M.G” is “Minister of the Gospel, though he would also be a “Minister of God”!
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