Pineville Baptist
Marion County | Organized in 1830
One of our missions at HRCGA is the documentation of some of the old churches that are almost gone, and this one is particularly interesting. Part of the mystery lies in the disconnect with the old cemetery nearby. Though neglected for some time, its hallowed grounds contain some of the very prominent early citizens who settled this part of Marion County, including one with a very close connection to President Jimmy Carter. The village of Pineville is described many times in old, out-of-print publications as a thriving village that prospered because of the number of successful planters located near by. There is even a book of fiction written about Pineville – Chronicles of Pineville by William Tappan Thompson written in 1853. A History of Marion County Georgia by Nettie Powell states that the fourth church in the county was established around 1830 as a Baptist Church made of pine logs and founded by Elder Andrew Hood. It also describes Pineville as “prosperous little town…..where the planters had a good deal of leisure and culture. Pineville had one of the finest race tracks in the county and crowds frequently gathered here to witness the speed of the well trained horses”.
Read more...Today, no trace of Pineville exists except the old church and the cemetery. Pineville has been clearly documented as a community populated with well to do planters and the cemetery bears this out. However, the old church above does not seem to be compatible with this story. The architecture and construction methods do not seem to be a fit with the nature of the graveyard. We are inclined to think there may have been another church nearby that burned or came to some other sad end. But if so, who did this church belong to? It could be an old African American church, and it looks similar to several we have seen. But if this is the case, where is the cemetery associated with it? And it seems unlikely that an African American church would be located between a white church and two white cemeteries.
The cemetery is a very historic one and very neglected as well. There is a sign that says it was established in 1830, and that would be consistent with the first Baptist church mentioned in the history above. The oldest documented interment, according to Findagrave, is 1838 but cemeteries this old usually contain more than a few graves that are now unmarked. There are many 19th century interments, a few 20th century and three in the 21st. One of the graves is that of Martha Nicholson (1819 – 1869), the first wife of Nathaniel Nicholson, President Carter’s Great Grandfather. There are also more than a few CSA veterans interred here. This is good Georgia history and we are intrigued with the ‘Mystery of Pineville Baptist’. Perhaps someone out there has the answer. Stay tuned.
Some history has emerged, courtesy of Clarence White.
"Hi, The structure pictured was formerly an African American Primitive Baptist Church. It ceased to be used when a new cinder block church was constructed nearby. Some of my relatives were members of this church and are buried nearby in the African American cemetery at Pineville. There are two cemeteries at this location, one white and the other black. As far as I know, the black church is still active. Elder Slaughter, who lives on Aldridge Rd near Doyle, is pastor I believe." ~Clarence White
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13 responses to “Pineville Baptist”
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Hi, The structure pictured was formerly an African American Primitive Baptist Church. It ceased to be used when a new cinder block church was constructed nearby. Some of my relatives were members of this church and are buried nearby in the African American cemetery at Pineville. There are two cemeteries at this location, one white and the other black. As far as I know, the black church is still active. Elder Slaughter, who lives on Aldridge Rd near Doyle, is pastor I believe. Clarence White
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I love the old churches they are so beautiful to Look at very historical i enjoy looking at them even on some of the old TV shows
Keep the pictures coming-
Thank you for following along with our project, Mark!
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From whatI understand about the Chancel and the Aspe is that these doors were used for the Preacher to enter and exit
Also for choir people to enter in and also for funerals to enter and exit although the doors seem smaller…
Flowers were brought in and set up around casket…
You have to remember that the possibility of the pews were arranged different too…
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Edward Mayo, Sr. Esquire c1650-c1700, born either Wilshire or Gloucester, England, probably Wiltshire, first married September 2,1666, at Christ Church, Barbados, Sarah Maggs b. Barbados dau of George and Ann ? Maggs from England; probably Gloucester, Four children b. Barbados; Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth and Edward Mayo Jr. Edward Sr. went to Charlestown, SC; then to Perquimans Co., NC in 1684. Edward Sr. second married EM Nixon; no issue.
Edward Mayo, Jr. c1676-c1724 first married Elizabeth ? Two children: Edward Mayo III and John Mayo who died young. Edward, Jr. Married second Mary Cleare, twin, 1686-1739 dau of Timothy Clear of England and Mary Bundy; granddaughter of William Cleare/Clare and of William and Elizabeth Bundy of Wiltshire England and RI, Five children of Edward,Jr and Mary Cleare: Mary-unmarried, Ann Elizabeth, Sara-unmarried and Joseph.
Joseph Mayo c1721-c1813 married first Elizabeth Newby. One child: Elizabeth. Joseph married second Mary Shepard, probably dau of Stephen Sheppard/Shepard of Chowan Co., NC. Eight children: Joseph, Jr., William, John, Samuel, James, Sarah, Edward and Cyprian. Joseph died in Wayne Co., NC.
John Mayo, 1759-1842, third child of Joseph Mayo and Mary Sheppard, born Perquimans Co., NC, married Orpha Elliot, dau of Joseph Elliott and Hannah Gordon. John Mayo served in the Revolutionary War. He and Orpha Elliot are buried in Pineville Cem. In Marion County GA. Children included: Elisha, Shepherd, Jesse, Nathan E., Polly, Joseph, John Ephraim, Stephen, Burrell, Axum, and Elizabeth.
Jesse 1790-1864 Third child of John Mayo and Orpha Elliott, born Edgecombe Co., NC. Married Rachael ? born probably in NC. In the Cherokee Land Lottery of 1832, Jesse Mayo received lot #2217, 3rd section, 13th district in Murray County; but he sold it while still in Wilkinson Co. Jesse and Rachel moved to Marion Co. They are probably buried at Pineville cemetery or Church Hill in Marion Co. in unmarked graves. Seven known children; Penelope, Benjamin, Elizabeth, John S., Joseph Hillman, George W. and Jesse E. The will of Jesse dated September 8, 1864, mentions his grandson, George W. Mayo and Granddaughter, Elizabeth Trippe.-
This is great. Thanks for sharing Terry.
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I saw this Church on the YouTube channel named “Sidestep Adventures” the programs are always of this nature… documenting the past where real people have lived their lives and have gone on to their new lives in Christ.
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Saw the same shiw… These old cemeteries should be maintained…this one goes back to the 1700s
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What a beautiful place to worship God! You would be able to feel the cool breezes come through the open windows and see the stars at night.
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Beautiful. My family is from east Texas deep in the Piney Woods. When I was younger we would search out woods near small towns and and find farm houses mills work shops barns and wells so full of history, you could almost hear children laughing. There’s a story in these old places. When you find a cemetery that go with these places then a picture starts to come together. Thank you for allowing these forgotten places and people to shine once more.
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Thanks for the support Patricia. This is where we came from and how we got here. Easy to forget sometime.
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Hey! First let me say I love your website! We have been visiting the churches on the abandoned and endangered list. We went to see this one today and discovered that the GPS coordinates are off. They are not by much. You actually pass the church just before the turn off that coordinates give you. I posted this in case someone else is interested in going to find this church. I have really enjoyed learning about these historical churches.
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Thanks Kelli. We will fix. Glad you are enjoying the road trips.
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