Photography by Scott Farrar

Powelton Baptist

Hancock County | Organized in 1786

It would be difficult to overstate the influence of Silas and Jesse Mercer—and of Powelton Baptist Church—on the growth and success of the Baptist denomination in post-Revolutionary War Georgia. Both the men and the church are well-documented in history, and the village of Powelton was a center of Baptist leadership at the close of the 18th century.

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The oldest part of the current building dates to 1798, making Powelton the oldest Baptist church in continuous use in Georgia. In 1822, the bell tower and covered porch were added—just in time to host the first meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The church’s role in Baptist history is remarkable: the General Committee of the Georgia Baptists was organized here in 1803, and the Baptist State Convention was formed here in 1822. Conventions returned in 1823 and 1832. Georgia Governor William Rabun, a Powelton resident, was also a member of the congregation.

In its early years, Powelton was the site of important gatherings where Baptists worked to recruit members and navigate governance challenges. The denomination’s decentralized structure appealed to the fiercely independent settlers who had recently won freedom from Britain, but it also made coordination difficult for leaders like the Mercers of Powelton and the Marshalls of Kiokee. The appeal of local control fueled dramatic growth—from just 261 Baptists in Georgia in 1780 to 3,355 by 1790, most of that within a few years of the Revolution.

Powelton Baptist began in 1798 with 26 members and grew to about 250 in the early 1800s. Its first pastor was Silas Mercer, father of Jesse Mercer, for whom Mercer University is named. Jesse became pastor in 1797 and served until 1825, baptizing 200 people in the spring-fed baptismal font still visible across the highway.

For more than two centuries, this sanctuary has served the surrounding community. Though the congregation is now small, it continues to gather in one of Georgia’s most historic churches—a living link to the state’s early Baptist heritage.

 

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14 responses to “Powelton Baptist”

  1. John Cork

    Thanks HRCGA team, great work for grand ole lady

    Reply
    1. Kelly Gomez

      Thanks John!

      Reply
  2. Jeannie Webb Hodges

    No mention of the Powels.
    What part did this family play?

    Reply
  3. John M Cork

    Keep up the good work and go jackets…john cork

    Reply
  4. Matt Collins

    That’s incredible architecture.

    Reply
  5. CaCar

    My 5th great grandparents, Josiah Carter & Mary Anthony were supposedly founding members of this church, & he is buried in the church cemetery. Do you have records that support this? Thank you from Texas!

    My autofill is messing up & won’t let me post my name & address. They are: Carolyn Currier housereckert@gmail.com

    Reply
  6. Brenda Breland Shaffer

    Here is the deed record for the land:
    2 June 1796 – WILLLIAM MADDOX Senr of county of Hancock and the Society of Baptists known by the name of Powells Creek Church in consideration of the sum of two dollars to him in hand…hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed…all that Lott of Land containing two acres situate, lying and being in county of Hancock in Pawallon…bounded…Eas the Spring, and including half the waters of the same…unto the said Society of Baptists by the name of Powells Creek Church…witnessed in presence of Samul Maddux, Wingate Maddux, Jas Harvey…recorded 4th Dec 1806
    Source: Hancock County, Georgia, Deeds, Vols. H-I 1805-1812, H – 1806, page 140, citing William Maddox to Powells Creek Church , Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images], image 114 of 630, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95Y-PL9?i=113&cat=215305

    The deed mentions the Spring which might be the bottom center picture.

    Reply
    1. HRCGA

      This great Brenda. Thanks for adding to our body of knowledge about this important aspect of Georgia History.

      Reply
  7. Cecil L. Powell

    My GGGF Moses Powell settled this area after the Revolutionary War. We are visiting this area in Nov. 2018.

    Reply
    1. HRCGA

      Thanks Cecil. If you have any early history about the community of Powelton, we would love to see it. Just submit to info@hrcga.org.

      Reply
  8. Tracy Powell

    Are there any early records for this church I have several Powell ancestors living is area in the late 1700’s early 1800’s…?

    Reply
    1. HRCGA

      There should be a lot available in the Baptist archives in the Tarver Library at Mercer University.

      Reply
  9. Randy Nauck

    Where is spring located

    Reply
    1. HRCGA

      Across the road from the church.

      Reply