In 1840, William Shivers donated three acres of land to establish a Methodist church. He was born in 1783 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and was one of the first settlers in the Jewell area before 1810. The Rock Mill Plantation and environs included the Rock Mill Plantation House (which still stands beautifully today), a grist mill, a cotton carding mill, and support buildings.
The church’s original location is referred to as “just off the Jewell-Mayfield road” about 1 ¼ miles from Jewell. Shivers also gave the church access to water from a nearby spring. Rock Mill Methodist remained on these three acres until 1894, where it was moved to the Jewell community across the street from the Jewell Baptist church. The land for the new location in Jewell was given by Dr. Rhodes, who is buried at the Baptist church cemetery. In 1981, Mrs. Hattie Jewell Cody, the only surviving member of the family for whom the village was named – remembers that in earlier days of the community, the Methodists and Baptists worshipped together often.
Many revivals were held at the church, but the Great Revival of 1868 is known as the greatest in local church history, for the church gained forty new members that year. Both Bishop George F. Pierce and Bishop Lucius Holsey preached the gospel at Rock Mills Methodist. By 1877, a Sunday school was organized and the congregation purchased its first organ despite the protests of older members. Ten years later in 1887, the Woman’s Missionary Society was organized.
In 1927, when the Jewell Mill burned, many families moved away and membership dwindled to a fraction of what it had been. The once thriving community was forced to scale back its church programs and involvement with the Methodist Conference, but dedicated members have held things together since then. Rock Mill Methodist was purchased by the current owners of Rock Mill Plantation in 2002. The church is beautifully restored and is well taken care of.
The names of the earliest church members – Birdsong, Brantley, Lewis to name but a few – can be seen throughout the cemetery across the street. The Jewell community town green offers a quiet picnic spot for great family moments or solitary reflections on our shared religious history and heritage.
This view across the graveyard looking at Rock Mill Church reflects the history held not only in the church building, but also on the surrounding land that holds the remains of the early settlers to this area.
The Gothic style church features lancet windows and decorative green shutters which are original to the church and have been lovingly restored.
This view shows the simple yet stunning design of Rock Mill Church, including the rear addition that rests about rocks for ventilation and the square steeple. The lancet windows and vibrant shutters create a beautiful geometric design.
The foundation of a portion of Rock Mill church rests on large rocks like this one. Elevating the foundation in this way would allow for ventilation inside the building in the days before air conditioning.
The built in pews are a unique feature to Rock Mill Methodist. The wide pine boards, which were probably originally unfinished, have been treated in a way that brings out the beautiful graining of the wood and also serves to protect the wood against stains and future wearing. Four panel doors with fluted casing and rosette corner blocks can be seen in the background.
The interior of the church has been as meticulously restored as the exterior. Painting has been carefully re-done, which accent the wonderful trim details at the windows and wainscoting. It is hard to believe that this church, which blends in so wonderfully with the rest of Jewell, was relocated from its original location a few miles to the north. Its new location is fitting since the Baptists and Methodists in Jewell often attended each others services and had fellowship together.
What a lovely and very unusual arrangement for the organ and choir. Rosette blocks at the spring point of the Gothic arched windows match the corner blocks on the door casing. The beaded vertical clapboard and wainscot details are clearly visible here.
Lena L. Jackson Birdsong was born May 18, 1873 and died September 14, 1933. She married Edgar Eugene Birdsong (1843-1926) on December 15, 1898 in Hancock County. He is listed as Judge E. E. Birdsong living in Jewell in newspaper accounts. He served in Company A, 27th Georgia Battalion, CSA. In the 1910 Hancock County census, Lena reported she had given birth to 7 children with 6 still living. Her parents were Billy Jackson and Elizabeth Reynolds according to her death certificate.
Dr. J. W. Rhodes was born in 1847 and died March 24, 1909. A notice in the Atlanta Georgian News, March 25, 1909, states “Dr. J. W. Rhodes of Jewells, GA died of heart failure last night. He was the largest farmer, fruit grower and merchant in this section”.
Thomas Taylor Brantly was born February 25, 1847 and died November 15, 1926. He served in Company B, 27th Georgia Battalion. His pension application reported that he suffered from heart trouble during his time in service and the heart trouble continued throughout his life.
Theodosia Brady Brantly, wife of T. T. Brantly, was born December 24, 1847 and died December 25, 1898. According to the North Georgia Methodist Conference history, the Women’s Missionary Society was organized July 24, 1881, with an enrollment of twenty-five members. Mrs. T. T. Brantly was the first president. She married Thomas Taylor Brantly December 31, 1867 in Hancock County.
Rev. James L. Ivey was born July 14, 1850 and died September 19, 1895. He married Eliza Jane Smith (1858-1924) on September 5, 1880 in Warren County, Georgia. In the 1910 census, Eliza is shown living with her son in Walton County. The north Georgia Methodist Conference History states “From this church have gone out several ministers, among them were the Rev. J. L. Ivey, …” His obituary in the Union Recorder, Milledgeville, October 1, 1895 states in part: “Rev. James L. Ivey died at Jewell, Ga., a few days ago. He was a good man whose life was a struggle with poverty and ill health.”
ORGANIZED
1840
LOCATED IN
Hancock
DENOMINATION
Methodist
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If you try to find this church, the GPS tells you the wrong location. It’s located on Hamburg State Park Rd. directly across from Jewell Baptist Church. Search Jewell Bapt and it’ll take you to the right place. GPS takes you to someone’s house in the woods.
Should be fixed now. Thanks for the heads up.