Thyatira Presbyterian
Jackson County | Organized in 1795
Set in the rolling hills of Jackson County, Thyatira Presbyterian is a primitive jewel founded over 200 years ago. Unlike many Presbyterian churches in Georgia’s southern counties, which were often located in towns and reflected a sense of understated wealth, Thyatira reflects the rugged character of its Scots-Irish founders. These Revolutionary War veterans sought free land in the northern hills, choosing the difficult wilderness over more settled areas.
Read more...The church began as Olney Presbyterian around 1795 at Hurricane Shoals, a settlement established by Revolutionary soldier James Montgomery. The original congregation of 42 met in a two-room building on the west side of the shoals. According to the Jackson Herald, it was called Olney because its members sang from the “Olney Hymns” collection from Olney-Buckinghamshire Parish in England—famous for including “Amazing Grace”—instead of the traditional psalms.
In the early 1800s, the congregation relocated twice before settling at its present site in the early 1830s. In 1828, Thyatira Presbyterian of Rowan County, North Carolina, recognized and sponsored the Jackson County congregation, which then adopted the name Thyatira. Land was deeded to the church elders in 1830, and a permanent sanctuary was built soon after.
The current building consists of three phases. The original front portion was constructed in the 1830s. Between 1890 and 1950, the sanctuary was expanded, and in 1950 a Sunday School annex was added. Since then, little has changed. Though modest, the church reflects the determination and no-nonsense faith of its Scots-Irish ancestors. Its simplicity and rural setting in the foothills of North Georgia only add to its quiet elegance, making Thyatira an enduring symbol of the region’s Presbyterian heritage.
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5 responses to “Thyatira Presbyterian”
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Does anyone know if Thyatira Presbyterian still has services? I went by there today and the sign is there near the cemetery, but there is a sign for a Baptist church in the yard visible from the road. It would be a shame to see rural Presbyterian churches in Georgia close. I noticed that Hebron Presbyterian church in Banks County is only having two services a month and it has merged with the Presbyterian church in Homer.
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We don’t have the answer for you but we hope someone will come along who does.
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Rick, I apologize for nobody responding sooner!
Tyrus Baptist Church uses this building now. We are very thankful to have the opportunity to have a church building that holds so much history and we wish to maintain it as much as we can!We have services every Sunday, 11:00AM service and 5:00PM service. We also have services every Wednesday at 7:00PM.
We would greatly appreciate you coming to join us one day!
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My father, the late Rev. Dr. William R. Thurman (1918-2009) was the pastor of Thyatira for a while during the 1950’s. He was the full-time pastor at the Presbyterian church in Jefferson and came out to Thyatira perhaps twice a month. The Sunday school addition was erected by the men of the congregation while he was the pastor. The pews in these photographs are more recent than the rather primitive ones made of heart pine boards that I recall from long ago. Otherwise, except for the green paint (it used to be a white interior) and the pulpit and pulpit furniture, little has changed, especially in the old cemetery.
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Great family history tied to Thyatira. Thanks for sharing.
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