The community of White Plains, previously called both Old Wall’s Fort and Fort Nell, has a white, sandy soil where the eventual town got its name. The settlement around the town and its church congregations predates the incorporation of the town by about thirty years. White Plains Methodist has been active since at least 1817 according to a partial history provided by Mrs. T.C. Moore in 1963. The compiler of Mrs. Moore’s history writes that there are no written records that give a date for the organization of the church, but that there was a Resolution passed by the church upon the death of Mrs. Sarah Wright in 1817. Partial records exist from 1838 to the present.
According to Mrs. Moore, White Plains Methodist membership grew rapidly during the Civil War when the Methodist Church grounds at Liberty was taken over by soldiers being trained for war. The first Methodist building was built where Helean’s store was later built at the beginning of Broad Street and Sparta Road (now Main Street and GA-15/77), which was the same building used by the Grant family as a workshop for building and repairing wagons. The Grant shop turned out buggies and wagons for customers all over Greene County.
In a scene typical of the cooperation of early settlers, the Baptist Church used the Methodist Church building in 1848 when building their new building; in 1871 the favor was repaid when the Methodists used the Baptist church while building their new church. This church built in 1871 is the one that stands today. After the Civil War, African Americans continued to worship in the same building as the white Methodists although services became segregated. Evidence of the church’s progressive membership is shown by being among the first in Georgia to receive permission to create a women’s missionary society in 1888.
In 1893 Reverend James J. Ashley, pastor of the Greensboro Circuit had the foresight to establish some historical facts of the Methodist denomination in Greene County from some of the older clergy. Rev. William J. Cotter, one of the former pastors of the Greensboro Circuit wrote a letter back to Brother Ashley and mentions the White Plains membership. He remembers the dark days of the Civil War and the generosity of White Plains families. Cotter talks about being supplied with chickens, hams, and receiving promises of at least 200 lbs of butter over the years! His letter goes on to relay the liberal sharing and kindness of the White Plains Methodists. These rich personal anecdotes are also mixed with his memories of some of the more influential members of the church.
The church is now privately owned by one of the White Plains residents who plan to use it in various ways, including that of a wedding chapel. We very much applaud this effort at preserving this historical treasure.
Read the history of White Plains Baptist Church HERE.
View of the bell tower that features intricate hand-carved brackets.
Above is a view of the window detail at White Plains Methodist. The windows are exceptionally large with thin mullioned-glass panes designed to let as much light as possible into the sanctuary. The rain shelf above each window is practical but adds a pleasant decorative touch. The siding and windows are in remarkable condition given their 140+ year age.
This view demonstrates the sanctuary lighting provided by the very large windows alone. The church's builders get high marks for this effective design at a time well before anyone could have imagined electric lighting.
This view from the pulpit demonstrates the mid-18th century church custom of separate entrances for women and men along with a partition in the pews insuring no mixing of the sexes was possible.
You are looking at a detail view of the church's main entry door as seen from the interior looking out. The hand built door frame decoration is unique and not found in any other similarly aged sanctuary in Greene County. We hope to unearth the back story on this very effective carpentry art in the months to come.
This view shows the quaint setting of this church, tucked back on a grassy field between newer homes.
ORGANIZED
1817
LOCATED IN
Greene
DENOMINATION
Methodist
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Does anyone know if this church is still open? The church appears to be in fairly good condition.
Interesting story. Keep up the good work. Go Jackets, John Cork
Glitch on the location for White Plains Methodist, Greene Co. The link to Google Maps leads you to somewhere in Tibet. Might want to check that out.
Thank you for a marvelous website! It has led me on a few wonderful day trips!
Peter Lusche Auburn, AL
Thanks for catching this Peter. Fixed now.