Madison in Morgan County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Early Religious Life

Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011

1. Early Religious Life Marker

Inscription. The earliest religious gatherings were held in private homes, schools, or public buildings until the individual congregations organized and constructed structures. Congregations formed quickly: the Methodists in 1807, the Presbyterians in 1821, and the Baptists in 1834. In 1824, three one-acre lots were set aside for each of these congregations to build churches.

Replacing a frame chapel (1808, site unknown), Methodists used one of the original lots to erect this brick edifice (1844). In 1838, Baptists built their meetinghouse near the town spring; in 1859, they moved to S. Main Street. The Presbyterians built on S. Main Street (1842). Episcopalians organized in 1846 and built a chapel near the W. Central Avenue gate (razed 1939 and added to Old Cemetery).

Churches were centers for religious and social life, often hosting orations of the Morgan County Temperance Society, Martinean Society, and Masonic celebrations. By 1850, both the Baptist and Methodist congregations would also pioneer and fund advanced education institutions for women.

Erected 2011 by City of Madison, Madison BiCentennial Commission 1809-2009.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.

Location. 33° 35.6′

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N, 83° 28.35′ W. Marker is in Madison, Georgia, in Morgan County. Marker is at the intersection of Academy Street and Porter Street, on the right when traveling west on Academy Street. The marker stands at the Church of the Advent. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 338 Academy Street, Madison GA 30650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Formal Southern Landscapes (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Academies (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The March to the Sea (about 600 feet away); Madison Historic Cemeteries (about 600 feet away); The Stoneman Raid (about 600 feet away); Foundation to Consolidation (about 700 feet away); Joshua Hill Home (about 700 feet away); Advanced Education Center (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011

2. Early Religious Life Marker

Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011

3. Early Religious Life Marker

Looking (almost exactly due south) across Academy Street

Photographed By David Seibert, June 13, 2011

4. Early Religious Life Marker

The marker in front of the Church of the Advent

The Episcopal Church of the Advent image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, October 7, 2011

5. The Episcopal Church of the Advent

The marker stands in front of the Church of the Advent, built in 1844 as a Methodist Church. When a new Methodist Church was built on S. Main Street this became an Episcopal Church.

The Madison Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, October 7, 2011

6. The Madison Presbyterian Church

Built in 1842 on South Main Street.

The Madison Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, October 7, 2011

7. The Madison Baptist Church

Built in 1858 on South Main Street in the same block as the Presbyterian Church, the steeple and facade (columns and portico) are later additions.

The First United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, October 7, 2011

8. The First United Methodist Church

The First United Methodist Church was built on South Main Street in 1914, diagonally opposite the Baptist Church. The Johnston-Jones-Manley House with its marker ("Antebellum Architecture"), moved to make room for the Methodist Church, is visible to the right

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 9, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.