Cliftondale in Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historic Owl Rock Church

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2008

1. Historic Owl Rock Church Marker

Inscription. Owl Rock Church was founded in 1828 by Richmond Barge and other members of the Mutual Rights faction that withdrew from the Mount Gilead Methodist Episcopal Church. The church is named for an eight foot natural rock closely resembling an owl which is to the rear of the building.

This church has taken part in four distinct phases of Methodism in Georgia: as an Associated Methodist Church, 1828-1830; as a Methodist Protestant Church, 1830-1916; as a Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1916-1939; and since 1939 a Methodist Church. The Annual Conference session of the Methodist Protestant Church was held here in the year 1900.

During the Battle of Atlanta many skirmishes were fought in the area and the church is mentioned frequently in the OFFICIAL RECORDS. Following the War Between the States the church sponsored an elementary public school. In 1921 the Sandtown School was created as a consolidation of the Owl Rock, Boat Rock and Sandtown schools.

Erected 1960 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 060-189.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures

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• War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 33° 41.931′ N, 84° 34.803′ W. Marker is in Atlanta, Georgia, in Fulton County. It is in Cliftondale. It is at the intersection of Campbellton Road (Georgia Route 166) and Union Road SW, on the right when traveling east on Campbellton Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5880 Campbellton Rd SW, Atlanta GA 30331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sandtown (approx. 1.8 miles away); Champ's Clock Shop

Historic Owl Rock Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2008

2. Historic Owl Rock Church

The photo is taken from the location of the Marker.

(approx. 3.3 miles away); New Manchester Manufacturing Company (approx. 4.2 miles away); Historic Mt. Gilead (approx. 4.2 miles away); Company Store New Manchester (approx. 4.2 miles away); Mt. Gilead M. E. Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Sweetwater Creek State Park (approx. 4.7 miles away); Site: Utoy Post Office (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlanta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Dry Pond (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Owl Rock – located behind the church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Byron Hooks, July 9, 2008

3. Owl Rock – located behind the church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,494 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on June 26, 2009, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.