Clarkesville in Habersham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Grace Protestant Episcopal Church

Photographed by David Seibert, August 3, 2008

1. Grace Protestant Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. The first Episcopal service in Clarkesville was held Oct. 28, 1838 by the Rev. Mr. Ezra B. Kellogg, sent from N. Y. to the Diocese of Georgia as a missionary to this section. On Dec. 12, 1838, at his home, Grace Church was organized for three local Episcopal families and the many coastal families of the denomination who spent their summers here. On April 15, 1839, this, the sixth Episcopal Church in the State, was admitted to the Diocese. On June 7, 1839, this square acre lot was purchased from James Brannon for $100. For the first year services were held in the Methodist Church and Clarkesville Academy.

In 1841, the Rev. J B. Gallagher succeeded as Rector. Under his guidance, this building, begun in 1839, was completed in 1842. It was consecrated Oct 6, 1842 by the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, JR., (first) Bishop of Georgia, who reported it as "a very neat wooden building, with tower and bell, prettily located and an ornament to the village."

Among prominent early members were: Richard W. Habersham, Sr. John R. Mathews, Wardens: Alexander Erwin, Benjamin F. Patton. George D. Phillips, John R. Stenford. Samuel A. Wales, John S. Dobbins, Dr. Phineas M. Kollock. Jacob Waldberg, Vestryman: Richard W. Habersham. Jr., George R. Jessup, lay delegate to the convention that admitted this church to the Diocese.

Erected

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1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 068-8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1839.

Location. 34° 36.957′ N, 83° 31.41′ W. Marker is in Clarkesville, Georgia, in Habersham County. It is at the intersection of Wilson Street and East Green Street, on the right when traveling north on Wilson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clarkesville GA 30523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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 walking distance of this marker: Old Clarkesville Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Slice of History for Clarkesville, Georgia (about 400 feet away); In Memory of Rev. Hugh Hawthorne (about 500 feet away); Haywood English Home (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Old Clarkesville Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Clarkesville War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Habersham County (approx. 0.2 miles away); De Soto (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarkesville.

Grace Protestant Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, August 3, 2008

2. Grace Protestant Episcopal Church

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,356 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.