Americus in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The First Presbyterian Church of Americus
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021
1. The First Presbyterian Church of Americus Marker
The First Presbyterian Church of Americus was established in 1842 by Col. George M. and Mrs. (Caroline) Dudley, Mr. H. K. and Mrs. (Catherine) McCay, Eleanor Gibson, May McCay, William J. Patterson, Mary Lynes and Rebecca Daniel. The first church building was located on Lamar Street. In 1883, the Lamar Street building was sold and in 1884, contractor Charles M. Wheatley built this Victorian-Gothic structure from blueprints drawn by a Columbus architect. It is the oldest existent church building in Americus. Built entirely of materials from Georgia, there are enormous pine trusses that support the roof and are exposed to the viewer's eye inside the sanctuary. The ceiling is of dark wood; cream colored upper plaster walls lend a lovely contrast. Queen Anne style stained glass windows catch the sunlight. The pews are made of pine with walnut ornamentation. The interior of the sanctuary gives the appearance of an old English sailing vessel. The beautiful stained glass window on the south side of the building is a memorial to Louise Wheatley, wife of builder Charles M. Wheatley. The church bell served the community for a time as the fire bell for the Lee Street Fire Department. The bell has been rung for worship Sunday mornings, for weddings and other special occasions, to mark the ends of WWI and WWII, and was rung daily from November
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 32° 4.28′ N, 84° 14.041′ W. Marker is in Americus, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker is on South Jackson Street south of West Lamar Street (U.S. 280), on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted near the northeast corner of the church, on a brick wall beside the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 South Jackson Street, Americus GA 31709, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Prather Clinic (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flood of July 1994 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Hospitals (about 600 feet away); Founders Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Sumter County (approx. ¼ mile away); Sumter County Courthouse Bell (approx. ¼ mile away); Luther H. Story (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Sumter County Courthouse Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Americus.
Also see . . . First Presbyterian Church. Church website homepage:
At(Submitted on January 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)one point during the Civil War, it was feared that Sherman’s troops would come through Americus. Concerned for the safety of the Communion silver, a quaint little pitcher and two silver goblets, Mrs. Dudley and Mrs. Patterson buried the silver at the Patterson home which was located out from the city. When news came that Sherman had turned east at Buena Vista, the silver was retrieved from its burial place and used for many years.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 20212. The First Presbyterian Church of Americus Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021
3. The First Presbyterian Church of Americus
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
