Philomath in Oglethorpe County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath
Photographed By David Seibert, November 30, 2002
1. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Marker
Inscription.
Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath. . This ancient Church has served under four names and in four counties. Liberty Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. Daniel Thatcher, about 1788. The original place of worship, a log house, was erected near War Hill, about seven miles from the present site. The church was called “Liberty”, because, though built by Presbyterians, all orthodox denominations were allowed to use it. The Presbytery of Hopewell, formed Nov. 3, 1796, held its first session in Liberty Church on March 16, 1798. Soon after 1800, the log house was abandoned, and a new structure erected at the top of Starr’s Hill on the old Greensboro Post Road. The name of the church was then changed to Salem. The Rev. Francis Cummins was the first minister to preach there. This building was used until 1834, when the location of the Greensboro road was changed, and a new church edifice was erected at the site of the present Phillips Mills Baptist Church. The Rev. S. J. Cassels was the first pastor, followed by the Rev. Francis R. Goulding. In 1848, the Salem church building was sold to the Baptists, and the entire Presbyterian membership moved to Woodstock, now Philomath, where a new church edifice had been built. The Rev. John W. Reid was pastor at the time of the removal.
This ancient Church has served under four names and in four counties. Liberty Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. Daniel Thatcher, about 1788. The original place of worship, a log house, was erected near War Hill, about seven miles from the present site. The church was called “Liberty”, because, though built by Presbyterians, all orthodox denominations were allowed to use it. The Presbytery of Hopewell, formed Nov. 3, 1796, held its first session in Liberty Church on March 16, 1798. Soon after 1800, the log house was abandoned, and a new structure erected at the top of Starr’s Hill on the old Greensboro Post Road. The name of the church was then changed to Salem. The Rev. Francis Cummins was the first minister to preach there. This building was used until 1834, when the location of the Greensboro road was changed, and a new church edifice was erected at the site of the present Phillips Mills Baptist Church. The Rev. S. J. Cassels was the first pastor, followed by the Rev. Francis R. Goulding. In 1848, the Salem church building was sold to the Baptists, and the entire Presbyterian membership moved to Woodstock, now Philomath, where a new church edifice had been built. The Rev. John W. Reid was pastor at the time of the removal.
Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission
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. (Marker Number 109-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1813.
Location. 33° 43.65′ N, 82° 59.526′ W. Marker is in Philomath, Georgia, in Oglethorpe County. Marker is on Crawfordville Road (Georgia Route 22) 0.1 miles east of Philomath Woodville Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rayle GA 30660, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Marker and Church
Built c.1848
Photographed By David Seibert, September 3, 2011
4. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church
Photographed By David Seibert, September 3, 2011
5. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church Window
Photographed By David Seibert, September 3, 2011
6. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church Window
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on August 12, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 7, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.