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. 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

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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. (Marker Number 109-5.)

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 month for this entry is March 1813.

Location. 33° 43.65′ N, 82° 59.526′ W. Marker is in Philomath, Georgia, in Oglethorpe County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail,

in the Classic City Area,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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,

Photographed by David Seibert, September 3, 2011

2. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Marker

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bethesda Baptist Church (approx. 5.4 miles away); Rock Methodist Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Kettle Creek Battlefield (approx. 6.6 miles away); The Battle of Kettle Creek (approx. 6.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Kettle Creek (approx. 6.6 miles away); Columbus Granade (approx. 7½ miles away); Phillips Mills Baptist Church (approx. 7½ miles away); Kettle Creek Battleground (approx. 8.7 miles away).

Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Marker and Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 3, 2011

3. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Marker and Church

Built c.1848

Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 3, 2011

4. Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church

Liberty-Salem-Woodstock-Philomath Church Window image. Click for full size.

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 1,212 times since then and 37 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.