White Plains in Greene County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Liberty Chapel

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2011

1. Liberty Chapel Marker

Inscription. About 1786, John Bush built a brush arbor as a community center for camp meeting at what was then called “Crackers Neck.” From this grew Liberty Chapel, “Cradle of Methodism” for this section. In 1797, Rev. James Jenkins, leader in the early day of Methodism and, at that time, on the Washington Circuit including Greene, Taliaferro, Wilkes, Lincoln, Elbert, Hart, Franklin, Madison, and Oglethorpe Counties, preached here and report in his “Journal” that, after a “fiery exhortation,” a man in uniform came down the aisle and fell at his feet, crying for pardon. Others followed and, according to Rev. Jenkins, then, at Liberty Chapel, began the Methodist custom of “going to the altar.” The meeting became so noisy, he continued, that it was a wonder the horses did not take fright.

Most of the great men of early Methodism were identified with this church. Bishop Francis Asbury preached here several times and, in 1808 when the South Carolina Conference met here, he and Bishop William McKendree attended. At Liberty Chapel, Rev. Lovick Pierce was ordained an elder and Bishop

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William Capers admitted as a preacher on trial.

Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 066-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Francis Asbury, Traveling Methodist Preacher, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 33° 26.148′ N, 83° 8.442′ W. Marker is in White Plains, Georgia, in Greene County. It is on Liberty Church Road 0.1 miles south of Lanier Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Plains GA 30678, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2011

2. Liberty Chapel Marker

Looking north on Liberty Church Road, toward Greensboro

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: White Plains Baptist Church (approx. 6.6 miles away); Famous Indian Trail (approx. 6.7 miles away); Shoulder-bone Creek Treaty (approx. 7½ miles away); “July” 1858 (approx. 8.3 miles away); Turnwold Plantation (approx. 8.7 miles away); Stagecoach Road (approx. 8.8 miles away); Rockville School (approx. 8.8 miles away); Philadelphia United Methodist Church (approx. 8.9 miles away).

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2011

3. Liberty Chapel Marker

Liberty United Methodist Church is in the background

Liberty United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, October 26, 2011

4. Liberty United Methodist Church

This is the current name for Liberty Chapel.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,215 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.