Near Union Point in Greene County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

1. Bethany Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. Organized in 1786, Bethany Presbyterian Church was the first church in Greene County. Dr. Francis Cummins, Dr. Francis Goulding, and other great ministers preached here. In 1886, Dr. James Woodrow was tried for heresy here in the first “monkey trial” of record. Around this church grew the first white settlement, while this was Washington County. Here was Dr. Moses Waddell’s first school, and the homes of William Greer, William Daniel, the Baldwins, Loves, Kings, and other pioneer families. It was the inspiration for Thomas E. Watson’s “Bethany,” and around it William H. Sparks’ “Memories of Fifty Years” begins.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 066-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 33° 33.378′ N, 83° 0.918′ W. Marker is near Union Point, Georgia, in Greene County. It is on Bethany Church Road 0.3 miles north of Bethany Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Union Point GA 30669, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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 America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Confederate Gun Shop (approx. 2.4 miles away); Great Buffalo Lick (approx. 4.1 miles away); First Regimental Reunion of Confederate Veterans (approx. 5.1 miles away); Confederate Wayside Home 1862-64 (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Two Committees (approx. 5.4 miles away); Site of Wayside Home (approx. 5.4 miles away); White Plains Baptist Church (approx. 5.9 miles away); Bethesda Baptist Church (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union Point.

Bethany Presbyterian Church Marker and the Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

2. Bethany Presbyterian Church Marker and the Church

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

3. Bethany Presbyterian Church Marker

Looking northwest toward Union Point on Bethany Church Road

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

4. Bethany Presbyterian Church Marker and the Church

Bethany Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

5. Bethany Presbyterian Church

Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

6. Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Graves date to the early days of the church

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,337 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 16, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.