Oak Ridge in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Ai Church
1901
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2024
1. Ai Church Marker
A church has existed here since the early 1800s. Constructed as a one-room church in 1901 and expanded to cruciform structure in 1929. Ai refers to Old Testament hilltop Canaanite royal city. Adjacent cemetery includes 1819 grave of Nathan Dillon, son of Daniel Dillon, first owner of the Old Mill.
Erected by Town of Oak Ridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 36° 9.363′ N, 79° 58.527′ W. Marker is in Oak Ridge, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is on State Highway 68 just north of Alcorn Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located near the southwest corner of the Ai Church and Cemetery grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1306 NC Highway 68, Oak Ridge NC 27310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper 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 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bailes Old Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Mill of Guilford (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oak Ridge Public School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Stafford-Benbow House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Linville Chapel
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Ai Church Story.
Around 1850, the Methodists built the simple frame structure. It is one of few original churches still in existence that dates back to the time that the Methodists organized in the Carolinas. Archives show that this church was renovated in 1901, adding the wings to the church that created the crucifix form that is evident today.(Submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The Church was sold to the Fairview Primitive Baptists in 1955. Over time, the facility fell into a state of disrepair and was eventually abandoned in the early 1980s. Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation received the property and began renovation work in 2009.
In 2019, the renovated Historic Ai Church Community Building was opened to the public. The Ai Church facility exists today in much the same way it has existed throughout its history.
2. Historic Ai Church Community Building (Facebook). (Submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2024
2. Ai Church Marker
Looking north; NC Highway 68 is on the left and the Historic Ai Church is on the right.
3. Ai Methodist Memorial Cemetery (Find A Grave).
Also known as Ai Cemetery and Fairview Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.(Submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
4. Preservation Oak Ridge Foundation work on the historic Ai Church (YouTube Video). (Submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2024
3. Ai Methodist Memorial Cemetery
The cemetery spans the southeast corner of the Ai Church grounds.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2024
4. Historic Ai Church Building (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,017 times since then and 219 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
