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

“Old Mercer”

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

1. “Old Mercer” Marker

Inscription. Actuated by a legacy from Josiah Penfield, Mercer University was founded here in 1833 as Mercer Institute. After considering several locations, the Trustees moved the institution to Macon in 1871 and, in 1880, transferred all holdings in Penfield to the Georgia Baptist Association, except the venerable Penfield Cemetery where Jesse Mercer, Billington M. Sanders, Mrs. Sanders, and other notable Mercerians are buried. The chapel was given to the Penfield Baptist Church, founded in 1839 with Rev. Adiel Sherwood as pastor. The academy building became the Penfield public school building.

Erected 1959 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 066-13.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 33° 40.104′ N, 83° 10.5′ W. Marker is in Penfield, Georgia, in Greene County. It is on Mercer Circle 0.1 miles Penfield Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker

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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 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Greene County Veterans Memorial (approx. 6 miles away); Dr. Thaddeus Brockett Rice (approx. 6 miles away); Unknown Confederate Dead (approx. 6 miles away); Josiah Davis (approx. 6 miles away); Governor Peter Early (approx. 6 miles away); Peter Early (approx. 6 miles away); Gwyn Allison (approx. 6 miles away); The Mounger Square (approx. 6 miles away).

Regarding “Old Mercer”. The old chapel is the only major building remaining from Old Mercer College..

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

2. “Old Mercer” Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

3. “Old Mercer” Marker

“Old Mercer” Chapel, built in 1840 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, November 8, 2007

4. “Old Mercer” Chapel, built in 1840

Photographed by David Seibert, November 8, 2007

5. “Old Mercer” Chapel, built in 1840

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,227 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 21, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.