Near Douglas in Coffee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Birthplace of the Smyrna Baptist Association

Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2012

1. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. This church was organized in 1857. The first sanctuary, made of logs, was situated near the still-present old well. A number of Coffee County’s prominent citizens were early members of the church and are buried within the cemetery, including William Dent, Daniel Gaskins, Sr., Franklin Ward and Thomas H. Dent. In 1875, the church became the founding location of the Smyrna Baptist Association, currently comprised of thirty-nine churches. The existing sanctuary was constructed c. 1905. The Sunday School rooms were moved on site and attached to the sanctuary in 1954.

Erected 2000 by Georgia Historical Society and Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church. (Marker Number 34-2.)

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 year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 31° 31.746′ N, 82° 44.55′ W. Marker is near Douglas, Georgia, in Coffee County. It is at the intersection of Sand Hill Road and Otters Circle, on the left when traveling west on Sand Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 2212 Sand Hill Road, Douglas GA 31533, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tanner Mercantile Company (approx. 6½ miles away); a different marker also named Tanner Mercantile Company (approx. 6½ miles away); Tri - Hi - Y International (approx. 6½ miles away); Martin Theater (approx. 6½ miles away); The Coffee County Bank Building (approx. 6½ miles away); Coffee County Confederate Monument (approx. 6½ miles away); Coffee County (approx. 6½ miles away); a different marker also named Coffee County (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2012

2. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker

of all markers in Douglas.

Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2012

3. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Marker

Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2012

4. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church

Built c. 1905

Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Original Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, June 30, 2012

5. Sand Hill Missionary Baptist Church Original Well

The original well, and site of the original log church, are on the opposite side of Sand Hill Road from the present church.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 966 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 2, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.