Located just south of St. George is this iconic primitive style church. I can’t locate anything about its history or construction, but it’s well-maintained.
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Two things you rarely see anymore: the artesian well-fed pump pictured above works! The privy seen below is one of two on the grounds, as there’s obviously no plumbing. I believe the church must still be used for homecomings and funerals, at least.
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The cemetery is nicely kept; the earliest graves date to the late 1800s, so perhaps that’s a clue to the origins of the church building.
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Private Henry Gainey, Jr. Company G, 26th Georgia Infantry (1840 – 1864)
Private Gainey was likely killed in action, as his grave is marked with a Confederate Iron Cross. Beside his grave is that of another Gainey, probably his brother, who was in the Confederate service in nearby Florida.
I have attended services there, I am almost 60. I know there are bullet holes in the pulpit, holes in the floor to spit tobacco, wemon entered on a different side and sat there.
Brian, these are great pictures. I love the old Board and Batten style of construction. The method is still used but mostly for barns and out- buildings. The metal hand water pump was a common item found adjacent to most farm houses and rural churches. They can still be found but are uncommon. Designed for shallow wells, they often had a problem with remaining primed. The gasket on the plunger was made of leather and would sooner or later give way to friction and age. Next to the pump, most farmers had a quart jar of water reserved just for priming, if the pump would not stay charged in between pumpings. There are few things more frustrating than an old cast iron hand pump that can’t be primed. It is like a lawn mower that won’t crank.
Good capture of church, and grounds – and some background, too, Brian. You find so-many out-of-the-way structures, which – at one time – were right in the middle of daily life-traffic. Thanks for your work, and passion.
Love this church, attended services when I was 7 yrs old. 3rd Sunday.
My gg-uncles were in the 26th Georgia, Co. K from Clinch Co. I used to pass this church on my way to go red breast bream fishing in the St. Mary’s River…….Glenn Hodges