“It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of Silas and Jesse Mercer and the Powelton Baptist Church to the remarkable growth and success of the Baptist denomination in Post-Revolutionary War Georgia. The history books are full of references to these icons and to the importance and stature of Powelton Baptist.” (Powelton Baptist, at Historic Georgia Churches)
Powelton Baptist Church in Hancock County is one of the state of Georgia’s oldest Baptist Churches. (The oldest, Kiokee, was organized in 1772.) Powelton was organized as Powell’s Creek Church by Silas Mercer, John Harvey, and John Thomas on July 1, 1786, with 26 original members. Silas Mercer became the first pastor. Jesse Mercer, son of Silas and namesake of Mercer University, became the pastor 1797 and served until 1825. 20 years later in 1806, during the tenure of Jesse Mercer, the White Plains Baptist Church was organized by members from Powell’s Creek.
Powell’s Creek is significant in my personal history because my Vaughn and Parker ancestors were affiliated with the White Plains Church, and the Smyrna Church organized out of White Plains in 1828. (In fact, there were Parkers in the Powell’s Creek Church, but I do not think I had any direct ancestors who were members there. Further research might prove I am mistaken.)
When I saw the baptismal pool, a walled-in spring, it reminded me of our somewhat more rustic Texas version, a spring at Chinquapin enclosed with heart pine lumber by Smyrna Baptist Church circa 1873. Part of the difference, no doubt, is that the Rusk County walled spring has suffered from some 125 years or so of abandonment to the woods.
Surprisingly, some of the existing Powelton building dates back to a structure built in 1798. Note that when some people refer to Powelton as “Georgia’s Oldest Baptist Church” they actually mean “Georgia’s Oldest Baptist Church Building.”
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