Friends of Historic Woolsey

Preserving Woolsey's Story, Together

HISTORIC WOOLSEY CHURCH 

“These historic rural churches of Georgia are a vital part of who we are and how we got here.
Most of them are still there, on lonely back roads or in rural villages–some
of which have virtually disappeared. They should be treasured and preserved for future generations.”
– Sonny Seals and George Hart, Historic Rural Churches of Georgia 


Harmony Grove Missionary Baptist Church, began on August 26, 1888, in Woolsey, Georgia, with twenty-three charter members, in a little store on the east side of the Southern Railroad. Dr. I. G. Woolsey served as its first pastor. A building committee, appointed on October 6, 1888, oversaw the building of the church which was 36' x 50'. The church members held a dedication service on March 3, 1889.

On October 2, 1904, Harmony Grove Baptist Church changed its name to Woolsey Baptist Church. The steeple was removed in 1947 when a storm damaged it. In 1950, the church members replaced the two separate doors with a centered double door, and in 1952 classrooms were added across the back. In 1963, the church added the fellowship hall/annex. To prevent confusion with the newer Woolsey Baptist Church, the original is now called Historic Woolsey Church.



 

Charter Members Courtesy of Woolsey Baptist Church
Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society
McLeans @1913 From the Linda Blum-Barton Collection
Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society
Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society
Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society
Courtesy of Fayette County Historical
1950 Courtesy of Linda Blum-Barton
1950 Courtesy of Linda Blum-Barton
From the Bobby Jackson Collection
Rev. Gilstrap inside church Courtesy of Sylvia Schell
Inside Church Courtesy of Sylvia Schell
Inside Church Courtesy of Sylvia Schell
1960s Church Courtesy of Woolsey Baptist Church