HISTORIC WOOLSEY CHURCH
Past and Present
“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.
Our initial project includes the restoration of the Historic Woolsey Church and Annex bringing both back into community service. The deteriorating structures are in the town center, and its restoration will contribute to the community's beautification. As we continue to unearth more historic photos and documents, the restoration of the church may change. Once restored, the church will provide a gathering place for community, religious, educational, civic, literary, and cultural arts programs and events for not only the community of Woolsey, Georgia, but also for Fayette County, the surrounding areas and the state of Georgia.
Open to the Public by Appointment
Location Address: 242 Hampton Rd. Fayetteville, Georgia 30215
(Click the first photo to enlarge and then click the arrow to the right to move to the next photo).
 2.jpg "Courtesy of Fayette County Historical Society")
 2.jpg "Courtesy of FCHS")
 2.jpg "Courtesy of FCHS")
 2.jpg "Courtesy of FCHS")
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(1).jpg "Work is about to begin! Gary Laggis © April 28, 2023")
%20_w500_h/A%20Diamond%20Vent%20was%20in%20the%20Original%20Church%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(April%2029)%20_06130551.png "The original diamond Vent by Ryan Arvay © April 29, 2023")
%20_w500_h/After%20One%20Day%20of%20Work%20Dumpster%20is%20Full%20Photo%20by%20Gary%20Laggis%20©%202023%20(April%2029)%20_06130551.jpg "Demo Day! by Ryan Arvay © 2023")
.jpeg "Exploratory demolition by Ryan Arvay © 2023")
%20_w500_h/Demo%20Day%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(April%2029)%20_06130551.jpg "Demo Day by Ryan Arvay © April 29, 2023")
%20_w500_h/Look%20at%20the%20Beautiful%20Bead%20Board%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(April%2029)%20_06130551.jpg "Look at the Beautiful Bead Board by Ryan Arvay © April 29, 2023")
%20_w500_h/Original%20Window%20Size%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(May%2013)%20_06130551.jpg "by Ryan Arvay © May 13, 2023")
%20_w500_h/One%20of%20the%20Original%20Front%20Doors%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(April%2029)%20_06130551.jpg "One of the Original Front Doors by Ryan Arvay © April 29, 2023")
%20_w500_h/Original%20Wood%20Floor%20Photo%20by%20Ryan%20Arvay%20©%202023%20(May%2013)%20_06130551.jpg "Original Wood Floor by Ryan Arvay © 2023 (May 13)")
%20_w500_h/Sidewalk%20before%20cleaning%20Photo%20by%20Jack%20Morris%20%20©%202023%20(March)%20_06130551.jpg "Sidewalk before cleaning by Jack Morris © 2023")
.jpeg "Darryl Hicks presents FCDA Grant photo by K. Quattlebaum ©2024")
.jpeg "FCDA Visits Woolsey photo by K. Quattlebaum ©2024")
.jpeg "FCDA Visits Woolsey photo by K. Quattlebaum ©2024")
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