Concord Primitive Baptist Church was formed in 1809, during the second term of President Thomas Jefferson. At that time, Jasper County had just been created from Creek Indian lands ceded in the Treaty of Washington of 1805. Originally called Randolph County, the name was later changed to honor Revolutionary War hero Sergeant William Jasper after John Randolph of Virginia fell from favor for opposing the War of 1812.
+ Continue readingThe 1805 treaty opened the land between the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers, placing Concord among the first churches on Georgia’s western frontier. Life in the backwoods was difficult, and the church was not only a spiritual refuge but also a central institution that helped maintain order and discipline. Those accused of misconduct faced church trials before their peers. Redemption was possible, but continued offenses often led to excommunication, the most serious punishment in these tight-knit communities.
We are fortunate that Concord’s original minutes, beginning in 1812, survive today on microfilm at Mercer University’s Tarver Library. Transcriptions by Virginia Bolton provide a vivid glimpse into early frontier life. They describe cases ranging from drunkenness and fighting to adultery and dishonesty, as well as confessions, reconciliations, and expulsions. These records reveal a community deeply invested in moral conduct and mutual accountability.
The present sanctuary was completed in 1821 and has remained structurally sound for more than two centuries, though it has been inactive for some time. The nearby cemetery holds the graves of many early settlers, including those named in the church minutes. Genealogical research linked to these burials continues to shed light on the lives of Concord’s first members.
Concord Primitive Baptist is not only a church but also a remarkable record of frontier Georgia—of its hardships, faith, and resilience. Thanks to the Bennett family, who maintain the property today, this historic site endures as a tribute to the people who shaped it more than 200 years ago.