Phillips Mill Baptist is one of the most historic and influential Baptist churches in Georgia. Its beginnings trace back to 1785, when sixteen people gathered in Joel Phillips’ grist mill to organize a church under the leadership of Rev. Silas Mercer. Just one year later, on October 15, 1786, the newly formed Georgia Baptist Association held its first regular meeting here—cementing Phillips Mill’s place in Georgia’s Baptist heritage.
+ Continue readingSilas’ son, Jesse Mercer, was ordained at Phillips Mill in 1789 and succeeded his father as pastor in 1796. For the next 37 years, Jesse Mercer became one of the most prominent voices of the Baptist faith in the South. His influence shaped Baptist life across Georgia and left a lasting legacy in Mercer University, which bears his name.
Over the years, some confusion arose over the church’s location and cemetery history. Original minutes clarify that the church first stood on land donated by Joel Phillips in 1785. In 1848, the congregation purchased the Salem Presbyterian Church, about four miles away, for $350. That building served the members until the present sanctuary was constructed in 1907.
The cemetery adds to the historical mystery. A few graves predate Baptist ownership, but only four headstones survive from the period between 1848 and 1900. As with many rural cemeteries, numerous unmarked graves complicate the historical record.
Today, Phillips Mill Baptist stands as a testament to the roots of Baptist life in Georgia. Its story reminds us that while written records may fade, the old sanctuaries and graveyards still bear witness to the faith and resilience of the communities that built them.