Bath Presbyterian Church traces its roots to the wealthy planter families of Burke County who, in the late 18th century, began retreating to the mineral springs of Bath to escape the heat and malaria of summer. At first, they gathered for worship in homes, then in a log structure, before commissioning the fine sanctuary that still stands today, completed in 1836. The congregation was largely Scots-English Presbyterians, bringing with them both their faith and traditions.

The builder of this elegant sanctuary was John Trowbridge, a Massachusetts native who had migrated south and quickly established himself as the master builder of Bath’s fine homes. His brothers later joined him, cementing a long relationship between the Trowbridge family and Bath Presbyterian Church.

As with much of the South, Bath’s prosperity suffered during the Civil War. Local tradition holds that Union soldiers attempted to dismantle the church’s pulpit, only to find it impossible since it extended into the ground beneath. Instead, they carried off the silver communion and baptismal vessels—precious pieces of the church’s early heritage.

By the late 20th century, Bath Presbyterian was still closely tied to the Trowbridge family. A church history written in 1987 noted that Harper Trowbridge, at nearly 97 years old, was still a faithful member, rarely missing a Sunday service. His story is one of many that remind us how the earliest builders of Georgia’s churches and communities maintained lasting connections to their descendants. Today, Bath Presbyterian stands as Richmond County’s first Presbyterian church outside Augusta and remains a testament to the endurance of faith, family, and stewardship across nearly two centuries.