The village of Penfield traces its origins to Mercer University, established there in 1833 as a labor school under the supervision of the Baptist Church. The school thrived, attracting a number of prominent families, most of them connected to the Baptist congregation. By the mid-19th century, a few Presbyterian families, including the Boswells, had settled in Penfield and began worshiping according to Presbyterian doctrine. At first, they were served by visiting pastors who preached on Sunday evenings in private homes or occasionally in the Baptist sanctuary. Eventually, the Penfield Presbyterians, wishing to hold services more regularly and give their children a dedicated place of worship, resolved to build their own church.

Construction of the present sanctuary was completed in the spring of 1876 at a cost of $1,100. Its design is notable for a rural Georgia church of the time, combining brick construction, Gothic arches, and an elaborate steeple—features more commonly found in urban congregations. Around the turn of the 20th century, the church added a few new pews and chairs, but little else has changed. Two of its windows were later dedicated to the memory of founders Johnson Boswell and Eliza Cheney Boswell, whose vision helped establish a lasting Presbyterian presence in Penfield.

For more than 125 years, this church has remained a cornerstone of faith in the community, standing as both a spiritual home and a distinctive example of 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture in rural Georgia. Thank you for supporting Historic Rural Churches of Georgia and helping us preserve and share these remarkable stories. Be sure to sign up to receive future features on other historic churches.