Liberty Baptist Church is a stunning and majestic rural treasure, located just north of the Florida line. To reach it, you travel a quiet dirt road—a mix of red clay and white sand—flanked by towering oaks draped in Spanish moss. Then, as you round a gentle curve, it appears—nestled among the moss and trees. My goodness… what a sight.

The story of Liberty Baptist begins during a time of deep division within the south Georgia Baptist community. Between 1837 and 1841, Baptists in this region were wrestling with controversial questions about missions, Sunday Schools, and ministerial support. In 1841, the Ocklochnee Anti-Missionary Baptist Association added a new statement to its Articles of Faith, later known as the famous Thirteenth Article, declaring non-fellowship with any member who engaged in, or even supported, Sunday School work, missions, theological schools, or any other “new-fangled institutions” of the day.

That decision led directly to the formation of Liberty Baptist. Following the vote, Sister Nancy Hagan, a resident of what is now Brooks County, requested her letter from Mount Moriah Church and, at her own request, was excommunicated. She and seven others of like mind organized a new congregation, naming it Liberty at Sister Hagan’s request. As the historical marker now notes, Mount Moriah ceased to exist long ago.

The church you see today is the second location of Liberty Baptist. The original building was located on or near the old King Plantation, which purchased the property when a new church was built. Around 1857, the trustees voted to construct a new sanctuary in Grooverville. Measuring 40 by 50 feet, the building was constructed of sturdy pine timbers, with a steeple, tall Gothic windows, and heart-pine columns framing the entrance. Inside, a gallery with graduated pews and a sawdust floor served the Black members of the congregation. In the main sanctuary, metal cuspidors were placed for “brethren who used tobacco freely.” The first service in the new church was held on June 19, 1858, with preaching by Elder W. J. Bluett.

From its founding, Liberty Baptist embraced its missionary heritage, a commitment that continued for many years. The church supported missions in several foreign countries and served as a “mother church” for this part of Georgia, helping to establish several strong Missionary Baptist congregations in the region.