Antioch Baptist Church
Morgan County, Morgan County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
Antioch Baptist Church. 3 mi. Three miles from here in a grove of oaks Antioch Baptist Church was established in a primitive log cabin, Sept. 18, 1809. Soon a building 40 x 60 was erected on 4-1/2 acres of land including the original site. In Sept. 1827, 4,000 people including many ministers attended a session of the Ocmulgee Association in the churchyard. A sermon by Antioch's minister, Dr. Adiel Sherwood, started a revival that swept through about 22 counties bringing 16,000 converts in two years. Dr. Sherwood preached 333 sermons in 30 counties in that period. In 1845 Antioch Church moved to its present location. 104-8 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1961
Erected by Georgia Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in a primitive log cabin in September 1809, Antioch Baptist Church grew quickly on the Georgia frontier, soon erecting a large meetinghouse. In 1827 it hosted a session of the Ocmulgee Association drawing some 4,000 people, and a sermon by its minister, Dr. Adiel Sherwood, sparked a revival that reportedly swept 22 counties and brought thousands of converts. The congregation moved to its present site in 1845.
Why it matters
The church reflects the Second Great Awakening's sweep through the early American frontier, when itinerant preaching and camp-meeting revivals reshaped the religious life of the young republic.
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Related people
- · Adiel Sherwood
Related events
- · Second Great Awakening
Themes & tags
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