2025 Places in Peril

Story

This Baptist congregation was founded on St. Catherine’s Island in 1850 on the plantation of Jacob Waldburg. Within the following years, around 200 formerly enslaved individuals from the group settled in what was then known as Nicholsonville. Some members of the church purchased a parcel of land with the intent that it be designated for religious purposes. The first church was built in 1870, followed by a second in 1890. The first of the two places of worship sits as a historic reminder of the deep roots of the congregation, while the second is still used by the congregation for sermons and other gatherings. Both structures on the site are part of a 1978 listing of the church to the National Register of Historic Places.

Threat 

The community has experienced a decline in its younger population, resulting in a small, aging congregation today. This demographic shift has made it increasingly difficult to maintain and restore the church buildings, as resources — both physical and financial — are limited. The structures are now at significant risk, with ongoing exposure to the elements causing further deterioration and the looming threat of irreparable damage.

Disclaimer: The Georgia Trust does not own nor has any direct involvement with this historic site. The Trust’s involvement is limited to listing it on our Places in Peril list to bring awareness to it.

Photos by Paul Meacham/Abandoned Coastal Georgia