While churches like this were once common among Primitive Baptists, they are quite unusual today. Even most so-called Hardshell Primitive Baptists have traded such humble gathering places for more modern construction and convenience. Though Wayfair appears to be from another century, I believe it dates to the 1930s; 1934 is the earliest burial recorded in the adjacent cemetery. Amy Hedrick surveyed and documented the cemetery in 2005.
http://www.glynngen.com/cemetery/mcintosh/wayfair.htm
Thanks to Leon Gordon for bringing this great place to my attention.
Note the off-center placement of the side doors.
The roof boards and beams are exposed with no further protection from the elements.
The pulpit is strangely located on the side center of the church. The thin boards hanging from the ceiling on the right are used as a coat and hat rack.
Each window is shuttered in this fashion. Note the rough-hewn boards.
There’s obviously no indoor plumbing, hence this unusual double privy
McIntosh County, Georgia
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There is a church just like this in Oak Grove Cemetary, Nahunta. My parents and Grandparents ar buried there.
Shawn Dowling
HI TO YOU BRIAN AND TO YOUR GREAT FOLLOWERS. I CERTAINLY ENVY YOUR GREAT WORK. I AM SO PLEASED SOMEONE (AND OTHERS) APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO EXPAND YOUR AUDIENCE AS I FEEL SURE THERE ARE MANY WHO WOULD LOVE TO SEE THESE GREAT PHOTOS. CAN I SUGGEST ANOTHER GREAT SITE HERE IN LONG COUNTY? IT IS AN OLD RAILWAY TRAMWAY (WHAT’S LEFT) OF THE OLD GC&P RAILROAD FROM COLLINS GA. TO LUDOWICI AND ON TO DARIEN AND TO BRUNSWICK, IT WAS ALL ABANDONED BY I THINK 1921. SOME REMAINING VIEWS ARE LEFT OF THE OLD WEFANIE JONES CREEK TRESTLE AND RAILBED, THIS REMARKABLE SITE WILL SOON BE GONE ALL TO SOON. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE E-MAIL ME FOR ADD. INFO. THANKS 2-16-2013 WENDELL A. THEUS
Wendell, I will be around this weekend; if it’s not raining perhaps I can come photograph the trestle. Mike McCall would like to see it, as well. And thanks again for your support of what I’m doing. Spread the word any way you can!
BRIAN, I KNOW MIKE WELL. THERE ARE MANY, MANY INTERESTING HISTORICAL AREAS, ETC. IN THIS AREA. THANKS FOR YOUR WORK. ONE COMMENT ABOUT THE WAYFAIR CHURCH NEAR COX. NOT SURE YOU NOTICED BUT ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF PULPIT (FACING IT) NOTE THE HOLES IN FLOOR IN FRONT OF PEWS ABOUT 2″ IN SIZE DIA. THESE HOLES WERE(AND ARE) FOR THE CONGREGATION MEMBERS (MEN & WOMEN ) TO SPIT THRU SNUFF AND TOBACCO WHICH WAS COMMON FOR THE DAY. ALSO AT INSIDE FRONT DOOR, THERE IS A SMALL SHELF USED TO HOLD VARIOUS ITEMS MEMBERS DID NOT WANT BROUGHT INTO THE MAIN CHURCH AREA. THANKS AGAIN.
Wendell, I wondered what those holes were for. Your explanation is the direction I was going in, so good to know for sure. We will try to get in touch and get out to the old trestle very soon.