Historic church has unique past; worship centers, Civil War and famed evangelist.
The Euharlee Valley Historical Society (EVHS) continues its mission of restoring a little church with a unique past.
This humble church represents a journey of God’s people that began in Van Wert, Georgia, and continues today. This historic place is unique in several ways: it is the oldest standing structure in Polk County; it is “home” to seven other major local congregations; it is a Civil War burial site; and the first church of famous evangelist Reverend Sam P. Jones.
Originally called, “Cleantown,” the name was changed to Van Wert in 1837 and was the Paulding County Seat. In the late 1850’s Welsh immigrants settled in Van Wert following the discovery of slate in the area and many are buried in the Van Wert Church Cemetery.
The Van Wert Church of Christ Baptist Church, a log structure, was chartered there in 1840.
On Dec. 22, 1875, members of the Baptist denomination organized the Rockmart Baptist Church and held services there. In 1879 both were officially consolidated as the Rockmart First Baptist Church and a new building was built at the present location on Elm Street and dedicated in 1892.
The Van Wert Methodist Church was organized circa 1846 and shared the meetinghouse with the Baptist. At that time, they constructed a simple white frame building at its present location. This was to become the first church of famous Reverend Sam P. Jones who was appointed to pastor in November 1872. He became a very famous Methodist Evangelist preaching to huge crowds at large cities such as Nashville, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Los Angeles and others.
In 1883, Colonel Seaborn Jones deeded land on the Euharlee Creek in Rockmart, on which to build a sanctuary. The original building was constructed of slate rock and slate roofing from Rockmart quarries and became First United Methodist Church.
In the late 1860’s several dedicated Presbyterians formed the congregation from which the Rockmart Presbyterian Church grew. Officially organized May 28, 1871, it was named Van Wert Presbyterian Church. In 1878, land was obtained from philanthropist Seaborn Jones in Rockmart and a new building completed circa 1880.
On Sunday, Dec. 22, 1875, 16 members of the Baptist denomination organized what later became First Baptist Church in Rockmart. Although the congregation was without a pastor, the following Wednesday evening, 8 more members were added to this pioneer group. In July 1891, land was received from the widow of Seaborn Jones and the congregation built a church in downtown Rockmart using slate mined from the local area.
In 1889, a group began meeting there, which was later constituted as Fairview Baptist Church. In 1901 this congregation also moved to a new building in Rockmart.
The Rockmart Church of God was organized in 1938 and temporarily met in the Van Wert Methodist Church. In 1940 they built their first building on what was known as Nichols Hill in Rockmart.
In 1958, the New Van Wert Baptist Church was organized. The congregation held services there until 1967, when they moved to a new building located just a few blocks from the original Van Wert Church.
restoration effort in 1949. Over the years, the church had fallen in disrepair and the cemetery overgrown. Mrs. Peggy Willoughby organized the Euharlee Valley Historical Society in order to capture the historic place and obtained deeds to the property in 1999.
In 2005, Greg Gray, president of EVHS, began the task of saving the crumbling building and clean up the surrounding cemetery.
Gray has announced that the Euharlee Valley Historical Society’s fundraising efforts is no longer adequate for supporting restoration and upkeep of the church.
The group has decided to no longer sell food at the Confederate Memorial Service or WELSHfest due to needed members and volunteers. They discussed asking other organizations for help at the food and drinks booths and share a percentage of the profits with EVHS.
For more information, contact Gray at gray6727@ bellsouth.net.
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church was the last congregation to constitute at the structure, on Nov. 21, 1976. The group renovated the building, adding a porch and used a converted mobile home for classrooms. Prior to moving to a new building, the last regular service in the old Van Wert Methodist Church was held Feb. 12, 1978.
The sacred place was also refuge for a Union soldier. William C. Titze, who spent a rainy night huddled beneath the church in May 1864. In October of the same year, Union General Judson Kilpatrick met up with Confederate forces on his journey to Atlanta and a young Private named Albert Anderson. 16, was killed. He is buried in the Van Wert cemetery, along with other Civil War casualties whose journeys ended there.
Family members of Charles Porter Campbell, one of the founding members, undertook a major