Churches | Historical Society

Churches

In Towns County, churches played a vital role in the community's social fabric. With a rich tapestry of denominations, including Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal, the faith landscape is diverse and deeply rooted in tradition. These churches served as places of worship and as centers for fellowship and support, fostering a strong sense of belonging among residents. The influence of religion is evident in local events, celebrations, and the overall way of life, reflecting the deep spiritual heritage of Appalachian people.

Brasstown Baptist

[History]

Lower Hightower Baptist

1917 Lower Hightower

Lower-Hightower-church

1915

1917 Lower Hightower

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Please be patient while we are working on this history.

Brasstown Baptist

2024

Photo: Harrison Keely

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Please be patient while we are working on this history.

Macedonia Baptist

c. 1930s

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For over 185 years, Macedonia Baptist Church has been a cornerstone of faith and community in what is now Towns County, Georgia. Established in 1839 as Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, it was the first church in the area, which was then part of Union County and known as Shady Grove. Founded by Josiah Carter and 11 members, the church was built on land Carter deeded to the congregation—a foundation that has supported generations of worshippers.

The first church building stood along the Unicoi Turnpike, a crucial route for early settlers traveling to Hiawassee. Constructed from logs and rough-sawn lumber by church members, it served as both a place of worship and a landmark for weary pioneers. During the Civil War, Union soldiers camped on the church grounds, repurposing its benches as horse troughs and using the sanctuary as living quarters. Interestingly, they left the building in better condition than they found it. By the 1920s and 30s, the congregation had grown, and expansions were made, including the addition of classrooms and the introduction of electricity in 1939 at a cost of just $1.35 per month.

In 1942, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s construction of Chatuge Dam forced the church to relocate. Members dismantled the original building and reconstructed it in a new location, now the church’s parking lot. The church continued to expand, adding classrooms and hosting its first Memorial Day & Homecoming celebration in 1949—a tradition still observed today.

By the 1950s, Macedonia had again outgrown its space. Members formed a committee to design a new church, using timber donated by the government and milled by the congregation. Volunteers built the new structure, incorporating lumber from the original 1839 church. The sanctuary was completed in 1958, with a celebratory Thanksgiving feast that has since become an annual tradition. Over the years, additional classrooms, a baptismal, and a new pastorium were added.

In the 1990s, Macedonia expanded once more. A new sanctuary and fellowship hall were built, incorporating the steeple from the previous church to preserve a piece of its history. By 2000, the church celebrated paying off its building loan in just five years.

Macedonia Baptist Church has been blessed to send missionaries into the world, including Dr. Rev. F.C. McConnell, who planted churches across Georgia. The church has even had the honor of fellowshipping with leaders like former President Jimmy Carter.

McConnell Memorial Baptist

c.1950

Fannie Jackson in front of old bell, c. 1940s

c. 2023

Photo - Harrison Keely

c.1950

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Established on July 29, 1882, the church was chartered by a three-man committee from Macedonia Baptist Church—Elders Elijah Kimsey, Elisha Hedden, and Joseph Burch. Originally named the Baptist Church of Christ at Hiawassee, it was commonly known as Hiawassee Baptist Church for its first fifty years. The church began with eleven charter members, meeting in members' homes once a month for worship and business meetings.

A small frame church building was later constructed on River Street, on land designated for a Baptist church in the original city plat of Hiawassee. This served as the congregation’s meeting house for about 35 years until the early 1920s, when membership outgrew the space. Fundraising for a new church building proved difficult, so services moved to Hiawassee Academy, a respected Baptist-affiliated school where many members and pastors also taught.

By 1928, both the church and school were thriving. However, a financial scandal rocked the Southern Baptist Convention when the Treasurer of the Home Mission Board embezzled nearly $1 million—a devastating loss that forced the convention to sell off its mountain schools, including Hiawassee Academy, which was sold to Towns County for $1,000. With nowhere to meet, the church faced a turning point: it had to build its own home.

Despite the hardships of the Great Depression, church members worked tirelessly to construct a new building. In 1933, during construction, the congregation renamed the church McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in honor of Dr. F.C. McConnell, a beloved Baptist leader who had a deep connection to Hiawassee Academy. Though Dr. McConnell had never pastored the church, his legacy inspired donations from across the country, allowing the church to continue its work. The new building was completed and dedicated in 1939—just days before Rev. Frank Loyd, a key figure in its construction, passed away at age 82.

The brick church building remained the sanctuary for decades, even as the congregation continued to grow. By 2007, a new worship center was constructed to accommodate the increasing membership, which had grown from the original eleven members to approximately 1,200. The former sanctuary now stands between the Family Life Center and the newer facility, symbolizing the church’s rich history and ongoing mission.

A significant part of McConnell’s history is its old church bell, which dates back to the late 1800s. Originally mounted in the churchyard, it was rung to announce services and tolled to mark the passing of community members. Mysteriously, the bell was misplaced over the years and was later rediscovered in 1996, hidden among trees near the local hospital. Thanks to dedicated church members, the bell was reclaimed and placed on a rebuilt platform near the former sanctuary, where it now stands as a lasting symbol of the church’s history.