Midway Church | Liberty County, Georgia | Founded c. 1752, built c. 1790s.
Standing proud amid Georgia’s coastal landscape, the historic Midway Church isn’t just an architectural landmark, it’s a living testament to America’s journey through revolution, slavery, and civil strife. This impressive sanctuary in Liberty County silently witnessed nearly three centuries of history, its story as compelling as the famous figures who once walked through its doors.
Colonial Beginnings: Faith and Frontier
The story begins in 1752, when ambitious Congregationalist planters from South Carolina’s Dorchester region secured a generous 31,950-acre land grant from the Council of Georgia. Their migration wasn’t merely geographical, it represented an economic expansion made possible by Georgia’s momentous decision to lift its ban on slavery in 1751. This policy shift allowed these settlers to transplant their agricultural economy, kept afloat by slavery and centered on rice and indigo cultivation, into Georgia’s fertile lowcountry.
By 1754, they had established the Midway Society and constructed a modest log meetinghouse that would become the heart of their community. Though founded by Congregationalists, the church maintained strong Presbyterian connections, with all its ministers coming from Presbyterian backgrounds. The settlers were drawn to Congregationalism’s independent governance model, where each congregation controlled its own affairs—a perfect match for these self-determined colonists.
Revolutionary Spirit and Sacrifice
Few colonial churches can claim as deep a connection to America’s fight for independence as Midway. Its members weren’t merely supporters of liberty, they were active participants in its pursuit. Church member Lyman Hall was among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, while fellow congregant Nathan Brownson served in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778.
This patriotic fervor didn’t go unnoticed by British forces. In 1778, advancing British troops targeted the Midway community specifically. During the Battle of Midway Church, American defenders suffered defeat, and their commander, Colonel James Screven, was mortally wounded. The British, seeking both tactical and psychological victory, systematically looted local farms before burning the church to the ground.
Rebirth in New England Style
Following the destruction of their original church building, the congregation worshipped for 14 years without a permanent home. Then, in 1792, the current church building rose from the ashes of its revolutionary predecessor. Constructed in elegant New England style, the building originally wore a coat of red paint to protect against decay, a practical choice later changed to the classic white we see today…