The Historic Union Church

The Historic Union Church The Union Church was established and Chartered in 1854 by an Act of the Georgia Legislature. The building was completed in 1856. Judge Arthur E.

History of the Union Church
Irwinton “Free Church” known as the “Union Church” was established and Chartered in 1854 by an Act of the Georgia Legislature. The building was completed in 1856.The Union Church was born following a disaster. In 1854, an unknown arsonist burned the Methodist and the Baptist houses of worship and the Wilkinson County Courthouse. A decision was made by the people of this

small town to erect one house to serve the worshippers of three denominations. Methodist Episcopal, Missionary Baptist and Presbyterian. At the time, there were only a few of the Presbyterian faith in Irwinton. Whether they ever used the sanctuary as a meeting place on Sundays as set aside by the Act, is not known. The methodist and the Baptist met on alternate Sundays for 102 years, except on a fifth Sunday when no services were held. Before applying for a Charter, William O. Beall, a Baptist, donated an acre of land for the building. Cochran, a Presbyterian, who was a State Senator, put up the money for the er****on of the Church. The contract for construction was given to Patrick Ward, a Catholic, who operated a carriage shop in Irwinton. This perhaps accounts for the design of the building. The three massive columns in front are said to represent the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Union Church is indeed historically significant. The wording of a portion of the Charter, setting aside certain Sundays for the several denominations is unprecedented, insofar as it is known.The appointment of a Board of Trustees, made up of members from the three Protestant denominations to control the use of the church, is unusual.During the Civil War, General William Tecumseh Sherman’s officers appropriated the church and used the sanctuary as a ‘grainary’. The term, a misnomer, applied to a place for storing loot until it could be carted away. Early in 1950, the Methodists and the Baptist felt the need for additional facilities and agreed to build their respective churches. The Presbyterians signed a quit claim to the property in 1953. Meanwhile, no money was spent for the maintenance from the time the decisions were made until the church was vacated. The Baptist moved out in 1958, and the Methodists held dedication services in their new sanctuary in May of 1962.The decision to leave the Union Church was not unanimous. Some members felt a deep attachment to the old house of worship. In March of 1966, the people initiated a program to restore the Union Church as a Shrine in the memory of the years when their forefathers knew no other place of worship. The job was finished early in 1967. Copied from a document hanging on the wall at the Union Church August of 2013, author unknown.

04/05/2026
Listen for the bell to ring!
03/31/2026

Listen for the bell to ring!

UPDATE: One of our tireless volunteers stepped up!We are looking for Labor! Our last shipment of pavers for the Memorial...
12/22/2025

UPDATE: One of our tireless volunteers stepped up!

We are looking for Labor!

Our last shipment of pavers for the Memorial Walk has been delivered and the Friends of the Union Church are looking someone to install them.

We love volunteers, but know that for some jobs we need to a hired contractor, so if you are interested or know someone that might be, please let us know. Call/text Donna @ 478-233-1548 or Beverly Clark @ 478-410-2881 for more information.

It’s time to kick off the Christmas Season!
11/29/2025

It’s time to kick off the Christmas Season!

UPDATE: XL is sold.I was cleaning at the Blue Goose and found 3 Historic Union Church long sleeve T-shirts. This is the ...
10/22/2025

UPDATE: XL is sold.

I was cleaning at the Blue Goose and found 3 Historic Union Church long sleeve T-shirts. This is the last of the T-shirts.

We have 1 XL and 2 L $20 each and all of the proceeds go to support the Union Church. Text 478-233- 1548 or drop by the Blue Goose. We’re open until 6 pm.

128 East Main Street, Irwinton, GA

10/06/2025

Don’t forget to get your paver orders in! Blue Goose and the East Wilkinson County Library both have forms if you need them.

10/03/2025
The Union Church is very fortunate to have a friend like Ruth Sapp! Ruth has made a donated a beautiful Christmas pillow...
10/03/2025

The Union Church is very fortunate to have a friend like Ruth Sapp!
Ruth has made a donated a beautiful Christmas pillow for a raffle.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Blue Goose, the East Wilkinson County Library, Mason Sales or from Beverly Clark. The drawing for the winner will be Sunday, November 30, at the Community Christmas Program at the Union Church.

The Friends of the Union Church are wrapping up the last of the order for memorial pavers. Our goal is to sell 100 paver...
09/25/2025

The Friends of the Union Church are wrapping up the last of the order for memorial pavers. Our goal is to sell 100 pavers each time. We’re at 54 pavers now. We will continue to sell until October 15. We will place the order and hopefully get them installed before the Community Christmas Program.

Pavers are $50 each and this will be the last order. Reach out to Donna Asbell 478-233-1548 or Beverly Clark for an order form. We also have an online option: https://historicunionchurch.org/memorial-pavers

We have about 20 community cookbooks left. They are $20 and 100 percent of the money goes to the upkeep of the historic ...
06/08/2025

We have about 20 community cookbooks left. They are $20 and 100 percent of the money goes to the upkeep of the historic Union Church. If you would like one, text or call Donna at 478-233-1548.

Address

Irwinton, GA
31042

Telephone

+1 478-233-1548

Website

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