The church is located south of Savannah in a community known as Burroughs. Burroughs was formed from the land that was once made up of Wild Heron Plantation. The congregation was formed in 1891 after a split from the First Bethel Baptist Church. In 1893, the church was built on land donated by J. D. Campbell.
It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Founded in 1886 by Reverend Ulysses S. Houston of the First Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, the Houston Baptist Church was founded to provide for the spiritual needs of the men and women of Rice Hope Plantation. The church, and the adjoining cemetery, sit on part of the land that used to make up the plantation. When built, it took over the footprint of a praise house that existed there during slavery.
The church was active until the 1970s. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair, and it almost collapsed after a storm in 2007. The community chose to rebuild the historic church. It presently is a museum that focuses on the Black history of the surrounding community.
For earlier photos before restoration and more history, please read The Houston Museum Project.
The Victorians used symbolism to discuss death. From heavenly hands reaching down to earth to wilted flowers, the use of words was rarely utilized to discuss the tragedy of death. Sometimes seen prior to 1900, there was a slight change in the 1900s where the manner of death was permanently shared as part of an epitaph. While not a frequent find, I admit these epitaphs always leaving me wanting to know more.
Mary (1858-1860) and Emma (1860-1861) Hartmann were the young daughters of Catherine and Claus Hartmann. Like so many young children in the 1800s, they lost their life at a young age. John Walz is the sculptor on this marker.
Sculpted by J. J. Horgan, the John J. Kelly monument pays tribute to John J. Kelly (1818-1872), a businessman and a leader in the Irish community in Savannah. The marker was erected by the Hibernian Society, a fraternal society offering aid and support to Irish citizens.
This monument is listed on the Smithsonian’s Save Outdoor Sculpture database and can be found in Laurel Grove North Cemetery in Savannah.
Joseph (1823-1906) and Clara (1830-1905) Herschbach were German immigrants. Joseph was a cigar maker.
John Walz made their marker.
