Kiokee: Georgia's Oldest Baptist Church

Kiokee led Georgia Baptists in getting a head start among religious denominations because of its founder-Daniel Marshall. He was the only pastor of any denomination who remained in the state during the revolution. Marshall was arrested for preaching on one of his first visits into the state. Upon release, he was ordered to stop preaching. Following Paul’s example, he said, “Whether it be right to obey God rather than man, judge ye.” This incident apparently ended religious persecution in Georgia. Marshall’s arresting officer, Samuel Cartledge (possibly a deputized constable) was converted, became a Kiokee member, and a preacher himself with a long and effective ministry.

Best evidence indicates that the church was constituted in 1772. Two witnesses give a clue to the location. Morgan Edwards, early church historian, visited many of the early pastors and their churches. He wrote in his notebook after a visit to Georgia, “At Little Kiokee is a meetinghouse erected in 1771 by Daniel Marshall.” In the 1784 legislative session, William Few, neighbor and friend of the Marshalls, proposed having a jail and courthouse in the area. It was proposed that they be located “at the Little Kiokee on the new road which leads from Augusta to the Kiokee meetinghouse where the said road crosses the Little Kiokee Creek.” These two references give a clue to the location and the first name of the church. The first name must have been the Little Kiokee. The location, which is today unidentified, is important. It was acknowledged in the 1784 debate that “the elections for that county (Richmond) since the constitution was made” had been “held at Brownsborough, except the first, which was held at the Little Kiokee.” This statement indicates that Kiokee’s first building was the first voting place for all of Richmond County in 1777. No picture has been found of this first building.

After the death of Daniel Marshall his son Abraham led in erecting the second and third buildings. The first was called “Marshall’s Meetinghouse,” and was built about 1792. It was on property where a more permanent building was erected in 1808. It stands today and is known as “Old Kiokee.” Nearby is the baptismal pool that has been in continuous use since about 1792 until the present day.

The fourth building was built on property in Appling, and called the “Appling chapel.” It was an arm of the church, and was destroyed by a tornado in 1875.

The fifth structure was an abandoned Methodist church known as “St. Mary’s.” It was moved to the Appling location in 1907 and used until 1937.

The sixth structure was erected in 1937 under the leadership of Dr. Am Hogan, pastor. He enlisted support statewide, and many interested Georgia Baptists made contributions. This building had additions; but due to overflowing numbers attending worship services, a new sanctuary was erected in 1995.