More Historic Rural Churches of Georgia - by Sonny Seals (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This illuminating follow up to the bestselling Historic Rural Churches of Georgia (Georgia, 2016) is a photographic tribute to even more rural churches and communities in the Peach State. The book documents the historical, community, religious, and architectural significance of these structures while they are still extant, while simultaneously calling for their preservation. This second volume is a combination of stunning images and historical information intended to appeal to a broad, general readership. The new book documents approximately 50 new churches chosen for location, architecture, and history, including a section specifically on African American churches pre- and post-Civil War, via short entries written by Seals and over 250 color images taken by volunteer photographers. The foreword by Ambassador Andrew Young addresses the central role of Black churches in Georgia, and a coauthored introduction by Doug Thompson and Noel Erskine provides scholarly context"--

Book Synopsis

This much anticipated follow-up to the best-selling Historic Rural Churches of Georgia (2016) documents even more rural churches and communities founded prior to 1900 throughout the Peach State. With more than 250 stunning color images, the new volume chronicles the historical, community, religious, and architectural significance of fifty new sites, while simultaneously calling for their historic preservation when possible.

The book includes special focus on African American churches pre- and post-Emancipation, with a foreword by Ambassador Andrew Young. In his foreword, Ambassador Young reflects on the central role of the Black church in his life, writing, "As I look back, my experience in these rural church assignments was the basis for my understanding of racial inequality in the South and my deeply held conviction to do something about it. It prepared me for the long struggle that was to come." In addition to this important foreword, scholars Doug E. Thompson and Noel Leo Erskine add significant historical context in their introductory essay.

Review Quotes

Looking back, my experience in rural church assignments was the basis for my understanding of racial inequality in the South and my deeply held conviction to do something about it. It prepared me for the long struggle that was to come. I am proud be a part of this book that celebrates the rural church histories that are such a big part of our American journey.--Ambassador Andrew Young

Sonny Seals and George Hart's acclaimed earlier volume and their engrossing PBS documentary introduced us to the importance of rural church communities and their contribution to southern history. Sonny Seals now shares a second treasure trove of images, documents, and commentaries that further testifies to the historic importance of rural community churches in both spurring the profound changes and reaffirming the defining continuities that have shaped southern life over the course of three centuries.--James C. Cobb "Spalding Distinguished Professor of History, Emeritus, University of Georgia"

The rural churches were among the few institutions that provided an identity to the communities that surrounded them. Many are gone, but those that remain are cultural icons that speak to the history of the region in a way nothing else does. This book honors that contribution.--Wayne Clough "Secretary Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution"

This new volume from Historic Rural Churches of Georgia continues the organization's excellent tradition of sharing Georgia's rich history and highlighting the importance of religious spaces and practices across many communities of faith. The beautiful photographs and engaging narratives draw readers into the lives of many diverse Georgians, whether Primitive Baptists in the Wiregrass region, circuit-riding Methodists in the Piedmont, or Presbyterians building churches of stone in the mountains. Through the stories of these historic rural churches, this book bares the soul of nineteenth-century Georgia in all its many forms.--Jan Love "Dean, Candler School of Theology, Emory University"

About the Author

Sonny Seals (Author)
SONNY SEALS is the coauthor, with George S. Hart, of the award-winning Historic Rural Churches of Georgia (Georgia), published in 2016. Also with George S. Hart, he is a cofounder of Historic Rural Churches of Georgia, a nonprofit formed in 2013 for the purpose of researching and documenting some of Georgia's most historic and architecturally significant rural churches. Seals is a graduate of Georgia Tech and lives in Atlanta, Georgia.