Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society

Properties | Preservation Priorities

 

 

Acworth’s Bethel AME Church

 

 

Acworth’s Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church sanctuary was built in the mid 1870s, and its vestibule and towers were erected in 1895. Relatively unaltered, the church is an outstanding example of 19th century church architecture, complete with Roman arched windows, and double towers of unequal heights capped with decorative tin roofs. Today, the sanctuary still boasts its original vaulted 20foot ceiling of tongue-and-groove pine. Dating from its earliest days, hand-carved altar railings, pews, pine flooring and beaded board wainscoting reflect Bethel’s once prosperous past.

 

The unusual level of sophistication of Bethel relates much about the African American population of Acworth at the time, which was both affluent and influential. Bethel’s edifice reflects both the wealth and the pride of its builders. The Bethel AME Church is listed as a Landmark on the Acworth Register of Historic Places, as well as the Georgia and National Registries of Historic Places.

Bethel faces the problem challenging many historic churches, that of diminishing congregations. This issue means building maintenance and stewardship is difficult and assistance is needed for the future preservation of this property.

 

 

CLHS Actions:

 

Cobb Landmarks is working to educate our community about this property as part of the larger African-American heritage in Cobb County and exploring funding options to assist with the maintenance of the church.

 

 

Preservation Priorities

Acworth’s Rosenwald School Acworth’s Bethel AME Church Brushy Mountain Trenches Cheney-Newcomer House Hooper-Turner House

Nesbitt/Union Chapel Power-Jackson Cabin Tapp House Wallis House

"Graduates” of our List

• Bostwick-Fraser House
• Cowen Farmstead

 

 

• Root House
• Power Cabin
• Preservation Priorities