George Jones Memorial Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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George Jones Memorial Baptist Church
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Front of the church
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Blair Rd., Oak Ridge, Tennessee |
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| Built | 1901 |
| MPS | Oak Ridge MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000408 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 1992 |
The George Jones Memorial Baptist Church is a very old church building in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. People also call it the "Wheat Church." It's special because it's the only building left from a community called Wheat.
The United States government bought all the land in Wheat in 1942. This was for a secret project called the Manhattan Project. Because of this, all other buildings in Wheat were taken down.
Contents
A Church with History
The church started in 1854. It was founded by 26 members from another church. They called it the "Mount Zion Baptist Church" at first. It was in the northern part of Roane County.
In 1901, the church changed its name. It became the "George Jones Memorial Baptist Church." This was to honor a local minister named George Jones. He had given most of the land for the Wheat community. In the same year, the church built the building you see today.
What the Church Looks Like
The church building is a good example of a simple, local style. It's made of brick and has a rectangular shape. It has a square bell tower and a metal roof.
Inside, there are two main rooms. There's a small waiting area, called an anteroom, and the main worship area, called the sanctuary. A low wall separates these two rooms. Next to the church, there's a 1½-acre cemetery.
More Than Just a Church
The George Jones church was very important to the people of Wheat. It wasn't just for religious services. It was also a place where the community gathered for meetings and events.
When the government took over Wheat in 1942, the church was left empty. But it's still used today! Former residents of Wheat and their families come back every year for reunions. It's a way for them to remember their old community.
Location and Ownership
The church is located near the K-25 site in Oak Ridge. You can see it from State Route 58. It sits on an old gravel road called Wheat Road. This road used to be a main path for the community.
The U.S. Department of Energy owns and takes care of the church building and the road. Only government vehicles can drive on the road. But people can walk or ride bikes on it. It's a public greenway trail.
A Special Landmark
In 1992, the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places in the United States.
The church is important for a few reasons:
- It's the only building left from the Wheat community.
- It shows what rural life was like in the area long ago.
- It's a good example of a simple, local church design.
