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 and important church building. People also call it the "Wheat Church." It's in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which is in Tennessee, United States. This church is special because it's the only building left from a small community called Wheat. The government bought all the land in Wheat in 1942 for a big, secret project called the Manhattan Project.
Contents
A Church with a Long History
The George Jones Memorial Baptist Church has a long and interesting past. It started in 1854 as a United Baptist church. Twenty-six people from another church, Sulphur Springs Church of Christ, helped create it. They built the first church in the Wheat community, which was in the northern part of Roane County.
How the Church Got Its Name
When the church first started, it was called the "Mount Zion Baptist Church." But in 1901, its name changed to "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 that same year, 1901, the church members built the new building you see today.
What the Church Looks Like
The church building is a great example of a simple, local style of building. This style is sometimes called "rural vernacular" architecture.
Building Features
The church is made of brick and has a rectangular shape. It has three main sections. The outside walls also have wood cladding. On top, it has a square bell tower and a metal roof that stands up in seams.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has two rooms. There's an anteroom, which is like a small waiting area. Then there's the main sanctuary, where services are held. A short wall separates these two rooms. West of the church, there's a 1½-acre cemetery.
A Community Hub
The George Jones church was more than just a place for religious services. It was also a very important gathering spot for everyone living in Wheat. People would come together there for many community events.
The Manhattan Project's Impact
In 1942, the federal government took over the land in Wheat. This was part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret project during World War II. Because of this, the entire Wheat community was emptied, and the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church was left empty too. All the other buildings in Wheat were torn down.
A Place for Reunions
Since the church is the only building left from before 1942, it's a special place. Former residents of Wheat still come back every year for reunions. It helps them remember their old community and the way rural life used to be in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Location and Access
The church is located east of the K-25 site. It's also a short distance north of State Route 58, so you can see it from the road.
How to Get There
The church is on the old Wheat Road. This is a gravel road that follows the path of a historic local road. You can get to it from Blair Road (SR 327). The U.S. Department of Energy owns and takes care of both the church building and the road.
Public Access
While only government vehicles can drive on the road, it's open to people walking and riding bicycles. It's part of a public greenway trail.
National Recognition
In 1992, the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church was one of six properties in Oak Ridge to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places important to the history of the United States.
Why It's Important
The church earned this special recognition for several reasons:
- It's the only building left from the Wheat community.
- It shows what rural life was like in the area during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- It's a good example of a simple, local church building style.
