High Shoals Baptist Church

Made this first-time visitor feel most welcome with long fellowship before and after the worship service and no pressure: no printed handouts; no one asked for contact information; the offering plate was passed around but not to us, though I sought it and was more than happy to contribute. Everyone was invited to participate in songs, testimonies, and prayer requests. Preaching was passionate and Biblical with Scripture reading and memorized quotations. Music good old fashioned hymnals and country gospel classics with rich messages that minister to the soul. Only accompaniment an upright piano as there is no electric service and the only running water is an outdoor spring-fed continuously-flowing drinking fountain (let it run). Looking forward to another visit soon.

Second visit they ran an electric generator for lights and fans.

This place is so awesome and has a cool vibe. Out in the middle of no where down a long dirt road and this is where you end up.

Have seen the High Shoals sign in Amicalola for years and always wanted to see it, so yesterday i took an extreme backroading adventure out and found it. The church, cemetery, signage, grounds etc are immaculate. The remoteness is eery - definitely feels extremely primitive.

A very quaint country church located deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest. A breath of fresh air and a humbling experience to sit on the front porch bench and reflect on the pure serenity of God’s Glory!
Leave a personal note in the visitor’s log in the box on the left side of the front doors; step inside, take a pew and share a prayer with a special departed soul who will always be with you…
An experience you will never forget!
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The following is from a 2011 Gainesville (GA) Times article~

“Two miles past the Amicalola Falls State Park cabins and down a narrow dirt road is High Shoals Baptist Church.

The unique church does not have any electricity, so services are sometimes held by the light of propane camp lanterns. Propane heaters supply heat in the winter.

The original High Shoals Baptist Church was begun in 1879, serving an area that had been populated from as early as 1823.

The church was founded by a group led by Samuel Roper as minister and deacons Jonathan F. M. West and Samuel Harben. The original church was a common log building with a dirt floor.

No remains of the original building exist now, but it is believed to have been located near the current High Shoals Baptist Church building.

The church and community thrived in the remote mountain area into the early 1900s. In the 1930s, the government began buying parcels of land that would become the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The old High Shoals Baptist Church held its last service in 1934 and was not revived until the 1970s when a group of descendants of the early settlers began having homecoming services at the site.

The new High Shoals Baptist Church was built in 1975 under the leadership of the Rev. Billy Welch. The church now has regular services each third and fifth Sunday of the month, along with an annual homecoming service and occasional singings.

The church has a book on the front porch for visitors to sign and there are messages from people from all over the world that have walked or driven up the road to the peaceful setting of the church.

Pastor Harold Evans now preaches at the church, and the membership is about 60 families, some being descendants of the original congregation.”

Beautiful and secluded country church off of an unpaved road in Amicalola park, the doors were open and there is a notebook by the front door where you can write a message to the church. The cemetary is well maintained with flowers on most of the graves. There was flowing water in the water fountain which was a curious thing...

A wonderful place, beautiful, I truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.. May God bless this place.. 🙏

First time there and very friendly people. Great word by Daniel. Will be going back.

Church up in the hills before the land was stolen

I went camping with a few buddies nearby. I'm not a religious man but something special is at that place

One of my favorite secluded spots to visit!

I've been there many times

Church is held 3rd Sunday
Hike or drive

It's a special place

Worth the short drive from Amicalola Falls park. Interesting Confederate cemetery there.

Its way back in the woods.

Very nice small country church