Pentecostal House of Prayer

Introduction

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The Pentecostal House of Prayer is the oldest surviving church in Valdosta. It was built in 1869 and was originally known as the Valdosta Baptist Church. It later became known as the Primitive Baptist Church in 1899. In 2005, it was included in the East End Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places that year.

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Erected in 1869, Pentecostal House of Prayer is the oldest church in Valdosta still standing. It is also known by its second name, Primitive Baptist Church.

Backstory and Context

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The church is a simple one-story, wood-frame building designed in the Wren style, which is characterized by a gable-front sanctuary and multi-stage entrance tower. The church also features tall, narrow windows, and still has the original pews and some interior woodwork from the congregation's original church erected in 1840. The East End Historic District is a residential area and the church's construction marks the beginning of the district's period of significance (1869-1955). The architecture within the district represents the growth and development of the area in this period and which architectural styles were popular. Local architect Lloyd Greer designed the church and many other buildings in the city including the former Carnegie Library and the Barber-Pittman House.

Sources

Mofson, Steven. "East End Historic District." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 21, 2005. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/05000427_text.

"Primitive Baptist Church." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed December 3, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=27588.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

The Historical Marker Database

Additional Information

Primitive Baptist Church Historical Marker