Damascus Baptist Church in Leah

Damascus Baptist Church in the small community of Leah, was constituted in 1820 by Samuel Cartledge and Widner Hillman, but the story begins with Cartledge, the first pastor. According to accounts and the historical marker, in 1772 as the revolutionary fire was starting to burn in Georgia, Cartledge was a young British Officer who had orders to arrest the pastor,  Daniel Marshall who was the first pastor of Kiokee Baptist Church. The charge was “holding religious services not in accord with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.” He apparently came to the service and walked up and put his hand on Marshall and arrested him. He had him taken to court in Augusta. Mrs. Marshall took Cartledge to task and her exhortations had an affect on the young loyalist. Such an affect that he converted, was baptized by Rev. Marshall and joined the patriot cause. He was ordained in 1789 and preached for many years. Damascus Baptist built a small log church followed soon by a small clapboard church. The church did not meet during the Civil War and sat unused until 1875 when it reformed. The present church was originally built in 1901 but has been enlarged and a sunday school added over the years.
Andy Sarge