Friends of Historic Woolsey

10/30/2026

When the doors of Historic Woolsey Church first opened in 1889, it became the heart of our community. Today, we have a unique opportunity to honor that legacy by restoring the original Community Window behind the pulpit!

Whether you grew up in Woolsey, have deep family roots here, or simply love local history, you have a place in this story.

To help us reach our $3,000 goal, consider making a gift inspired by the year our church opened:
❤️ $18.89
❤️ $188.90
❤️ $1,889.00

You can also dedicate your gift in honor or memory of someone special.

Every gift helps us preserve a piece of our past for generations to come. Thank you for being part of our story!

Help Friends of Historic Woolsey, Inc. reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.

10/28/2026

This week's shines on the city of Woolsey, GA! Incorporated in 1893, Woolsey is a small Fayette County community in GMA's District 3 with a population of about 206 residents. Originally established as a corn and cotton town, Woolsey has maintained its rural charm and strong sense of community.

💡Fun Fact: Local folklore tells the story of a ghost named Thomas Bolling Gay, an early 1800s landowner whose spirit is said to guard buried Civil War treasure. Gay is allegedly buried a massive fortune of silver and gold deep in the woods near his home to hide it from invading Union soldiers. 👻

10/27/2026

Did you know that Woolsey once had a historic train depot? The old Atlanta & Florida Railroad (originally chartered as the Atlanta & Hawkinsville Railroad) followed the exact same path as today’s GA Highway 92 and ran right through the middle of town. Built in c. 1887, The building served as both a freight and passenger depot until the line was abandoned in 1939. This photo was taken around the turn of the 20th century. 📸 Courtesy of The Southern Railway Historical Association - Ben Roberts Collection

When the railroad line was abandoned in 1939, it was eventually torn up and replaced by the State Road Department with Highway 92. Some depots on the old route survived, while others like Fayetteville’s depot were moved. Woolsey‘s depot was moved by the Mitchell family in the early 1940s and sat on the nearby property currently occupied by Carden‘s Garage. Pictured here in the 1990s, the depot eventually succumbed to the elements and collapsed in the early 2000s. No sign of the old building remains today. 📸 Photo courtesy of Frank Carden.

The original location of the historic depot was on the west side of Highway 92, right on the edge of the current right of way. The building sat roughly where the flag pole is today, in front of the current Town Hall. Historic Woolsey Church can be seen in the background for reference.

10/19/2026

Thank you to the Fayette County Development Authority and to the Town of Woolsey!

The FCDA is proud to award $300,000 to the Town of Woolsey to continue the restoration of the Historic Woolsey Church, a beloved landmark that first opened its doors in 1889.

Once restored, this beautiful space will serve as a Community and Cultural Center for generations to come. We've loved watching this vision take shape, and we're honored to help carry it forward.

This is the second round of Partners in Success funding for this project, and the progress has been inspiring to watch. We're proud to see it through.

Congratulations, Town of Woolsey! Friends of Historic Woolsey

10/14/2026

We are thrilled to report our new custom built windows just arrived at the church. Fresh from the shop in Savannah, built with great care from scratch by Landmark Preservation. 16 large sashes and 2 small ones for the rear window on the back wall. We can’t wait to see how these look in the new openings Landmark recently completed.

10/04/2026

We’re especially pleased to share this episode of Fayette Footprints featuring Mark Wallace Maguire, a friend of Friends of Historic Woolsey from our very beginning.

Join Kenny Blum and Mark as they explore Fayette County’s rich tradition of storytelling and the legacy of local authors and literary figures, including Ferrol Sams, Robert Burch, and Kemie Nix, along with others who have shaped our county’s literary landscape.

Their stories connect generations and enrich our understanding of Fayette County’s history.

Check out more about Mark Wallace Maguire's books: https://alexandriarising.com/

 Step into the rich literary heritage of Fayette County in this special episode of Fayette Footprints. Join me as I sit down with Mark Wallace Maguire for an engaging conversation celebrating three towering figures who put our county on the l...

09/30/2026

Here’s a sneak peek at the new custom wood sash windows being fabricated by Landmark Preservation at their shop in Savannah. These windows are being handmade to the same dimensions and design as the originals, using rough-opening dimensions and historic photos. Landmark is fabricating the windows out of Sapele, a hardwood known for its durability. The windows will be fitted with clear glass and glazed with traditional putty glazing like they would have been over 130 years ago. Eight windows in the church have been sponsored by local families and supporters and will be fitted with small brass plaques, bearing their names.

09/28/2026

At Friends of Historic Woolsey, we believe community is about more than where you live.

It includes the people who call Woolsey home today, families whose ancestors lived there, former residents who carry memories of the town, people who worked or farmed here, family historians searching for their roots, and people near and far who believe historic places and the stories they hold are worth saving.

That’s why historic preservation matters. When we restore and care for places like Historic Woolsey Church, we’re not just caring for a building. We’re keeping the stories, memories, and connections of generations alive.

You don’t have to live in Woolsey to be part of its story. ❤️

What connects you to Woolsey? Family, history, a memory, or a love of historic preservation? We’d love to hear your story!

09/23/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Historic Rural Churches of Georgia for your continued support of Historic Woolsey Church! ❤️

Sonny Seals has been a wonderful source of encouragement and guidance since the beginning, and we are so grateful for his dedication to historic preservation.

Historic Rural Churches of Georgia plays such an important role in preserving Georgia’s historic churches and rural heritage. We are proud to have their support and friendship!

09/09/2026

This week, Landmark Preservation is finishing the installation of new window jams, sills, and casing in preparation for brand new sashes, which are currently being custom-made at their shop in Savannah. The original windows were removed back in the 1960s and replaced with a different style that was half the size of the originals.The new windows will be restored to their original 1889 size and appearance using a combination of physical evidence (or “ghost lines“) and photographic documentation. Though the original windows, like everything else in the church, would have been built with dense heart-pine, that grade of lumber is no longer widely available. Landmark abides by current best standards and practices and uses Sapele, an African mahogany hardwood, which is most comparable to the old-growth pine, and renown for its durability and longevity.