Friends of Historic Woolsey

05/23/2026

March 3, 1873 – April 12, 1955

John Morgan McLean, lovingly known by his family as “Uncle Johnnie,” was a longtime resident of Woolsey, Georgia, and a quiet but devoted steward of the historic property and cemetery. For many years, he served as the unofficial caretaker, faithfully tending the grounds, keeping the cemetery maintained, and watching over this important place at the heart of the Woolsey community.

Pictured here with his dogs, Dickie and Wolf, Mr. John's story is woven into the history of Woolsey. We are grateful for the care and stewardship he gave to this historic property, helping preserve a piece of Fayette County’s heritage.

Thank you to Richard McLean for sharing information about John McLean with us.

05/13/2026

The cedar shingle roof is finished! Stay tuned for our next steps as we continue restoring this historic landmark. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.

Photo by Ryan Arvay © 2026

05/07/2026

Richard McLean and Dr. Frank Cole mentioned to Landmark Preservation's Ryan Arvay at the Raise the Roof Celebration that there was a raised platform, or pulpit, at the front of the historic church. The missing section of tongue-and-groove paneling on the walls reveals the exact height, width, and location of that pulpit.

You can even see a faint ghost line on the floor showing how far the platform extended. It is amazing how these small details, hidden in plain sight for years, can help piece together the church’s original appearance.

If you have photos, stories, or memories of Historic Woolsey Church, the old Woolsey Baptist Church, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out and help preserve the history of this special place and the people who have shaped its story over the years.

Photos by Ryan Arvay ©2026

05/06/2026

89 shingles have been sponsored for Historic Woolsey Church's new cedar roof! It's not too late to sponsor a shingle for $20. Thank you for being part of our story!

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

05/06/2026

Dr. I. G. Woolsey valued education and donated land for the first school in Woolsey, Georgia. Friends of Historic Woolsey continues his legacy by promoting the preservation of historically and culturally significant places and resources.

We also plan to host community events and programs. During our Raise the Roof Celebration, children enjoyed “coloring the church” and having their faces painted.

We love the butterflies in this artwork, as they can symbolize hope and new beginnings.

Photo by Dana Sams

05/06/2026

The ice and water shield around the base of the steeple box is in place, and the new cedar roof should be completed this week. Thank you to Landmark Preservation for your dedication.

The installation of our new cedar roof was made possible in part thanks to generous grants from The 1772 Foundation, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, Clothes Less Traveled Nonprofit Thrift Shop, and the Fayette County Development Authority in partnership with the Town of Woolsey, as well as the continued support of our many friends and supporters.

Each of you plays an important role in our story. It is your generosity, encouragement, and ongoing support that make what we do possible.

We’d love to have you as a part of our restoration journey. Please join us and stay connected as our work continues.

Photo by Ryan Arvay ©2026

05/06/2026

Check out the article "Friends of Historic Woolsey ‘Raise the Roof’" in the 𝐹𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑠!

Thank you, Dylan Shoemaker, for attending our Raise the Roof event. We appreciate your support and coverage.

Be sure to support our local newspaper the 𝐹𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑦 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑠 with a yearly online subscription for just $52!

Friends of Historic Woolsey held its “Raise the Roof” celebration on May 2, which highlighted a new cedar roof placed on the Historic Woolsey Baptist Church.

05/05/2026

Dr. Jim W. Latimer is looking for help identifying individuals in a 1909 Woolsey, GA postcard featuring Dr. George Oxford Gunter. The image shows a “house party” on August 31, 1909 with 4 women and 3 men, including Dr. Gunter.

Dr. Gunter was boarding at the Woolsey Hotel after taking over Dr. C.T. Hutcherson’s practice and mentions Mr. and Mrs. Sams and their daughter Addie in his letters.

Any help identifying the others connected to the Woolsey Hotel would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any information about the Woolsey Hotel, please let us know. Please comment below or send us a message on our website https://friendsofhistoricwoolsey.org/contact

Thank you! Together we can preserve Woolsey's stories.

05/04/2026

Best team ever! So thankful for this incredible group of volunteers with Friends of Historic Woolsey. We are deeply grateful to the town of Woolsey for their support from day one as we work to restore the church.

A special thank you to 4imprint One by One grant for providing our green t-shirts with our logo! We love them!

Photo Courtesy of Teresa Roby

05/04/2026

Historic preservationist Ryan Arvay, our very first volunteer, has played a vital role in our organization. His deep knowledge and passion for Historic Woolsey Church are truly remarkable.

During our Raise the Roof celebration, he generously took time to walk everyone through the work that has already been completed and shared insight into what still lies ahead in our restoration journey.