LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – They’re preserving the past for the community’s future.
People in Liberty County are trying to save a century-old building once used by the descendants of freed slaves in Riceboro.
The building has a unique place in the county’s history and the potential for what it could become.
“As a child, I was a baby coming here. And I didn’t understand it at the time because folks took it for granted that you understood,” said Dr. Matilda Riles.
Understood, the history and tradition that stands at the corner of Sandy Run and Barrington Ferry in Riceboro.
“Estimated about over a hundred years ago,” said Deborah Frazier.
Dr. Matilda Riles said the white building was built over a century ago. It’s an extension of their main place of worship, First African Baptist Church.
“It was started from a schoolhouse,” said Frazier.
With just one room, for descendants of formerly enslaved people.
“And later years we’ve turned it into the praise house,” said Frazier.
Where they’ve carried on a January first tradition.
“We begin gathering crops; we bring in the fresh harvest. The greens, the peas, the fresh pork, the meat and we would come here to cook and then to celebrate the new year,” said Frazier.
For generations to come.
“The men who come and cook that meat they need to pass that on,” said Dr. Riles.
This building where it all happens though, hasn’t been maintained.
“Overtime we did not have the resources to keep it up,” said Dr. Riles.
The building had structural issues and damaged doors.
“To keep from getting rid of it, we preserved that part of it by bringing it here,” said Dr. Riles.
“Before it was just left to individuals to do what they could do,” said Dr. Riles.
Now, a group of Liberty County people committed to preserving the building.
“We have named ourselves, we’re just a committee for the praise house,” said Dr. Riles.
They’ve stepped up to raise money and hit the road to restoration. Not only making it physically able to have gatherings, but put their history on display.
“So that we can put up some of the things from the past so that people can actually see the transition. I think it’s important for them to see where it came from to where it is now as best we can,” said Dr. Riles.
In hopes, of giving the building a new start and the Riceboro community, a warm welcome to the new year.
“Not just to have the services in there but we also want to share it, once it’s done,” said Dr. Riles.
“Everyone’s history should be preserved,” said Frazier.
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