Crawfordville Baptist Church, the first Protestant church in the Taliaferro area and originally called Bethel, was established in 1802 by Rev. Jesse Mercer and Rev. James Matthews on land given by William Janes, one of Georgia's largest planters. Its first pastor was Rev. James Robertson, and its first deacons were John Walker and Etheldred Wilder. Known widely for its liberality, the church granted use of its building to other denominations while their churches were being organized. Many fiery political speeches were made in the church building, and the present structure was erected in 1889.