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Burnt Church: 1825 to 2025

Historian John G. Crowley provides an account of the Union Primitive Baptist Church's origins in Lanier County, Georgia, and his family's decades-long involvement with its congregation.

The Union Primitive Baptist Church formed 200 years ago, and between 1826 and 1846, provided assistance in the launch of nineteen Baptist congregations in South Georgia and North Florida.

The church's building is 171 years old. Since then, periodic repairs and updates have kept the structure in good condition for worship.

A self-professed stoic, John G. Crowley is a retired history professor from Valdosta State University. His primary academic focus was on American history and culture in the nineteenth century. He is the author of Primitive Baptists of the Wiregrass South.

  • W. W. Webb
    Director
  • W. W. Webb
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 10, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Christian Film Festival
    Newport News, Virginia
    August 23, 2025
    Best Documentary Film
Director Biography - W. W. Webb

W. W. Webb is a farm-raised Georgia native. He knows how to use dynamite and graduated from Yale University. He is a former trucker, pharmacy tech, teacher, computer programmer, carpenter, handyman, political operative, roofer, and business owner. He can operate a range of heavy equipment, owns many power tools, and still has all ten of his fingers.

He loves to hear a good story and can tell a few tales of his own. After twenty-five years as a playwright and screenwriter, he moved into film and video production in 2017. He became a contributor to Shutterstock and iStock-Getty Images last year.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I've known John Crowley for over forty-eight years, and of his continuing connection with the Union Primitive Baptist Church in Lanier County, Georgia. Known locally as Burnt Church, the rural building is one of the oldest structures in the region.

In 2024, John was generous and patient to sit for an interview in the church. Filmed entirely with natural light, this documentary shows the building's peaceful setting amid oaks and pines as well as the beauty of the sanctuary's woodwork.