Big Buckhead Baptist Church painting on display at library

This painting of Big Buckhead Baptist Church is on display at the Jenkins County Memorial Library. The artists are Jerry and Dona Locklair. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Artists Jerry and Dona Locklair have presented a painting of Big Buckhead Baptist Church for display in the Jenkins County Memorial Library for a limited time. The church was organized in 1774 and is the third oldest church in the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Locklair's father, the Rev. Grady H. Hargrove, served as a Baptist minister for over 60 years and began his ministry in the present church building in 1945. There have been four church structures built on the site, and the present Greek Revival building was built in 1855.

In 1831, the Georgia Baptist Convention met there for its annual session and adopted a resolution to establish a classical and theological school known today as Mercer University.

The Locklairs' painting was used for the Jenkins County centennial calendar in 2005, and they state that they have invested in excess of 100 hours in the artwork.

For more information on the painting, or to contact the Locklairs, call 1-800-232-1278 or visit their website at www.locklairart.com.