Friends of Nesbitt/Union Chapel, Inc.

A separately incorporated task force of The Cobb Land Trust Inc.

The Friends of Nesbitt/Union Chapel, locating the lateral descendents of the original property donors, grew out of a coalition of a few individuals who for a quarter of a century had been keeping the chapel grounds free from trash, researching the early history of the chapel, and visiting the site individually for respite or quiet worship.

View of remaining chapel wall through the doorway.

Front of Chapel

View of the ruins (photographer Kathy Scott)

Others joined them for worship services led by local ministers, helped in clearing the grounds, and shared their interest in continuing to work on behalf of the Trust to preserve and protect the chapel ruins for use by the community.

 In order to more effectively pursue their mission, the group decided to incorporate and became The Friends of Nesbitt/Union Chapel, Inc. in March of 2002.

 Working with other Cobb County historic preservation organizations, with input from local architects and engineers, and guided by an advisory board that includes descendents of the original chapel leaders along with historic preservation professionals, much was accomplished in the first year.

 

Old Chapel Bell with sound

  Accomplishments of the first year

  • front wall was stabilized.
  • trees threatening the ruins were removed
  • work days were held
  • worship services were scheduled
  • the old chapel bell was located and preserved
  • an original pew was borrowed and put on display at the Marietta Museum of History

In 2004 a portion of the remaining structure was destroyed and the Cobb County Court became involved in resolving an ownership dispute over the property.

In May 2010 the court declared that the Cobb County Commissioners would be appointed trustees for the property.  By law in Georgia, a Trust does not fail for lack of trustees, so although the property had been without oversight for many years, the Trust stands.

The Friends of Nesbitt /Union Chapel have been invited to participate in decision making about the future of the site.

Go to The History of the Union Chapel to see the oldest known photograph of the chapel. Who are the Officers of Friends of Nesbitt/Union Chapel, Inc.?

Interested in joining the Friends?

 Print an application.

  For information on the current status, contact one of the task force officers.

Nesbitt/Union Chapel ruins are located about 3.5 miles south of the Marietta Square, on Powder Springs Road, between County Services Pkwy. and Bellemeade, across from Chapel Drive.