Farewell to St. Phillip’s Baptist Church: Remembering a Lost Mississippi Church

I remember the day in June 2015 I was driving around on a normal weekend photography run around my home town of Vicksburg, when we decided to takeoff toward the Natchez Trace and ended up on a back roads in Hermanville, Mississippi. Right off the road in Claiborne County, my buddy and I slammed on the brakes as we went around the curve and came across the amazing weathered remains of what we now know as St. Phillip’s Baptist Church. I had photographed many old abandoned churches that once stood as a steadfast reminder of faith, resilience, and community, but this wooden sanctuary was caught on a special day as we caught the sunrise beaming on this house of God.  

(After you've read my post of St. Phillip's Baptist Church, please check out my photography website gritsphotography.com).

You could tell by the state of the building that for possibly for decades, no congregation had gathered here, no bell rang across the fields. Local residents couldn’t recall the last service held within its walls, or even agree on its name. Yet, the building’s presence spoke to me — its peeling paint, broken windows, and leaning walls silently narrating God's presence of times past.

A Church and Its Graveyard

There was a cemetery also on the property. Though much of the congregation’s history may have been lost, these resting places remain a tangible connection to those who came before.

The Final Collapse

I read on a fellow bloggers site (theforgottensouth.com) that in 2019 the final supporting wall gave way, and St. Phillip’s collapsed completely.

Its absence leaves a void — not just in the landscape, but in the cultural memory of Mississippi’s rural heritage. Fortunately, theforgottensouth reports that cemetery remains well cared for, offering hope that future generations might still discover the church’s story.

Why We Must Remember

Photographing places like St. Phillip’s isn’t only about documenting decay — it’s about honoring lives, preserving history, and recognizing the deep roots of small communities. Rural churches across the South are disappearing, and with them, the stories that shaped them. By capturing these images and sharing their histories, we can keep their legacy alive.

Church Hill, Mississippi: A Hidden Treasure for Southern Photography

If you’re searching for a truly authentic destination for Southern photography or planning your next Mississippi photography road trip, look no further than Church Hill, Mississippi. Nestled in Jefferson County, this quiet, historic community is a goldmine for photographers who love capturing rustic architecture, forgotten places, and timeless Southern charm.

After you've read my post of Church Hill, MS please check out my photography website gritsphotography.com and especially the full photo set on Church Hill. 

One of the most photogenic spots in Church Hill is Christ Church, one of Mississippi’s oldest Episcopal churches, established in the early 1800s.

The towering Gothic-style structure, faded dark facade, and vibrant pink doors create a stunning contrast against a deep Southern blue sky. Whether you’re shooting for fine art prints or editorial content, the light here—especially in the early morning or late afternoon—adds atmosphere that can’t be faked.

Just down the road stands Wagner’s Grocery, a beautifully weathered abandoned general store that looks like it stepped out of a Southern novel. Rusted Coca-Cola signs, a tin roof speckled with patina, and a creaky old porch all make it a perfect subject for photographers drawn to vintage Americana and rural Mississippi decay. Framed by moss-draped oak trees, this scene has everything a lover of Southern backroad photography could want.

Church Hill isn’t on most maps for travel photography, and that’s exactly what makes it special. You won’t be fighting crowds or dodging traffic. You’ll find peace, history, and natural beauty—just waiting for your lens.

So whether you're a fine art photographer, a content creator, or someone chasing the perfect rural landscape, make sure Church Hill, Mississippi is on your shoot list. It's one of the South’s best-kept secrets for truly unforgettable Mississippi photography.

Photo Shoot Locations Around Vicksburg, Mississippi

I often get asked about the best spots around Vicksburg for senior portraits or family photo sessions, so I put together this post to highlight a few of my favorite local locations. These spots offer some beautiful backdrops right here in our area.

Keep in mind that the look of each place can change quite a bit depending on the season — winter and summer can create very different moods — so the example photos you’ll see might not reflect what the location looks like year-round.

Once you’ve had a chance to check out these Vicksburg locations, be sure to visit my photography site at gritsphotography.com, and take a look at the full Vicksburg Gallery for even more inspiration.

Downtown Vicksburg

Great for more urban backdrops and architecture! Loaded with old brick walls and buildings from the good old days, these backdrops provide that aged look that no money can buy for a commercial backdrop.

Brick wall of the old Corner Drug Store. Shot taken just before sunset.

Wall of exposed brick in Downtown Vicksburg

Steps of the old Trustmark Bank Building

Middle of the road. Watch out for traffic!

There are a couple of old trains down by the old Train station downtown

Glass reflection and a bench in Downtown Vicksburg

Mound, Louisiana Levees
Best in the summer when the wild flowers are in bloom! But great anytime for a wide open field look.

Rail Bridge on Old 27
Take either frontage road west (toward Jackson) all the way until you can't go any further, then take a left. On the left side of the road before you get to the Visitor's Bureau there is an old Rail Bridge.

Valley Park Train Station Site
I don't know who owns these trains or if they are on private property, but they provide a great backdrop for photos. I've never been asked to leave and I've shot there many times. Go up 61 north to Valley Park and the trains are parked on the left side of the highway.

Railroad Tracks off of Washington St Going Toward the Harbor Project

Go all the way down Washington Street toward the Harbor Project and when you get to the Fort Hill area of the Military Park on the right, look to the left and there is a long stretch of railroad track.

Miscellaneous Places

Bovina Rail Trestle - Not much for ground beauty, but a great backdrop.

Grand Gulf State Park - Just a short drive to Port Gibson. I've never shot there, but would probably make a great location

Catfish Row Downtown - Summer time place for GREAT action shots for the smaller kids.

Michel's Music Store Downtown Vicksburg - If I'm shooting a senior that is into guitars, then there's no better place than a music store.

Church Hill, Mississippi

Once upon a time a person could mail a letter to a loved one in Church Hill, Mississippi using zip code 39055. That is until September 30th, 1992 when Mr. Adolph Wagner, Jr. who had served as the Church Hill Postmaster from December 30, 1963 closed the Post Office doors for the last time. Now a simple unincorporated town in Jefferson County, Church Hill, Mississippi is located up Hwy 553 about 14 miles north of Natchez. But that is the end of the story, let's go back to the beginning.

After you've read my post of Church Hill, MS please check out my photography website gritsphotography.com and especially the full photo set on Church Hill. 

The genesis of the Church Hill community was a group of people known as the "Old Maryland Settlement" that moved to the Jefferson County area from Maryland after the Revolutionary War. For many years the town was simply known as the "Maryland Settlement" until the name was eventually changed to Church Hill around 1820.

If you drive through Church Hill, you would obviously think that the name comes from the big church on the hill, but it seems that the community name was established long before the church you see today was even built. The first church of the community, known as "Christ Church" was constructed of logs in 1820 and was located on Fairchild’s Creek, with the current structure not being built until 1858. This church was part of one of the oldest Episcopal groups that dated from the 1790's and its design was copied from the old country churches in England. Looking through the windows I could see the large beautiful beams, and I read that in the slave balcony you can still see the names of the founding members where they wrote their name with a turkey quill on one of the beams.

Around 1870 came the local goods/commissary store. I couldn't find any names for who ran the store from 1870 to 1927, but several records show that the store was run by the Wagner family from 1927 to 1997 with many Church Hill residents describing the store as the community's unofficial city hall.

So that brings us back to today. Today residents meet in the "Christ Church" once a month and the Wagner store is now the focus of a restoration project led by the Church Hill Preservation Trust, affiliated with the Historic Natchez Foundation. A push is on to not only save the old building but to transform it into an educational museum celebrating the area's history.

Now that I have researched Church Hill, I discovered that there is much more to see. There are several antebellum homes that I didn't get to. I hope to get back and see them soon. Here are a few more photos.

Grits Photography - Church Hill, MS

Sources for this blog

Jefferson County Website
The Free Library
Wikipedia

Using AI To Bring History To Life

In the twilight of the 1890s, the Steamboat "Peerless" glided along the Mississippi, its shallow 3½-foot draft perfect for navigating the ever-changing river channels. Built in Hermann, Missouri, the steamboat was lighter than most, designed for the passenger trade but capable of so much more. On this particular day, the Peerless was bustling with activity as it docked at Vicksburg, its steel cable rigging holding the deck flat under the weight of its expanded upper cabins.

Original Photo - 1890s Peerless

I'm sure the Captain stood at the wheel, glancing up at that big ornate wind-vane above the pilot house. Whether functional or decorative, it was a point of pride, though I'm sure the Captain could use that smoke from the twin stacks to tell him all he needed to know about the wind. 

Though now outfitted with private cabins on the second deck and a more modern rigging system, the Peerless still carried the spirit of its earlier days. Back in 1893, it had been simpler—fewer cabins, no railings, and a leaner build. But necessity and time had transformed it. The extra accommodations were a welcome change for travelers, though they added weight that demanded ingenuity to manage.

Even after sinking in 1903, it had been salvaged, rebuilt, and put back to work, proving its resilience. Now, in this early 1900s photo, it continued its service—connecting towns, ferrying passengers, and embodying the endurance of life along the Mississippi.