A Savannah Surprise

In 2012, my husband took me on my first trip to Savannah. It was a place he knew I longed to visit, my imagination captured by the city that plays a crucial role in so many of Eugenia Price’s (my favorite author) books. It was our 25th anniversary. We explored Savannah, which I loved, then spent several wonderful days on St. Simon’s Island, where more of Eugenia Price’s books were set, where she often wrote, and where she is buried. 

I’ve not been back to St. Simon’s since that trip. But four years ago, my husband started attending a yearly April conference in Savannah, and I was able to go with him. And during each trip, I have fallen more in love with the city and its history. So much so, that not only do I look forward to our trip each spring, but my forthcoming book is set in Savannah! 

For all these reasons and more, I was especially excited for our trip this year, which happened last week. For the first time since we started traveling there regularly, I had only a few events to attend, which would leave me time to write. And dream. And enjoy the city. My only disappointment? I still couldn’t get an appointment to visit the main setting of my story. It is a school now, and every time we travel there, the school is on spring break. Still, I would be in the city that has so occupied my thoughts for the past year and a half of research and writing. 

Little did I know, the Lord had a surprise for me. A gift I didn’t even know to ask for, but a greatly needed one, all the same. 

No, it wasn’t the absolutely perfect weather—although it was the best weather we’ve had during our visits. Every day was sunny and in the 70s! And the weather did enhance the experience of the city. 

It wasn’t even the free time to write, although that was much needed and much enjoyed. 

Instead, my surprise was a tour. 

Now, I’ve been on a tour of almost everything you can tour in Savannah after all the times I’ve been there. But this one place had not been opened to me before. This year, our group visited the First African Baptist Church in Savannah. Not only is this one of the first Black congregations in America, but it was also the first organized Baptist church in Savannah—both of which were important to my story! 

I was giddy at the idea of going inside and hearing the history. The docent took her place in front of our group, seated in the pews, and started to talk. And I was enraptured. This woman not only knew the history of that church, she also knew the history of Savannah. And not only the history of Savannah, but the Black history of Savannah, from slavery to civil rights and beyond. A true historian. And a fabulous storyteller. 

By the time we finished the tour, I knew I had to stay behind to ask Karen some questions. We ended up talking for half an hour before a church employee started turning out the lights! And the result of our conversation? She agreed to read my manuscript for historical accuracy—and to take me to the site of my story, Bethesda. 

So yes, another trip to Savannah is in my near future. Now I just have to figure out when to fit it into my busy summer! 

And just in case you’re wondering . . . my new book should release this fall. It is set at Bethesda Plantation, near Savannah, a property that once belonged to the evangelist George Whitefield, which he willed to his benefactress and friend, the Countess of Huntingdon, with the express purpose that she establish an evangelical preaching college on the property. At the end of 1772, she sent over a group of people to do just that. To Heed the Call is their story. I can’t wait to tell you more in the coming months! 

Have you ever visited Savannah? What was your favorite thing?