The church began when a small
group of people (probably led by Daniel and Esther Brewer) began to meet
at a house on Railroad Avenue. A group of 41 people were formally
received into the church on November 30, 1884 by Rev. Fred White.
The first pastor placed in charge of the new congregation was Rev. James
M. Beard in January 1885. The first church was built on Water Street
(old Jefferson Highway) on land given to the church by Martha (Pattie)
Carnal Clark. Although that church burned down on the morning of
January 9, 1927 just before Sunday School, the furnishings and most of
the records were saved. The congregation then met in the Episcopal
Church and in a brick building at the corner of Hardy and Wall Streets.
After the Old Coliseum High
School was torn down, the congregation purchased land from the school board.
The second church building was constructed under the leadership of Rev.
George D. Purcell. It was dedicated on April 15, 1931 in a service
led by Rev. Charles D. Atkinson and Bishop Hoyt M. Dobbs.
Construction began on the third
(and present) church in 1963 at the same location. A sanctuary and
a fellowship hall were built under the leadership of Rev. W.C. Barham.
The education building was completed by September 15, 1963 at a cost of
$21,650. Services where held in the education building while the
old church was torn down and the new church built. The first service
in the new sanctuary was held on December 20, 1964. The debt on both
buildings was paid off by March 1968. The dedication service on March
10 was led by Rev. Robert I. Galatas and Bishop Aubrey G. Walton.
In the early 1990s, stained
class windows and door sidelights were installed. In August 1997,
Bolton Carpenter donated a new organ and air conditioner to the church.
The following year saw new carpeting and pew coverings installed. |
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