A Brief History
Recognizing the need for a Presbyterian church near Columbia Theological Seminary, members of Decatur and Oakhurst Presbyterian churches canvassed the community, and with the help of Atlanta Presbytery’s Home Mission Committee, the project began.
On Nov. 17, 1946, about 40 of those interested in forming a church met in the seminary chapel and decided to organize. Sixty-five people attended the first worship service on Dec. 1, 1946. The church was formally organized on Feb. 16, 1947, and the 64 charter members adopted the name of Columbia Presbyterian Church.
The first full-time minister, the Rev. William James Hazelwood, began Jan. 1, 1948. Shortly thereafter, the church was carrying on a full program of activity, including a Sunday evening service and a mid-week prayer service.
Early in 1948, the seminary donated the lot on the southeast corner of Kirk Road and Columbia Drive for our church building. In 1950, the Activities Building was erected, and Dr. William Ansley donated a lot on Conway Road adjoining the church property. A street on the east side of the Activities Building was made connecting Conway Road with Kirk Road. The groundbreaking for the Educational Building was on Sept. 14, 1952. The first worship service was held in the lower level on July 26, 1953. During 1954, our church continued to grow with 160 members received into our fellowship. |
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| W. James Hazelwood |
1948-1961 |
| E. Lee Willingham |
1962-1967 |
| William T. Bryant |
1968-1974 |
| Mills J. Peebles |
1975-1978 |
Hugh B. Ward
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1979-1989 |
| Joan S. Gray |
1990-1999 |
| Thomas R. Hagood |
2000-present |
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Some Firsts
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In 1955, a Building Committee was formed and a building campaign launched for the Sanctuary Building. The contract to build the sanctuary was a little more than $250,000. In 1958, Columbia Presbyterian Kindergarten was organized under the direction of Mary Grace Cartledge and was active for many years.
On Feb. 1, 1960, the first worship service was held in the sanctuary building. In 1961, the membership had grown to 758. The lower level of the Educational Building was converted to a fellowship hall (later named Hazelwood Hall), and on Sept. 26, 1964, the kitchen was dedicated to Kittye McCroskey, charter member and beloved first hostess, and named "Kittye's Kitchen."
In December 1970, the Austin pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary. In 1972, the church celebrated 25 years with more than 900 members.
In 2007, Columbia Presbyterian celebrated its 60th year at the corner of Columbia Drive and Kirk Road.
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