A brief history of Columbia Presbyterian Church |
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A Brief History of Columbia Presbyterian Church
Recognizing the need for a Presbyterian church near Columbia Theological Seminary, members of Decatur Presbyterian Church and Oakhurst Presbyterian Church canvassed the community to determine if there was sufficient interest to warrant organizing such a church. The canvass results were gratifying, 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 new church met in the chapel of Columbia Theological Seminary and decided to organize. A planning committee was elected and included
• James W. Thompson, chairman,
• J. B. Green Jr.,
• Charles W. Harris,
• Kittye McCroskey, and
• Cecil A. Thompson.
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Sixty-five people attended the first worship service on Dec.1, 1946.
Shortly thereafter, the planning committee petitioned the Atlanta Presbytery for the formation and organization of a church, which would use the chapel and facilities of Columbia Theological Seminary. The Presbytery subsequently commissioned the organization of the church, which held its first meeting on Feb. 9, 1947.
The church was formally organized on Feb. 16, 1947, and the 64 charter members adopted the name of Columbia Presbyterian Church. The ruling elders and five deacons were elected on this date and installed the following Sunday. The ruling elders chosen were J.W. Dowman, E. Leslie and E.L. Moehring. Deacons elected were E.C. Dickey, J.B. Green, Jr., C. J. Henderson, J. Meadowdroft, and J. W. Thompson.
On March 17, 1947, the women of Columbia Presbyterian Church met for the purpose of organizing the Women’s Auxiliary. Officers were elected and two circles (one morning and one evening) were formed. The first regular meeting of the Women was held in the Seminary Chapel on April 18, 1947, with 18 members present.
The Rev. Eugene L. Daniel became the temporary supply pastor on May 25, 1947, and served until Sept.1, 1947. The first full-time minister, the Rev. William James Hazelwood, began his pastorate on 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 lot on the southeast corner of Kirk Road and Columbia Drive was donated by Columbia Theological Seminary for the purpose of erecting a 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.
On Oct. 29, 1951, a General Building Committee was formed and the firm of Bothwell and Nash Architects were secured. One stipulation of the gift of the land from Columbia Seminary was that our buildings were to be of the same architecture as those of the Seminary. A plan was drawn up for three buildings: an educational building, a sanctuary building, and a chapel, to be built in that order.
The ground-breaking for the educational building was held on Sept. 14, 1952, and the first worship service was held in the lower level of the building on July 26, 1953. The pews used were donated by Decatur Presbyterian Church. During 1954, our church continued to grow under the ministry of Rev. Hazelwood with 160 new members being received into our fellowship.
In 1955, a Building Committee was formed and a building campaign was launched for the Sanctuary Building. The contract to build the sanctuary was a little more than $250,000. In 1956, a new manse was purchased on Oldfield Road and the current manse on Thomas Road was sold. 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 new sanctuary building. The marble baptismal fount was given by Jack Kirkpatrick, and the pulpit was given by Dr. and Mrs. Cecil A. Thompson. In 1961, the membership had grown to 758.
On May 20, 1962, the Rev. E. Lee Willingham III was called as the second full-time minister and served until 1967. 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 1971, Columbia Presbyterian Church began a community service of providing two hot meals a week for elderly needy families in the community. The meals were prepared by the Women of the Church and delivered to the homes. In 1972, the church celebrated 25 years with more than 900 communicant members on the rolls.
2007
As Columbia Presbyterian Church celebrates its 60th Anniversary, we continue to
• Gather Together in Worship on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings,
• Grow Together as led by God’s Spirit with programs for adults, youth, and children as well as a wonderful music program, and
• Go Out Together in Service by providing building and grounds for Our House, a child care and service center for homeless families, supporting Decatur’s Emergency Assistance Ministry and food pantry, Coat Closet, Mission Haven, Hagar’s House, and international missionaries located in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Brazil.
We are thankful for God’s many bountiful blessings bestowed upon Columbia Presbyterian Church during the past 60 years and pray that He will continue to use this church for the furtherance of His Kingdom to the ends of the earth.
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Some “Firsts” at Columbia Presbyterian Church
Manse:
104 Thomas Road, Decatur, Georgia, purchased in 1947 for $11,500
Member by Profession of Faith:
W. H. Leftwich
February 16, 1947
Baptism:
Sarah Kathryn King
March 23, 1947
Infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. William T. King
Loss by Death:
John Collins Thompson
January 26, 1948
Infant son of Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Thompson
Wedding:
Billie Ann Rogers and Walter Sammon
July 25, 1953
Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Rogers
Minister:
W. James Hazelwood
1948-1961
Choir Director:
Florence Moehring
1947-1952
President of the Women’s Auxiliary:
Florence Moehring
March 17, 1947
President of the Youth Group:
Sam Cartledge
October 5, 1947
Sunday School Superintendent:
C. J. Henderson
November 24, 1946
Director, Columbia Kindergarten:
Mary Grace Cartledge
1958
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