Mission Statement
Presbyterians Believe
We believe in the One Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. In life and in death we belong to God, who loves us, and whom alone we worship and serve.
We believe in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried, and on the third day was raised from the dead, making possible forgiveness of sin and everlasting life for those who believe.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit fills us with the power and presence of God, sets us free to love God and neighbor, binds us with other believers, engages us through the Word, and calls us all to ministries in the Church.
We believe Scripture is the Word of God, inspired by God and the authority for the faith and practice of God's people. We believe salvation is a gift of grace, through faith.
We celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and Communion. Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ and makes us members of God's family, the Church. It symbolizes the washing away of sin and new birth in Jesus Christ. In Communion, the bread and wine represent the sacrifical body and blood of Jesus Christ and recall his last meal shared with his disciples. Partaking of Communion renews and strengthens our faith, uniting us with Christ and one another around the table. All believers, Presbyterian or not, are welcome to participate in Communion.
Being a Member
Become a Member
The Session (elders in our church elected by the congregation) receives new members by affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, by reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or by transfer of letter from another church. We ask two questions in a private meeting with the interested persons:
If you are interested in joining, please contact the Pastor by calling the church at (770) 474-7777 or send an email to pastor@spcusa.org.
Our Church History (1909)
From a small weekly Sunday School class (which interestingly enough was
called "Sabbath" School) and a once-a-month preaching service,
the Stockbridge Presbyterian Church has grown! Through the efforts
of Mrs. Harriet Tucker Hawkins and J.J. Gossett this congregation
was organized by the Presbytery of Atlanta in the Spring of 1909.
On May 28th, 1909, the organizing commissioners were Evangelist Frank
D. Hunt, Rev. J. H. Patton and an elder from the Jonesboro church.
There were 20 charter members in this new congregation -
| J.T. Bellah | Mrs. Alice Bellah | Miss Artie Bellah | Mary Evans |
| Nora Evans | J.J. Gossett | Miss Lois Gossett | Miss Corry Gossett |
| Howard Gossett | Mrs. Harriett Gossett | Howard P. Hawkins | Mary R. Hendrick |
| Annie May Hinton | Martha Jarret | T. T. Jones | Miss Fannie Milam |
| Mrs. A.H. Swann | Mrs. Bessie Ward | Mrs. W.W. Ward | W.W. Ward |
H.P. Hawkins and J.J. Gossett were the first ordained elders and W.W. Ward and John T. Bellah were ordained deacons in the new church. Rev. James Bradley was the supply preacher conducting two services the second Sunday of each month.
Plans for the sanctuary were the next step and Elder H.P. Hawkins headed the subscription list with a $50 donation followed by Deacon W.W. Ward who pledged $100 and a very desirable lot on which the building was subsequently erected. Through the dedicated labor of many, funds were obtained and construction began. The building was placed on the lot facing Burke Street.
An interesting and sad event occurred during this peiod in the life of the young congregation - Elder J.J. Gossett suffered a heart attack while moving windows for the building from the train dock to the building site. He subsequently died; and, along with his wife, is buried in the Dodson cemetery at the corner of Bel Air Drive and Flat Rock Road in Stockbridge.
The first service in the new sanctuary was held on the second Sunday in June, 1910. The first church musician was Mrs. W.W. (Annie Eve) Ward. There were two baptisms the first year in the new church - one of these being Abner Ward. A number of ministers and students from Columbia Seminary came at various times and led the Stockbridge congregation in worship during it's first twenty years; there was no regular pastor. Included in this group were Frank D. Hunt, I.H. Miller, W.S. Coleman, Mack Hollingsworth, J.C. Rhodes, Wallace Alston, T.P. Cleveland, M.M. McKay, William Huck, H.P.J. L'Hereux, Russell Nunan, A.R. Woodson, Rev. A.B. McClure and Rev. William H. Chapman.
Presbytery minutes of 1916 show 39 members. The annual budget with $264 - $144 incidental expense and $120 pastor's salary.
By the year 1923 there were 52 members as well as a well-organized Sunday School and Ladies Auxillary. Church officers were elders - Joseph A. Cook, Brannan G. Ward and Deacons - W.W. Ward, John T. Bellah, D.P. Shields. During the mid-1920's, Walter Lee became Sunday School Superintendent - a position he held until his death in 1945.
Dr. William Huck, pastor of Rock Springs Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and later Secretary of the Home Mission Board of Atlanta Presbytery provided leadership for creation of a parish consisting of Stockbridge, Kelley and Hemphill Memorial churches. On May 14, 1933, Rev. W. Harvell Jackson was called and ordained as pastor in the newly created parish; SPC's portion of his salary amounted to $120 annually plus use of the manse. Property at the corner of Highway 42and Club Drive was purchased by the parish from Mr. Rosser Ward at a cost of $62.50 and a manse was built for the pastor. The debt for the manse was retired in January, 1940.
In 1937, the church had three Sunday School classes with Mrs. Artie Hinton, Mrs. Annie Warren Ward, and Mrs. Joe Cook as teachers. There were 30 people enrolled in the program. Mrs. Eunice Thompson served as President of the Women of the Church. Reverend David G. Davies was called to be pastor. Three additional classrooms were added to the rear of the chancel in 1940. Rev. Davies took a leave of absence to serve in World War II as a Chaplain with the 79th Field Artillery in Fort Braff, North Carolina. While Rev. Davies was away, Dr. James I. Paisley was the Interim Supply.
In 1943, Presbytery records showed 45 members, 6 Sunday school classes with 40 enrolled. The pulpit furniture, which is still in use today, was given in memory of Mrs. John Bellah by her daughters. The first Vacation Bible School was organized in this year with Mrs. Artie Bellah Hinton as leader.
The war ended and Rev. Davies returned in 1946. The manse was remodeled, and a Young People's Organization was begun in cooperation with Methodist youth. Leaders included Lucille Moseley, Imogene Gardner and Bill Hightower. The church used a bulletin for the first time compiled and typed by Rev. Davies. In 1952, a snapshot of the church taken by Patty Holloway was used for the cover of the bulletin.