This Methodist Church
was organized in 1854 with seven charter members on property known as the Fair Grounds near Stone Mountain
that was later used by Baptist and Presbyterian denominations. In 1870 the congregation moved into a wooden structure which
they erected on the church’s present site at West Mountain Street.
The church grew rapidly and by 1895 reported 315 members.
The cornerstone for a granite sanctuary was laid in 1909 and construction began enthusiastically if rather slowly.
The Presbyterian congregation graciously allowed the Methodists to hold services in their church while building continued.
So anxious were the Stone Mountain Methodists to move into their own church that they began services after only the basic
building was completed. History states that having dirt floors did not keep the worshippers from services in their “own”
church.
Three additions have been made over the years to that 1909 sanctuary. In 1948 an educational building – which
was dedicated in 1951 – was added. In 1970 a wing of classrooms with a small chapel was constructed, and in the late
1980s work on the Family Life
Center and more classrooms was begun.
Forty-five pastors have led the mission-minded congregation of Stone
Mountain First United Methodist Church in its 155 years, and several
future ministers felt their first call to ministry during their youth activities in the church. The annual Easter sunrise
service on top of Stone Mountain had its origins
in a 1944 youth class taught by Mrs. Lucille Lanford that began its Easter celebration on top of the mountain.
In addition the church has hosted the Wesley Walk for Others (a fund-raising activity for Wesley Community Centers, Atlanta) each year since its inception in 1982 and annually hosts the Breakfast with Santa
community event to raise funds for the Stone Mountain Cooperative.
