Atlanta First United Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlanta First United Methodist Church |
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| Alternative names | First Methodist Episcopal Church, South |
| General information | |
| Type | Church |
| Location | 360 Peachtree Street NW Atlanta, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 33°45′52″N 84°23′09″W / 33.7644°N 84.3858°W |
| Completed | 1903 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Willis Franklin Denny |
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First Methodist Episcopal Church, South
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| Architectural style | Gothic Revival architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 10001000 |
| Added to NRHP | December 7, 2010 |
The Atlanta First United Methodist Church is a very old church in Atlanta, Georgia. It has been around for over 160 years! The building you see today was built in 1903. This church is special because it has a bell that has been used since 1850. This bell is the only one in Atlanta known to have survived the American Civil War. Because of its history, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
History of the Church
Early Beginnings (1845-1870)
The story of the church began in 1845. A man named Samuel Mitchell gave some land to the Methodists. They used it to build a small log cabin that served as a school.
On Sundays, different church groups, called denominations, would share the cabin for their services.
In 1847, the Methodists raised $700 to build their own chapel. This was a big step! They were the first church group in Atlanta to build their own place of worship.
The new building was named Wesley Chapel. This chapel was the first home for the church's famous bell, which cost an extra $300.
Interestingly, Wesley Chapel was the only church mentioned in the famous book, Gone With the Wind.
As more people joined, the church grew. Many new churches were started from Wesley Chapel.
New Buildings and Changes (1870-Present)
In 1870, the church moved to a new, grander building. This was a Gothic-style cathedral designed by architect William H. Parkins.
Years later, in 1902, the church sold this property. It was bought by Asa Candler, who later founded the Coca-Cola Company there.
The church then built its current home in 1903. This beautiful building cost $161,000. It was made using strong granite from Stone Mountain.
The church got its current name, Atlanta First United Methodist Church, in 1968. This happened when the Methodist Church joined with another group called the Evangelical United Brethren.
