Church History
Celebrating 175 Years (1828-2003)
On June 21, 1828, a faithful group of Christians organized a Presbyterian Church at Bullsboro, an Indian trading post just northeast of Newnan. The 15 original members selected three elders, and the church held services in a log cabin for six years.
In 1834 the church moved into Newnan and erected a building at the location designated today as 69 Jackson Street. The church quickly outgrew this site and in 1845 built a larger church on the lot now occupied by McKoon Funeral Home. Newnan Presbyterian moved to its current site in 1872, constructing a new red brick church on the corner of Greenville Street and Salbide Avenue. This building was torn down to make way for the present edifice, which was completed in 1924. In 1983 the church added an education building to that structure. In 1999 another building was constructed across Salbide Street. This building, connected to the church structure with a pedestrian bridge, houses the fellowship hall as well as preschool classrooms.
The Newnan Presbyterian Church has called a total of ten pastors: J.Y. Alexander; James Stacy, who served for 43 years; C.O. Martindale; J.E. Hannah, who served for 44 years; E.P. Nichols; Edward Watson; Herman Dillard; William Dudley; Richard Swayze; and Harry Barrow, our current minister since 1984.
The church's first women's organization, the Ladies Benevolent Society, was established in 1853 with a membership of 12. Mrs. E.C. Alexander was the first president, serving in that capacity for 42 years. The first secretary was Mrs. H.S. Smith, who held that position for 33 years. Today the Presbyterian Women consists of the Morning and Evening Circles and the Noonan Circle.
Six members, five of whom grew up in this church, have become Presbyterian ministers. Lifelong members include the Rev. Stacy Capers; Dr. Simril Bryant; Dr. Lamar Potts, Jr.; Dr. Jan Davis, and the Rev. George Haugen. Newnan Presbyterian also nurtured and endorsed the Rev. Jan Tolbert, who graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1999. Members of the NPC congregation have served as missionaries in Africa, Mexico, China, and among the Choctaw Indians.
The Newnan Presbyterian Church has provided leadership to the denomination as well. Dr. James Stacy served as the first Stated Clerk of the Synod of Georgia for 30 years. For 10 years he was the president of the Board of Trustees of Columbia Seminary. Mrs. W.A. Turner and Mrs. A.M. Bowen served as presidents of the Synodical of Georgia. Mrs. Turner also worked on the Foreign Mission Board.
Both Atlanta Presbytery and Atlanta Presbyterial were organized at meetings held in the Newnan Presbyterian Church in 1867 and 1908, respectively. The Newnan Presbyterian Church is now an active member of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church (USA).
God has blessed richly the Newnan Presbyterian Church in its long history. Construction, renovation and expansion over the past several years have allowed the congregation to grow in number and the church looks forward to the 21st century being an exciting time of service to the community and to the world. Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said: "The art of progress is to preserve order amid change, and to preserve change amid order." With a rich tradition and growing vision, Newnan Presbyterian is making progress as part of the body of Christ. As we move through the 21st century, the church seeks to follow the Spirit of God, reaffirming two doctrines of the Reformed Church - that "God was in Christ" and that "Christ is Lord of this world!"
Celebrating 175 Years (1828-2003)
On June 21, 1828, a faithful group of Christians organized a Presbyterian Church at Bullsboro, an Indian trading post just northeast of Newnan. The 15 original members selected three elders, and the church held services in a log cabin for six years.
In 1834 the church moved into Newnan and erected a building at the location designated today as 69 Jackson Street. The church quickly outgrew this site and in 1845 built a larger church on the lot now occupied by McKoon Funeral Home. Newnan Presbyterian moved to its current site in 1872, constructing a new red brick church on the corner of Greenville Street and Salbide Avenue. This building was torn down to make way for the present edifice, which was completed in 1924. In 1983 the church added an education building to that structure. In 1999 another building was constructed across Salbide Street. This building, connected to the church structure with a pedestrian bridge, houses the fellowship hall as well as preschool classrooms. The Newnan Presbyterian Church has called a total of ten pastors: J.Y. Alexander; James Stacy, who served for 43 years; C.O. Martindale; J.E. Hannah, who served for 44 years; E.P. Nichols; Edward Watson; Herman Dillard; William Dudley; Richard Swayze; and Harry Barrow, our current minister since 1984.
The church's first women's organization, the Ladies Benevolent Society, was established in 1853 with a membership of 12. Mrs. E.C. Alexander was the first president, serving in that capacity for 42 years. The first secretary was Mrs. H.S. Smith, who held that position for 33 years. Today the Presbyterian Women consists of the Morning and Evening Circles and the Noonan Circle.
Six members, five of whom grew up in this church, have become Presbyterian ministers. Lifelong members include the Rev. Stacy Capers; Dr. Simril Bryant; Dr. Lamar Potts, Jr.; Dr. Jan Davis, and the Rev. George Haugen. Newnan Presbyterian also nurtured and endorsed the Rev. Jan Tolbert, who graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1999. Members of the NPC congregation have served as missionaries in Africa, Mexico, China, and among the Choctaw Indians.
The Newnan Presbyterian Church has provided leadership to the denomination as well. Dr. James Stacy served as the first Stated Clerk of the Synod of Georgia for 30 years. For 10 years he was the president of the Board of Trustees of Columbia Seminary. Mrs. W.A. Turner and Mrs. A.M. Bowen served as presidents of the Synodical of Georgia. Mrs. Turner also worked on the Foreign Mission Board.
Both Atlanta Presbytery and Atlanta Presbyterial were organized at meetings held in the Newnan Presbyterian Church in 1867 and 1908, respectively. The Newnan Presbyterian Church is now an active member of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, Presbyterian Church (USA).
God has blessed richly the Newnan Presbyterian Church in its long history. Construction, renovation and expansion over the past several years have allowed the congregation to grow in number and the church looks forward to the 21st century being an exciting time of service to the community and to the world. Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said: "The art of progress is to preserve order amid change, and to preserve change amid order." With a rich tradition and growing vision, Newnan Presbyterian is making progress as part of the body of Christ. As we move through the 21st century, the church seeks to follow the Spirit of God, reaffirming two doctrines of the Reformed Church - that "God was in Christ" and that "Christ is Lord of this world!"
