It was during a Quarterly Meeting of the congregation in early 1909 that plans were developed and approved for a new sanctuary. The architect for this new facility would be Mr. John Parks Almand, who had distinguished himself as a premier church architect. As the new sanctuary rose from the ground, in all of its granite beauty, Bishop W. A. Candler, presided over the service for the "laying" of the cornerstone, with the assistance of the pastor, The Reverend W. P. King. The new stately and majestic facility was opened for worship in the summer of 1911.
Following two more tumultuous events in the life of our nation, World War I and the Great Depression, the church continued its vital ministry to the community and in 1935 celebrated its 75 th anniversary. And, three years later in 1938 would find its denomination resolving its regional differences and coming together to form what would be called The Methodist Church.
In the aftermath of World War II, the church would realize tremendous grown and prosperity and would result in several remodeling programs for the church. Both the church and the parsonage received necessary repairs; the organ was paid for and the basement finished. With the apparent financial security of the post-war years, the church received a wonderful gift of chimes in 1947. And, later in 1956-57 a new pipe organ was added which certainly enhanced the worship experience.
October 14, 1960 found the congregation celebrating 100 years of ministry to the Lithonia community. During the service, several people reminisced about the "good ole" days and shared what the church had meant to them and their families. It was also a time of looking forward to the next "100 years."
1968 once again brought the denomination to the table of reorganization, as the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church (which was primarily a Northern church who embraced Wesleyan tenants) merged to form The United Methodist Church.
The 1970's would find this congregation busy at work witnessing to the community and engaging one another in Bible study and worship. It would also find itself undertaking an extensive building and remodeling program with the growth of the church, a new educational building was constructed: complete with elevator. And, extensive remodeling of the sanctuary was begun to reflect a late 19 th century style of American Gothic Revival Architecture. It was also during this time that a new "free-standing" bell tower was constructed to house the original solid brass bell. On Sunday, February 9, 1975 the completed sanctuary was opened for worship, with a beautiful service of praise and thanksgiving.
The next 24 years would find the congregation in a time of great transition and change with the community. With even more determination and zeal they reached out to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Community involvement is now the watchword of the congregation. The Carillon, which provided the community with lovely musical chimes, was update to a compact disc system and now the residents and local merchants enjoy the hymns with uncommon clarity and beauty.
As we began a new millennium, Lithonia First United Methodist Church, with its wonderful diversity and energy, was poised to embrace its future and further the vision of Christ and His ministry. There is renewed excitement and enthusiasm for this journey and a rededication to the dreams and aspirations of our ancestors who made all of this possible. These are indeed, as Charles Dickens would say, "the best of times." To God Be the Glory! |
