ATLANTA — An Atlanta house of worship born at the end of the Civil War Sunday is celebrating its 150th birthday.
New Hope AME Church, located at 3012 Arden Rd., NW, held a special commemorative worship service Sunday at its Buckhead sanctuary.
The church, founded in 1872, had its beginnings when a white Buckhead resident, James Smith, willed two acres of land to be used as a church and school for black people.
In its first years, services were held in a camp meeting style, an institution which still exists today. Later, a wood plant structure was built on the site. Reverend Joseph Woods was the first of forty-one ministers who have served New Hope's membership
The original church building was destroyed by fire in 1927. A new structure was created, and the Sanctuary of New Hope AME church was completed in 1936.
The 1936 structure was heavily damaged by a tornado in 1975 and, once again, the people of New Hope overcame the obstacles and rebuilt. Throughout its long history, the church has remained a beacon of hope for Atlanta's black community.
To this day, it continues its mission to "Welcome, Worship and Witness."