The History of Our Church
History of The Smyrna Presbyterian Church, PCA
Our Smyrna Presbyterian Church is actually the second church to bear this name. The first church was organized in April 1874 and was dissolved by Cherokee Presbytery in 1905. In October 1914, the church once again was organized at a meeting held in the Methodist Church. Seven months later the congregation voted to purchase property on which to build a church. The property was located at the corner of Church Street and Concord Road. The new church building was started in 1915 and cost $1,075.50. The first service in the new church was held January 16, 1916. Dr. J. G. Patton of Decatur Georgia was the first pastor installed in 1917.
Other ministers who have served our church include:
Rev. Elias Zimmerman 1918-1921
Rev. J. W. Allen 1921-1922
Rev. Gary McClinstock 1923-1925
Rev. E. G. Clary 1926-1932
Rev. L. B. Gibbs 1937-1941
Rev. W. K. Blake 1942-1943
Rev. John L. Edwards 1945-1946
Rev. G. Aiken Taylor 1946-1950
Rev. John H. Knight 1952-1961
Rev. Nathaniel S. Heeth 1962-1971
Rev. Charles H. Dunahoo 1971-1976
Rev. Joe C. Gardner, Jr. 1978-1982
Dr. Thomas H. Rayside 1982-1985
Rev. R. Grady Love 1987-1997
Rev. George F. Ganey, III………………………...1998 -
A survey of the church plant was made in 1959 by a Planning Committee and it was found unfeasible to remodel. This decision led to the purchase of the acreage known as the Fuller property located between Collier Drive and Brawner's Hospital on Atlanta Road in 1961. The property was bought for future expansion for $40,000 and consisted of twenty acres. The Old Smyrna Church was sold to the Smyrna Assembly of God in 1964. The Smyrna Church had worship services and Sunday School meetings at Brown Elementary School. A groundbreaking for the new building was held on June 28, 1964. Upon completing the present building with a sanctuary, two educational wings, and one adjoining educational building, a service of dedication was held on May 2, 1965.
The fellowship hall and kitchen were completed and dedicated in April 1985. Our newest building is a two-story educational building, containing eight classrooms, a large activity room, and much needed storage space. It was completed in 1992.
In 2001, 11.2 acres of our 20acre property was sold to a housing developer at the price of $80,000 per acre. This property was inaccessible and unusable to us due to its being land locked with housing developments and other properties.
Recent renovations to our present facilities are near completion and have included the remodeling of our Fellowship Hall and entrance hallways, re-roofing all buildings, new heating and air conditioning in our sanctuary and adjacent wings, etc.
Through these facilities that God has provided, we pray that the Smyrna Presbyterian Church will show forth a strong witness to the community, that many will come to know the Lord Jesus and be strengthened in the faith.