A Capsule History of North Avenue Presbyterian Church

In 1898, President William McKinley came to Atlanta to celebrate peace with Spain; the Grant building and a new city jail were constructed; and most importantly for us, North Avenue Presbyterian Church was established. This came largely through the efforts of Mrs. J.M. High, Mrs. J.D. McCarty, and Mrs. Clem Harris who wanted a church in what were then the suburbs. Over one hundred members united with the women to form the new congregation and call Rev. Richard Orme Flinn as pastor. The first service of worship in the new building on the corner of North Avenue and Peachtree Street, built from Stone Mountain granite, was one of gratitude - held on Thanksgiving Day, 1900.
The congregation gave God glory for this new beginning.

During the 40 years of Dr. Flinn’s leadership, North Avenue thrived and expanded in ways that only God could have imagined. In the 1910s, the elders believed that children should have daily Bible Study and so the North Avenue Presbyterian School was formed with 21 students. From this humble beginning came the present-day Westminster Schools in Atlanta. In 1926, the church raised $100,000 for the construction of a new wing, which today is used for activities and education. Dr. Flinn’s emphasis on evangelism and growth paved the way to 1,400 members by 1929. In 1938, seeing the need for younger, more vigorous leadership to meet the demands of the burgeoning church, Dr. Flinn retired, leaving the flock he had tended for 40 years.
He gave God the glory.

In 1941, Dr. Vernon Broyles, Jr., took over the pastorate of North Avenue. Under his leadership, a mid-week noon worship service was added for the business community at North Avenue’s doorstep, and in 1948 the first live radio broadcast of our Sunday service took place. In the 1950s, an early service was added on Sunday mornings and the building was enlarged for more education and fellowship areas.
For these additions, we gave God the glory.

The first World Mission Conference was held in 1957 to raise money for global mission work, with members generously contributing $12,500. Throughout Dr. Broyles’ tenure, local mission occupied an increasingly large place in the life of the church. The Mission Conference goals increased dramatically and were successfully met, and the conference remains an important piece in the life of the church. The 47th annual conference, held in February of 2004, raised over $305,000 for local and international missions.
Through these gifts, people throughout the world have given God the glory.

In May 1976, Dr. Broyles preached his last sermon as our senior pastor. Later that year, Rev. C. Parker Wright was installed as North Avenue's fourth pastor, and under his leadership the congregation purchased the Tower Theater adjacent to our property in order to house outreach ministries to the homeless community, also at our doorstep. After Rev. Wright left to complete his doctorate, the congregation welcomed Dr. Leslie Holmes, who led us through a facelift of buildings and into many short-term mission programs.
In 1988 he resigned, and for his leadership, we gave God the glory.

In 1990, North Avenue called a new senior pastor, Dr. James Long. He came to us from Pittsburgh, Penn. with his wife and three sons. We rejoiced in his innovations: a special program for seniors; a rejuvenated Wednesday family night; numerous activities for the children; drama as a means of worship; and participation in short- term mission trips. We had hoped he would lead us into the twenty-first century, but God had other plans. Dr. Long was "called home" after a long and valiant fight with brain cancer. The congregation mourned his loss.
For his time among us, we give God the glory.

In 1996, the church inaugurated the Vernon Broyles Ministry Center and a parking deck, enabling the church to support new outreach ministries such as Food for Thought and a contemporary worship service. Dr. D. Scott Weimer came to be our Senior Pastor in 1997, and under his leadership the church has gained new energy and seen increases in membership and worship attendance, while maintaining its historic emphasis on outreach to the homeless community and the urban poor. Dr. Weimer's enthusiastic leadership and his development of a full staff bode well for the future.
For the assurance that God will lead us through the challenges of the future, we give God the glory.