SOUTH BEND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (ATLANTA, GA.)
Records, 1941-1986.

RECORD GROUP NUMBER 034 

ACCESS: Unrestricted.

REPRODUCTION: All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

COPYRIGHT: Information on copyright (literary rights) available from repository.

CITATION: South Bend United Methodist Church (Atlanta, Ga.) Records, RG 034, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University. 

South Bend Methodist Episcopal Church, South was organized in 1886 from the congregation of Oakland Methodist Episcopal Church, South which stood at the corner of Jonesboro Road and Lakewood Terrace in the Lakewood Heights area of Atlanta.  The site was donated by Colonel John Miller Clark Reid, who was also one of the founding members.  The new congregation was created when the cemetery and sanctuary of Oakland were moved across the street to accommodate a building project by Atlanta Water Works.  The first pastor of South Bend was Reverend Brooks.

On April 4, 1939, Easter Sunday, the sanctuary was destroyed by a fire.  Church members salvaged the piano, pews, and hymnals.  Because membership was low during this time, the building was not insured.  Services and Sunday school were held in homes until a temporary structure could be erected on the site.  The congregation met there from May 21, 1939 until November 12, 1939 when the new sanctuary was completed.  The dedication was delayed until April 7, 1940 due to an error in the cornerstone lettering.  The temporary structure remained on the northwest corner of the site and was used to hold meetings during the summer months.  Eventually sides and floors were added and the building was used to house the Men's Bible class.

During the next two decades the congregation embarked on several building projects.  A parsonage was built in 1952 and an educational complex in 1957.  In 1964 plans were created for a new sanctuary.  The groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 2, 1966 with the first service taking place on May 15, 1966.  The parsonage was extensively renovated in 1978.  In response to a steady decline in membership the congregation voted to disband on October 22, 1985.  The last service was held on June 8, 1986.  Trustees of the North Georgia Conference resolved to turn the property over to the Korean Church of Atlanta, which met there until 1995.

South Bend United Methodist Church was located at 850 McWilliams Road in southeast Atlanta.  At the time of its closing it was located in the Atlanta-Emory District.

This collection consists of church membership and financial records.  The membership records include two church registers, updated membership notebook and roll, correspondence pertaining to membership, and transfer slips.  The financial records include church building bonds, the church school Treasurer's record, the Financial Secretary's records, and the church Treasurer's records.

The first church register (1941-1986) contains baptismal (1966-1981) and preparatory and full membership records (1941-1986).  It contains no marriage or death records.  The second register (1945-1974) contains baptismal (1961-1962) and preparatory and full membership records (1945-1974).  It does not contain any marriage records but does list some death records (1962-1966).  There is a copy of a church history included in the Historical Record section.  The membership notebook (1973-1985) lists the names of active members as well as those removed by request, transfer, and death.  It also includes a roll of those attending the charge conference.  The membership roll (1959-1986) is an alphabetical listing of members, noting those who have withdrawn, transferred, or died.  Membership transfers (1969-1985) contains correspondence and slips regarding membership transfers.

CONTAINER LISTING

Box/Folder     Description                             Date

               Membership records
1/1              Church register                       1941-1986
1/2              Church register                       1945-1974
1/3              Membership notebook                   1973-1985
1/4              Membership roll                       1959-1986
1/5              Membership transfers                  1969-1985

               Financial records
1/6              Church building bonds records         1957-1971
1/7              Church school Treasurer's record      1972 Jun-1982 Dec
2/1              Financial Secretary's records         1961 Nov-1962 Jun
2/2              Financial Secretary's records         1969-1981
2/3              Financial Secretary's records         1982 Jan-1986 Jun
2/4              Financial Secretary's loose material  1985
2/5              Treasurer's records                   1950 Jul-1970 Dec
2/6              Treasurer's records                   1971 Jan-1978 Feb
2/7              Treasurer's records                   1979-1983
2/8              Treasurer's records                   1984
2/9              Treasurer's loose material            1962

Archives & Manuscripts
Pitts Theology Library
Emory University
Atlanta, GA  30322

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