Who We Are
The
Episcopal Church of the Atonement began as a mission of Holy Innocents
of Sandy Springs in January 1962, as the Reverend Hugh Saussy Jr.
realized the need for the area from Roswell Rd East to Fulton-DeKalb
County line, and Mount Vernon Highway to Buckhead. At the first meeting
on January 7, 1962, eighteen couples stood and signed a petition to
Bishop Randolph R. Claiborne Jr. At another meeting Mary Wood Bullock
suggested "At-One-Ment with God" which was accepted by the Diocese.
The
first service with thirty communicants under Father Saussy Jr., priest
in charge, was held at McClatchy School on February 18, 1962. The Rev
Dr. E. Eager Wood became the vicar in the summer of 1962. Services
moved to Guy Webb School in March 1963. On December 13, 1963, eight
acres were purchased with groundbreaking October 1, 1967, where the
church stands today. In January 1964 upon petition to , and acceptance
by the fifty-seventh annual Council of the Diocese as a parish, he
became the rector. On March 4, 1967, fellow parishioner, C. Bruce
McCaskill, was ordained perpetual deacon, as assistant.
The
original mortgage was paid off and papers burned about three years
after it's initiation --a record until recently as being the "fastest
retired mortgage for a parish in the Diocese of Atlanta. Outreach
ranged from art and variety shows, Six Flag trips for children and
adults to the Lynwood Exchange and Day Care Center that our members
helped local churches renovate and staff, which established year-round
programs for seven to eighteen-year-olds.
After Dr. Wood, the
Reverend Patrick H Sanders' leadership and teaching qualities helped
redefine their financial obligations to the structural facility and
outreach by making it a line item budget of 10 percent. "Festival for
Friends" bazaar ran for two years with food, games, and varied
activities for all ages. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are taken
to Hollywood Homes residents. Members helped with St. Luke's Soup
kitchen and Community Action Center. A $5000 Scholarship Fund was sent
in Sander's honor to Virginia Seminary upon his leaving.
The
Reverend John P. Brewster encouraged the church to expand their
facility with a new Parish Hall, kitchen, offices, and bathrooms to
offer ministries to larger groups community wide.
In 1996, a
longtime parishioner bequeathed $25,000 to the church which began the
Shepherd's Fund an endowment administered by a committee. Grants were
given to groups in the metro area to improve the lives of people in
need.
The Reverend Dr.Trawin Malone adds a new and spirited
ministry and outreach with his varied musical background. A
coffeehouse--reflecting Father Malone's many years in New Orleans--was
started as a semi regular event hosted by the church's teens. Music has
always been a major part of workshop and outreach at the church,
combining offerings from opera to jazz to occasional liturgical dance
all open to the entire neighborhood.
The church's greatest
outreach has been presenting for ordination, the Reverend J. Eloise
Haley, the Reverend Lynnsay Buehler, and the Reverend Joan Pritcher.
Their varied talents and personalities continue to enrich the state and
world.
Faithfully submitted and with many thanks to all the Angels who helped present this history by Thelma Nunn English.
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