Who We Are

   

 

The Episcopal Church of the Atonement began as a mission of Holy Innocents of Sandy Springs in Janaury 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 initation --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 semiregular event hosted by the church's teens. Music has always been a major part of workship 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.