Established in 1907 Northside Park Baptist Church stands as a testament to community and faith. It has witnessed the evolution of the surrounding Berkeley Park neighborhood.
Most residents attended churches in the area. Northside Park Baptist Church is one of them. It stands proudly on Howell Mill. Underwood Methodist Church is nearby too.
Originally the neighborhood around Northside Park Baptist Church was farmland. Cow pastures and meadows were common.
In the early 1900s residents often made their living off the land. Others owned small businesses. Each property had an outhouse serviced by horse and cart. Homes were heated by wood or coal fireplaces and lighted by kerosene lamps. Each home had a well for water.
The history of Northside Park Baptist Church intertwines with the stories of Berkeley Park residents.
The church building is on a 1.1-acre property. Fulton County tax records valued the property at $2688800.
The area around Northside Park Baptist Church has seen many changes.
Healey Weatherholtz Properties purchased the Northside Park Baptist Church property. They plan to repurpose it into boutiques offices event space and food and beverage offerings. A world-class patio is planned too.
The firm began acquiring properties along Howell Mill Road in 2007. The idea was to create a mixed-use village. It would anchor the Collier Hills neighborhood.
Northside Park Baptist Church sits across from a new mixed-use project. It is a residential and retail project.
The church’s history is interwoven with that of E.P. Howell Grammar School. On many occasions the pastors from Underwood Methodist and Northside Park Baptist would lead assembly programs at the school.
In 1993 Gwen Langston and Betty Massey gathered memories from church members. Their intent was to share the history of the church.
The nearby Underwood Methodist Church began when a Sunday School class was started. Mrs Byron Bettis Sr and Mrs M J Brown were involved. Purvis Cranshaw and Claude Bennett were too. The first meeting had 10 people. It was held in Grandma Brown’s home. The following year several places were used for meetings. In the summer of 1915 Rev J W Cranshaw held a Tent Revival. It was on the corner of Howell Mill and Ridgeway Avenue. The ladies of the church brought an old organ to the meeting. The idea to organize a church with regular services was sparked during this revival.
The first church was erected on DeFoor Avenue. It was across from Springer Street. It had a dirt floor with sawdust on the ground. Rough benches kerosene lamps and a platform for the choir were inside. The church grew and in 1917 Rev M L Underwood became pastor. The members decided to build a “real” church if a lot could be secured.
A lot at the corner of Holmes Street and Howell Mill was purchased. A new church was built in 1920. It was built of granite from Harper’s Quarry on DeFoor Avenue. The total cost was $10000. The name Underwood Methodist honored Rev Underwood.
Let us appreciate the historical importance of Northside Park Baptist Church. It has played a vital role in the community. It is a landmark that connects the past with the present.