Berea Mennonite Church

In 1958, a seed of faith was planted in Atlanta. This seed, nurtured by Hershey and Norma Leaman, blossomed into the Berea Mennonite Church. The Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions saw a need, a need for a Voluntary Service unit in Atlanta. This unit, primarily serving men fulfilling their I-W service requirements, laid the groundwork for what would become a vibrant community of faith. The Berea Mennonite Church officially formed in 1961, with Elvin L. Martin as its first pastor. The congregation initially found a home on Clay Street Southeast. The church’s journey wasn’t always easy. The desire for a dedicated space led them to start a building fund in 1975. However, fate intervened. A church building at 1088 Bouldercrest Drive, complete with a 200-seat auditorium, a 12-room educational building, and six acres of land, became available. The Berea Mennonite Church held its first service in this new location on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1975. Berea Mennonite Church made history when Macon Gwinn, Sr. became its first African American pastor. Gwinn’s leadership extended beyond Berea, as he later pastored several Baptist churches in the Atlanta area. The church’s affiliation evolved over time. It joined the Southeast Mennonite Convention in 1979, leaving the Lancaster Mennonite Conference. Later, in 2018, it shifted to the Central District Conference, driven by concerns about the Southeast Conference’s potential departure from Mennonite Church USA. The Berea Mennonite Church also demonstrated a commitment to community outreach. They cultivated three of their six acres as a community garden, selling produce at local farmers’ markets and donating some to a free clinic. This evolved into Oakleaf Mennonite Farm, complete with a barn. The church faced internal divisions. In 1992, some members formed the Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship, seeking more flexible leadership. This group later became known as the East Atlanta Christian Fellowship. However, in a heartwarming display of unity, Berea Mennonite Church and the Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship reunited in 2021 under the name Atlanta Mennonite Church, continuing to meet at the Bouldercrest Drive location. The Berea Mennonite Church, now the Atlanta Mennonite Church, stands as a testament to resilience, community, and faith.