“We speak where the Bible speaks”. This declaration encapsulates the spirit of the Druid Hills Church of Christ. Its history reveals a steadfast commitment to New Testament Christianity.
The story begins a little over a century ago. Atlanta was a city consumed by denominationalism. Simple New Testament Christianity seemed absent. Enter O.D. Bearden and his wife. They arrived from Tennessee around 1910. They found no fellow Christians. Undeterred, they started holding worship services in their home. They invited neighbors and friends, eager to share their beliefs.
Soon, S.H. Hall and his wife joined the Beardens. For seven years, Hall preached the gospel. He endured financial hardship. Hall preached anywhere and everywhere. He held nightly “cottage prayer meetings”. These meetings introduced many Atlantans to the gospel. Hall encouraged listeners to bring their Bibles. He urged them to study with him.
Hall preached repentance. He taught baptism by immersion. He contrasted it with sprinkling. He urged people to abandon pianos and organs. He promoted worship through song. He condemned unscriptural means of financing church activities.
Slowly, the message took root. The church began meeting in a small building on West End Avenue. Tent meetings were added to their outreach. One tent meeting in East Point led to about 200 baptisms. These new members formed the East Point church. Others joined the West End church. A third congregation emerged named the Pryor Street church.
Progress was slow initially. Mention “church of Christ” and people were puzzled. Early members possessed an outstanding trait: joy. They marveled at discovering the Truth. They eagerly shared it. This zeal sometimes led to misunderstandings. Some thought they believed they were the only ones who would be saved.
Despite opposition, these Christians became known for their scriptural knowledge. Even children read and memorized the Bible. On Sundays, a count was made. Each person reported how many chapters they had read.
A repeated statement from the pulpit was significant. “We give book, chapter, and verse.” They offered to change any practice if proven unscriptural. They would adopt anything the scriptures authorized. Children knew the steps to becoming a Christian. Hear the word. Believe. Repent. Confess Christ. Be baptized.
Five elements defined public worship. Preaching. Singing. Praying. The Lord’s Supper. Giving. Scriptures supported these teachings. Many lessons emphasized worship without instruments. This shocked denominational Atlantans.
Another surprising teaching was weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. As years passed, the church grew steadily. The Moreland Avenue church began. The Seminole Avenue church moved and became the Druid Hills Church of Christ. The West End church outgrew its building twice. New congregations emerged.
As numerical growth occurred, a second generation arose. Unlike their parents, they didn’t always possess the same awe for the Truth. They were raised in the church. A fervent love for Truth is vital for every Christian. Some feared spiritual strength wasn’t keeping pace with numerical growth.
Some members desired the church to mirror denominations. They added banquet halls and recreational activities. The old cry, “We speak where the Bible speaks” faded. A new cry arose: “We do many things without Bible authority.” Some protested these departures. They upheld the original principles. They insisted on scriptural justification.
This history reminds us of the Druid Hills Church of Christ’s foundations. It underscores a commitment to scriptural authority. The story is a powerful reminder that simple devotion and adherence to core beliefs can create lasting impact.