The Shy Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta stands as a testament to resilience and faith. Looking at this stately structure, it’s hard to imagine the struggles the congregation faced in its early days. In 1922, a small group of believers, led by Rev. J.E. Buggs, organized the St. John CME Church. They held their first services in the office of Dr. L.M. Hill, a stark contrast to the grand building we see today. The congregation grew, and in 1924, they moved into a building purchased from the Presbyterian Mission. There was a condition, though: they were required to operate a school alongside the church. Mrs. Rosa Davis, the principal, presided over the school for twenty-three years.
A thriving school wasn’t the only accomplishment of the St. John CME Church. It also served as a training ground for future leaders of the CME Church. William Yancey Bell and Elisha P. Murchison, two of the church’s most prominent students, went on to become bishops. The church’s growth and success attracted a wider community. But in the 1960s, the neighborhood around the church experienced a dramatic transformation. The construction of the Fulton County Stadium led to the displacement of many residents and churches in the area. The St. John CME Church was one of them.
The congregation searched for a new home and found it on Memorial Drive. The church moved, and on December 8, 1968, the congregation had a home on Memorial Drive. On March 9, 1969, the church was formally opened with Bishop Peter Randolph Shy and Bishop Elisha P. Murchison delivering the sermons. The church was renamed Shy Temple CME Church, a tribute to Bishop Peter Randolph Shy, one of the founders of the CME Church. Today, the Shy Temple CME Church continues to serve its community, providing spiritual guidance and support. Standing before this church, we can feel the echoes of its past, the resilience of its members, and the unwavering strength of their faith.