A Brief History of West Mitchell C.M.E. Church

In 1882, at the 15^th session of the Georgia Annual Conference of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, a motion was approved that led to the creation of the West Atlanta Mission, the foundation of today’s West Mitchell C.M.E. Church. Rev. P.L.C. Jones, assigned to carry on the Mission’s work, formed a lasting community of faith within the most rapidly developing, vital and varied neighborhood in the city of Atlanta.

From its very beginning the church was served by dedicated pastors and faithful parishioners. Under the guidance of Rev. S.E. Pore (1896), the congregation moved into a small house on Markham Street, at Dover’s Alley, and soon thereafter the first installment was paid on a frame building on Hunter Street, near Mangum Lane, where Mt. Vernon Baptist Church now stands. Unfortunately, that structure went up in flames a short time later, but the congregation was able to move immediately into a 3-story brick building at the corner of Mitchell and Haynes Streets. After the fire, Mrs. Fannie S. Hanson located a permanent home for the church, a store on the corner of Mitchell and Tatnall Streets. Under Reverend N.F. Haygood’s leadership, the first church building was erected at the corners of Mitchell and Walnut Streets in 1897. Under the leadership of Rev. A.F. Bailey there were 240 members on roll: during his pastorate, more than 1200 were added to this congregation, and the first unit of the second structure was built. During the pastorate of Dr. G.H. Carter, this edifice was carried to completion. The mortgage was burned on the first unit of the church, and the second unit was erected in 1937. Under the leadership of Dr. R.B. Shorts, the mortgage on the second church plant was paid out seven years early, and a program to restore and beautify the church was carried out on a cash basis. The congregation more than doubled in size.

From 1937 to 2004 twelve pastors have ministered to the congregation, each leaving a legacy of which they could be proud. The pastors and the highlight of their administrations were: Rev. L.C. Jones organized the Department of Christian Education; Rev. Marshall Gilmore kindled and led a spiritual awakening; Rev. E.H. Hicks concentrated on building a new edifice; Rev. A.L. Dopson secured substantial funds to begin building a new edifice; Rev. C. Savory opened and dedicated the new edifice; Rev. Dr. M.S. Cherry placed emphasis on Christian Education training especially for youth. Rev. Alex King retired the church mortgage; Rev. Frederick Zak increased awareness of the value of Bible Study; Rev. Robert Green strengthened the Sunday School Department, Rev. Dr. J. Winston Honeysucker led the congregation into physical improvements of the church; Rev. Etha P. Pitts enhanced the Music Department.

We at West Mitchell look forward to the future with confidence. We have faced great challenges throughout our history, but God has blessed us through these challenges and has made us strong.