Atlanta Catholic Centennial

Although the Baptists and Methodists occupied and used their churches a few months earlier than the Catholics, it would appear that the Catholics were the first denomination to organize their church in Atlanta.

The Episcopalians held their first services in Atlanta in the house of Samuel G. Jones in 1846. In all probability either then or soon after that date their church in Atlanta was organized, because on April 13, 1847 Samuel Mitchell donated a lot for their church at Washington and Hunter Streets. Their first missionary rector was Rev. John J. Hunt, who served from 1847 to 1849.

The First Baptist Church of Atlanta was organized in January, 1847. The first pastor was a missionary, Rev. D. G. Daniell. He served from 1848 to 1850.

The Methodists organized Wesley Chapel in 1847. It became a regular appointment of the Decatur circuit. Rev. Anderson Ray, Sr., and Rev. E. W. Speer, Jr., were the preachers in charge during the first year.

The Presbyterians organized the Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, January 8, 1848. Rev. J. S. Wilson of the Decatur Presbyterian Church was the first minister. He served for five years.

There were a number of Jewish families in Atlanta as early as 1847 but they had not organized a congregation. Divine services were held in the homes of the different families. A number of years later the Hebrew Benevolent Society was organized and became the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation in 1867.

The Catholics were well organized in August, 1846. An old book still in existence, Register of the Catholic Church of Atlanta and the counties which may be attached to that mission, contains entries of baptisms on August 8, 1846; marriages August 11, 1846, and other valuable information. The first convert to Catholicism recorded was Elizabeth Mann, who was baptized October 16, 1846. This written evidence proves the Catholics of Atlanta were well organized in 1846. Father John Barry was the missionary priest in charge from 1846 to 1849 and Father John Francis Shannahan from 1849 to 1850. Father J. F. O'Neill, Jr., was the missionary priest in charge in 1850 and on February 13th, 1851, was appointed as resident pastor of the Atlanta church by the Right Reverend F. X. Gartland, Bishop of Savannah.