Senate Resolution 1105
By: Senators Orrock of the 36th and Harbison of the 15th
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Central United Methodist Church on the occasion of its 160th
anniversary; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Central United Methodist Church was organized as a church mission in 1866
and recognized by the Annual Methodist Conference as Clark Chapel Methodist Episcopal
Church in 1867; and
WHEREAS, the church was named for Bishop Davis W. Clark, who became bishop in 1864
and was the first President of the Freedmen's Aid Society; and
WHEREAS, the first location of the church was on Frasier Street in the Summerhill
community of Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, in 1875, Clark Chapel moved and merged with Loyd Street Methodist
Episcopal Church located at the corner of Loyd Street (now Central Avenue) and Hunter
Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Drive); and
WHEREAS, Clark Chapel served as the birthplace of Clark University (now Clark Atlanta
University) and Gammon Theological Seminary when classes for the schools assembled in
the church's basement; and
WHEREAS, the church changed its name to Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church
in 1901 and moved in 1928 to its current location at 501 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
(formerly Mitchell Street); and
WHEREAS, Central helped mold the civic and religious character of Atlanta as the city
evolved into the leader of the Southeast educationally and industrially as well as a hub for
civil rights activism; and
WHEREAS, some of the most progressive and influential movements for racial equality
were engendered by and through Central; and
WHEREAS, Central has a storied history and continues its journey of religious, civic, moral,
and educational leadership; and
WHEREAS, Central, "The Church at the Heart of the City with the City at Heart," is
considered the oldest Black Methodist church in the City of Atlanta.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize the rich history of Central United Methodist Church, commend its 160 years of
dedicated service to the Lord and community, and extend their warmest best wishes for its
continued growth and success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Central United
Methodist Church.