Portraits of our Pastors
Introduction by George Wirth, 2002
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1–2
Since the founding of our congregation in January, 1848, First Presbyterian Church has been served by faithful and visionary pastors in every generation. The portraits on the wall outside our sanctuary help us to remember those leaders who, as Hebrews 12:1–2 reminds us, "ran the race set before them” during their era and “looked to Jesus Christ as the pioneer and perfecter of their faith.”
Their preaching and teaching has inspired and nurtured us; their pastoral care has encouraged and helped to heal and strengthen us; their administrative skills have guided and provided us with a sense of direction and continuity; and their exemplary Christian witness and walk with the Lord has drawn us closer to the peace of God, the presence of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we pass by these portraits each week, hopefully taking time to look at them and reflect on the life and work of each pastor, let us recognize and rejoice that we are, indeed, “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" who have served this church with love and loyalty down through the years.
Their leadership has helped our Church become the Community of Grace which we are today. For all of that and so much more, we will be forever grateful!
Dr. George B. Wirth
Pastor
January 2002
Introduction Tony Sundermeier, 2014
Billy Graham once said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” The collection of pastor portraits reminds us that the same is true about leadership within the church. The legacy of these individuals, the twelve pastors of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, will not ultimately be measured by preaching style, building campaigns, membership growth, or innovative education but measured instead by character and faith.
To be sure, we should celebrate their accomplishments. Even more, we should celebrate their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the times they were called to steward the mission of this great congregation. The narratives you will find on the following pages give us reason to celebrate the faithful ministries of these individuals and to gain insight into their personal histories and the paths that led them here.
Thank you for taking an interest in this piece of our history, and thank you to all of those who curate this history for generations to come.
Dr. Tony Sundermeier
Senior Pastor
Advent 2014
1848–1853, 1858–1873
John Simpson Wilson
Dr. Wilson was born in Anderson District (Pendleton) South Carolina on January 4, 1796. He died March 27, 1873, in Atlanta. He was the son of Robert W. and Jane Hillhouse Wilson. He came to Georgia in 1821 as a 25-year-old missionary. He married Juliet Means on August 20, 1820. She died October 18, 1868.
Their eight children were Thomas Charlton Henry M.D., James Madison, Isabella Jane (wife of Rev. Archibald G. Johnson), Juliet S. Minerva, J. R. Scott, Louisa Ann C. (wife of Captain W. Alfred Powell), Victoria D. E., and Samuel.
Dr. Wilson studied classics and theology under Rev. Moses Waddel, Dr. McDowell and Rev. T. C. Henry.
He was ordained April 5,1821, in the South Carolina Presbytery and taught at Ruckersville in Elbert County, Georgia from 1819 to 1823. He began his service at the Fairview Church in Gwinnett County, Georgia beginning in 1824. He also served as rector of the old academy at Lawrenceville for 15 years. In 1840-41, he served as the fourth pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta. He lived in Lawrenceville, and never moved to Marietta. On one Sabbath each month he spent the day in Marietta. From this pulpit in 1844 he accepted a call to Decatur Presbyterian which he had organized in 1825.
Rev. Wilson was the first minister to preach in Terminus (c 1842), which later became Marthasville and then Atlanta. The gatherings to which he and others preached became the Union Sabbath School in 1847. Shortly the first Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations were organized. Rev. Wilson led the organization of Atlanta Presbyterian in 1848 and served as Stated Supply from 1848 to 1853. During this time he continued to serve as Pastor to the Decatur Church which was unwilling to allow him more than one day per month to preach in Atlanta.
He received his DD from Oglethorpe College in 1852. He was moderator for Georgia in 1864 and stated clerk for the Synod of Georgia during 1871-72.
During Dr. Wilson's service at First Presbyterian, the first red brick building was built on Marietta Street on a lot which was 70' x 40'. It was dedicated on July 4, l852, with three services. In 1858, the Presbyterian Church of Atlanta was divided into the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and the Second Presbyterian Church of
Atlanta (immediately changed to Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta). As the War Between the States approached Atlanta, Dr. Wilson attempted to preserve the church records by sending them on a train to South Carolina. Union raiders destroyed the train, and the records were lost. Dr. Wilson’s career in the place which became Atlanta began about 1842 and ended with his death in 1873. During his career, he organized 14 churches. Wilson and members of his family are buried in Oakland Cemetery. The portrait is by Dr. James Bogle, a well known portrait painter and a relative of our Hoyt family. A note by E. Russell Hoyt estimates the date of the painting as 1870. The painting hung in the Hoyt home for many years. This portrait is considered to be one of the finest examples of portraiture in the South.
Dr. Wilson was the only one of our pastors to preach in the Union Sabbath School depicted here. This building was constructed in 1847 as an interdenominational facility used by Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. He later oversaw the construction of our first sanctuary on Marietta Street.
More information about Dr. Wilson can be found in publications by our Archives & History Committee, including “Atlanta in 1848: An Imaginary Ride To Found A New Church” and “Lives of Our Founders and Other Early Members”.
1854, 1855–1858
John Elias DuBose
John Elias DuBose was born September 2, 1819, in Williamsburg District, South Carolina; died April 25,1895.
He was the son of Jesse DuBose and Rebecca Wilds. He married Carolina Rebecca Thompson in Columbia, S.C. July 7, 1843. She died May 3, 1863. Their children: Ella, Julius, Carrie, John Edwin, William Thompson, Pratt, Fannie C., Laura. He married Mrs. Mary Hollie (Gatlin) Holland in Tallahassee, Florida, about 1864. She died in 1908. Children: Rev. Samuel Wilds, Elias A., Sarah Louise.
Mr. DuBose received an MD from S.C. Medical College in Charleston in 1823. He studied theology privately. DuBose became pastor of the Atlanta church when it was impossible to arrange for more of Dr. Wilson’s time. He served as stated supply for a year and then as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta 1855-58. In 1858 a disagreement in the congregation led to a group leaving to form Central Presbyterian. DuBose was dismissed to accept a call to First Presbyterian in Tallahassee, Florida, where he served 1858-70. During this period he served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army. He was Stated Supply in 1871 in Franklin, Kentucky; then in Glasgow, Kentucky from 1872-73. He then served in Pulaski, Tennessee from 1874-79. He was Stated Supply in Brownville, Tennessee from 1880-81; was Pastor in Canton, Mississippi in I882; was Pastor in Cross Plains, Alabama in 1883; was evangelist in Decatur, Georgia 1885-90; and lived in Decatur 1891-95 where he died April 25, 1895.
The portrait is by Elise M. Chalmers, dedicated October 29, 2000.
The sanctuary shown here was our first sanctuary on Marietta Street, which was dedicated in 1852 and replaced in 1879.
1874–1882
Joseph Hamilton Martin
Born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, on August 11, 1825, to Hugh Martin and Sarah Russell.
In 1851 he married Julia Chaffin in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1843 and attended Union Theological Seminary in New York from 1843 to 1846. On April 9, 1846, he was licensed at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of New York. Dr. Martin served as a missionary to seamen in New Orleans from 1846 to 1848, and was ordained Oct. 24, 1848, in Richland Presbytery.
He served as Pastor of Huntsville, Alabama, Presbyterian from 1848-49; was without a charge in Madisonville, TN. He did foreign travel from 1849 - 1851. He was Stated Supply in Knoxville, Tennessee, from 1851-64; was Stated Supply for Bethesda Church in York County, South Carolina, from 1864-67; was Stated Supply in Wytheville, Virginia, from 1867-69; was supply to Mossy Creek Church in Athens, Tennessee, from 1869-73.
Dr. Martin was installed as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta on September 20, 1873, following the death of Dr. John Simpson Wilson in March 1873. Between 1876 and 1877 the congregation's growth warranted plans to construct a new church building on the same Marietta Street site. He resigned from First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in 1882. Dr. Martin was without charge in Georgetown, Kentucky, from 1882-1887. He died there on February 4, 1887.
He received a DD from the University of Tennessee in 1878. Throughout his life he was a poet and prolific hymn writer.
Our earliest known document which recounts our history was created under Dr. Martin’s leadership in 1878. It has the title of “Manual of First Presbyterian Church — Together With An Outline of its History.”
The sanctuary on Marietta Street was replaced in 1879. The words to the dedication hymn for the new church building on Marietta Street on October 12, 1879, were written by Dr. Martin and sung to the tune of Old Hundredth:
"This temple Lord to Thee we raise
A house of worship, prayer and praise
Exalted Thy throne of grace
Dispense Thy blessings in this place"
Dr. Martin oversaw the construction of our second sanctuary on Marietta Street in 1879, which is depicted here. This sanctuary was larger, but it was still restricted by the space available. The sanctuary had an unusual floor plan. The aisles were angled to focus on the pulpit. The center aisle was closed at the front rows. This design served as a model for the floor plan used later in the new sanctuary at 16th & Peachtree.
The portrait is by Elise M. Chalmers, 2001
Second Marietta Street Sanctuary
Pew holders c. 1900
1883–1898
Edward Hammet Barnett
He was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, on October 8, 1840, to James Barnett and Miss Wade. On March 8, 1870, he married Caroline Trent in Buckingham County, Virginia. Their children were Mary, Stephen, William, and Edward. Dr. Barnett worked for Norfolk and Western Railroad for three years at age 16. He received a Master of Arts from Hampden Sydney College in 1861. He attended Union Theological Seminary of Virginia in Richmond from 1861-62 and 1865-67. He received a D.D. from Alfred University in 1882. He is buried in Westview Cemetery, Atlanta.
He served in the Confederate States Army from 1862-65 and was licensed April 19, 1867, in the Montgomery Presbytery. Dr. Barnett was assistant to the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, from 1867-69. He was ordained January 14, 1870, at Abingdon Presbyterian and served as pastor of Sinking Spring Church, Abingdon Presbytery from 1870-1882. The Presbytery declined releasing him until 1883. He was called to serve as Pastor to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta from 1883 until his death on September 13, 1898. During his 15 years here, he helped establish the Barnett Mission (later Barnett Memorial Presbyterian Church) near the Exposition Mills.
Dr. Barnett and Rev. Theron Rice of Central Presbyterian developed a strong relationship which resulted in the two congregations jointly celebrating their 50 th Anniversary on January 9, 1898. The 11:00 service and the 3:00 Communion were held at Central Presbyterian (which had a larger sanctuary) and the 7:30 worship service was held at First Presbyterian with both ministers preaching. Central no longer recognizes 1848 as the date of their founding.
Dr. Barnett died September 20, 1898, after which Richard Orme Flinn served briefly as Stated Supply. See further comments at end of Bridewell.
1899–1906
Charles Percy Bridewell
He was born in Camden, Arkansas, on March 30, 1867. His wife was Leila Cooper. She died May 28, 1941. He received his BA degree from Arkansas College in 1888 and DD in 1903. He attended Union Theological Seminary in Virginia from 1888-1890 and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1890-91. He received his license and was ordained in 1891 in the Ouachita Presbytery. He served as pastor in Malvern, Arkansas, from 1890-92; as pastor in Paris, Texas, from 1892-96 and First Church of Ft. Worth, Texas, 1896-99.
He was called to First Presbyterian of Atlanta as Pastor from 1899-1906. On December 11, 1904, the bulletin listed vacant pews available for reservation: "Members of the congregation who are unprovided with seats are requested to secure a pew or one or more of these vacant sittings. The church needs all of the revenue it is possible to raise from this and other sources."
Bridewell was “without charge” in Hope, Arkansas, from 1907-08; then served as Pastor in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, from 1908-16. He was the Pastor in Malvern, Ark., I9l6-21. He served as Secretary of Stewardship for Arkansas Synod in Malvern I92l-25. He was an evangelist and resident in Malvern from1925-29, where he died March 31, 1929.
1907–1911
Walter Lee Lingle
He was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, on October 3, 1868, to Wilson Alexander Lingle and Jane Lynch. He married Merle Dupuy in Davidson, North Carolina, on January 2, 1900, Their children were Laurie D., Nan R., Walter, Jr., and Caroline D. (Mrs. Frederick Lester).
Dr. Lingle received his BA from Davidson College in 1892, his MA in 1893, and his DD in 1906. He attended Union Theological Seminary of Virginia from 1893 to 1896 where he did postgraduate work for one year. He studied at the University of Chicago in 1896. He was licensed on May 21, 1895, and ordained in September 1897 in Concord Presbytery. He served as assistant instructor of Hebrew and Greek at Union Theological Seminary of Virginia from 1896-98 and 1900-01. He was Pastor of the Dalton, Georgia Presbyterian Church from 1898-1902, and Pastor of First Presbyterian of Rock Hill, South Carolina from l 902-07. He was called as Pastor to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in 1907 and remained until 1911.
From 1911 to 1914 he was a McCormick professor of Hebrew at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. From 1914 to 1924 he was professor of Church History and Missions. He was President of Assembly Training School in Richmond, VA, from 1924- 29. He served as president of Davidson College from 1929-1941, where he became President Emeritus in April 1941.
He received an LLD from Southwestern Presbyterian University in Clarkesville, Tennessee, in 1920, from Duke University in 1932 and from University of North Carolina in 1933. He was Moderator of the Synod of North Carolina in 1915 and was Program Manager for Montreat Conference Center from 1910-1924. He authored Presbyterianism: A Heritage and Challenge (in 1921). He also wrote Presbyterians, Their History and Beliefs in 1928; The Bible and Social Problems in1929; and Memories of Davidson College in 1947. He was Editor of the Union Seminary Review from 1913-22.
Dr. Lingle died September 19, 1956.
1912–1914
Hugh Kelso Walker
He was born in Rogersville, Tennessee, on December 5, 1861, to Dr. Joseph Rogers Walker and Mary Ann Lynn. On June 5, 1884, he married Elizabeth Moyers Moore in Dalton, Georgia. She died Dec. 19,1936. He married Mrs. Jane E. Fulwood of Los Angeles, California, in 1938.
He attended Sweetwater Military College in Tennessee and Auburn Theological Seminary in 1884. He was licensed in 1883 in the Holston (US) Presbytery and ordained in l884 at New Castle (USA) Presbytery. He served the USA church from 1885-87. He became pastor of Green Hill Church in Henry Clay, Delaware, from 1884-1885. He was Pastor of Valatie, New York, Church from 1885-1887. He was in the USA Church from 1887 -1894. He became Pastor of the Marietta, Georgia, Presbyterian Church in 1887, where he served until called as Pastor of First Church in Birmingham, Alabama (1891-1904). He returned to the USA Church 1894-1912. He became Pastor of Central Church in Baltimore, Maryland, (1894-98). He moved to Immanuel Church in Los Angeles, California, to serve as Pastor from 1898-1912.
He was called to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in l912 and served until 1914. He was Pastor of First Church of Long Beach, California, from 1914-1917 and was Pastor of First Church of Los Angeles from 1917-1937. He retired there in l938 and died in Hollywood on September 19, 1949.
He received a DD from University of Georgia in 1899, and an LLD from Occidental College, Los Angeles in 1912. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1928.
1914–1936, 1936–1942
John Sprole Lyons
He was born in Tazewell, Virginia, on February 8, 1861, to Rev. Jonathan Lyons and Nancy Ann Alexander. He married Wallace Lillard of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, on June 29, 1886. She died on October 9, 1919. Their sons were Rev. J. Sprole Lyons, Jr. (1888-1940) and William Wallace Lyons (1894-1946). Dr. Lyons second wife was a widow, Mrs. Anna Wooley Daniel. They married on August 5, 1921, and she died on November 24, 1936.
He received a BA from King College in Bristol, Tennessee, in 1880 and an LLD in 1923. He attended Union Theological Seminary in Virginia from 1880-83 and New College in Edinburgh, Scotland, 1901-1902. He was licensed in May 1883 in Abingdon Presbytery and was ordained December 12, 1883 in Transylvania Presbytery. He served as Pastor of the Lawrenceville, Kentucky, Presbyterian Church from 1883-1890. He was Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio, Texas, for 1891-92 and Pastor of First Presbyterian in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1892-1914.
He received a DD from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in 1895; received an honorary degree from Princeton University in 1920. He was Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky in 1904, and was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1913.
Dr. Lyons came to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in June 1914 and served as Pastor until 1936, when he resigned active leadership. He remained on staff as Pastor Emeritus from 1936 to 1942. He died in Atlanta on July 11, 1942.
Dr. Lyons’ initial priority in Atlanta was to help the Church to realize its long delayed plan to move from Marietta Street to the residential location at Peachtree Street and Sixteenth Street. The property was bought from S. M. Inman, chairman of the Board of Trustees, for “just under $54,117.60.” The Sunday school room was built first. It is the current location of the reception room. The last services at the Marietta Street location were November 28, 1915. The next day pews were removed and taken to Peachtree Street. A few pews are still used in the “portrait hallway”. Dr. Lyons preached the first sermon at the new location on December 5, 1915.
The cornerstone of the sanctuary at 16th & Peachtree was laid in a ceremony on Sunday, October 29, 1917. The sanctuary was dedicated on April 6, 1919.
The architect of the new sanctuary designed the building with very large windows for “light and cooling”. Dr. Lyons created a plan to fill the spaces with stained glass windows which would tell the story of the bible from Abraham to the spread of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. He worked closely with Tiffany, and then with D’Ascenzo, to develop the ten History Windows. When he became Pastor Emeritus in 1936, he remained active in the church, with his primary focus on completing the final four windows.
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta helped establish Peachtree Road Presbyterian (later Peachtree Presbyterian) in 1919 and Morningside Presbyterian in 1925. Live radio broadcasts of our Sunday service began on WSB Radio on April 2, 1922. Soon after his arrival, Dr. Lyons initiated an Every Member Canvass program which was very successful and was continued annually for many years.
Boy Scout Troop 60, founded in October 1924, was sponsored by First Presbyterian. Although no longer active, the Troop’s charter is still current.
On July 15, 1931, the church dedicated Winship Memorial Chapel. An addition for Sunday school, dining facilities, and choir room was completed in 1929. The 15- bell carillon was installed in 1930. Dr. Lyons conceived the overall design of the Sanctuary stained glass windows, worked very closely with Tiffany and D’Ascenzo to complete all details of the ten History Windows.
Church membership in 1934 was 1,727.
Dr. Lyons served as Trustee of Agnes Scott College, Columbia Theological Seminary, Presbyterian College, and Rabun Gap - Nachoochee School. He was one of the founders of the Louisville Theological Seminary and was instrumental in moving Columbia Seminary from Columbia, South Carolina, to Decatur, Georgia.
Dr. Lyons served our congregation for 28 years until his death. This includes active service as senior Pastor for 22 years and as Pastor Emeritus for 6 years. His record of 28 years of active service exceeds all other pastors. When Dr. Lyons came to FPC the membership was 400. When he died it was 1600.
1936–1952
William Vardamann Gardner
He was born in Satillo, Mississippi, on July 22,1903, to William Robert Gardner and Lilla Monts. He married Manira Hoon of San Antonio, Texas, on August 9,1932. He attended the University of Mississippi in l92l-22, Southwestern at Memphis, Tennessee, from I922-25 and received a BA. He received a BD from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia in 1925-28, and a THM in 1930. He was licensed and ordained May 28, l928, in East Mississippi Presbytery. He served as pastor of Tuscumbia, Alabama Presbyterian from 1930-33 and pastor of Farmville, Virginia, Presbyterian 1933-36. He received his DD in 1937 from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.
Dr. Gardner accepted the call to First Presbyterian of Atlanta in 1936 and served until 1952. He served as Moderator of the Synod of Georgia in l941. During his tenure he was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Columbia Seminary, served as a trustee of Agnes Scott College, and chaired the Executive Committee of Home Missions of PCUS.
He led First Church through the difficult days of World War II. On Invasion Day in 1944, city sirens announced the invasion at Normandy. That evening a prayer service was held at First Presbyterian.
In 1946, Miss Mamie Heinz started the weekday kindergarten. In 1949, Dr. Gardner played an active role in the formation of Trinity Presbyterian Church. For our 100th Anniversary in 1948, Dr. Gardner resurrected the original plan to portray the Second Coming in the East Window. After many difficulties, the window was completed in time for the anniversary.
Dr. Gardner resigned from FPC in1952 due to ill health. He later recovered from his illness and served as Stated Supply for First Presbyterian in Greenville, Mississippi, for a year, as Pastor of First Presbyterian Lexington, Kentucky, from 1953-64, and as Pastor of First Presbyterian of Shelbyville 1964-66. He was honorably retired on April 26, 1966 in the Louisville Presbytery.
1953–1976
Harry Amos Fifield
He was born in Schenectady, New York, on June 22, 1910, to Stephen Harvey Fifield and Letty Gates. He married Margaret Edna Mclntosh in Gainesville, Florida, on August 19,1937. Their children were: Stephen Mclntosh Fifield, Margaret Ann Fifield (Mrs. J. H. Endicott), and Harry Amos Fifield, Jr.
Dr. Fifield received an AB from University of Florida 1929-1933 and a THB from Princeton Theological Seminary 1933-36. He was licensed June 2, 1936, in the Suwannee Presbytery; ordained June 24,1936, in USA Church. He served as Pastor of First Church of Steelton, PA, from 1936-1942. He was received into the St. Johns Presbytery July 7, 1942, and served as Pastor, First Presbyterian of Deland, Florida, 1947-43; Chaplain, U.S. Navy 1943-46, served on the carrier USS Cabot; Pastor Westminster Church, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1946-53.
Dr. Fifield was called to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in 1953, where he served until retirement in 1976. His first sermon was preached on Mother's Day May 10, 1953. He received his DD from Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia, in 1953.
In 1953, First Presbyterian had a staff of nine and a membership of two thousand. That same year First Church helped to establish Mt. Vernon Presbyterian in Sandy Springs, to which thirty members of FPC transferred in 1954.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Fifield led the congregation through a difficult and challenging era, including the civil rights movement, an influx of international students, the hippie phenomenon, the Orly plane crash in Paris, and the Temple bombing.
A building expansion program began in 1958, acquiring property, adding a fellowship hall (now known as Fifield Hall), more Sunday School rooms and changes to Winship Chapel. FPC became the prime sponsor of Atlanta Aurora, a service center for hippies in 1970. The Venable Food Pantry was started in 1970. That same year the First Christmas International House was held. In 1974 the informal Worship in the Round services were held in Fifield Hall.
Dr. Fifield was a man of easy conversation, quick wit, and civic involvement. He served as Moderator of the Atlanta Presbytery and the Synod of Georgia. He was a Trustee of Agnes Scott College and Rabun Gap School. He was President of the Northside Kiwanis Club. He preached the Oglethorpe U. Baccalaureate in 1971 and preached at the Oglethorpe U. Baccalaureate Service. He took part in the Atlanta Airport Dedication; spoke in 1974 at the Atlanta Womens Chamber of Commerce: was a part of the programs for the dedication of Atlanta’s Central City Park and the annual meeting of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and “A Gathering of Presbyterians” at the Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Dr Fifield retired on his 66 th birthday in 1976 and was named Pastor Emeritus. After his retirement, in 1993, with Susan K. Barnard, Dr. Fifield wrote a memoir "This Is The Church Being The Church." He served seventeen interim pastorates after retirement.
Dr. Fifield is one of our longest serving Pastors. He served as senior Pastor for 23 years and 2 months, the longest for any senior Pastor. In his era, a Pastor Emeritus was not allowed to continue to serve in the same church.
The Presbyterian Survey of September 1976 said “The minister has been a key figure in the Church’s course in the days of racial integration, in discontent which led to the formation of another denomination, in education, in using radio broadcasting, and in Atlanta civic life.”
1977–1988
Paul Thornton Eckel
He was born in Kobe, Japan, on August 25,1934 to Paul Edward Eckel and Helen Sarah Thornton. He married Madilyn Jeanne (Jan) La Fleur in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 1955. Their children are Steven Paul and Laura La Fleur.
Dr. Eckel attended the University of Maryland from 1957-56 and received a BA. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary from 1956-1959, receiving a BD. He received a D. Min. from San Francisco Theological Seminary at San Anselmo, California, in 1979.
He was ordained July 26, 1959, in Potomac Presbytery after which he did post-graduate work at the University of Edinburgh in 1959-60. He served as Pastor for Buchanan and other Virginia churches in Buchanan in1960-64. He was Pastor of Grace Church, Springfield, 1964-1973; Pastor, Eastminster Church in Columbia, South Carolina, 1973-76.
Dr. Eckel was called to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in l977. He served as Pastor until 1988, when he resigned to become a full-time evangelist.
During his tenure, many programs were begun: Meals on Wheels (1978), Boarding House Ministry (1979), Art Therapy (1980), Prayer Breakfast (1981), Women's Shelter (1982), Stephen Ministry, Bethel Bible Series, televised worship, trips to the Holy Land, Atlanta Presbyterians Answer to Hunger (PATH), first female Associate Pastor, first African-American Associate Pastor, and the purchase of a church bus.
After leaving First Presbyterian, Paul and Jan became engaged in a Florida based Renewal Ministry Foundation.
1990–2013
George Bryant Wirth
Dr. George Bryant Wirth was born in Rockeville Centre, Long Island, New York, in 1947.
Dr. Wirth is the son of the late Presbyterian Pastor, George Robert Wirth and Emily Jane Wirth. He is married to the former Barbara Morrison from Plainfield, NJ. They have two children: Alyson, married to Jeff Cross (parents of Bryn Laura and Eliza Jane), and Matthew, married to Katherine Swope Wirth (parents of George Barron and Ann “Annie” Morrison Wirth).
He graduated from The Stony Brook Preparatory School, Stony Brook, Long Island, New York, in 1965, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969, with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1972.
Dr. Wirth was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1973. He was Assistant and Associate Pastor of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, from 1972-77 and Senior Pastor of The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, from l977-90. In 1986, he received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania and received a Doctor of Ministry through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in May 1990.
He serves on the Board of Trustees of Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, and served as vice-chairman 2006-2009. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of Cousins Family Foundation, Atlanta, GA. He is a trustee emeritus of The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, GA, a trustee emeritus of the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, GA, a member of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Homelessness, Atlanta, GA, a former member of the Board of Directors for the Holy Land Institute for Pastoral Renewal, Atlanta, GA, a former Director of the Alban Institute, Washington D.C., a trustee of The Presbyterian University, Kenya, CoChair of the Board of Stewards of Johnson C. Smith Seminary, Atlanta, GA, a Trustee of Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap, GA. He was formerly on the Board of Visitors of Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC, and Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA. He serves as co-chair of the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta. In 1993, Dr. Wirth was named to the Board of Councilors of The Carter Center, Atlanta, GA.
During George's 23 years at First Presbyterian the ministry to the community expanded, as did a long time relationship with The Temple. A partnership with Hillside Presbyterian in Decatur, GA, came into being. It includes an annual mission trip to Jamaica. Other mission trips were established or strengthened with Haiti, Kenya, Brazil, Honduras and Cuba, as well as several within the US. In 2002 the hanging of portraits of past senior Pastors was completed. ln 2003 a lovely Memorial Garden for ashes was completed. This is located in the Lydia Whitner Black garden. Soon after his arrival George helped re-establish the Archives Committee in the new Frank Walsh Room.
The Samaritan Counseling Center was established in 1999, and in 2010 the Colorado based Samaritan Institute presented George with its national award. After a massive renovation, the sanctuary was rededicated in 1996 - 80 years after the original dedication. Later, as a part of another renovation, the Music Dept. was expanded and upgraded. A School of Fine Arts was started.
On May 2, 1999, a Christian community center, known as the Smith Building, was dedicated on 16th St. at Lombardy Way. To help alleviate the parking problem, a parking deck across Peachtree from the church was purchased. In 2007-2008, First Pres raised $16 million for the ‘First Things First’ renovation campaign, co-chaired by Doug and Florida Ellis. Critical program and administrative positions were added to support church members in their missions in several areas: Young Adults, Worship, Internationals, Development, and Stewardship. A casual worship service on Sunday afternoon, Five at First, was begun.
In the Atlanta area Dr. Wirth served on numerous boards and interfaith interdenominational groups. As a leader he valued consensus and reconciliation over winning vs. losing. People of divergent points of view were made to feel welcome and wanted at FPC of Atlanta. He considered our location, in the "center " of Atlanta, the right place for this diverse congregation of black and white, poor and affluent, international and American, young and old.
Soon after Dr. Wirth arrived, the church entered into another renovation. During the restoration of the chancel organ by the Zimmer Company in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Wirth noticed a mention in the original architect’s drawings of a space above the organ pipes for a Rose Window. A Rose Window for this space was created under his guidance. With the generosity of Frank Carter’s family the window was installed May 3, 1992. Eventually, the pulpit area was made more accessible and the front two rows of pews were removed, allowing the center aisle to be used without impediment.
Note: Dr. Wirth became our third Pastor Emeritus after 23 years of service.
Dr. Wirth created the current version of an Archives Committee, co-chaired by Cindy Candler and Leila Taratus, in preparation for the 150th Anniversary. An Archives Room was created through the generosity of the Walsh family in honor of Frank Walsh, Sr. Dr. Wirth was a strong supporter of the committee’s efforts and a personal participant in our meetings.