NOVEMBER 17 AFTER THE WORK IS FINISHED EXODUS 40:17-38
Dear
Peachtree
Church Family,
It is a profound joy to gather with you today to celebrate the restoration of our cherished Sanctuary. After 18 months of unwavering prayer and extraordinary generosity, we consecrate this sacred space, marking a defining milestone in the life of our church and opening a new chapter in our shared journey.
This revitalized Sanctuary stands as a continuation of our legacy and a bold step forward, ensuring that Peachtree will continue to fulfill its calling. If this Sanctuary holds a special place in your heart, take a moment today to give thanks for the countless ways God has used—and will continue to use—this space to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.
Today, we also celebrate the grand opening of Wilson Chapel, The Williams Center, The Green Space, and The Library. We invite you to explore these thoughtfully reimagined spaces, envisioning the vibrant community gatherings, worship, and life-changing experiences they will foster in the years ahead.
The Renewing the Promise campaign has invited us to honor our past while investing in our future. Your presence and support have been essential to this incredible journey. May God bless this renewed space, and may his blessings be upon each of you as we move forward together.
With anticipation in Christ,
Dr. Richard Kannwischer Senior Pastor
ORDER OF WORSHIP
8:30 & 9:45
Prelude
Christ Is Made a Sure Foundation
Welcome & Prayer of Adoration
Holy, Holy, Holy
Litany of Rededication
Doxology *
Life of the Congregation *
Apostles’ Creed
To God Be the Glory
Pastoral Prayer & the Lord’s Prayer
Come Thou Fount
AFTER THE WORK IS FINISHED
Exodus 40:17-38
dr . richard kannwischer | senior pastor
O God Beyond All Praising
Invitation & Benediction
Postlude
* for 9:45 am
LITANY OF REDEDICATION
Leader: Peace be to this house, and to all who worship here.
All: Peace be to all who enter, and to all who go out from here.
Leader: Peace be to those who love this church, and those who love the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All: Lift up your heads, and open the gates, that the King of Glory may come in!
Leader: From the rising of the sun to its setting, may this Sanctuary be a place of worship to God.
All: May we see this space as holy to the Lord.
Leader: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Father who art in heaven;
All: To you we rededicate and reconsecrate this space.
Leader: Lord Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world, Head of the body which is the church:
All: To you we rededicate and reconsecrate this space.
Leader: Spirit of God, given to be our abiding Teacher, Sanctifier, and Comforter; Lord and Giver of life:
All: To you we rededicate and reconsecrate this space.
Leader: In prayer, music, sacrament, and the proclaimed Word,
All: May your name be ever glorified.
Leader: Praise God in his Sanctuary, praise him in his mighty firmament!
All: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
All: Praise the Lord!
THE HISTORY of PEACHTREE
Peachtree Road Presbyterian Church
FIRST SANCTUARY BUILT | 1926
Peachtree Road Presbyterian Church completed its first building , located at the corner of Peachtree Road and Mathieson Drive. The buildi ng was designed by the prominent church architect Charles H. Hopson, who also designed Peachtree Christian Church, Rock Springs Presbyterian Church, and Ponce de Leon Methodist Episcopal Church.
ASCENSION WINDOW DONATED | 1926
The Ascension Window above the organ, designed by Mr. Joseph V. Llorens, was donated by Mrs. Robert Meadow. Peachtree originally had no organ but was able to purchase First Congregational Church’s used organ for $1,000 and install it in 1930.
right:
From left to
The East Window, the Ascension Window, and the West Window.
Ascension Window and organ 1930
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
Peachtree’s building committee and its congregation determined that a new Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall should be constructed in the modern gothic style to blend with current facilities. The congregation hired an architecture firm and set a limit of $400,000 for construction.
1955 Church Brochure about proposed new building.
NEW PROPERTY PURCHASED | 1956
Then, in 1956, the Grant Estate became available for subdivisio n and sale. (The Grant home, at 155 West Paces Ferry Road, is tod ay the Cherokee Town Club.) The congregation decided to re-locate and authorized the purchase of approximately 10 acres of property facing Roswell Road from the estate.
John W. Grant, Jr.
ORIGINAL CHURCH DESIGNED 1958
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD
A groundbreaking ceremony was held with an anticipated construction period of 18 months. A month after the ceremony, the congregation held a dinner in the new but still uncompleted Fellowship Hall seeking pledges to the 1960 budget. The catered meal drew 925 members and was the larg est single assemblage of the congregation to that date.
Aerial view of the new Sanctuary to be built on Roswell Road.
FIRST SERVICE HELD IN THE NEW SANCTUARY
In April 1960, Peachtree Road Presbyterian Church held its last service at 3156 Peachtree Road. As Rev. Gene Wilson told the story: “The church was completed and ready for occupancy in May 1960, and on this day of rejoicing and thanksgiving, 1,428 persons crowded into the Sanctuary and overflowed into th e chapel.”
A look at the new Sanctuary facing the Ascension Window.
A view from the chancel in the new Sanctuary.
Various newspaper clippings on raising the steeple on the new c hurch.
CHURCH LAUNCHES EXPANSION CAMPAIGN FOR THE 80 s
The Building Committee recommended, and the congregation approved, a $2 million church expansion project On Congregational Pledge Day, Dr. Frank Harrington announced that a $600,000 special gifts campaign was complete and a few weeks later, by “Victory Sunday,” an additional $620,000 had been raised.
SANCTUARY EXPANSION MAPPED OUT | 1986
The committee recommended a 12,120 square foot addition to the Sanctuary in the form of two twolevel transepts; a new Fellowship Hall; new classroom space; ne w office space; creation of a bus shuttle system; and the acquisition of more property along Lakeland Dri ve to be converted to parking.
SANCTUARY
CONSTRUCTION 1987
PEACHTREE CLOSES ON YMCA PROPERTY
The church bought the YMCA property and approved of a building program which included a two-story addition in front of the Fellowship Hall, including a Welcome Center, a new library and nursery with additional children’s classroom space; a new building on the YMCA site (most likely a new gymna sium); and internal remodeling; and a 300 seat chapel named Kellett Chapel in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Stiles A. Kellett, Sr.
FUNDRAISING PICNIC & GROUNDBREAKING
Kellet Chapel - 1996
Dr. Hal Franch and Vicki Harrington Franch helping with the kids and the plow.
THE “GROWING STRONG” CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
Dr. Vic Pentz broke ground for the “Going Strong” project. This $34.1 million project included a 47,000 square foot student and Young Christians’ Center and a three-level 390-space parking deck on the east side of Roswell Road; a tunnel under Roswell Road; substantial renovation of the children’s space at the north end of the original campus; and rededication of current student space to adult ministries.
TUNNEL AND WILLIAMS CENTER ARE BUILT
Dr. Vic Pentz at 2007 Groundbreaking Ceremony.
Construction of the tunnel under Roswell Road, July 24, 2007.
The tunnel under Roswell Road, dubbed The Passage in 2009.
THE LODGE IS BUILT
The Lodge was built to serve as Student Ministry’s home , but also was used to host our men’s and women’s ministries, our first-ever family conference, and first-ever Peachtree College of Elders meeting. The Lodge a lso hosted various community events including the mayor’s roundtable, brea kfasts honoring Atlanta’s fireman and police, and Whitefield Academy’s prom.
RENEWING THE PROMISE LAUNCHES
In April, Dr. Richard Kannwischer invited our congregation to gather to pray over the Renewing the Promise capital campaign and make commitments for the following three years. Harkening back to our past, when our church celebrated with a large church-wide BBQ, we held a bluegrass band BBQ celebration for our entire congregation.
The Dappled Grays performing for our congregation during the launch of Renewing the Promise.
The Sanctuary
Moved chancel forward to bring worship to the congregation
Reduced balcony for greater sense of height and space
Added and strategically placed theatrical lighting
Designed angled walls and curved ceilings to enhance acoustics in the Sanctuary
Updated audio/visual technology for consistency throughout the space
Added fire suppression system, improved insulation, and new mechanical systems
VIEW
The Ascension Window
Our beloved Ascension Window was removed, repaired, cleaned, and reinstalled by the great-grandson of the original designer and installer. The Ascension Window was brought forward 15 feet to remain the visual focal point.
Enhanced Seating
New pews, flooring, and in-the round seating
New theatre-style configuration of transept seating
Added ADA seating in multiple locations
Wilson Chapel
Raised ceiling for greater sense of space
Updated pews, fixtures, carpet and flooring to complement the Sanctuary
Improved main outdoor entrance and staircase
Jesus at Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane
Installed new stained-glass focal point depicting Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
This beautiful piece was created by the same artist of the Sanctuary Ascension Window
The Green Space
Created a pedestrian-friendly outdoor green space and a new beautiful front lawn
Installed ADA compliant ramp around the magnolia tree
Hired an arborist to do a survey of our beloved magnolia tree root systems so that we were able to strategically avoid the roots during construction of the new ADA ramp and the hardscape
Steeple Coffee
Created a new coffee bar, Steeple Coffee, to invite a greater sense of belonging amongst our congregation and community
Steeple Coffee will offer locally sourced, craft coffee as well as a light food menu
Wonderfully Made, Peachtree’s new ministry for adults with intellectual disabilities, will provide cookies in the coffee bar
The Library
Concentrated theological library resources to an accessible community gathering space
Provided central location on Sundays for resources and guides on how to get connected
Special thanks to those who made a significant investment of time and expertise serving as committee members of the Renewing the Promise campaign. Years of careful study and in-depth assessments clarified how Peachtree Church could make the most meaningful and impactful enhancements to our campus for future generations.
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Sarah & Jim Borders
Kitty & Alston Correll
Ann & John Day
Barbara & Roy Dickson
Holly & Jon Dwight
Molly & Adam Fuller
Emily & Tim Gartland
Shearon & Taylor Glover
Lynn & Andy Hamilton
Charlie Heard
Anne Park & Matt Hopkins
Jan & Tom Hough
Donna & Paul Hyland
Janet & Joe King
Marianne & E.G. Lassiter
Nancy McGuirk
Janine & John McKenney
Suzann & Terry Moore
Mary & Ross Mullins
Mebane & Neil Pruitt
Jenny* & Robert Pruitt
Courtney & Teddy Russell
Alana Shepherd
Dana & Bill Tucker
Tiffany & Will Wray
Betty & Jimmy* Williams
Loretta & Eric Zimmermann
*Promoted to the Church Triumphant during the Renewing the Promise Campaign.
MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE
Jim Borders
Mike Elting
Jeff Graham
Chip Groome
Donna Hyland
Richard Kannwischer
SANCTUARY DESIGN TEAM
Bryan Benitez
Bill Davies
Vicki Franch
Chip Groome
PROJECT TEAM
Heather Ellison
Mike Elting
Chip Groome
Charles Hodnett
FLOWER DEDICATION
Mary Hoffman
Hyland Justice
Richard Kannwischer
John Long
Rodney Milligan
Bill Tucker
Brian Mann
Dan Pattillo
Beth Stevens
Betty Williams
Richard Kannwischer
Stephanie Kirkpatrick
Jay Madden
John McKenney
Rodney Milligan
Terry Moore
Ginny Nickles
Betty Williams
The beautiful flowers in the sanctuary this morning are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the marriage of Samantha Knapp and Hugh Chapman given by Ashley and Joe Chapman
