Atlanta First United Methodist Church in

Atlanta First United Methodist Church in Georgia welcomed Dr. Helen Jin Kim in honor of Laity Sunday.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 21, the church said that Dr. Kim, its Grow Team Leader, preached at the event.

According to the church’s post, Laity Sunday was held on Sunday, Oct. 23.

Dr. Kim teaches American religious history as an assistant professor at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, according to the church.

The church said she focuses on the United States ties to the Asia-Pacific region as well as the transnational histories of Asian American religions as she analyzes United States religion and history in a global context.

Just this year, her novel "Race for Revival" was published, according to the church.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church said the worship was held in-person or online at 10 a.m.

Additional information can be found in Atlanta First United Methodist Church’s Facebook post.

Spiritual Needs for Everyone

According to Atlanta First United Methodist Church's website, it has frequently chosen to remain in the city's center because it can meet the spiritual needs of both wealthy and less privileged people there.

A generous man by the name of Samuel Mitchell reportedly offered the Methodists a sizable tract of property in 1845, according to Atlanta First United Methodist Church's website.

The triangle-shaped plot's three sides, according to the church, are formed by Peachtree, Pryor, and Houston Streets (near where the Georgia Pacific building stands).

According to the report, there was a little log cabin there with chimneys on both ends. It further stated that it operated as a school during the week and as a church on Sundays.

The Union Sabbath School, a multireligious Sunday school, was launched, according to an announcement made by Atlanta First United Methodist Church.

According to the church, preaching services were held for the three denominations of Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church stated that although the history of the church is mostly about people, locations and buildings are given more importance than specific individuals.

In order for the church to grow and develop over the span of its first 170 years, the church said that years of faith, compassion, and sacrifice had been made, and the congregation had cherished them.

Atlanta First United Methodist Church said famous people have made a significant historical and contemporary contribution to Atlanta's growth.

Pastors, Worshippers

Local pastors informed the Atlanta First United Methodist Church that worshippers had assembled there.

Small groups, according to the church, gathered to hold services and formulate future plans in residences, warehouses on Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue, and even the offices of the Georgia Railroad.

The 175th anniversary of Atlanta First United Methodist Church's foundation will be commemorated in 2022, according to the church's website.

Given how long the church has been serving God and the community, they place a high priority on the way the story of the church is told.