The Turner Chapel Story

The 1800s

Negro Marietta residents began their first religious meeting in 1853, shortly after the settlement of the town. This was a group of 37 persons of all faiths who desired a place to meet for prayer and worship. The meetings were held in a log cabin on Task Street (no longer existing), near an abandoned Coca-Cola Battery plant and Tobacco Cigar factory. In 1839, the Presbyterian Church vacated their building on the corner of Waddell and Lawrence Streets in downtown Marietta. They offered the use of this building to the little group, which had grown from their original numbers of 37, and now called themselves, Trinity Church for Negroes and Indians, for worship. During that time the church operated under the direction of First United Methodist Church, which supplied its pastors. First Methodist supplied pastors until the end of the Civil War in 1865. During the Civil War, Trinity was used as a hospital for the Union soldiers. In 1865, Reverend Henry McNeal Turner, moved to Georgia and joined St. Phillip’s Monumental A.M.E. Church in Savannah, the first A.M.E. Congregation in Georgia. Upon his arrival in Marietta, he found former slaves worshipping without ministerial leadership, so he organized the church under the auspices of the AME Church and became Trinity's first Negro pastor. A New A.M.E. Church in Georgia On July 6, 1867, the trustees of the First Methodist Church transferred the property deed to the trustees off Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church for the sum of ten dollars. In 1891, under the leadership of Reverend Dan Strickland, the church was rebuilt and the name was changed to Turner Chapel, in honor of Bishop Turner. An eight-foot strip of land on the west side of the church was purchased on July 28, 1899 from Mrs. Dorothy Stephenswhile the Reverend Fountain, later, Bishop W. A. Fountain, Sr., was pastor. The choir loft was added during the pastorate of the Reverend J.A. Hadley in 1906. The ladies’ lounge was built during Reverend R.E. Romans’ pastorate and the vestibule when the late Reverend C.L. Williams was pastor. Under the leadership of Reverend Doctor D.W. Jacobs (1964-1970) Turner Chapel added $7,000.00 of church property, increased the building fund by $3,000.00 and purchased a piano. Dr. Jacobs also served as the Director of Turner Theological Seminary In-Service Training Center and the Associate Director of Religious Education for the State of Georgia.

The 1900s

Due to urban renewal and revitalization of the downtown Marietta area, Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was forced to relocate. The Lawrence Street property was purchased from the city of Marietta on December 6, 1971. On September 12, 1972, a contract was issued for work to begin. However, groundbreaking ceremonies were not held until the second Sunday in April 1973. The first services were held on March 3, 1974, under the administration of Reverend H.H. Kenner (deceased). Serving as trustees were: Kenneth Carter, Emory Dennis(deceased), Derry Holmes (deceased), Thomas Kilgore, Walter Moon, Fred Reeves(deceased), and Frank Sexton (deceased). The Cornerstone for 548 Lawrence Street was erected in 1974 by Wilbur Sanders and Ralph Russaw. The cornerstone and the original church bell from the first Turner Chapel erected in 1891, (during the Pastorate of Reverend Dan Strickland Pastor, Reverend R.A. Hall, P.E.) are built into the Lawrence Street Church marquee, where both still stand today. A steady growth of members led to a need for additional space. A new wing, was added to the original structure in 1988, under the leadership of Reverend Ben Fortson. Designed and built by Walter Dean Moon, The addition included a pastor's study, choir room, classrooms, library/conference room, communion room, and storage space. Under the leadership of Reverend Ben Fortson (1976-1988), the church purchased two new vans, paid off the church's first mortgage in five years, laid the cornerstone to the church, purchased a piano and choir robes, organized several new ministries and increased the membership to over 400 members. A New Leadership for a New Day In June of 1988, Reverend Kenneth Marcus became the pastor of Turner Chapel. Under his guidance, Turner Chapel purchased additional vans, increased the ministerial staff and number of choirs, and purchased land for the new Turner Chapel church site. During this time the Lord continued to bless Turner Chapel with phenomenal growth. In 1990, after just two years under the leadership of our "Dynamic Duo", husband and wife ministerial team, Reverends Kenneth and Cassandra Marcus, the Turner Chapel population stood at 482 members. In 1993, Pastor Marcus and Church Officers agreed upon a vision for Turner Chapel that included a new sanctuary, educational facility, multipurpose center, childcare facilities and an activity center. In 1994, Turner Chapel members filled the church to capacity during each of three Sunday services, held at 7 am, 9 am, and 11 am. In October of 1994, a Church Expansion Committee was formed to address the immediate and long-term needs for worship space. In January 1996, we began worship services at Wheeler High School’s 450 seat gymnasium. This move allowed us to go back to two services. After nearly a year and a half of setting up and breaking down chairs and other furnishings for worship services, we sought other options. The Pastor's Vision for a New Turner In 1997, we began to monitor and project future growth. We realized we would need a sanctuary that would seat 2500 to 3000 persons. We began acquiring the land for the future Worship Center. With membership continuing to grow, we decided to build our Recreation Center prior to the Worship Center. In 1998, we began construction and on July 18,1999, Turner Chapel opened the doors of a new Turner Chapel Recreation Center, which served as a "temporary home" to over 4,000 members, while the new main sanctuary building was under construction. Later in 1999, we were blessed to be able to retire the bank loan.

The 2000s

In 2000, we began addressing current and future parking needs by adding the East Lot at Fairground Street and North Marietta Parkway. Each Sunday, we operate shuttle service from the East Lot to our worship site at the Recreation Center. Blessed again we were able to pay off the cost of the parking lot in one year. Building The Cathedral In 2002, the church expansion committee announced plans for the new Worship Center. A 100,000 square feet worship facility was planned with three levels that feature state-of-the-art audio/video technology, a generous narthex, and ample parking facilities Many fund-raising events were held to build our Cathedral. From Pew Rallies, to Fashion Teas, to Special Concerts and Presentations, each member and friend gave to bring forth our new church. Entering The Cathedral of Turner Chapel A.M.E Church On March 20, Palm Sunday 2005, the members and friends of Turner Chapel AME Church entered the new Cathedral of Turner Chapel AME Church. People came from as far South as Port-au-Prince, Trinidad, and New York City, New York. Phase one of the Worship Center is now complete. In subsequent phases, we plan to construct a 1000 seat Fellowship Hall, and a 65,000 sq. ft. Education Center. Since its inception in 1865, Turner Chapel has had 51 Pastors to serve its illustrious congregation. Three of our Pastors were elected to the Bishopric: Henry McNeal Turner, William A. Fountain, Sr, and Harold I. Bearden. In addition to serving as Bishop of the AME church, Henry McNeal Turner also served as Morris Brown College’s First President. Bishop William A. Fountain, Sr. and Reverend William A. Fountain, Jr. both served as Presidents of Morris Brown College. A number of former Pastors have served as Presiding Elders. They are: Dr. D.W. Wiggs (1936-1939), Dr. J.S. Downs (1922-1924), Dr. J.R. Hurley (1946-1948), Dr. D.S. Saunders(1931-1933), and Dr. A.J.Harris (1950-1952). Since 1865, Turner Chapel has grown to include over 5,500 members, 100 ministries, and 46 parcels of land. We have built 2 church buildings and are in the process of crating a vision of church, recreation and study that will impact the community of Marietta for years to come.