our story
01
1832-1839
Marietta Methodist Campground
This area was Cherokee land until 1832, when Cherokee County was formed. Based on a land lottery system approved in 1803, gold lots of 40 acres and land lots of 160 were offered for $18.00 each. Most in what is now Cobb County were designated as gold lots. Cherokee County, 16th District, 2nd Section, Lot #987 is the property obtained by the Marietta Methodist Campground in 1837, on a portion of which East Cobb United Methodist Church now stands.
The Marietta Methodist Camp Meeting was organized in 1837 and held services under a temporary brush arbor, until construction of a permanent structure began in 1838. That Tabernacle, completed in 1839, still stands with some modifications and remains in use every summer for “Camp Meeting.” From these stark beginnings, the church emerged over time.
02
1869-1875
Campground Sunday School
The Olin Sabbath School was established on May 23, 1869 as a regular group meeting at the Tabernacle. This School was reorganized on April 8, 1875, when the name was changed to Campground Sunday School.
There is secondary evidence that a Church was established here in 1872, though no charter has been located. It was named Campground Methodist Episcopal Church South. A church building was purchased from Presbyterians in the Sandy Plains Community and relocated by dragging it on East Piedmont to Sewell Mill Road. It had been called Lebanon Church, so Campground was renamed New Lebanon Methodist Episcopal Church South.
03
1879
Campground Methodist Episcopal Church South
04
1885-1886
library & parsonage
On October 15, 1885, the Library Association established a Community Library at the Church. The Marietta Journal on December 10, 1885 reported, “The Library Association… has received its first lot of books which consists of fifty-six interesting volumes.”
In 1886, a parsonage located on Sewell Mill Road was purchased for the Circuit.
05
1908
White Frame Church
In 1908, a white frame church was erected on the north side of Roswell Road where the present parking lot is located.
06
1947
Scout Troop
New Lebanon Methodist Church chartered the Scout Troop 161 in September 23, 1947.
07
1948
Campground Methodist Church
New Lebanon Methodist Church became a station church in 1948 and changed the name to Campground Methodist Church.
08
1961
Annex
An education Annex was built in 1961.
09
1965
Sanctuary
The present Sanctuary was built in 1965 and was designed to be used as a Fellowship Hall. The Parlor was the kitchen.
10
1968
A New Beginning
The old wooden church was demolished in 1968. Martha Lewis and Rev. Harry Alderman cooked fried chicken and sold plates to raise money for the new buildings. Many others, of course, worked long and hard, but Martha takes credit for serving the first plate! The Activities Building, designed for use by the Youth, was dedicated September 15, 1968.
11
1983
The Tape Ministry
Marietta Campground Cemetery, which began in 1899, was incorporated in 1983. The Tape Ministry was organized in 1983 to record and duplicate Sunday services for delivery to our Homebound members. The first tape was delivered to Mrs. Cleo Moon. The Tape Ministry evolved into a CD Ministry. Now, we also have podcasts and live streaming of worship services.
12
1984
Church Growth
Campground UMC was among the top 50 churches in the North Georgia Annual Conference with a net increase of 44 members in 1984.
13
1985
Allgood Endowment Fund
The Church set a record in 1985 by adding 61 new members. On December 30, 1985, the executor of the estate of Cynthia Ida Allgood estate donated $240,047.59, creating the Cynthia Ida Allgood Endowment Fund to be paid in annual installments to Campground United Methodist Church. Funds from the endowment cannot be used for construction or retirement of debt.
14
1986
Dr.james thurman
On June 6, 1986, Dr. James Thurman completed his nine years of service to Campground UMC, during which time 402 new members were added to the church membership.
15
1987
East Cobb United Methodist Chuch
The Educational Wing and Offices were completed in 1987. Remarkably, the Sanctuary envisioned in the plans from the 1960s has never been built. On March 20, 1987, the Church voted to change its name to East Cobb United Methodist Church.
16
1990
East Cobb Weekday School
In 1990, Mothers’ Morning Out and the existing preschool combined into the East Cobb Weekday School, serving one hundred twenty children between the ages of three months and five years.
17
2000
Sanctuary Remodel
In 2000, the Sanctuary and Narthex were remodeled, eliminating the carnival glass bricks with beautiful stained glass windows.
18
2001
The Building Committee
In February 2001, a called Charge Conference established a Building Committee. To date, we have erected a new sign; renovated the Narthex and hallway; added a main entrance façade; and created The Gathering Place.
19
2004
Kenyan Ministry
In January 2004, Rev. Peter Kaimathiri Mtuamari arrived with a letter from the Bishop of the Kenyan Methodist Church appointing him as a missionary to the approximately 4,000 Swahili speaking people in the Atlanta Area. His work became a ministry of this church.
20
today
Holy Ground
Today, the Campground of 1837 has become three entities: East Cobb United Methodist Church, Marietta Campmeeting, Inc., and Marietta Campground Cemetery, all serving God as those founders envisioned so many years ago. For all who come after us, no matter your opinion of the present stewards of these entities, remember that you are standing on Holy Ground.