The first organizational meeting for Community Church of God was held in January,
1966 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Manilla) Riley. Founding members were
Pastor Rudolph Smith, his parents Bro. Andrew and Sis. Lizzie Smith,Sis. Annie Dixon, Sis. Pearl McClendon, Sis. Daisy Odum, Sis. Mollie Peters, Sis. Manilla Riley and Sis. Catheryn Smith.

On February 27 of that same year, the first worship service for the newly established church was held in the chapel of Alphonso Dawson Mortuary, with services scheduled twice monthly.

Recognizing the need for more regular services, on May 1 the group moved to the home of Bro. Herman and Sis. Catheryn Smith and began meeting weekly. On October 2, 1966 the growing congregation relocated to the chapel of Hines Funeral Home.

On May 17, 1970 the church moved to its present location at 850 Cascade Ave. Dr. James Earl Massey, professor at Anderson Theological Seminary, performed the dedicatory service.

Pastor Rudolph Smith assumed full time pastoral responsibilities in September of 1973 and in less than three years, on January 25, 1976 the church burned the $60,000 mortgage on the Cascade Avenue property.

With a vision for the future, the church undertook its first major building fund campaign in 1978, beginning construction on the Cascade Ave. property in 1979. The new sanctuary was dedicated in 1980. Rev. Lawrence P. Wyatt, Chairman of the National Ministerial Assembly performed the dedicatory services. The mortgage on this property was retired six years later, on October 22, 1986.

Community Church of God has always had a heart for outreach, and in 1983 began its meal program for the needy. In 1985 the church purchased the Salvation Army Thrift Store adjacent to the church property. In time, this building would become known as VICARS (Volunteers in Community and Related Services), dedicated in 1989.

In February, 1996 Pastor Rudolph Smith celebrated 45 years of service in Christian ministry and 30 years as pastor of Community Church of God. He announced his retirement the following year, in January, 1997.

February 1998 marked the beginning of a new era in the church’s history when Michael A. Smith was called as pastor-elect to succeed his father. The mantle was officially passed in May with the installation service on October 11, 1998 led by Dr. Timothy J. Clarke who served as vice chairman of the National Association of the Church of God.

Under Pastor Michael’s visionary leadership our congregation has made several transitions which have enriched our fellowship including our worship celebration, organizational structure and technological advances. We have purchased four additional properties including the Rudolph Smith Building, a church bus and van, and have increased membership, finances and ministries.

Our worship celebration has expanded to include the Praise Team, the ministry of Silent Worship, the Perpetual Praise Dancers and the inclusion of multimedia technology. Our children have been incorporated more into the worship experience with the inclusion of Children’s Story Time before they exit for Children’s Church.

During Pastor Michael’s administration a greater emphasis has been placed on community outreach programs. The church has partnered with Church on the Street and Pastor Kurt Salierno, on Friday evenings during the summer provides block parties to the community on our church property, and ministers at Safe House every third Sunday evening.

We continue to provide a city-wide recognized food pantry to the community. Additionally, our local outreach ministries include prison, hospital, nursing home, grief counseling, health resources, and addiction counseling and support group. The bus ministry has expanded to picking up children from several apartment complexes in our surrounding areas. Our overseas outreach continues to include ministries in Nevis, St. Kitts, Kenya and Nigeria.

VICARS continues to be the meeting place for the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta every Monday morning. Both Pastor Michael and Pastor Emeritus are viable members of this esteemed organization.

Truly God has blessed Community Church of God, as over 40 ministries have been birthed in this congregation, including the newsletter, P.L.A.C.E, bereavement, intercessory prayer, conservation and discipleship as well as ministries specifically for couples, singles, seniors, young adults, men, women, youth and children. Truly we are a church who wants “to know Christ and make Him known.” This is our mission and we believe we will accomplish it with God as our Guide as “we enter to worship and exit to witness.”

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