THE HISTORY

OF

THE BELLE-TERRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)

In the early 1960’s Messes Alvin Forrest, Jacob Crawford, James Curtis and Parnell Jones began a community Sunday School in the Terrace Manor Community.  Their work captured the attention of the Rev. Otis A. Smith who had been recently called to the Christ United Presbyterian Church.  It was his dream that the Christ Church would move to a new community.  He requested to the Session to consider the idea.  Permission was given to find a suitable location, and if so, Christ Church would consider relocating.  He petitioned the Georgia Presbytery to study the idea.  Christ Church changed their minds, but the Presbytery of Georgia (the United Presbyterian Church) instructed its committee on National Missions to conduct a study to determine the need for a second United Presbyterian Church in Augusta.

The New Church Development of the old Synod of South Carolina-Georgia assisted in the study.  In the committee report of their findings, this community and our present location were presented as a possible site for a new church.  The committee’s recommendations were presented to the Presbytery.  Affirmative action was taken by the Presbytery to request the National Board of Missions, of the United Presbyterian Church, to make funds available for the new Church Development project in Augusta.

In 1969, as an Army Chaplain, Rev. Otis Smith began Sunday morning worship services in the Terrace Manor Elementary School.  Rev. Smith continued to pastor the Sunday morning services until an organizing pastor was found.  The Presbytery, through its committee on Ministerial Relations, extended a call to the Rev. E. McKay Miller of Mayesville, South Carolina as organizing pastor.

Rev. E. McKay Miller began his work officially on October 1, 1969.  Rev. Miller immediately continued in the organization of the church by gathering interested persons from the Terrace Manor and Bellemeade Communities.  The first committee to be organized was the steering committee.  The members of the Steering Committee were:  Joe Dixon – Chairperson, Alvin Forrest – Vice Chairperson, Dennyzade Dixon – Secretary, Joe Jackson – Treasurer, Rev. Otis Smith – Chaplain, Mrs. Nettie Smith, Mrs. Lucille Floyd, Elder Elizabeth Latimer, Mr. Jacob Crawford, Attorney John Watkins, Mrs. Johnetta Miller, Mrs. Charles Greenaugh, Mr. Thales Elliott, Mrs. Lucretia Miller, Miss Alicia Greenaugh, and Mrs. Edna Thornton.

The Steering Committee became actively involved in the planning of attendance and enrollment.  During this period, church attendance and Sunday School enrollments continued to grow.  The members of the Steering Committee were requested by the Organizing Pastor to suggest names for the new Church.  The name Belle-Terrace Mission was established.

In 1969 the Steering Committee petitioned the Presbytery of Georgia to formerly organize the mission into a United Presbyterian congregation. 

In January 1970, the Steering Committee started its first Child Care Center-Kindergarten.  It opened in a rented house located on Bellemeade Drive.  Staff members were:  Mrs. Jacqueline Williams, Mrs. Lucretia Miller, Mrs. Magdaline Nelson and Mrs. Charles Greenaugh.

In February 1970, Belle-Terrace United Presbyterian Church with 115 chartered members became official.  On this historic occasion, the church ordained elders and deacons.  The celebration of The Lord’s Supper, as well as the installation and recognition of trustees – along with the Sacrament of Baptism, was a part of the service.

The first Session members were:  Harold Bussey, Jacob Crawford, Joe Dixon, Alvin Forrest, Willie Roundtree, Peter Mindingall, Charles Grant, Parnell Jones, Elizabeth Latimer, Bobby Parham, Joseph Jackson, John Watkins.  The Steering Committee was also at work securing property for a future building complex.  The property on Golden Camp Road where the church is now located was purchased by the Presbytery in July 1970.

Many conferences and meetings were now standard for Presbytery Officials, Board of National Missions, local church officials and the Architectural firm of Dort B. Payne Associates.  In 1971, construction funds and architectural drawings were given final approval.  October 1971, construction began and the church building was completed in May 1972.  Parnell Jones served as Chairperson of the Building Committee and Dan Byrd was Treasurer.

God, through His son Jesus Christ, continued to shower His blessings upon us.  For two years we praised, worshipped and fellowshipped every Sunday at Terrace Manor Elementary School.  Our first worship service in the new church was conducted Sunday, May 28, 1972, and the church was officially dedicated on September 24, 1972.

In December 1973, the Belle-Terrace congregation extended a call to the organizing pastor to become its first pastor.  Rev. E. McKay Miller accepted and was installed on Sunday, February 3, 1974.  By the time the church celebrated its Fifth Anniversary on February 2, 1975, the church had a full seven day week program.

In November 1975, the congregation said good-bye to Rev. and Mrs. Miller.  Rev. Miller moved on to become Associate Executive for the Presbytery of Detroit.

During the years 1976 and 1977 the church was blessed to have dedicated supply ministers.  Rev. Maurice Cherry and Rev. Theodore Fisher were two supply ministers who labored long and hard to keep the congregation together and spiritually alive.

On January 1, 1978, Rev. Benjamin J. Anderson arrived from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to serve as Stated Supply.  Under Rev. Anderson’s leadership the congregation rededicated itself to the “ministry of reconciliation”.  During 1978-79, the church membership increased to 110 and began to meet its financial obligations to local creditors and the Georgia Presbytery.  In 1979 the church issued a call to Rev. Anderson and installed him in the fall of that same year.

In the 1980’s the Belle-Terrace congregation tripled its annual budget, paid off the debt on the land, added new equipment, new carpet, paved the parking lot and painted the interior.  On Sunday, November 9, 1980, Belle-Terrace celebrated its Tenth Anniversary.  Rev. W. S. Mercer, the choir and members of Radcliffe UPC, Atlanta, Georgia were our guests.

Rev. Anderson retired on December 31, 1985 and later became Pastor Emeritus of Belle-Terrace Church.  Rev. Anderson’s retirement was followed by the interim pastorate of Rev. John Ellis, who provided strong and capable leadership for the church.

In May, 1987, Rev. Larry Hill was called as the third installed pastor of Belle-Terrace Church.  Under Rev. Hill’s leadership, the church grew in both membership and outreach.  Belle-Terrace bid farewell to Rev. Larry Hill on August 28, 1994.  Under God’s continuous plan, Rev. Hill moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to continue his work building up the Body of Christ.

We were so blessed on September 4, 1994 to have joined our congregation, Rev. Joseph Reid of Atlanta. Georgia.  Rev. Reid, with the assistance from Christ, traveled from Atlanta to preach Sunday morning worship services.  He began serving as Pastor Temporary Supply in November 1994.  Rev. Reid brought a charismatic aura as well as a powerful leadership style to the church. Belle-Terrace bid farewell to Rev. Reid as a new minister answered the call as the fourth pastor.

In April 1996, Rev. Melvin Gore Lowry was called as the fourth installed pastor of Belle-Terrace Church.  Under Rev. Lowry’s leadership the church has grown spiritually, financially and in membership.  We now have an increased number of members involved in Disciple Bible Study and Sunday School.  The Youth and Young Adult Ministries were organized.  Our outreach program now includes the Neighborhood Improvement Project, Inc. and a Health Care Clinic which is housed on the grounds.  A Time Capsule was buried to leave a mark on the next generation.  We have established the beginning of a grand future by acknowledging that the only way to build the “Church” is to win souls to Christ.