A Progressive Congregation at College and Ash
Centenary United Methodist Church stands at the corner of College and Ash Streets in downtown Macon, across from Tattnall Square Park and the main entrance to Mercer University. Founded in 1884, the year that marked the centennial of Methodism in America, Centenary has spent more than a century worshipping in the same historic sanctuary and, over the past two decades, has been reborn as one of central Georgia's most openly progressive, radically hospitable congregations. Members describe the church as "openhearted, justice-seeking, everybody-loving, theologically progressive," and the building - a brick complex that wraps around the corner from College onto Ash - now serves as both sanctuary and hub for an extensive network of outreach ministries.
A Rebirth Built on Radical Hospitality
By 2005, the worshipping congregation at Centenary had dwindled to about thirty members. Working with Rev. Tim Bagwell, those who remained made radical hospitality the foundation of their rebirth, with the simple promise that "All are Welcome Here. Really." Out of that commitment grew a community that embraces diversity in every form - race and ethnicity, age, disability, income, gender, and sexual orientation - and that takes a team approach to ministry. Centenary celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2009 with a mosaic cross now hanging in the sanctuary, made from fragments contributed by members and symbolizing the beauty created when a community gathers across its differences, acknowledges its broken places, and comes together for healing. Today the church thrives under the leadership of Rev. Sara Pugh Montgomery, attracting growing numbers of families with children and expanding programs in inclusion, education, and social justice. At the close of every worship service, Pastor Sara offers the same blessing: "You are a beloved child of God worthy of love and respect, and God will use you to change the world."
Sunday Mornings in the Historic Sanctuary
Worship at Centenary is a blended service - sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, often a combination of both within a single service. Members hear hymns alongside newer worship songs and the occasional familiar tune from the radio. Music and the spoken word are woven into a single experience designed to engage all the senses and open the congregation to an encounter with the Divine. Sermons are usually presented in multiple parts, connected by litanies and music carefully chosen to reinforce the message, and lay people serve in a wide variety of roles.
The 11:00 AM Sunday worship is held in the upper level of the Sanctuary building at 1290 College Street. The front entrance on College Street opens directly into the sanctuary; the Ash Street side door and the lower-level back entrance are closer for those parking in the lot. For those on the road or unable to attend in person, Pastor Sara prerecords the sermon earlier in the week, music selections are added, and the full service is shared on the Centenary Macon Vimeo page.
The morning begins earlier, though, with a 7:30 AM free community breakfast in the Fellowship Hall that draws neighbors from across the area. At 9:30 AM, adults gather for the Sunday Morning Study, a hybrid class led by David Mount that meets in the downstairs classroom and on Zoom. At 10:00 AM, both an Adult Community Group and a Children's Community Group meet, the choir rehearses at 10:20 in the Round Room, and nursery care is available. Communion is served once a month at an Open Table - bread and a gluten-free wafer with juice by intinction - to which all are invited without question.
Centenary Community Ministries: The Work Beyond the Walls
Centenary Community Ministries, Inc. (CCMI) is the non-profit arm of the church, established in 2009 to expand the congregation's social-justice and advocacy work. CCMI offers radical hospitality and critical support services for people facing addiction, homelessness, and food insecurity through several long-running programs. The Transitional House provides supported housing for men, with Rev. Rachel Paul Hartman serving as CCMI Director and Phillip Boyd as case manager. A weekly free Community Breakfast opens the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings. The Community Fridge and Pantry, the Community Garden, and a Financial and Utilities Assistance program extend support throughout the week. Re-Cycle Macon, the bicycle ministry, gathers in the Fellowship Hall several times a year to repair and refurbish donated bicycles.
CCMI is also the engine behind many of Centenary's signature events. The annual Arts and Crafts Festival fills the grounds with music, a food truck, a bouncy house, kids' crafts, and handmade work for sale, with all proceeds going back to CCMI's ministries. Blood drives are hosted in partnership with the American Red Cross, and a pumpkin party each fall draws on the community garden's harvest. Two Wesley House Dinners each semester provide supper for Mercer University students at the Wesley Foundation across town. For those needing help with utilities, financial assistance requests go directly to CCMI through its intake form.
Children, Youth, and Family Life
Centenary does not treat children as the future of the church - they are an active part of it now. Infants through PreK enjoy the nursery, staffed by a professional team coordinated by Racheal Ryan, a board-certified behavior analyst who also brings special-needs expertise to the role. Kindergarten through 8th graders gather for the 10:00 AM Children's Community Group, coordinated by Laura Sugg, who also serves as the congregation's Disability Coordinator and connects families with resources, support, and care. Groups are split between PreK through 3rd grade and 4th through 8th, with high schoolers mentoring the youngest members. Children serve in worship as ushers and communion servers, sing in the Children's Choir on special occasions, and participate in service projects throughout the year. Centenary also partners with Alexander II Elementary and offers Vacation Bible School and an After School Program for students there. Middle and high school students from the church join with other youth in the area on Sunday afternoons for fellowship, faith questions, and mission work.
Adult Groups, Books, and Contemplative Practice
Most of Centenary's adult formation happens in small community groups, where members wrestle with questions of faith, share doubts and struggles, and listen to perspectives that are not their own. In addition to the Sunday morning study, a Monday Bible Study meets at 6:30 PM on Zoom and in person, and Pastor Sara leads a Wednesday lunchtime study group in the downstairs classroom. Beth Dunwody, the congregation's Spiritual Director and a member of Spiritual Directors International, leads the Hope, Peace and Prayer Gathering on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the Round Room or downstairs classroom, using a song, a handout, or a brief video to spark meaningful conversation. Past book studies at the church have included "Everyday Contemplative" with Pastor Sara, "Voices of Resistance: The Bible's Songs of Victory, Peace, and Protest" on Zoom with Flo Martin, the UMC Council of Bishops' "Building Beloved Community: The Courage to Love in the Face of Tyranny," and a regional book study partnered with a faith community in Warner Robins. A monthly Women's Book Group meets on third Sundays in local homes, and the Single Servings Group gathers bimonthly for adults over 60. The Ladies Luncheon, held on the first Sunday of each month, is a long-running gathering of gay men, their friends, and advocates that meets at a local restaurant.
Music, Yoga, and the Life of the Body
Music is woven into nearly everything Centenary does. Rev. M. Kadar Jones, Minister of Music, leads and coordinates a wide range of gifted musicians, accompanies the choir himself and shares the bench with Jim Penndorf, and works with the Centenary Band, which adds variety to the repertoire on a regular basis. Special hymn sings invite the congregation to make its own voice the message of the service, and the Children's Choir treats the congregation on festive Sundays. Laura Sugg, a trained yoga instructor and the Children and Disability Coordinator, leads an all-levels Yoga and Support Group on the third Saturday of each month; the class is followed by a meetup for parents of neuro-diverse children. Centenary members also gather at Mulberry for a Labyrinth Walk with Pastor Sara and come together as a group for Mercer Bears football games at Five Star Stadium, where Pastor Sara leads the opening prayer.
Justice, Interfaith, and the Wider Community
Centenary's commitment to justice is woven into its identity. The congregation has partnered with Macon Pride, the American Red Cross, Macon Periods Easier, the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Daybreak, the Society of St Andrew, and the Macon Community Fridge, and hosts AA groups in its buildings. Worship and small groups regularly engage in letter-writing around legislative bills, sandwich making for the community fridge, advocacy, and presence at local rallies. The congregation is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection and to the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the church.
Interfaith work is a particular focus. Centenary helped found The Downtown Tapestry, which gathers clergy from multiple downtown congregations to share in ministry, joint Vacation Bible Schools, youth retreats, mission trips, and an annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship. Members are active in the Women's Interfaith Alliance of Central Georgia, and a recent Adult Interfaith Camp took the congregation around Macon for evenings with Hindu, Bahai, Jewish, and Muslim neighbors. Centenary also journeys alongside a faith community in Valdosta that grew out of disaffiliated congregations and is led by lay members living there.
Visiting Centenary
Greeters meet visitors at the door and help with any special needs. The congregation's welcome is wide: "Come as you are. Shirt and tie or jeans and flip flops." Most people attend in casual attire, though some still choose their Sunday best. Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces sit directly behind the lower level of the Sanctuary building, where a small elevator reaches the upper level and the sanctuary. Large-print bulletins are available, the Open Table offers gluten-free communion, and a staffed nursery is provided during worship and Sunday morning programming.
On-street parking is available around Tattnall Square Park, and on Sundays parking is permitted on the Mercer side of Ash Street. The parking lot sits next to the Community Center at 1235 Ash Street and wraps behind the Fellowship Hall and Community Center. The Fellowship Hall and Church Office are at 1185 Ash Street. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and the church can be reached at (478) 742-8926 or at office@centenarymacon.org. Online giving is available through Realm.
Leadership and Staff
Rev. Sara Pugh Montgomery has served as Senior Pastor since July 2021. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Emory's Candler School of Theology, she has served in the Appalachian Service Project, Wesley Foundations, AmeriCorps, and congregations in New York, Virginia, and Oklahoma before moving to Macon with her husband Larry and their three children. Rev. M. Kadar Jones, a graduate of Samford University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has served as Minister of Music since 2013. Beth Dunwody, the congregation's Spiritual Director and a Daring Way facilitator, has been on staff since 2005 and assists with virtual worship and small groups. Rev. Rachel Paul Hartman, a United Methodist Deacon and graduate of Mercer University and Vanderbilt Divinity School, directs CCMI while continuing spiritual ministry at Wesleyan College. Laura Sugg coordinates Children's Ministry and disability resources; Racheal Ryan leads the nursery; Sam serves as Children Support Staff; Phillip Boyd serves as CCMI Case Manager; Elliott Dunwody of Bright Blue Sky Productions oversees video and online worship; Debra Clapp serves as Financial Administrator; Amanda Cook is Office Manager; James Smith manages the Transitional House and facilities; and Vicki Hinson is Hospitality Coordinator.