Two Centuries on Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Chamblee First United Methodist Church sits at 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, just inside the perimeter in the heart of Chamblee, Georgia. The congregation traces its roots to 1826, when a small group of Methodists founded Prospect Methodist Church and, having no building of their own, worshiped alongside Presbyterians nearby. In 1961, the church officially became First Methodist Church of Chamblee, and three years later the members voted to relocate to the Chamblee Dunwoody Road campus they still occupy today.
The years since have brought steady growth and change. A new sanctuary opened in 1980, the existing facilities were renovated through the Restore I campaign in 2010, and in 2016 - 2017 the Restore II renovation added a music suite, a youth room, a narthex, a portico, and a redesigned parking lot. Today the church marks a milestone few congregations ever reach: in October 2026, members, neighbors, and friends will gather to celebrate 200 years of continuous ministry under the theme "bicentennial celebration Weekend." A new bicentennial history book, a Heritage Hall timeline display, and tours of the historic Prospect Cemetery in downtown Chamblee are all part of the commemoration.
Sunday Morning at 4147 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
The rhythm of a Sunday at Chamblee First begins at 9:30 a.m. with Faith Formation. Classes meet for every age: Glow Class, one of the longest-running groups, follows the Adult Bible Studies series; Faith Class, currently gathering in Fellowship Hall, opens with a short devotion and prayer of concerns and praises; Journey Class uses six-to-eight-week studies and discussion; Grace Class welcomes a wide range of ages and life experiences; and Fellowship Class emphasizes mission and community. Children's Sunday School for kindergarten through fifth grade meets on the second floor in Room 223, using the Celebrate Wonder curriculum, while middle and high schoolers gather in The Corner, the youth space.
At 10:45 a.m., the congregation moves into the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship. The service is offered in person and online through a Vimeo livestream, with the stream also carried on Facebook. Members and visitors are invited to check in - online or via a QR code in the bulletin - so that staff can follow up and welcome newcomers. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade attend the first portion of the service with their families and are dismissed after the offertory for Kid's Church. Infants through preschoolers have their own nursery in Room 100 throughout the morning, and a soothing room at the back of the sanctuary offers a livestream of the service for families who need a quieter space.
The worship itself is intentionally blended. Traditional elements sit alongside contemporary ones: a chancel choir, an adult handbell choir, and an organist support the liturgy, while a Spotify playlist curated by the church gathers songs of unity, hope, and faith for congregational singing. Recent sermon series have included "Stone by Stone" on trust, conflict, and forgiveness, and "Liberation Stories" through the summer months. Past bulletins and recorded services are archived online so anyone can revisit a service or catch up on one missed.
Chamblee Kids, Parents' Morning Out, and the Preschool
Children's ministry at Chamblee First is shaped by a clear mission: "to share the love of Jesus with our community." The Chamblee Kids team partners with parents to help children grow and flourish as they learn to love and follow Jesus. Sunday morning programs include Sunday School for kindergarteners through fifth graders, Kid's Church during the second half of worship, and a nursery for infants through preschoolers. The Children's Director, Jordan Black, works alongside a Children and Family Ministries Council that oversees safety policies and faith formation across all elementary ages.
On weekdays, the church operates two early-childhood programs under its roof. Parents' Morning Out serves children from 12 to 23 months in Tuesday/Thursday, Wednesday/Friday, or single-day combinations, using learning centers for reading, music, art, and play, with unit themes that range from animal recognition to "God made me!" Chamblee Methodist Preschool and Kindergarten, directed by Jessica Falk-Spencer, extends care and learning for older toddlers and preschool-age children. A board of parents and church leaders oversees both programs, and a Girl Scout Gold Award cookbook of pantry-staple recipes supports the food drive each year.
Youth in The Corner
Middle and high schoolers at Chamblee First gather in their own space, The Corner. Sunday School runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., using topics chosen for each semester - recent studies have included Jonah and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the history of Chamblee First's faith, and an Advent Deep Dive. On Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., youth return for dinner, study, games, and community, with a calendar that has included Creek Clean Up days, the Rooted Retreat at Camp Glisson, a fall bonfire by the Scout Hut, and a Live Nativity in December. Saturday mornings, high schoolers meet at Stellow Coffee on Chamblee Dunwoody Way from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The Pastor of Youth and Community Outreach, Rev. Hope Cody Peppers, oversees the work alongside a Youth Ministry Council. A dedicated Instagram account (@chambleeyouth) and Facebook group keep students and families connected.
Music Across Generations
Music is woven through Sunday mornings and through the week. The Chancel Choir, rehearsing Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., sings music ranging from unison to eight-part harmony, with opportunities for solos and ensembles, and presents several special programs during the year. Chancel Ringers, the adult handbell choir, plays on five octaves of handbells and three octaves of chimes, rehearsing Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. from September through May. Treble Makers, a quartet of two sopranos and two altos, contributes music in worship and at special occasions.
For younger singers, Cherub Choir welcomes K4 through first grade on Sundays from 9:50 to 10:15 a.m., and Spirit Choir gathers grades 2 - 5 at the same time. Both choirs sing in worship five or six times a year and take part in two special programs annually. The Director of Music Ministries, Steve Crocker, supports these groups along with the church's praise band, which has led services on its own. Each December, a Live Nativity performed outdoors with animals, youth, and adults brings the Christmas story to life for the surrounding neighborhood.
Missions: A Long Reach from Chamblee
The congregation takes seriously the call of Acts 1:8 to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Locally, the church partners with a wide circle of organizations: Malachi's Storehouse and the Suthers Center for Christian Outreach address food insecurity; Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta provides weekend meals for children; the Elizabeth Foundation and the Chamblee Coalition on Homelessness serve neighbors living on the streets; Cross Cultural Ministries offers after-school tutoring and mentoring for children of all nationalities in Chamblee and Doraville; and Murphy-Harpst Children's Centers, Wesley Woods Senior Services, Wesley Foundation at Georgia Tech, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace extend help to children, seniors, students, and families. Huntley Hills Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Oakcliff Elementary, and Chamblee High School receive regular support through mentoring, backpack meals, and classroom partnerships, and the church participates in the City of Chamblee's Nonprofit Partnership Program.
Beyond the region, the church maintains a long-standing partnership in El Salvador through Salvadoran Mission Projects and supports missionary Brian Dubberly. A team travels to Ahuachapan each February to assist with construction, food distribution, and Bible school, and the church collects suitcases for supplies and instruments for the Methodist School's band program. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) packing events happen on campus, and the annual Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event brings the congregation together to box thousands of nutritious meals. Two long-standing traditions anchor the year: the Thanksgiving Food Drive, which for more than 40 years has provided at least a week of food for over 100 local families, and Christmas Giving, which partners with the Chamblee Police Department, local schools, and Murphy-Harpst to provide gifts for children in need.
United Methodist Women, Men's Ministry, and Adult Discipleship
United Methodist Women at Chamblee First gathers women around the traditional purpose: to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Four Circles meet monthly - Alma North on the first Monday evening, Fannie Tapp on the second Tuesday morning, Circle of Friendship on the second Tuesday evening, and Jessie Wallace on the second Tuesday afternoon - each with its own rhythm of fellowship, prayer, study, and service. Jessie Wallace Circle supports Malachi's Storehouse year-round with diapers and Christmas gifts for neighbors in need.
Men's Ministry gathers on the first Sunday of each month at 8:00 a.m. for a breakfast and fellowship, with an annual Men's BBQ and low country boil each summer. The Recreation Committee runs a basketball league for children and youth each winter, offering a friendly, competitive environment on the church courts. Christian Yoga meets Wednesdays from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., combining poses, breathing, and meditation with Christian prayer and reflection, led by Keisha.
The Garden of Remembrance and Columbarium
On the Chamblee First campus, the Garden of Remembrance provides a sacred and permanent space for prayer, meditation, and the inurnment of cremated remains. The columbarium is open to members and their immediate family, with each niche able to accommodate up to two urns. A uniform granite faceplate engraving, perpetual care, and a reserved niche are all included; fees are placed in a restricted fund overseen by the Board of Trustees. Memorial options include Tribute Tower plaques and incised memorial bricks, with applications handled through the church office.
Getting Connected
Visitors are welcome at any Sunday morning service and can register online through the visitor check-in page so a pastor can follow up. The MyChamblee portal, hosted on Realm, gives members a way to manage giving, sign up for studies, and connect with small groups. Stewardship at Chamblee First is framed as a spiritual discipline: members are invited to pledge not only financial gifts but also prayers, presence, service, and witness. A Permanent Endowment Fund, managed with the Georgia United Methodist Foundation and Wespath, supports long-term ministry through bequests, memorials, and legacy gifts in any amount.
Church leadership runs through an Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Board of Trustees, and Nominations and Leadership Development Committee, with the Administrative Board meeting every other month. Members are invited to nominate themselves or others for open leadership roles each year. For the 200th anniversary year, an online registration gathers RSVPs for the bicentennial weekend, and a commemorative t-shirt collection - in adult and youth sizes, several colors, and a two-color logo design - is available for purchase through the church's Realm shop.
Whether someone has known the church for decades or is hearing its name for the first time, the church's invitation is the same: "we would love to welcome you." Chamblee First United Methodist Church continues to be a community church in the heart of Chamblee, just inside the perimeter, where many generations, many races and ethnicities, and many backgrounds come together to worship, serve, and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.