A Church Built on Buckhead Relationships
Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church (pronounced "Spee-duhl") sits at 2715 Peachtree Road NE in the heart of Buckhead, Atlanta. Its story reaches back to 1854, when Second Baptist Church was founded in what would become one of the city's most established neighborhoods. During the Civil War, Father Thomas O'Reilly, the Catholic priest at nearby Immaculate Conception Church, helped spare Second Baptist from being burned. In 1929, two other congregations - Ponce de Leon Avenue Baptist and Buckhead Baptist - merged and moved to the corner of Peachtree Road and East Wesley Road, the very location the church still occupies. Three years later, on November 18, 1932, the merger of Second Baptist and Ponce de Leon Baptist gave birth to Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church. Historian Dr. C. Douglas Weaver captured this long arc in his 2004 book "Second to None: A History of Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church, 1854-2004."
Worship in the Sanctuary
Sunday worship gathers at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary and is described as "a formative hour of hospitality, growth and praise." The congregation sings from a hymnal and typically uses the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The worship is enriched periodically by guest preachers, artistic expressions, orchestra music, and prayer experiences that add depth to the hour. Most people wear business casual attire, but the church is explicit that "the worship of God that matters, not your wardrobe." Services are streamed live at 11 a.m. on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot attend in person, and orders of worship are made available for each Sunday. Childcare is provided for children of all ages during the service.
The Four Fragile Freedoms and a Baptist Identity
Second-Ponce identifies as a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church, grounding its ministry in what Baptist historian Walter B. Shurden called the "four fragile freedoms":
- Bible Freedom - Both individuals and congregations are free to read and interpret the Bible under the Lordship of Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Baptists are not beholden to creeds or reliant on mediators outside of Scripture.
- Soul Freedom - Each person is created in the image of God and therefore responsible, not by force or coercion from any doctrine, clergy, or government, for their own direct relationship with God. Sometimes called the "Priesthood of Believers."
- Church Freedom - The historic belief that local churches are free, under the Lordship of Jesus, to determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whomever they perceive to be gifted for ministry (regardless of gender), and to participate in the larger Body of Christ.
- Religious Freedom - The historic Baptist affirmation of freedom OF religion, freedom FOR religion, and freedom FROM religion, including the separation of church and state.
The church is part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a network that emphasizes freedom in biblical interpretation and congregational governance, the full participation of women and men in all aspects of church leadership and Christian ministry, and religious liberty for all people.
Joining and the Christian Practices
During the Hymn of Response in Sunday worship, anyone wishing to officially join may walk to the front of the Sanctuary where the senior pastor or one of the ministers will greet them. Anyone uncomfortable with being "in the spotlight" can speak with a minister about an alternate plan.
Baptism at Second-Ponce is believer's baptism by full immersion in water, symbolizing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While baptism is an important public declaration of faith, Baptists do not believe it is necessary for salvation. The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is observed quarterly as a symbolic act in which followers of Christ partake of bread and cup to remember Jesus' death on the cross. Anyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is invited to participate.
Wednesday Night at SPdL
Mid-week programming brings the congregation together for a Wednesday Night Activities rhythm. Fellowship Supper begins at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at $10 per person. At 6 p.m., SPdLU - "Second-Ponce de Leon University" - offers adult discipleship on topical issues and books of the Bible, with recent series including "Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways for Connecting with God" and "Walking Together: A Biblical, Historical and Spiritual Exploration on What it Means to Be a Church." Choir rehearsal follows at 7:05 p.m. Children and students have Bible study and activities in The Kids Club and SPdL Youth areas at the same time. Periodic Wednesday community nights include the SPdL World Cup, Missions Night, and other all-ages themes.
The Kids Club: Birth Through 5th Grade
Children's ministry at Second-Ponce is called The Kids Club, and it meets one floor up from the Sanctuary. Sunday School runs from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. After Sunday School, children may stay in The Kids Club for the entire worship service, or join their families in the Sanctuary until the Doxology, when they leave with ministry leaders for their own program. The Kids Club is built around three words: curious (a place to learn about God's love), compassionate (a place to care for all God's creation), and cozy (a place to feel safe in God's arms).
Circle Up is a comprehensive family ministry with age-appropriate programming for children and youth, plus a dedicated parent group, meeting on the first and third Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. with a free meal. FriYAYs (formerly Parents Night Out) are quarterly Friday night gatherings for kids with games, crafts, and dinner, giving parents and caregivers a night away. Annual favorites include Community Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible School, Fall Fest, Children's Sunday, and Back-to-School Sunday. Rev. Allie Osborne, Minister of Missions and Children's Discipleship, oversees this ministry.
SPdL Youth: You Are the Light
SPdL Youth is built around three commitments: "Be Who You Are," "Embrace Your Calling," and "Lean on Each Other." Guided by Matthew 5:14-16 ("You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden..."), the youth are "believers who embrace God, our community and each other by celebrating God's call for our lives." Through authentic relationships and relevant Biblical study, the group becomes "young disciples of Christ learning to live out our faith." The ministry prioritizes community by creating a safe place to ask hard questions and pray for each other.
On the fourth Sunday of each month, SPdL Youth participate in worship by passing the offering plate, then gather for lunch to catch up and prepare for the week ahead. Annual favorites include Mission Madness, Passport Summer Camp, and the Christmas Party Lock-In, plus special Sundays like Back-to-School Sunday and Youth Sunday. Rev. Jonathan Hall, Minister of Community and Student Discipleship, leads the ministry.
Adult Sunday School and SPdLU
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. serves all ages with five adult classes:
- Bridge Builders - Co-ed, primarily ages 40 and up, with active discussion based on Bible study and other resources; meets in Room B-132.
- Grace - Co-ed single and married adults, predominantly 50 and up, focused on Scripture applied to family, work, and life beyond the church walls; meets in Room B-130.
- New Covenant - Mostly ages 60 and up in an informal round-table format that welcomes younger and older members; meets in Room B-133.
- Open Door - Co-ed single adults and married couples, ages 60 to 80 plus, with four rotating teachers each bringing a different style; meets in Room B-138.
- Young Adult - Young professionals and college students under 35, meeting weekly for Bible study and monthly for dinner on Tuesdays; meets in Room B-116.
SPdLU on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. extends discipleship beyond Sunday morning, with topical series and Bible book studies. Recordings are posted online, and the Bound by Faith Book Club gathers monthly to discuss books referenced in sermons or recommended by the pastor.
Prime Timers, Women, and Young Adults
Prime Timers is the senior adult ministry, a community that "shares the love of God in the prime of their lives." The group meets monthly for lunches, game days like Yahtzee tournaments and "Two Truths and a Lie," and seasonal outings to destinations like the Carter Presidential Library, Jaemor Farms, and the Varsity. An annual homemade ice cream social draws all ages to the Fellowship Hall.
Women's Fellowship gathers women from across the congregation at someone's home to unwind, laugh, and catch up, with seasonal kick-offs and other gatherings throughout the year. The Young Adults ministry brings together young professionals, recent college graduates, and graduate students for dinners, book discussions, Braves games at Truist Park, and trips to attractions like Fun Spot America. College students have their own gatherings, including a summer cookout and other events during the school year.
Hands-On Missions
Second-Ponce's missions philosophy is described as "making an M-PACT" through Partnerships, Accountability, Compassion, and Transformation. Beyond its annual missions budget, the church gives funds to partners who are "being the hands and feet of Christ in their own communities." Hands-on service includes hosting mobile food pantries, sending summer teams to lead a week of camp in Miami, building Habitat homes, and assembling toiletry packs on Missions Night to restock the benevolence closet.
Current mission partners include:
- Buckhead Christian Ministry (BCM) - Working to keep people from becoming homeless through emergency assistance and financial education; supported through supply drives.
- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) - Connecting individuals and churches worldwide for global missions and disaster response.
- Garden Hills Elementary School - A Buckhead neighborhood school supported through PTA involvement, reading programs, and special projects.
- Atlanta Habitat for Humanity - Building affordable homes and revitalizing neighborhoods, with periodic team builds.
- Toco Hills Community Alliance (THCA) - "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" in Northeast Atlanta, fighting food insecurity, sharing clothing, and providing resources; supported through mobile food pantries, drives, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Walk/Run.
- Touching Miami with Love (TML) - Serving children, youth, and families in Overtown and West Homestead, Florida; supported with a summer camp team and financial help for immediate needs.
The Community Wellness Center
Right next door to the Sanctuary, the Community Wellness Center (CWC) is the church's fitness and recreation facility. Members enjoy a pool, an indoor walking track, workout equipment, a basketball court, and personal trainers. The annual membership fee for Second-Ponce members is $70, making wellness a natural extension of church life and a gathering place throughout the week.
A Year of Prayer
Prayer is woven through the life of Second-Ponce. The church has structured "A Year of Passionate Prayer" with eleven months of different prayer styles, closing out with an Advent Devotional. Guided prayer suggestions and curated resources - most available on Amazon - help members build a prayer routine. Anyone, not just members, may submit a prayer request to be brought before God by the church's staff.
Weddings at Second-Ponce
The Sanctuary and grounds host weddings. The church publishes a wedding booklet covering policies, decorating guidelines, pricing, and scheduling. Prospective couples may contact Chris Boltin in the church office to begin planning a ceremony in the heart of Buckhead.
Visiting Second-Ponce
Visitors are not put on the spot or asked to wear a name badge. Singing along with hymns and giving an offering are entirely optional. Most people dress in business casual, but the only real requirement, the church says, is "wearing clothes." Free onsite parking is available in the upper and lower lots, and on Sunday mornings the SPdL Bug - a golf cart, no insects involved - will pick visitors up at their cars and deliver them to the Welcome Center. From there, it's a short walk into the Sanctuary, with greeters ready to point families toward The Kids Club one floor up and an elevator available for those who need it.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 404-266-8111 or contactus@spdl.org. The Signal, the church newsletter, is sent via email on Wednesday afternoons. Anyone curious to learn more can fill out a Connect Card online to ask faith questions and connect with staff and lay leaders.