HISTORY

The First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta began in 1976 as weekly ‘Celebration of Life’ services, held each Friday in a private home under the guidance of minister and founder R. Lanier Clance (now minister emeritus). The First Existentialist Church, as it was known, incorporated later that same year, with the stated purpose to create and maintain an existential community based on existential philosophy and psychology. In 1978 the membership voted to join with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. To better reflect this relationship, it was decided the Church would operate as a federated society of Existentialists and Existentialist/Unitarian Universalists. As our membership grew, we continued Friday services at the Decatur YMCA, changing to Sunday mornings in 1978.

In 1980, the Congregation assumed ownership of the Phoenix Unitarian Universalist Fellowship property at 470 Candler Park Drive. Later that decade, the name was changed to The First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta to reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Rev. Lanier Clance retired in 2001, and after an interim period the congregation installed Rev. Janna Nelson as full-time minister in September 2003. Rev. Marsha Mitchiner, who has served since 1992, continued as associate minister. In July 2005 the congregation became a fellowship with Rev. Marsha Mitchiner serving part time as our Fellowship Minister.

The Old Stone Church Atlanta, GA 30307-Early 1900s
History Project
Edgewood / Candler Park Community Investigations Collaboration
Our intent is to engage in research of the early biracial history and dynamics of the
City of Edgewood / Candler Park neighborhood of the late 1800s-early 1900s.

Our historic anchor and springboard is the Old Stone Church on Candler Park Dr.
now theFirst Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta.

At this time, we have a foundation for further investigation in the 1994-95 research (including artifacts and oral histories) of Amy Meyer Burns, a former honors history student at GSU,. Ms. Burns is now an attorney with the GA Dept of Law, specializing in citizen and consumer rights. Amy is delighted to be working with us now to share and uncover more of the buried bi-racial history of our immediate neighborhood. Three pending irrigation and water course projects within Candler Park City Park are scheduled for 2006, utilizing substantial Environmental Protection Agency and City of Atlanta monies. This has given us further impetus to bring timely attention to the historic and archaeological significance of early African American residential activities within the Park. It is our hope that making our research known to the neighborhood, the City, and the EPA - before earth-moving operations begin - will encourage a public sensitivity and recognition of the historic reality and legacy of this pioneering African American community of 1870s-1940s.

The beginnings of the area called Candler Park can be traced back to a city called Edgewood formally incorporated in 1888 The 1910 census shows the population of the area was 59% black and 41% white. The racial makeup of the area between 1910 and 1920 shifted to 89% white and 11% black. It was during this time that the Antioch Baptist Church belonging to a black.. congregation was burned on (what is now) Oakdale Road, and rebuilt on (what is now) Candler Park Drive. This black community developed in the late nineteenth century on what would become the southwest edge of Candler Park. The development began when a white, married woman bought a piece of property, subdivided it, and sold it to black individuals. These individuals and their families developed it into a thriving community, with two major institutions, a church and a social lodge. Amy Meyer (Burns) 1995

Above is the seed of up-welled information and passionate interest that drives this neighborhood arts and education collaboration proposal. It dovetails potently into the city-wide initiative to honor the centennial of the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, this Sept. 22-25. Among other activities, we are moving to make a meaningful connection with Antioch East Baptist Church - the original, Edgewood site-linked African-American church community of the 1906 period - and its historic legacy in the Candler Park neighborhood; to cooperate in an inclusive exploration of the Sanctuary's early history in the community of Edgewood and Candler Park; to initiate discussion toward a meaningful connection between Antioch East and the current stewards of the still-standing "old stone church" structure that their ancestors built by hand from 1918-22.

Since 1980, the historic Sanctuary has been cared for by the present owners, First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta. We envision moving forward into the present with a formal welcoming of the Antioch founders/ builders of the historic stone Sanctuary, to the 30th Existential Founders Day Celebration this September. At that time, we hope to be able to unveil an historic marker that recognizes the origins and rich content and context of the Sanctuary site at 470 Candler Park Drive. The timing flows effectively with the September 1906 focus as well. The generous grounds at 470 provide a potential historic site for 1906-related site art.

More About the BiRacial History Project
More About The Old Stone Church

Founder and Minister Emeritus
Rev. R. Lanier Clance

“If you allow yourself to freely exist the possibilities are limitless.”