The first service for the Peachtree Corners church of Christ was held July 30, 1989, but planning for the congregation began many years before over coffee one day.

In 1983, Harold Hodnett and Bill Brewer were transferred to the Atlanta office of BellSouth. Since Harold and Bill worked for the same company, in the same building and attended the Sandy Springs church of Christ, a friendship developed. The idea of a congregation in the Peachtree Corners area became a topic of conversation. Much to the surprise of both, each one had been giving serious thought to the same idea. The excitement and planning process began! Harold did a mini-marketing study and found that 75,000 households existed within a 5-mile radius of where the church would be planted and no other church of Christ was within this radius.

The next step was to find a place to meet. Many retail centers were contacted, but none were willing to let a church occupy their space. After numerous calls and just as many rejections, an agent for the Interlochen Village Shopping Center agreed to rent space on a month-to-month lease. It was a small store front located at 5270 Peachtree Parkway. There were stipulations on the use. The landlord required that curtains cover the front windows during the week so retail customers could not see that a church occupied the space. The curtains were to be drawn only on Sunday and Wednesday night. Bill and Harold pooled their money to pay the first month’s rent of $1,100. Harold Derr, a retired preacher who had a passion for starting new congregations, agreed to be the preacher. The first service was held in this location on July 30, 1989, and 62 people were present. Six families identified as the first members of the congregation. In December 1989, the first Elders were appointed: Bill Brewer, Harold Hodnett and Jerry Roberts.

Growth was evident from the very beginning. After just a few months, the congregation moved to its second location: 6073 Peachtree Parkway. It was a stand-alone building that could seat approximately 110 people. Pews were donated by a church near Nashville, Tennessee. The congregation was beginning to feel permanent. Furthermore, the lease had an option to buy. And, after less than six months at the location, the landlord approached the elders with a decision: either buy or vacate. The decision was unanimous to move again … a building that would only seat 110 would not accommodate the growth that God had in store for Peachtree Corners!

The move this time was to the building next door that had at one time been a Post Office. The new address was 6063 Peachtree Parkway. After a few renovations, we were back in business. And our seating capacity was up to 125. But everyone knew this was only a temporary situation. We needed a permanent site to be truly established in the community. Prayer warriors were on the march to ask God to help with the next move.

Bill Brewer and Harold Hodnett contacted Jim Cowart, one of the leading real estate developers in Gwinnett County, to see if he would be of assistance in helping to locate land.

It took months to set up a meeting with Mr. Cowart. But that one meeting was very fruitful. It was during that one meeting that Mr. Cowart took out a land plat where the current building is located and said “pick out the site you want and have it surveyed.” He charged $50,000 an acre for land that appraised for $100,000 an acre. Approximately three acres were purchased with a loan from First Gwinnett Bank. The Elders personally guaranteed the loan. The loan for the land was soon paid off through generous donations from many individuals.

Construction of the current building at 3700 Medlock Bridge Road, Norcross, Georgia, soon began. Several banks were contacted, but none were willing to make a loan due to the size of the congregation and estimated cost of the building. Bill York with York Construction from Texas agreed to build the building, but none of the banks thought the structure that would seat 300 people could be built for the quoted $35 a square foot. All the banks thought it should cost much more. However, all the banks were proven wrong, and the elders were determined. To secure a loan for the construction, all three elders (Bill Brewer, Harold Hodnett and Jerry Roberts) personally guaranteed a loan with First Gwinnett Bank. The existing structure was completed in 1992 and the congregation moved from its temporary location. Rodney Tidwell from Alabama was the first full-time preacher.

Since that time, Peachtree Corners church of Christ has seen numerous people walk through the doors. Many looking for a church home after moving to the Atlanta area and many who are searching for the truth. Today, Peachtree Corners is a congregation that has become a family of believers that truly extend a warm welcome to anyone that comes. A diverse congregation made up of people from all walks and all races. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world, and preach my gospel to everyone" and we do. Whether it is supporting our members, missions in other countries, or helping those in our own community we strive to follow the scriptures and help those in need.

If you are looking for a church that will meet your needs and the needs of your family please visit us at the times posted on the home page