The United States Military Academy at West Point Gospel Choir will be in Peachtree Corners April 7-9. The choir is scheduled to sing at Salvation and Deliverance Church, 3940 Fifth St., Peachtree Corners on Easter Sunday, April 9.

City Council Member Phil Sadd extended an initiation to the choir to visit Peachtree Corners City Hall on April 7, 2:30 p.m. for a special event that will include introductions, a proclamation presentation and a challenge coin presentation.

For more about the United States Military at West Point Gospel Choir, visit westpoint.edu/military/directorate-of-cadet-activities/diversity-clubs/gospel-choir. Get details about Salvation and Deliverance Church at facebook.com/SalvationandDeliverance.

In a clearing in the woods of Georgia stands a church known as Simpsonwood United Methodist Church (UMC). Over the past 40 years, the city around it has grown and so has the church — from a humble trailer to an interactive campus where young and old do the Lord’s work.

A glorious gift

The church’s history began in 1971 with a generous gift of land, bestowed by a local Christian benefactor. In 1910, Anna Louise Simpson, “Miss Ludie” to her many students, began her teaching career in the Atlanta and Gwinnett County School systems. Her career had spanned 35 years and she retired at age 70.

Originally the family farm, the land is a beautiful tract of some 277 prime acres located on the Chattahoochee River. Miss Ludie attended a small circuit church in nearby Mount Carmel, serviced by both Presbyterian and Methodist circuit ministers. She happened to join the church during one of the Presbyterian “alternate” Sundays. Still, she remained close to both denominations.

In 1971 at the age of 84, Miss Ludie shared her vision that her land be kept intact so all people could enjoy God’s beautiful creation. The land was first offered to the Presbyterian Church. However, the Presbyterians preferred to establish churches in more populated areas other than the small, rural community which later became known as Peachtree Corners.

Miss Ludie then approached Bishop John O. Smith, who asked Dr. Candler Budd to visit with her and discuss the offer. Within 24 hours, Dr. Budd assured her that the United Methodist Church wanted the land and would faithfully honor her conditions, including the construction and maintenance of a small chapel dedicated to the memory of her mother, Elizabeth Jane Sanders Simpson.

In 1973, the North Georgia Annual Conference took the first steps to develop the land into a retreat and conference center. Many years later, the retreat center was sold and is now maintained as a park by Gwinnett County.

Miss Ludie passed away on April 29, 1975, without seeing the development of the beautiful conference center that bears her name. She is buried with her mother in the Mount Carmel United Methodist Church cemetery in Norcross.

Faith and vision

By 1981, Simpsonwood UMC’s first minister, Dr. George R. Freeman, Jr., the son of a Methodist minister, was approached to develop a new congregation near the property. At the time, George was the Associate Pastor of the East Point First Methodist Church in East Point.

George initially approached Jim Cowart, the developer of Peachtree Station, the first upscale subdivision in Peachtree Corners. Jim had allocated land to develop neighborhood churches at the intersection of Peachtree Corners Circle and West Jones Bridge Road, the current locations of the Peachtree Corners Baptist Church and the Fowler YMCA.

An 11-acre tract of land on the corner of the Simpsonwood property and across Jones Bridge Circle was designated for the construction of the new church. The Conference New Church Development Committee allocated $150,000 for the church construction. Most of the money would be used to excavate and develop the sloping, rocky lot into a usable foundation.

In those days, metal buildings were typically erected to begin the development of a church. Once a congregation was formed and the new church had adequate financing, a permanent sanctuary would be constructed.

George strongly felt that given the potential upscale development of Peachtree Corners, people would be more inclined to notice the new church if a more appropriate wooden building could be constructed and painted to compliment the natural surroundings.

George approached a builder of modular and manufactured homes in Gainesville to price plans and specifications for the new building. He requested a large open area, unobstructed by center supports, that would seat at least 200 people, with two offices in the back and a large, double-door entranceway. George also wanted taller, narrow windows and exterior siding constructed of wood and painted to match the natural surroundings.

Constructed at a cost of $35,000, the completed building was delivered and set up. Financing for the cost of the project was obtained through the Conference Ten-Dollar Club, a large group of Methodist members who donated the sum of $10 twice each year for the future construction of new churches. 

With the “trailer” completed, Simpsonwood UMC had its official beginning on Sunday, March 14, 1982, followed by the Service of Constitution on May 30, 1982. Thirty-seven charter members of the first congregation made their oral petition for Charter.

A covered dish dinner at the picnic pavilion celebrated the new Christian fellowship. Simpsonwood UMC was on its way!

Solid and continued growth

The congregation grew in size, laying a solid foundation while building for the future. Phase One of the master plan called for a magnificent 15,000-square-foot building that was to become the new sanctuary.

On February 10, 1985, the congregation triumphantly walked across Jones Bridge Circle for the groundbreaking ceremony of its permanent church home.

The new sanctuary was completed in time for the church’s first service on Sunday, August 24, 1986, followed by the consecration service three weeks later on September 14, 1986.

The “trailer,” as the temporary building came to be known, was transported across the street and located behind the Sanctuary, where it served the church’s Christian Youth Ministries for many years.

Years later, the congregation held its collective breath as the old trailer was moved a third time to its present location on the east side of the sanctuary and in back of the parking lot.

Through the years, Simpsonwood UMC has continued to grow in size and in membership, creating the need for additional space. In the spring of 1995, the church launched its “Standing on the Threshold” campaign to raise funding for the construction of an education building.

It was finished and dedicated on December 14, 1997. The building currently houses church staff and contains a library, classrooms and the Simpsonwood UMC preschool.

The new millennium brought continued growth, along with the realization that additional space would be required as the congregation grew. In 2004, the concept of a family life center was born.

A building committee was appointed, and in 2005, the “Building in Faith” campaign was launched. The church’s initial financial goals were met in September of that year and construction of the Howard Family Life Center was completed in the fall of 2007.

Many more blessings to count

Simpsonwood UMC has been blessed over the years. Under the leadership of its present and past ministerial staff, the church has grown from a handful of charter members in 1982 to a congregation of over 1,600 members today.

Beginning with Founding Minister George R. Freeman, Jr., the church grew from a concept. George served the church from his appointment in June 1981 until June 1988. That month, Dr. Robert Brown continued the Simpsonwood ministry, serving its congregation until June 1990.

At that time, the conference appointed Dr. Laurence McCullough, Jr. as the church’s third pastor. Through his 20 years of leadership, the church greatly expanded its membership, facilities and programs to include local, national and international missions.

In June 2005, Simpsonwood UMC was blessed again by the appointment of The Reverend Keith Lawder as Associate Pastor. A member of the congregation since February 1989, Keith became Student Pastor in June 2002 while completing Seminary.

Simpsonwood UMC’s future is bright. In 2021, a husband-and-wife team was appointed as co-senior pastors. Susan and Dave Allen Grady are the current pastors and have a long-range vision for the church’s continued growth and mission.

The church continues to honor its long-standing mission: “To Know Christ and Make Him Known.” Within 40 years, Simpsonwood UMC has moved from a simple trailer to a magnificent sanctuary and surrounding campus that serves a growing, faithful congregation.

Christ the King Lutheran Craft Fair is a nonprofit fundraising craft fair that takes place annually in Peachtree Corners and is sponsored by Christ the King Church Women’s League. It sells a host of handmade crafts and baked goods.

This year, the fair will be celebrating 35 years of crafting for the community on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 6 from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Christ the King Lutheran Craft Fair grows every year but remains a constant, fun opportunity to support local, charitable, faith-based causes including Norcross Co-op (which provides emergency assistance to families in Southwest Gwinnett), The Next Stop (creating community for adults with developmental disabilities), Interfaith Outreach Home (working to connect houseless families with housing resources) and Inspiritus (helping people from various disruptive life paths move towards healing and security).

Crafting for others

The fair is possible due to the dedication of the Crafty Ladies, made up of mostly Christ the King Lutheran Church members who gather twice a week to brainstorm and craft together throughout the year in preparation for the annual craft fair.

Group members are not required to be churchgoers or to craft exclusively with the Crafty Ladies; they must only be willing to donate their skills and time to the fair.

The fair is also supported by another craft group that meets bimonthly at the Christ the King Lutheran Church called Knitting for the Needs of Others, known as KNOTS. KNOTS members knit and teach knitting, but crocheting is also welcome.

They primarily knot for the Norcross Co-op and make baby blankets for children baptized at Christ the King Lutheran Church. They also make hats, scarves and gloves for the Christ the King Craft Fair and donate anything that doesn’t sell.

Shop for yourself or for holiday gifts

The products available at the fair are as plentiful and diverse as the organizations that your purchases support. Dozens of vendors will be selling home and kitchen goods and decor as well as clothing for children and adults, beauty products, jewelry, accessories and plushies.

Many of the vendors’ wares will be Christmas and fall-themed, with wreaths, ornaments and table and mantle decorations lining the booth tables.

You can also expect to smell — and taste! — deliciousness in the form of brownies, cookies and pies at the Bake Sale. There will be food and drink available in addition to pastries, so you can lunch while you shop.

Though there won’t be a silent auction or online component to this year’s fair, attendees can enjoy a used book sale, free kids crafts and a quilt raffle.

Crafty Lady Lisa Bergstresser started contributing to the craft fair when she moved to Peachtree Corners two years ago, and she spoke to its value to herself and the community.

“It is for the community and for charity,” Bergstresser said. “It creates growth within our church and community as we get to know each other and satisfaction knowing we are helping organizations who help those in need.”

Plan to get started on your Christmas shopping at Christ the King Craft Fair. While you shop for your loved ones, you’ll be helping critical community organizations that experience heavier pressure during the holiday seasons.

For further details, contact fair chairman Marlaine Hysell at 678-852-8679 or follow the event’s Facebook page.