Our History

The congregation of Disciples of Christ, Jesus was organized after World War II, Like seventy percent of the congregations of the Southeastern Synod (SES) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Rev. Russell Crouse contacted 1500 people in Forest Park and Clayton County. From that hard work 85 people joined him in March 6, 1955 to be a Chartered congregation of the Georgia-Alabama Synod, United Lutheran Church in America. Clayton County during this time was growing and Forest Park was transforming from a sleepy farm town to a suburb of Atlanta. World War II greatly influenced Forest Park with the establishment of the Atlanta Army General Depot, (Now Fort Gillem, which is slated to be closed).

The Synod purchased a large piece of property with an the old house of J.C. Kite. From July 1954 to December 1960 the congregation worshiped in this house, with the altar placed in the dining room, while the nave was established in the living room. One of the bedrooms served as the nursery. Many donations were received to furnish the house for worship. Even the wine for Holy Communion was donated by the Friendly Tavern, a local bar.

St. Timothy enjoyed a prosperous growth as did most congregations that developed in the 1950's. In 1956 a building fund was established to construct a proper facility. On October 28. 1958 the Kite family sold their last 5.5 acres of property in Forest Park to the congregation. The ground breaking for the new building took place on December 13, 1959, and the building was dedicated in September 18, 1960.

The congregation established the first Forest Park church kindergarten in 1960. Boy and Girl Scout troops were formed in 1961. In 1962 the City of Forest Park purchased the Northwest section of property from St. Timothy to build a Fire House. The tradition of "Burning the Greens" (Burning the Christmas tree to create ash for Ash Wednesday) began in 1969. Alcoholics Anonymous formed a support group at St. Timothy in 1973, and continues today nurturing people through the 12 steps. The famous German fellowship event called "Oktoberfest" began to be celebrated in October, 1979. 1980 saw the beginning of the Shepherd program, to provide spiritual, emotional, and general care to the congregation. On January 25, 1986 saw the completion of additional construction that is now the current food print of the facility. In 1994 the Lenten Seder (Passover) meal was initiated.

Pastors of St. Timothy:
Dr. Russell James Crouse, Sr. - March 1955 to October 1956
Rev. Clarence Luther Fulmer - February 1957 to December 1960
Rev. Charles William Howell - February 1961 to March 1967
Rev. William F. Diamond - June 1967 to January 1971
Rev. David Paul Nelson - April 1971 to September 1973
Rev. Carl Wayne Warren - March 1974 to August 1992
Rev. Raymond C. Porter - June 1993 to September 2001
Rev. Matthew A. Boedecker - January 2005 to Present

People of the Congregation who entered the Ministry
Carole Setzer - Parish Worker
Stephen Cooper - Ordained Minister
Kohn Baker - Ordained Minister
Eric Murray - Ordained Minister
Nathan Hilkert - In Seminary