According to family histories and oral traditions, the church in Marietta began around 1847 after David Dixon Barfield had met Barton W. Stone. They discussed the simplicity of using the Bible as the only spiritual guide for becoming a Christian, for worship and for Christian living.
Just Christians
The Barfields and three other families chose to be called Christians only and started meeting together in their homes. After about 3 years, in 1850, they started meeting in a small house which became known as the Liberty Hill church and school.
Liberty Hill
The Liberty Hill building had homemade benches, some with and without backs. The heat was supplied by a "pot-bellied" stove located in the center of the building and was fed by coal or wood cut from surrounding trees by the members. The songbooks and Sunday school lessons were kept in the schoolmaster's desk.
This building burned and a new building was built which became known as the Pleasant Grove church of Christ. The meeting house was erected at Lower Roswell Road and Little Road. The Barfield Cemetery now exists on the north side of the original lot. This building stood for approximately 100 years until 1958.
Olive Street
In July of 1939, a lot at 405 Roswell Street (now 271 Roswell Street) was purchased and construction on a new building started on April 15, 1940 to be closer to Marietta. The first worship service was held July 28, 1940.
In March of 1957 land was purchased at 57 Olive Street and a building was erected and first used for worship in August of 1959. The congregation was known as the Olive Street church of Christ. A three-story educational building was completed in February of 1973.
Relocation
After many years of continued growth, geographic limitations lead to the decision in 1985 to re-locate to an area which would allow for continued growth for many years to come. Plans were made to locate a suitable site in the community north of the Olive Street location.
In 1986 about 9 acres of land was purchased from Lowell C. Ballard, a member of the congregation, on Piedmont Road. At that time, Piedmont Road was two lanes but was in an area with new housing, schools and shopping centers were located nearby. The Olive Street building was sold and the congregation arranged to meet in J. J. Daniel Middle School while construction of a new building was in progress.
Continued Growth
The congregation met in J. J. Daniell Middle School from August 8, 1992 until May 22, 1994 when it met for the first time at the current location. Since that time, the congregation has continued to grow and has added to it's outreach activities. The physical facilities continue to provide plenty of space for worship, parking and other activities.
