Our History
The Beginning
First Church of the Nazarene of Gainesville, Ga was
organized on January 6, 1946, by District Superintendent
Bill Davis, with fourteen charter members. Rev. Hugh Mincey
was the first pastor of the church, and the meeting for
organization was held in his home in Chicopee at 3:00 in the
afternoon. The church was named Chicopee Church of the
Nazarene. The first church building was a house across the
bridge on Atlanta Highway, north of Chicopee, purchased for
around $2,000. This building served as the worship and
education center for the church until the spring of 1956.
Washington Street
In the fall of 1955, under the pastoral leadership of Rev.
Fletcher Digby, property was purchased and construction
begun at 953 Washington Street. The first services were held
in the basement of the new building in the spring of 1956,
but services were not held upstairs until December 22, 1957.
On January 26, 1958, the new building was dedicated by
District Superintendent Mack Anderson. Rev. Paul Barnes was
the pastor. At that time the name of the church was changed
to Gainesville First Church of the Nazarene.
Current Location
Under the leadership of Rev. Thomas E. Rash, the current
nine-acre campus on Otlia Drive, just off of Highway 53, was
purchased in 1991. A beautiful brick structure that can
accommodate up to 300 worshipers in the sanctuary and 150
people in the Christian Education rooms was dedicated on
June 27, 1993. Future plans include the expansion of
ministerial and support staff, along with construction of
the W. E. McCumber Outreach Center, a multi purpose building for
ministry and recreation.