In 1970 five families gathered in Clayton County, Georgia and formed the first Wisconsin Synod congregation in Georgia.  Five years later, Sola Scriptura (By Scripture Alone) was in their new sanctuary on Flat Shoals Road in Decatur.  In late 1976, it was determined that a second congregation should be established in the Atlanta area.  After investigation, it was decided to locate in the Lawrenceville area.  A minister was called and on July 17, 1977, Pastor Larry Zahn, a recent graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin was ordained at Sola Scriptura. 

Services began at the Kindercare Center in Lawrenceville with about 25 attending.  After careful consideration and discussion, Sola Fide (By Faith Alone) was selected as the name of the congregation.  A search for a piece of land began in early 1978.  By November, four acres had been purchased on Scenic Highway (124) and a sign proclaimed this as the future site of Sola Fide Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A combined chapel and educational building was dedicated in February 1981.  The building contained 2,100 square feet.  As the physical structure had grown during 1980, so did the congregation totaling 81 members with an average attendance of 45.  The fifth anniversary of Sola Fide was celebrated on July 25, 1982 with a potluck and cookout.  With 159 members, it was one of the fastest growing churches in the South Central Conference of the South Atlantic District.  The incredible growth of   Sola Fide was a reflection of the Lord’s blessings.

In the Fall of 1983, the congregation sought Synod’s approval to construct a parsonage.  Weather delayed work on the parsonage, but in November 1984, the Zahn family moved out of rental housing and into the new three bedroom house.  Around the same time, Sola Fide received permission to begin planning for a new sanctuary. Attendance averaged 120 per Sunday and an additional Sunday worship service was offered in September of 1985.

In 1985 the first Labor Day Retreat for churches in the South Atlantic district was organized with the leadership coming from Sola Fide.  Many future friendships with other brothers and sisters in Christ were fostered and whole families were invited to come and worship and relax for the weekend. This has continued to this day and many individuals from congregations throughout the South have attended over the years.

The new sanctuary was dedicated on March 2, 1986. There were 250 at the dedication service. By the end of 1986, average attendance was 150. The new worship facility was able to accommodate it nicely and we continued to offer two services each Sunday. God’s blessings were abundant in the nine years since 25 members gathered together to ask for his blessing in the summer of 1977.

In August of 1987 with Sola Fide as host church, we and the other WELS churches in the Atlanta area hosted the WELS International Youth Rally at Rock Eagle 4-H Campground in Eatonton, Georgia.  This effort brought over 1,000 young people from all over the country to the heart of the South.  Imagine bussing 1,000 to Six Flags for a day at the park and the wonderful Christian camaraderie that this undertaking provided.  Our young people from the area churches got to know each other and work together for a year planning and providing very valuable experiences for themselves and countless others.

Growth continued through 1989 and totaled 272 members by the end of the year.  In early November, Pastor Larry Zahn, who had been the shepherd of the congregation since it’s beginning, accepted a call to King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, Florida.  For nearly a year we were without a full time shepherd; however with the help of Pastor Mark Haefner as our vacancy pastor, the leadership of the lay leaders, and most of all the help of God, our numbers at worship continued to grow and the plans for an education building were completed during the summer and early fall of 1990.  The members did a large percentage of the labor and dedication took place November 18^th.  On that same date, Pastor Edward Schuppe, a former classmate of Pastor Zahn’s, was installed as the new pastor after serving 13 ½ years at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida.  He brought with him his wife, Joyce, and 3 daughters. 

By the end of 1993, there were 417 members on the rolls with an average attendance for the year of 220 each Sunday.  Gwinnett County continued to grow rapidly and a long range planning committee was created late that year to explore new ways to reach out to the many new residents. 

In 1994, a group of concerned parents and interested members began to work toward the creation of a school as a part of the mission of Sola Fide Lutheran Church.  Our efforts were rewarded in August 1995 when the multigraded elementary school opened with two teachers; Kris (Boehm) Blaho taught the lower grades and Brent Bloomquist taught the upper grades.  There were 19 students that year.  Supported by many members of the church who contributed their time, talent and material the school thrived and grew. By August of 1996, school enrollment had grown to 31 students.  Growth continued during the second and third years of the school peaking at over 40 students.  A decision was made to add a third teacher to the staff to provide even better educational opportunities.

Rapid membership growth also necessitated the calling of an additional pastor.  Pastor David Schneider was installed in July of 1995. He was assigned directly from the synod as a new graduate.  He brought Kristin (Twist), his wife, along and she had been trained as a WELS teacher-a blessing for additional input for our school.

During 1995 and 1996, it became evident that the congregation was quickly outgrowing their existing facilities and the need to move toward active land acquisition was pressing.  In a period of six weeks beginning in early December 1996, Sola Fide moved from a “land locked” owner of four acres of land to approving the purchase of twenty-two acres of land on Webb Ginn House Road, a mile and a half from the current property. The Church Council acted to make an offer on the full 22 acres on December 16, 1996, contingent on the approval of the Congregation and assurance of financing.  The Wisconsin Synod Board of Trustees assured financing of the property.  On January 12, 1997, the congregation approved the purchase of the land under terms agreed to with the owner.  On March 15, we closed on the property. 

Peace Presbyterian Church purchased our existing church property and for a time we worshipped at the facility at 875 Scenic Highway with several congregations sharing the building at alternate worship times.  God granted much grace as they were paying the mortgage, we were paying the upkeep and saving money towards our new building each month.

Many plans, meetings and hard work went into determining what our new facility should look like and how it should be built.  It was decided that a multipurpose building would fit our immediate needs and provide opportunities in the future to expand the lower level to a full sized auditorium if so needed. Many meetings and unexpected requirements for land preparation kept us busy in the ensuing months. On July 23^rd, 2000 we had our first service and on October 15^th, 2000 we dedicated our new facility at 1307 Webb Ginn House Road.  The property also contained a large storage metal building and a home that was improved and used as a parsonage for Pastor Schuppe and his family. 

In addition to our school with grades K-8, God had also enabled us to add a Four-year- old Pre-Kindergarten class and a Little Lambs program for two and three-year-olds.  Our staff had grown and the number of volunteers continued to grow as opportunities presented themselves.

Many other changes came in 2000-2001.  In 2000, Pastor David Schneider accepted a call to Texas leaving us with just one minister.  Jon Woldt changed positions from teacher and principal in the school to Staff Minister in 200l, and Chris Fischer was called to teach the upper grades and be our new principal.  Thus we were back to 2 called workers for the church.  In  the summer of 2001, Pastor Edward Schuppe took a call to serve as Mission Counselor for the South Atlantic and Southeast Wisconsin Districts of the WELS.  We had a dinner on August 12, 200l to thank him and his family for serving Sola Fide the past 11 years.  There was a vacancy once again. Pastor Fred Piepenbrink served as our vacancy pastor until Pastor Michael Schultz accepted the call.  He was currently serving in Arizona. Pastor Schultz arrived with his wife, Karen, and three children and was installed on December 9, 200l.  They took residence in the parsonage. Later they purchased their own home and the parsonage has since been used for meetings, the children’s sale and other uses. Over the past years and during the next few years there were many changes in school staff: Kris Blaho taught from 1995-96; Brent Bloomquist 1995-1999; Denice Bloomquist 1996-98; Nicole (Wentker) Zech 1997-98; Jeanette (Ewart) Lapp from 1998-2003; Trisha Engelbrecht 1998-99; Mindy Schariaman-1999; Tiffany Gehl 2000; Amy (Hopp) Cain 2000-03; Chris Fischer 2001-04; Luke Hartzell 2003-present; Karen Schultz 2003-present. When Jon Woldt took a call in June of 2004, it once again left 1 called worker just for the church.

On January 30, 2006, we signed a sales contract on 12 acres of our property to a buyer who plans to develop it.  It was projected to take 18 months to get it before the Gwinnett Co. Board of Commissioners for rezoning approval. In September, 2007, we learned that it was indeed approved and we should be able to close on the sale of this portion of our property in approximately 30 days, leaving us with 10 acres. Our rural Webb Ginn House Road has changed dramatically in the past year; The Avenue, a huge shopping area, has been built along both sides of our road from Scenic Highway (124) to near our church.  An assisted living facility will be next door and provide a wonderful opportunity to witness to these new residents to our neighborhood.  

Our school and Pre-K growth and meeting space needs required that we provide more space.  We purchased a modular building; it gave us 2 additional rooms.  Gregg Burkhalter developed and has kept an excellent updated website for our church and school.  We also began the C.A.R.E. groups again to meet the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Pioneer Groups have been established as well as morning and evening Bible studies during the week and Sunday morning Bible Class. Bible History and Confirmation classes continue.  Thursday evening services are once again available. Bible information classes are ongoing.  A nursery is staffed during Bible Class and our second worship service. VBS is provided every summer.  An active Women’s group has been up and running and will be hosting the District Women’s fall meeting here in October 2006. After not having a vicar for 12 years, we received one in August 2007 for this year, Mr. Kelly Huet.  He will be here working and learning until summer of 2008 assisting Pastor Michael Schultz and members of our congregation with his gifts.  His wife, Katie, is a WELS trained teacher and will be an asset to our congregation as well.  Our average attendance per Sunday is 182 and we have 19 students in our school at this time.

We are very optimistic for the future for our congregation as we are reassured with the words from the prophet Jeremiah.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Indeed, we have been blessed over the past 30 years and we thank God for the faithful workers he has called to Sola Fide to serve him and his people.

 

Pastors

Larry Zahn 1977-89

Edward Schuppe 1990-2001

David Schneider 1995-2000

Michael Schultz 2001-present

 

Staff Minister

Jon Woldt 2002-04

 

Vicars

Jeff Bovee 1988-89

John Veiths 1989-90

Ernie Schultz 1990-91

Kurt Koeplin 1991-92

Todd DeNoyer 1992-93

Joel Otto 1993-94

Michael Zarling 1994-95

Kelly Huet 2007-present

 

Principals

Brent Bloomquist 1995-99

Jon Woldt 1999-2001

Chris Fischer 2001-04

Luke Hartzell 2004-present

 

Teachers

Kris (Boehm) Blaho 1995-96

Brent Bloomquist 1995-99

Denice Bloomquist 1996-98

Nicole (Wentker) Zech 1997-98

Jeanette (Ewart) Lapp 1998-2003

Trisha Engelbrecht 1998-99

Jon Woldt 1999-2001

Mindy Schariaman 1999

Tiffany Gehl 2000

Amy (Hopp) Cain 2000-03

Chris Fischer 2001-04

Karen Schultz 2003-present

Luke Hartzell 2003-present

 

Pre-K and Little Lambs

Jenny Clifford

Jaime Fischer

Kristin Schneider

Suzanne Zech

Nicole (Wentker) Zech

Diana Peirce

Carla Hale

Julie Manley

Jo Anna Pittman

Julie Velchek

Nancy Supper

Shannon Gostchock

Joan Blaho

Kelly Dunlap

Caroline Elcombe

Afton Miller

Kim Hames

Lesa McCauley

Cathy Kasper

Teresa Blackwell

Harri Bruun

 

By Judy Zech, September 2007, for the 30th Anniversary Celebration