We know very little of Bartholomew. Bartholomew is a patronymic name, meaning “Son of Tolmai.” He is mentioned only in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), but he is generally believed to be the same person as Nathanael in John’s Gospel.
Founded in 1954, St. Bartholomew’s continues to be a place where great care is given to worship—the liturgy, the music, and the sermons.
We know very little of Bartholomew. Bartholomew is a patronymic name, meaning “Son of Tolmai.” He is mentioned only in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), but he is generally believed to be the same person as Nathanael in John’s Gospel.
He is credited by several reliable historical sources with writing a gospel, but the Gospel According to Bartholomew is lost today. Tradition holds that he traveled to India and this is certainly not inconceivable. He is regarded as the founder of the Church in Armenia and may have been martyred there. An ancient tradition maintains that he was flayed alive at Albanopolis, Armenia, by the authorities as a consequence of his evangelistic work.
David Veal, Saints Galore, Forward Movement Publications
Our History
Parish History
On December 12, 1953, thirteen Episcopalians residing near Toco Hills met with Rev. Harry Tisdale, rector of Holy Trinity Parish in Decatur, to explore the feasibility of establishing a mission. The group felt Toco Hills was ready for an Episcopal Church, and soon had received approval to establish a mission that would become St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. This mission venture began with the sort of hands-on participation that would become typical during the next fifty years. All men present agreed to serve on the first vestry, and the women created the first altar guild. By January 1954 the small group had grown rapidly and plans were made to conduct the first service on January 31. The new parish would be named for the Apostle St. Bartholomew.
Today
St. Bartholomew’s continues to be a place known for and where great care is given to worship—the liturgy, the music, and the sermons. This is the central place in our community where people are renewed in their baptismal identity, and nourished spiritually. We open our doors to all who seek God or a deeper knowledge of God.Glimpses of true community can be seen at coffee hour and at breakfast where tables are packed, people are alive with conversation, relationships are being renewed, and barriers removed. We want to know what is going on in one another’s lives and how we can help and be present in the needful places.
We are deliberate in Christian education and formation for children, youth, and adults. We want to be formed as the people of God. We are achieving a better balance between outreach and “inreach.”
As we are renewed in an ongoing way as the people of God, we cannot help but reach out to others locally and globally. We cannot help but care about the people and things that God cares most about. We are continuing and nurturing our work in Haiti and Honduras. We have taken a strong leadership role in Kids4Peace. We continue our partnerships with Toco Hills Community Alliance, Emmanuel Counseling Center, and other outreach agencies and projects.
You can learn more about St. Bartholomew’s by reading our Parish Profile, located here.
Tomorrow
To accomplish all these things we will live into God’s good future together and work side by side as the body of Jesus Christ in this place and in this time.
Clergy
The Rev. Canon Dr. Angela F. Shepherd
The seventh rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, a congregation deeply committed to radical hospitality, social justice, Christian formation, worship, and music.
The Rev. Alex Sherrill
Assistant to the Rector
Alex received his Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and was ordained a Priest in 2020.
Deacon Katharine Hilliard-Yntema
Joined the staff of St. Bartholomew in December 2018. She was ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta in 2011.
The Rev. Bill Deneke
Assisting Priest
A native of Texas, has served churches in North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.
Staff
Stephen Frketic
Director of Music and Organist
Is passionate about the power of sacred music to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together.
stephen@stbartsatlanta.org
404-634-3336 x 228
Vicki Brewer
Parish Administrator
Vicki is glad to be working at St. Bart’s. She previously worked as the Executive Assistant to Bishop Gary Mueller in the Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church. She truly feels called to be at St. Bart’s.
Debbie Kerr
Communications Director
Debbie was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but as a teenager moved to South Africa with her parents.
Our Vestry
The Vestry of St. Bartholomew’s is composed of 12 adult members. These individuals represent the parish-at-large and are an important voice in the decisions of the parish. Candidates are nominated by the parish and elected at the Annual Meeting. The Vestry collaborates with the Rector in the spiritual and secular responsibilities of the parish. Vestry members oversee areas of ministry that may include committees, projects, or tasks. The Vestry at is comprised of the following members. Please feel free to contact them if you have a concern, question, or comment.
Executive Committee
John Ford
Senior Warden
Margaret Jones
Junior Warden
Charlie Michael
Clerk
Peter Berg
Treasurer
Susan Boyer
Pastoral Care
Jim Engstrom
Music & Ten Talents
Bryan Jones
Stewardship
Cindi Knighton
Healing Racism
Susan Litton
Communication
Charlie Michael
Adult Formation
Chris Palmer
Buildings & Grounds
Clayton Powell
Administration
Italia Rolle
Children & Youth Formation
Margaret Jones
Finance
Vestry meeting highlights and financial reports are emailed the first of each month and posted inside the church.
Pledging 2021:
“Increase our faith!” the apostles said
to the Lord in Luke 17:5.
Our faith calls us to be grateful for God’s gifts and to be good stewards, trusting in God’s continued provision. Celebrating our 65-year ministry has shown us the importance of continuing St. Bart’s legacy of seeing needs, developing ministries to serve those needs, and supporting those ministries.
Prayerfully consider what is meaningful for you to give for the 2020 church year. For many, that means giving 10 percent (the biblical tithe) of your income to God’s work. For others, tithing is a goal reached by increasing giving by two or three percent each year. We invite you to make a pledge that reflects God’s generosity in your life, and if possible increase your previous level of giving. Your pledge helps the Vestry establish the Annual Budget and is very much appreciated.
Become a Member
Membership in the Episcopal Church is through Holy Baptism, Confirmation or Reception.
Membership through Baptism
Services of Baptism are offered throughout the year. Those who have been baptized in any Christian Church may register their baptism in the Episcopal Church by completing the Baptismal Form.
Reception into the Episcopal Church
Confirmation into the Episcopal Church
Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Confirmation is an “adult” affirmation of baptismal vows. Please complete a Confirmation Candidate Form and return to the church office if you are interested in this sacrament.
Membership transfer to St. Bartholomew’s
Episcopalians who desire to transfer their membership registration to St. Bartholomew’s Parish may do so by completing our Transfer of Membership and Information Form and returning it to the church office.
Please contact the Church Office at 404-634-3336 for more information on Baptism, Reception, Confirmation or Transfer of Membership.
The forms listed below are all links to PDF documents that open in a new window for you to print and then return via fax, mail, or by-hand.
Membership Information
Baptism – Complete and return the Baptismal Form to the Reverend Dr. Angela F. Shepherd at admin@stbartsatlanta.org.
Confirmation – Complete and return the Confirmation Candidate Form to the Reverend Dr. Angela F. Shepherd at admin@stbartsatlanta.org.
Transfer of Membership – Complete and return the Transfer of Membership and Information Form to admin@stbartsatlanta.org.
Weddings
The celebration of Christian Marriage is an occasion of great joy! The Clergy and Staff of St. Bartholomew’s are pleased to celebrate with you on your wedding day. Learn more here in the Wedding Booklet.
End of Life
There are many decisions to be made as we consider end of life issues. Information has been prepared to assist you in the Burial Planning Booklet.
If you are interested in your body being interred in the St. Joseph of Arimathea Memorial Garden, these forms will assist you: Memorial Garden Brochure, Memorial Garden Regulations, and Plaque Application.
Finance
Pledges to the 2020 budget can be made On-Line; by printing and completing a pledge card and placing the card in the offering plate; by bringing it to the church office; or by mailing it to 1790 LaVista Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Click here to learn more about our stewardship.
Reimbursements may be requested by using this form Reimbursement Form.
Parish Facilities
Members and non-members may reserve the facilities. Please complete this Facility Use Application and send admin@stbartsatlanta.org.
The Rev. Alex Sherrill
The Rev. Canon Dr. Angela F. Shepherd 
Debbie Kerr 
The Rev. Peter Wallace 
The Rev. Dr. Stefanie Taylor
Audry Gagnon
Stephen Frketic 
Kenneth Hilson
Deacon Katharine Hilliard-Yntema
The Rev. Bill Deneke,