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
Bell Tower
In Thanksgiving for
MILDRED A. DUTTER
with love from Kenneth P. Dutter, Patricia H. Dutter,
and Calvert Johnson.
Dedication of the Bells
Miriam – Mr. & Mrs. John Templeton in memory of their daughter
Magnificat – Anonymous in honor of the Virgin Mary
Peace – Mr. & Mrs. William Bement
Benedicite – Mr. & Mrs. Donald Shimp
St. Bede – Churchmen of the Parish
Jubilate Deo – Dr. & Mrs. A.J. Walker in memory of Edith & William Walker
Gloria in Excelsis – Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth G. Taylor
Their Voice is gone out into All the Earth – The Parish 1963 Christmas offering
May 3, 1964
Bells were cast by the Taylor Bell Foundry of London
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.
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.
The Rev. Shirley Porter
Priest Associate
I am a Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at the invite of the Rector, Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, and I look forward to meeting with you!
Deacon Florence Mitchell
My name is Reverend Deacon Florence Cooper Mitchell. I was ordained in 2022 as deacon in the Dioceses of Atlanta.
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
JM Parker
Parish Administrator
Maquita Irvin
Communications Administrator
Maquita is a published storyteller with a deeply rooted dedication to truth-seeking and narrative change work in overlooked communities.
Kenneth Hilson
Breakfast Maven
Our Vestry
The Vestry of St. Bartholomew’s is typically composed of 12 adult members. These individuals represent the parish-at-large and are an essential 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. Please see the members of The Vestry below, and feel free to contact them if you have a concern, question, or comment.
Executive Committee
John Carter
Senior Warden
Larry Dugan
Junior Warden
Becky Anne
Clerk
Chris Palmer
Treasurer
Larry Dugan, Junior Warden
Buildings & Grounds
Charlie Michael
Adult Christian Formation
Becky Anne, Clerk
Children & Youth Christian Formation
Becky Coralli
Outreach & Social Justice
Toni Caraballo
Parish Life
Mark Flanagan
Stewardship
Linda Jordan
Administration
Mark Keeler
Welcome & Home
Vestry meeting highlights and financial reports are emailed the first of each month and posted inside the church.
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
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 2023 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 St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 2897 N Druid Hills Rd, #508, 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.
My name is Reverend Deacon Florence Cooper Mitchell. I was ordained in 2022 as deacon in the Dioceses of Atlanta. Prior to becoming a deacon I taught science in the following Georgia counties and city school districts: Dooly, Crisp, Dougherty and Atlanta Public Schools. During my tenure as an educator I taught: chemistry, biology, physical science, mathematics, forensic science and environmental sciences. I was born in Brooks County Georgia and reared on my maternal grandparents’ farm in Quitman, Georgia. Upon graduation from Brooks County High School, I enrolled in Fort Valley State College where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. I continued my education by earning a Master of Science in Biology from Albany State University.
Karen Dickey was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and has called Atlanta home for the last 28 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and her master’s degree in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Business. Karen has been involved in church accounting for the last 10 years. She considers church accounting “her ministry” where her skill, working with God’s people, and passion for social justice intersects. Her hope is to use her gifts to enhance St. Bartholomew’s community centered mission.
Maquita is a published storyteller with a deeply rooted dedication to truth-seeking and narrative change work in overlooked communities. Maquita has seven years of experience in marketing and content communications for the financial, higher education, and government sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Journalism. She was the editor-in-chief of two teen magazines, the author of three books, and now ghostwrites and documents some of life’s precious moments through video, podcast, and an online journal.
My name is Rev. Shirley Porter. I am a Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at the invite of the Rector, Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, and I look forward to meeting with you!
Hello, I’m Kristi Painter is St. Bartholomew’s Parish Administrator. Kristi has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She recently moved back to Atlanta after spending several years in Philadelphia working as a United Methodist young adult missionary with a homeless services organization. Her calling is assisting congregations in living out their faith through both service and advocacy.
Hello, I’m 
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,