Our History

It all began with a calling - to plant a Lutheran church in the growing community of Gwinnett to grow in grace and transform lives. In October 29, 2000,  Community of Grace Lutheran Church was officially established as an ELCA congregation

In January of 2001, Pastor Matthew Henning was called as the Mission Developer and began by distributing flyers, knocking on doors, and becoming a constant presence in the community. Invitations to join together in worship were plentiful and relationships were developed.

Worship was originally held in the South Gwinnett High school with church offices located nearby at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lilburn. Vacation Bible School was held at Snellville Presbyterian Church for a week during the summers. The local community was a blessing to behold!

Each week, the trailer filled with music equipment and worship supplies was unloaded for the worship service, then loaded back again. The trailer was  lovingly referred to as "the church". As the story goes, "the church" was stolen one day - the entire trailer taken! That would have stopped many congregations, but not Community of Grace.

In 2004, Community of Grace broke ground at 1200 Athens Highway and we still have the shovel proudly displayed in the Narthex. Our first worship service was held outdoors on this holy piece of property, a place which would soon be home to our congregation.

Loans were secured and construction began,  first on the sanctuary and offices, then later on the social hall. The first worship service in the new building was in 2005.

In 2006, the SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry needed a place to call home. Their trailers were set up in our parking lot, members helped to build steps and decks so clients could easily enter, a garden was planted, and for 8 years, they were our parking lot friends and neighbors. This began a long term relationship with the CO-OP, one deeply treasured still today.

Since moving into the building, the congregation has experienced significant growth and welcomed many friends and neighbors into our community. We give thanks for our worship together, this community we call "family", and the love and grace of Jesus Christ who has indeed, let us grow in grace and transform lives.