On Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, at the edge of Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood, Simpson Street Church of Christ stands as what its members call Atlanta's historical, landmark, downtown, first African American congregation of the Churches of Christ. Rooted in that heritage and committed to identifying with the New Testament church founded in Jerusalem on Pentecost, the congregation draws worshippers from across the city for Sunday Bible class, Sunday worship, a Wednesday night online study, and a full slate of ministries that touch nearly every stage of life.
A Congregation That Identifies with the New Testament Church
The Simpson Street family shares life with a larger body of Churches of Christ through faith, practice, and fellowship. Members seek their identity through the scriptures and look to the New Testament church as their model. The congregation teaches that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God and the final authority in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice. They believe in one God, harmoniously and eternally existing in three divine manifestations: the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Worship at Simpson Street reflects the historic shape of Churches of Christ practice. Members meet every Sunday for worship consisting of singing, preaching, praying, communing, giving in support of the church, and study of the word. The atmosphere is described as spiritually rich and fulfilling, supported by rich singing and fellowship, with strong biblical and situationally relevant messages anchored in Christ and scripture. Visitors can expect a traditional Church of Christ service shaped by the warmth and musical heritage of a long-established African American congregation in downtown Atlanta.
Sunday Bible Class and Worship
The weekly rhythm at Simpson Street centers on Sunday morning. Bible class begins at 9:00 AM, and the worship service follows at 10:00 AM. The order of worship includes singing, prayer, preaching, the Lord's Supper, and giving. Children have their own Bible classes, with a dedicated Children's Bible Class program. The church building is open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sundays to welcome members and guests.
Members describe the preaching as biblical and relevant to daily life, anchored in the word of God and the life of the church. The aim of every gathering is the same as the motto printed on the church's materials: One God, One Goal, One Team, working to evangelize, edify, every way, every day, everyone.
Weekday Bible Study on Zoom
Beyond the Sunday gathering, Simpson Street offers a Monday through Friday Zoom Bible Class for members who want to keep the scriptures in front of them through the work week. On Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM, the congregation gathers online for its Wednesday Online Bible Study. Together, these studies give members a daily and weekly touchpoint with the word that fits into busy schedules and reaches shut-ins and members who travel.
A Free Bus Service for Members and Visitors
One of the most practical ways Simpson Street welcomes guests is its church bus service. The bus is free to all members and visitors within an eight-mile radius of the church building. Riders complete a service request form with their pickup details and contact information, and the church asks anyone needing a Sunday ride to call before 12:00 noon on Friday if they are unable to fill out the form online. Drivers are recruited through a separate driver application, and groups using the vehicle for church events complete a vehicle usage request.
There are important limits to know before riding. The bus is not wheelchair accessible, and each rider must sign a liability form. Riders also grant the church permission to seek and administer emergency medical treatment if a family member cannot be reached. The forms page on the church's site carries the full liability release for anyone who plans to use the service.
What Simpson Street Believes
The congregation's Statement of Faith walks through the doctrines that shape life at Simpson Street. Members believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully man, born of the virgin Mary, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return in glory. The Holy Spirit comforts believers, brings remembrance of the teachings of Jesus, convicts the world of sin, guides believers into truth, and dwells in those who obey the gospel, empowering them to live holy and faithful lives.
Salvation is understood as the gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ and expressed in obedient response to the gospel. The congregation teaches that baptism is essential to salvation and the moment when a believer enters into Christ, receives reconciliation, the forgiveness of sins, and is added to the body of Christ. The church is described as the body of Christ, made up of baptized believers who seek to worship God in spirit and in truth.
On marriage and identity, Simpson Street holds that marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to be between one man and one woman, reflecting the relationship between Christ and his church. The congregation also affirms that biological sex and gender are permanent characteristics given by God as part of his design and plan for the individual.
Christian living, in the church's words, is marked by holiness, good works, and the fruit of the Spirit, with the marks of discipleship being love, self-denial, and continuing in God's word. Simpson Street believes God has designed the church to be set in order and brought the message through God-ordained evangelists, led by elders (bishops and overseers), served by deacons, and supported by faithful members. The church looks forward to the return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the judgment of all people.
Senior Minister Marcus T. Watkins
Senior Minister Marcus T. Watkins leads the congregation. A native of Rogersville, Alabama, Bro. Watkins has been married to Gloria (Baker) Watkins for more than thirty-six years. The couple has two daughters, Portia and Tiara, and grandchildren Phoenix Skye Yarborough and Dakota Yarborough. He was born again in April of 1980 during a meeting conducted by Dr. W. F. Washington in Rogersville and began preaching at the age of thirteen, mentored by preachers including the late Reginald Dulin, the late Freeman Malone Jr., Charlie McClendon, and his longest-tenured mentor, Leroy Butler Jr.
Bro. Watkins served honorably in the United States Air Force for ten years and has studied at the Community College of the Air Force, Valdosta State University, Georgia Military College, Paul Quinn College, International Bible College, and Oakland City University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. After seven years of faithful service to the Northside Church of Christ in Hartford, Connecticut, he was called in 2018 to lead Simpson Street Church of Christ. He lives by the motto: To whom much is given, much is required.
A Leadership Team of Elders and Deacons
Alongside the Senior Minister, Simpson Street is served by elders and deacons who lead the congregation's ministry areas. Elder Gilford Harris came to Simpson Street in 1985, was ordained as a deacon in 1990, and was ordained an elder in 1997. He co-leads the In-Reach Ministry with Deacon Charlie Simmons, who was baptized at Simpson Street in 1962 and has served the congregation as a Bible School teacher, bus driver, and on the Baptismal and Building Committees. Elder Tyree Bernard, a retired United States Air Force veteran with twenty-three years of service, was baptized in 1974 in San Antonio, Texas, and was ordained an elder at Simpson Street in 2001.
Deacon Walter Woods, the son of one of the congregation's charter members, has attended Simpson Street his entire life, teaches the senior high Bible class, and serves as a Music and Drama Ministry leader. Deacon Kenneth Rucker, Chief of Police for the Fulton County Board of Education and a U.S. Naval Reservist, is a Bible School teacher and a Youth Ministry leader. Deacon Willie Hollingsworth leads the Church and Family Life Ministry, and Deacon Roosevelt Stripling, a MARTA manager and former Youth Ministry Director, also serves as a Youth Ministry leader.
Ministries for Every Stage of Life
The church organizes its work around six ministry boards that together touch worship, learning, fellowship, family life, youth, and the surrounding community. The Worship and Evangelism Ministry concentrates on worshipping God, proclaiming his word, and using every positive means to magnify his name and bring glory, obedience, and honor to him. The Education Ministry focuses on functions and activities that deepen members' knowledge of and relationship to God, Christ, the church, the community, and others through instruction, training, and spiritual development. Its stated goal is to equip students to be devoted followers of Jesus Christ while radically transforming the culture.
The In-Reach Ministry exists to strengthen the believer, recover those who have become unfaithful, encourage attendance at every service and activity, and reconcile all to God and to one another. The Church and Family Life Ministry focuses on programs and activities that promote the family and its members, helping families become better families based on the word of God. The Youth Ministry creates, sponsors, conducts, and coordinates programs and activities that enhance and support the spiritual, educational, social, and personal development of the young people of the congregation, providing an environment that nurtures and enriches the youth for God. The Outreach Ministry takes the gospel into the community beyond the church.
Ushers and Greeters: The First Point of Connection
The Ushers and Greeters Ministry is often the first contact a visitor has with Simpson Street. The team welcomes members and guests with warmth and kindness, assists with seating and sanctuary flow, provides bulletins and worship materials, supports special events, funerals, conferences, and church programs, offers directions and assistance throughout the church campus, and helps ensure a safe and orderly worship environment. The team's stated mission is to joyfully welcome all who enter, provide guidance and assistance during worship services and special events, and help maintain an atmosphere of order, hospitality, and reverence. Their watchwords are welcome with excellence, serve with love, and represent Christ.
Reaching Beyond the Building
Through its Outreach Ministry, Simpson Street supports services, activities, and programs for the community beyond the church. Members partner with vendors and participate in events like the SERL gatherings, a Ladies Luncheon, and other conferences advertised through the church. The congregation also stays connected through its newsletter and a regular bulletin available for download on the church's forms and bulletin pages.
Plan a Visit
Simpson Street Church of Christ is located at 800 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW in Atlanta, with a mailing address at PO Box 92760. The phone number is 404-688-4756 and the email address is info@simpsonstreetcoc.com. Sunday Bible class meets at 9:00 AM and worship begins at 10:00 AM. Bible study continues through the week on Zoom, with a dedicated Wednesday night online session at 7:00 PM. Members and visitors within an eight-mile radius can request a free ride on the church bus by completing the bus service request form or by calling the church before noon on Friday. Giving is available online through the church's online giving page, and services, announcements, and special events are shared through the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel.