Facilities—The Wandering Years

The Fellowship began meeting in the education building of the Walton Way Temple August 8, 1954. By September, we had moved to the Spartan surroundings of the YMCA on Greene Street (now Health Central). By November, 1954, we had begun meeting in the Dolinoff Ballet Studio across from the Bon Air Hotel—Walton Arms Apartments. Until 1956, the members carpooled their children to Aiken to participate in the Aiken Fellowship’s Religious Education program. In pursuit of a more congenial atmosphere, the group moved to the Old Government House in January, 1956, a restored and elegantly furnished historical building.

Members soon realized that growth in adult membership fostered a growth in religious education potential and needs. In 1957, in order to meet the challenge, the little Fellowship left the comfort of the Old Government House to move to the Augusta Academy of Music, an unrestored mansion off Johns Road and Walton Way, which provided enough room to start a religious education program of our own. Space was the primary benefit; comfort was completely lacking. Nevertheless, the R.E. program flourished and the ranks swelled. In December, 1958, we took up temporary residence at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on the corner of Walton Way and Katherine Street, where we stayed until 1960 when our current building was completed.