Candler Mansion repurposed - St.John Chrysostom Melkite Church Atlanta

This is Asa Candler's 1916 Mansion on Ponce. It's been a church since 1957 - the St.John Chrysostom Melkite Church.

This is my 6th of 23 in my project to visit and blog all the churches on Ponce de Leon.


This was the home of one of the most important men in Atlanta. In 1887 Asa Candler bought the formula for Coca Cola from its inventor John Pemberton. Mr. Candler did well with it. This was his home from 1916 until his death in 1929.


Today it works very well as church. It's one of the "church-mansions" on Ponce de Leon.


I toured it last Sunday during their annual Middle East Food Festival. I suggest you put it on your calendar for next May. One visit is not enough. I'll be there.


The Druid Hill section of Ponce de Leon is lined with mansions but this one stands out, less because of size, more because of its style and siting on a 2 acre hill top.


I enjoyed the view from the portico.


The church installed the stained glass and there is plenty of it.


Not over the top.


But not modest.


Important.


Between the portico and porte-cochere I was a happy architecture tourist.

I can only give hints at the inside.


This is the porte-cochere foyer ceiling.


The ceiling of the foyer now the narthex.


This door leads from the narthex to the nave.


The ceiling of the music room. "This music room is now a 'Para Ecclesia' or Chapel." It's a knock-out.


The ceiling of the library, now a heritage room and gift shop.


I don't have words for the nave...


...or the ceiling.


This grand sunken party room is now a church steeped in iconography, the damaged marble now covered in new wood floors and pews, the wall hung with iconographic paintings and stained glass. I'd seen pictures but...


The Holy Alter is in the former dining room.


I think these are drawings are for restoration.

I've shown you almost nothing.

All 96 years from home to abandonment to boarding house to church are still in here. I hope I've encouraged a few of you to have a look.


This is just one of the churches on Ponce.


Drive carefully while you are touring.