If you're looking to get up early on Easter morning and attend a sunrise service, you have plenty of options in metro Atlanta.
Many Atlanta-area churches will offer early morning services this Easter, Sunday, April 16, or you can explore a larger public venue, like the iconic service at Stone Mountain Park, to celebrate the holiday.
Here are eight sunrise service across metro Atlanta for locals and out-of-towners on Easter Sunday 2017:
Credit: TAYLOR CARPENTER / AJC
Credit: TAYLOR CARPENTER / AJC
Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. www.stonemountainpark.com/Events/Easter-Sunrise-Service.
The tradition of Easter sunrise services at Stone Mountain dates back to 1944, and it continues with two simultaneous non-denominational services at 7 a.m. – one at the top of the mountain and one at the bottom. If you'd like to attend the mountaintop service, you can climb the mountain near Confederate Hall at the park's west gate. If you'd rather ride, the Summit Skyride will open at 4 a.m. The other service takes place on Memorial Lawn at the base of the mountain.
Event organizers suggest arriving an hour or more before the service because crowds will be large. Parking is $15 per vehicle and is free for church vans and buses. The Summit Skyride costs $12 for a round trip and $8 one way.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw. www.mariettakiwanis.org/events?event=98769.
Easter sunrise services are held by the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs of Marietta from 7-8 a.m. on April 16. Park in the visitor's center lot or in the overflow lot just down the street. The Salvation Army is serving coffee and hot chocolate before the service.
Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park, 830 Willoughby Way NE, Atlanta. https://intowneaster.com.
Several of Atlanta's Intown United Methodist churches (Grace, Inman Park, New Church and St. Mark) will host a casual service of song, storytelling and celebration at 7 a.m. on April 16 in the Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park. Park in the marked spots on the streets surrounding the park, or use the Beltline to walk or bike to the services.
Dunwoody Baptist Church, 1445 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody. http://www.dbc.org/sunrise-baptism.
An Easter sunrise baptism service will be held at 7 a.m. on April 16 in the church’s prayer garden. Music, prayer and a brief devotional message from Senior Pastor Allen Jackson will also be included in the service.
Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs. https://judeatl.com/holyweek.
A sunrise mass with outdoor altar will be held at 6:30 a.m. on April 16.
Jazz Urban Sunrise Easter Service, North Avenue Presbyterian Church parking deck, 607 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta. https://www.napc.org/easter.
North Avenue Presbyterian Church (NAPC) partners with First Congregational Church and Dr. Dwight Andrews for an outdoor sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. on April 16. Jazz and choir will be featured in the services, which will be held on top of the NAPC parking deck, located just off Peachtree Street. Unless you have limited mobility or have small children, NAPC asks that you utilize free parking across from the church at the Bank of America Parking Garage (600 Peachtree St.).
Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service, Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, 3016 Lanier Drive NE, Atlanta. http://www.olachurch.org/ecumenical-easter-sunrise-service/.
The member churches of the Brookhaven Christian Ministries, including Atlanta Vineyard, Brookhaven Christian Church, Brookhaven Presbyterian Church, Clairmont Baptist Church, Open Table Community, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, St. James United Methodist Church, St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, will host a traditional sunrise service at 7 a.m. Easter Sunday, April
Rev. Zachary Bradley, pastor of Brookhaven Presbyterian Church, will be the featured speaker at this interdenominational service.
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Jason Getz
Roswell Presbyterian Church community services, various locations. www.roswellpres.org/lent.
Roswell Presbyterian Church (RPC) hosts five sunrise services, each beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the following locations:
- RPC Cemetery, 755 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. Park at the RPC lot off of Hwy. 9. A light breakfast is provided, and if it's raining, the service will be held at Alderman Hall in the Church.
- Aspen Pointe Apartment Community, 1300 Gran Crique Drive, Roswell. The service will be held – rain or shine - near the pool area at the leasing office, with a light breakfast provided.
- Brookfield Country Club, 100 Willow Run Road, Roswell. Park at the clubhouse on Willow Run Road. Walk to the 10th hole of the golf course, where services will be held, rain or shine, and a light breakfast will be provided.
- East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta. Services will be held rain or shine, and doughnuts and coffee are provided.
- Horseshoe Bend County Club, 2100 Steeplechase Lane, Roswell. Park on Wayt Road near the lakeside pavilion. Services will be held rain or shine, and a light breakfast will be provided. For more on church services on Easter Sunday or for any occasion, review the AJC's latest faith calendar here.
