1956-1960

Reverend Charles Howard Allen was born in Brevard, North Carolina, on November 17, 1920. He graduated at Brevard High School in 1937, graduated at Brevard College in 1939, attended Wake Forest College, Wake Forest, NC, and Furman University, Greenville, SC, where he received a B.A. Degree in 1943. Continuing his education, Reverend Allen attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he was awarded two degrees: Batchelor of Divinity, and Master of Theology.

He served as associational missionary for the Sandy Creek Association in Sanford, NC, Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church, Buena Vista, Virginia, Minister of Education, and Assistant to the Pastor, Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA, 1947-1956, Pastor First Baptist Church, Dublin, GA, 1956-1960, Pastor Mount Paran Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA, 1960-1967, and Associate Pastor Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church since beginning in 1967.

At Second Ponce de Leon, Reverend Allen served also as Educational Director, 1947-1953, and the Sunday School developed the largest enrollment in the state. While serving as Sunday School Superintendent of the Atlanta Baptist Association, Atlanta Baptists bought the assembly grounds. He was a member of the Georgia Baptist Executive Committee 1959-1964, and on the Administration Committee, 1963-1964.

In 1948 Reverend Allen married LaNelle Elliot, who was with the Georgia Baptist Christian Index. They are parents of five children: Charlene (1950), Holly (1954), Mahlon (1956), and Andrew (1968). Charlene is now Mrs. Stephen D. Bassett, Birmingham, Alabama, and Holly is Mrs. Gregory Bassett, Atlanta, Georgia.

During the pastorate of Reverend Allen several improvements were made, one of which was the completion of the new pastorium located on 115 Geneva Street, which was officially dedicated on Sunday before Christmas 1956. Mr. M. H.. Hogan, chairman of the finance committee and member of the building committee, burned the note of indebtedness in ceremonies held at the home. Reverend Allen presided and welcomed the guests to the home.

On the program were Herbert C. Ervin, Milo Smith, Sr., and Mrs. M. Z. Claxton, Sr., who sang Bless This House, and she was accompanied by Miss Betty Rose York, Pianist. The home was decorated in Christmas greens, a tree, and appropriate blossoms.

Built at a cost of $31,000.00, the house had been occupied for some time by the pastor and his family, but paying off the indebtness was finally accomplished, resulting in the formal dedication.