One Church, Three Locations
The establishment of the Lofton Circuit started with the organization of Lofton in 1840. The building itself was constructed in 1879. It was first united with Thompson Springhill AME Church in Matthews, Georgia.
In 1874, Springfield began conducting services under a brush harbor. It was given the name Stone Springfield and in the year 1905, under the leadership pf Rev. Duncan, a building was finally constructed.
Sandvalley was built in 1892 under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Hillis. Sandvalley was originally called Old Bethel AME Church, but under the leadership of Rev. R.L. Alexander the name was changed, and the church was moved to where it stands today.
Sometime between the years of 1895 and 1896 the three churches were joined to form a circuit. Bishop Abraham Grant, 19th Bishop of Georgia, provided leadership at this time. Due to the fact that Lofton was the oldest of the three churches, the union was named the Lofton Circuit. It is still called that today!
The mission of the Lofton Circuit is to raise the quality of ministry by being committed to ongoing spiritual and physical development. We are resolved to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional needs of all the people by increasing our witnessing and service through the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our divine purpose to shape lives for Christ, by seeking, serving, and saving the lost.
We will accomplish our mission by:
1. Preaching and teaching the gospel, praise, prayer, and worship
2. Feeding the hungry
3. Clothing the naked
4. Housing the Homeless
5. Soothing the fallen
6. Providing jobs for the jobless
7. Ministering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing and senior citizens homes
8. Caring for the sick, the shut-in, and the mentally and socially disturbed
