The Bishop Community Center has long been a cornerstone of our small town’s story. The site where the building sits today was once just a wooden platform where politicians would give speeches and the town would gather on Saturday nights for dances.  Around 1895, the platform was covered and functioned as a one-room schoolhouse.  It served as a school until 1912 when a new brick schoolhouse was built (what is now Bishop Baptist Church on Old Bishop Rd).  

The building that we see today was built during the great depression years of 1915-1924 through tireless fundraising efforts by the members of the First Christian Church.  In the late 1980's, the church donated the building to the Town of Bishop with the stipulation that it must remain available to the community for weddings and funerals.  It then served as the Senior Center for Oconee County until some time in the 1990's when the county turned it back over to the town.

Since then, the building has served as a gathering place for town potluck dinners, town council meetings, voting precinct, a rental space for the community and most recently, a leased space for a local church group.  The Bishop Town Council has dedicated funds to restore the building, making it a safe and beautiful place for all to enjoy once again.  We can't wait for Bishop residents to come and enjoy it as a community center once again - it is, after all, their building.

Be sure to check back often to see pictures of the progress!

The first step in bringing new life to the Bishop Community Center was making it safe for generations to come. An inspection report revealed that the building’s wiring was severely outdated and posed a fire hazard. Thanks to the skilled work of Bishop’s own Salt & Light Electric, the entire building was rewired from top to bottom. Their dedication ensured that this historic space is not only preserved but also safe, modern, and ready to host the community for years ahead. 

When the Oconee Fire Marshal inspected the Community Center, one major concern stood out: the building only had a single exit through the front door. To make sure everyone could gather safely, we added a new emergency fire escape. This crucial improvement not only ensures the safety of our community but also expanded the building’s official capacity — jumping from just 49 people to an incredible 384. Now the Community Center is ready to host weddings, plays, and large meetings, truly becoming a centerpiece for gatherings in Bishop.