About Our Church
Spring Hill Avenue United Methodist Church has been ministering to the community and congregation of the Mobile area since 1874 when it had its beginnings in the home of Mrs. Jane Brightley on Spring Hill Avenue. The church became known as "The Four Mile Post Church". Later, in 1881, a one room church was built near the intersection of Spring Hill Avenue and Randolf Street. The church was on the Toulminville Circuit until 1898. At this time, it became part of a new circuit--the Crichton Circuit of the Alabama Conference. With this change the name of the church changed to Crichton Methodist Church. This name was retained until 1925 when the name became Spring Hill Avenue Methodist Church. In 1945, property was purchased on the corner of Florida Street and Spring Hill Avenue for a new church building. The first service was held in the new church on March 2, 1952. Later, an educational building was added. The name of the church was changed once again in 1968 when the Methodist Church merged with Evangelical United Brethren. The Spring Hill Avenue United Methodist Church is one of Mobile's most beautiful sanctuaries and is the only example of English Gothic architecture in the city. It has impacted the lives of hundreds of people in the Mobile area.
Below is a photograph of our magnificent Sanctuary. Sunlight through the elegant stained glass windows is truly a glorious sight.
HISTORY 1874-1966
History
Spring Hill Avenue
Methodist Church
1874 – 1966
Formerly:
Napoleonville Methodist Church
Four Mile Post
Crichton
In 1925:
Spring Hill Avenue
Etta L. Cogburn
Historian
DEDICATION
To those of the past
who have held high the flaming
torch of service and to those of the
present who have grasped the burning torch
we dedicate this history.
May you of today keep the torch shining
bright and pass it on undimmed to other willing hands.
HISTORY OF SPRING HILL AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH
1874 – 1952
A Mission:
From the Minutes of the Mobile District Conference which met in Pensacola, Florida, April 10, 1875, the following quotations were taken, “Rev. J. H. James, Pastor of the Mobile City Mission reports seven Sunday Schools. At 4 Mile Post the school has 35 scholars with an average attendance of 25 owing mainly to the persevering efforts of one young lady.” The other schools mentioned on the Mission were Grand Bay, Pleasant Valley, Toulminville, Portersville, Pine Grove and St. Elmo. Rev. S. H. Cox was the Presiding Elder and Bishop B. S. Dogget presided over the Conference.
Early Sunday School:
From the same Minutes mentioned above, the St. Francis Street Church pastor reported that several of his members had been attending and helping in the mission schools in the Mobile area, so it is probable that this 4-Mile Post School was started by that church, some of whose members lived nearby. Among the early teachers were Mr. John Welch, Mr. William Gillen, Miss Christine Phifer, Mrs. “Pinkie” Marsh, Miss Mary Crane, Miss Della Ward, Miss Daisy Lambert, Mrs. Katie Barret, Mr. D. Richarby, Mr. R. E. Daly. The Sunday School met in the home of Mrs. Jane Brightling Sunday afternoons.
Organization:
Soon a congregation was organized with 25 charter members and it was known as the 4-Mile Post Church, although it was sometimes referred to as the Napoleanville Church because it was the only church in the Napoleanville precinct at that time.
In 1877 this church was one of five others on the Toulminville Circuit and in 1886 went on the Ellington Circuit with six other churches. In 1898 when the Crichton Post Office was established, the name of the church was changed to Crichton and it became one of 6 churches on the Crichton Circuit. At this time it was no longer a mission but was a self-supporting church. The pastor, Rev. J. W. Killough, was paid $550 for that year’s salary.
The little church grew in interest and membership and it was during the pastorate of Rev. W. T. Rencher in 1881 that a small, one-room frame church was built on Spring Hill Avenue at the head of Randolph Street. The ground for the church was given by Mr. John William McLean, a member of the new congregation. Mr. Salter Wright was the contractor.
The first wedding in the little church was that of Miss Sallie McLean and Mr. W. O. Haas in 1896.
Circuit Pastors:
The church remained on the Crichton Circuit until 1921 when it became the Crichton Station. The following pastors served during those years:
1875 – J. H. James 1893 – C. W. Tavin
1876 – F. M. Peterson 1896 – J. A. Seale
1877 – A. J. Lamar 1900 – J. C. Johnson
1879 – J. P. Hamilton 1901 – H. C. Gillis
1880 – R. P. Baker 1903 – J. D. Kersh
1881 – W. T. Rencher 1907 – H. W. Chambers
1882 – J. P. Roberts 1909 – A. B. Brown
1883 – W. C. Isaacs 1912 – D. M. Pearson
1885 – W. F. Arnold 1913 – J. B. Trotter
1887 – G. K. Williams 1916 – Q. T. Gibson
1888 – L. B. H. Jeffcoat 1917 – A. B. Brown
1889 – J. A. Stripling 1918 – R. M. Rooks
1891 – J. W. Killough
Parsonages:
The early pastors were young men and boarded around among the members. In 1891 when Rev. J. W. Killough came, he brought his family, so a parsonage had to be secured. It was reported at the 1894 District Conference by Rev. C. W. Gavin. The parsonage was a log house, 81 years old and was bought by Bro. Killough for $900.
In 1895, a lot on Spring Hill Avenue near Burton Avenue was bought and a new parsonage was built. It burned in 1897 and another was built on the same lot by Mr. Ed Lord, contractor, a member of Crawford Chapel, one of the several churches on the circuit. Rev. J. A. Seale was the pastor at this time.
In 1921 when the church became a station, the parsonage was sold to Mr. J. W. Burge and a larger and more modern one bought on the corner of Spring Hill and Hyland Avenues.
This was used until 1945 when the church was moved to Spring Hill and Florida Streets and the ante-bellum home that was on the Alexander Estate, on which the new church was to be located, was bought. The old parsonage was sold to Mr. J. E. Kimball, of Thomasville, Alabama.
Members of the church and interested friends refinished the old home and furnished it with Victorian and colonial furniture and Rev. and Mrs. C. M. Ellisor, Walter, Cecil, Jr., and Billie moved in in December 1945. Open house was held early in January when members and friends came to view the lovely, restored old home.
Growth:
Although the charter membership of the church in 1874 numbered only 25, the membership grew rapidly. The city of Mobile was spreading westward and many new residents were moving in.
In 1916, while the Rev. S. J. Gibson was pastor, the church was remodeled and enlarged. The membership then was 250.
After the World War I boom, so many people were moving into the community that there was need for a full-time pastor, so in 1921, after “seeds of preparation” had been sown by Rev. C. M. Rooks, pastor, and through the influence of Dr. T. F. Robinson and Mr. J. W. Burge and others, the church became the Crichton Station with Rev. J. W. Horn as pastor. The membership had grown to 500.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. D. F. Ellisor, and when Mr. J. R. Brown was Supt. of the Sunday School that there was need for more Sunday School room. “Shed rooms” were made on to the rear of the church building to accommodate the increased attendance of the Sunday School. The name of the church was changed to Spring Hill Avenue.
The idea began to grow in many minds that a new church and educational building should be built on the parsonage property at Spring Hill and Hyland Avenues. In the spring of 1925, Bishop Warren Candler came and opened a campaign to raise funds for a new church. The congregation responded generously and committee were appointed and plans were studied; but when Rev. E. A. Childs came in 1926, it was decided that the church was not ready to undertake such a financial responsibility since our country was facing a serious financial depression.
In 1928, when Rev. H. Lisenby was pastor and Mr. J. R. Eastburn was Supt. of the Sunday School, the church decided to build a 3 story frame Educational Building on the rear of the church lot at a cost of $8,000. A few extra feet of land were given by Mr. Frank Hemley at the rear of the church property. The plan then was to build a new church at a later date on the front of the property to replace the old church.
The membership of the church at this time numbered 447.
During the next few years, with the financial depression covering the country the church maintained its own under the leadership of Rev. J. E. McCaurn, but showed no outstanding growth. Many people were moving away from the community.
In 1935, when Rev. O. G. Pope came, prospects looked brighter for the church as well as the nation and a new interest was manifested in church and Sunday School attendance. Again the members felt the need of a new church and with this in view, Rev. Pope appointed a Building Fund Committee to make plans to start raising money. Mr. B. L. Akerman was chairman of this committee.
This fund increased slowly yet interest in a new church grew, and in 1938 a church conference was held when the decision was definitely made to do something about raising money for all agreed that a new church must be built in the near future. Mrs. Clyde Moore, Chairman of the Fuilding Fund Committee inspired the congregation with a talk on the subject, “We Must Go Forward” and Dr. H. R. Cogburn, Chairman of the Board of Stewards challenged the congregation with the remark, “Get on the bandwagon for we are going to town.” The building fund amounted to $1,200.00 at the end of that year.
The membership of the church was 486.
During the next two years, under the pastorates of Rev. Wilds DuBose and Rev. O. D. Langston, the building fund continued to increase. The membership was growing again and so the urgency of a new church prevailed. There was much indecision about whether to build on the present church location or on the parsonage location. A committee, with Mrs. W. C. Armistead as chairman was appointed by Rev. Langston and in his report to a church conference in 1941, it was decided to study further building plans on the parsonage property. However, no definite plans to build were made that year although it was agreed that the new church should be built on the parsonage property.
Then the membership of the church was 615 at that time.
A New Location Sought:
In 1942, Rev. Cecil Ellisor became pastor of the church. Because of the “boom” of World War II many new people were moving into the western section of Mobile. The church experienced another growth in membership, which reached 742 in 1944.
Rev. Ellisor studied the situation and found that the church members were agreed to building a new church, but there was not complete satisfaction over either of the two sites available. Looking into the past revealed the fact that in 1925 the plan was to build on the parsonage property, but in 1925 the plan failed. In 1929 the plan was to build on the church property, but that plan did not materialize. In 1941 the church reconsidered and decided to build on the parsonage property. But for various reasons, that plan did not come to a reality.
After many months of study, work and prayer by the church membership under the leadership of Rev. Ellisor, it was decided for the fourth time that something must be done in the very near future toward building a new church. Church conferences were held and the matter discussed but with no definite results. In 1944, a Building Committee composed of Messrs. W. O. Haas, J. R. Eastburn, Lonnie Cohron, Clyde Moore and Dr. H. R. Cogburn was appointed to give detailed study to the situation.
Months passed and the committee was diligent in its undertaking but no more favorable location could be found available. There was a growing sentiment among the members to move out of the business area surrounding the church. Many had dreams of building on the corner of Spring Hill Avenue and Florida Street, which was a part of the Alexander Estate. The committee investigated but the owner, Miss Edna Alexander, did not want to sell anything less than the entire estate of 40 acres. Mr. Haas was not a man to face defeat and he set his face toward his goal with a grim determination. His personal investigation revealed the fact that the entire Alexander Estate could be bought for $50,000 and his desire to realize his dream of building a church was so great that he made a decision that, when revealed to the church, brought new hope, new life and new faith into it.
Rev. Ellisor called a church conference in February 1945, to hear a report of the Building Committee.
The Committee reported that Mr. Haas would personally buy the Alexander Estate and sell to the church whatever part it might want for a church, educational building and parsonage. The Conference voted to accept the offer of Mr. Haas with deep appreciation for his generosity.
At a Quarterly Conference following soon after, the Building Committee was given authority to buy the property on the corner for the church and a lot for a parsonage. It was also authorized to sell the old church property and the old parsonage and to move the old church building and rebuild it on the rear of the new church site to be used as a temporary church. To this Committee was delegated the authority to raise and disburse funds for the building project.
A planning committee composed of Mr. J. S. Attebery, Mr. W. C. Armistead, Miss Gladys Baxter, Mrs. J. R. Montgomery, Mrs. Frank Gillen, Mrs. L. C. McCrary and Mrs. H. R. Cogburn was appointed to study and submit plans for the rebuilding of the old church, the parsonage and the new church.
The architect selected was Mr. Howard Ellis and he was assisted by his sister, Miss Augustine Ellis.
Mr. Marvin E. Savell, Sr., a member of the church was chosen to build the church, which he did on a non-profit basis.
During the months that followed, priorities to build a parsonage or church could not be secured because of the war situation. Finally, Mr. Haas offered to sell to the church the old home built in 1868 on the estate for $7,500 and the church bought it and sold the parsonage lot.
A stunning blow to the church was the death in February 1946 of Mr. W. O. Haas, the guiding spirit of the building of the new church. He did not live to see his “dream” come true but his influence has been felt in every endeavor undertaken in the building program.
Like Abraham of old, he led his people into a new land and into new and larger avenues of service and through him surely many will be blessed.
Work Begun:
The old church was torn down in January 1947 and was rebuilt and occupied in April.
In May 1947, a Home Coming Day was held in the rebuilt church on the new site to create interest in the planning and building of the new church.
Rev. Ellisor and the Committees worked diligently. The plans for the new church has been accepted by the congregation and there was $50,000 in the Building Fund, but the priority to build could not be secured from the Government.
Finally, in 1947, the Government ban was lifted and the way was clear to start building. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on a Sunday in June 1947, when Mrs. Emma Goff, the oldest member of the church raised the first spade of dirt and at last the church was about to become more than a dream.
Excitement ran high as the construction was begun. The building fund increased each month but was being spent faster than it came in. In May 1948, the building trades went on strike and the work was stopped. The money was exhausted, however, so it was a needed “breathing spell,” although it was disappointing to see the work stopped. In June 1948, Rev. Ellisor was moved by Bishop C. J. Harrell to serve as Supt. of the Montgomery District. Then another difficult situation arose, for the congregation felt that without “Cecil” the “dream” could never come true. There was much discouragement.
Rev. O. W. Mathison was sent to serve the church but the strike continued and the work could not be resumed.
At the next Annual Conference, in August 1948, the Rev. C. E. Barnes came to serve as pastor. His first efforts were to add to the building fund to replete the now exhausted treasury.
Work Continued:
Rev. Barnes was a “builder” and it was not long before work was resumed and he tackled the job with faith, assurance and ability. Through his knowledge and experience, the work progressed. Many difficult situations were overcome, many sleepless nights and worry taxed his physical being, but he held fast to the job, with the hope and trust in God and a belief in his congregation, until finally the sanctuary and chapel were completed to the extent that they could be occupied.
How Financed:
Many were the means of raising money. Individual pledges were made by members, special “brick days,” “shingle campaigns,” a “calendar plan,” “special gift days” by members and friends. Then the women of the church held luncheons and bazaars. The children and young people saved their dimes and gave to the building fund.
The value of the property was estimated at $170,000 and the debt as of February 24, 1952, was $48,000 which was being liquidated by monthly notes of $750 to the American National Bank of Mobile, Alabama.
Memorial Gifts:
Most of the beautiful stained glass windows, designed by Mr. Christian M. Senanig of the P. J. Reeves Studios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have been given in memory of a loved one or in honor of some one. The cross and candlesticks, vases, urns, pedestals, tables, altar cloth and many other articles have been given. A list of all these will be compiled later.
Volunteer Workers:
The pastor, the architect, the builder and his crew of workers, the men of the church, the women of the church, the young people and even the children have given of their services toward building this church. Many of the workmen of the church have worked at night in order to hasten the building.
Building Committees:
Upon the death of Mr. Haas, Dr. H. R. Cogburn, Vice Chairman, became the Chairman of the Building Committee. The personnel of the Committee has changed somewhat from time to time. Those having served at some time during the past eight years were Messrs. Charles L. Scheurman, Hugh Kemp, Oliver Haas, D. D. Gillespie. The present Committee consists of Dr. H. R. Cogburn, Messrs. E. B. Wallace, Guy Miller, Glenn Bruister, L. W. Cohron, Mrs. Clyde Moore and Mrs. E. E. Taylor.
Cooperation and Leadership:
This church has always been known over the District and Conference for its splendid spirit of cooperation. Through all the building program, the congregation has worked harmoniously together, all seeking a common goal.
This church has furnished leadership from among its members in the organizations of the Sub-district, District, Conference and Jurisdiction. One young man, Ben Sawada, now a missionary in Japan, was formerly president of the Alabama Conference Youth Fellowship.
The Laying of the Corner-Stone:
With appropriate ceremony, on February 24, 1952, at 2:30 P.M., the corner-stone was laid and the church dedicated to the glory of God.
Rev. Wilbur Walton, District Superintendent, assisted Rev. C. E. Barnes, the pastor, in the service. It was with deep regret that Rev. Cecil M. Ellisor, the “planner of the church,” was ill and could not be present. The vested choir of the church rendered beautiful music and the entire congregation with many visitors took part in the service.
Opening Day, March 2, 1952:
It was with hearts full of praise and gratitude to the Lord that the members gathered on this day for the opening service. The membership of the church numbered 894 and the majority of them and many visitors were present on this day.
The sanctuary was beautifully decorated with many gift flowers. Rev. Cecil M. Ellisor, a former pastor, was ill and could not be present but he and Mrs. Ellisor sent beautiful red roses to decorate the altar.
There were three former pastors present: Rev. O. W. Mathison, who gave the invocation; Rev. Wilds DuBose, who led the responsive reading; and Rev. O. D. Langston, who read the scripture lesson. Rev. Barnes preached a fine sermon using as his subject, “We Build the House of God.”
Mrs. Clyde Moore sang as an offertory, “The Holy City,” accompanied on the organ by Mrs. W. C. Betbeze. The choir rendered a beautiful anthem, “Lift Up Your Heads.”
At the conclusion of the service, four members joined the church: Miss Carolyn McKewen, Mrs. C. W. McConnel and her daughter, Mrs. Nettie Morris Robertson, by transfer of letters, and Rae Ellen Wade on profession of faith. Mrs. McConnel, wife of Rev. C. W. McConnel, retired Methodist minister, is the daughter and Mrs. Robertson, the granddaughter of Mr. John Wm. McLean, who in 1881 gave the piece of land on which the first church was built. Rae Ellen Wade was the grand niece of Mr. McLean.
Although the sanctuary was not complete, it was beautiful and worshipful and it will not be many years before the walls and furnishings will be complete.
The stained glass windows, put in by P. J. Reeves Studios of Philadelphia, Penn., were beautiful and were an inspiration to all who saw them.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Herron Lord, several movie scenes were taken during the day.
It was a great and glorious day. May be Lord be praised!
(Mrs. H. R.) Etta Lord Cogburn
Historian
Reverend Daniel Jones
June 1952 – May 1957
The Ala. – W. Florida Conference re-appointed the Rev. Barnes for his fifth year at Spring Hill Avenue. A few months later he was moved to fill a vacancy at the Forest Avenue Church in Montgomery because of the death of a minister. The Rev. Daniel Jones was sent to us from Livingston, Alabama. A strange coincidence was that Dan and Everett had been college friends and one had served as best man in the other’s wedding.
Mr. Guy Miller, chairman of the Board of Stewards, wrote Rev. Jones and welcomed him and his family to our church. About September 1, Dan, his lovely wife, the former Mary Louise Howard of Autaugaville, Alabama, and their two children, Kathy, about 4, and Mark, not quite 2 years old, arrived to live in the parsonage. We (the Ed Wallaces) were there to welcome them.
The first Board of Stewards meeting after Dan arrived was held September 10, 1952. The new pastor was cordially welcomed. The Treasurer, Mrs. Clyde Moore, reported that $980.15 had been received for the regular budget during August and $861.28 had been disbursed. $2,059.76 had been received for the Building Fund and a payment of $937.29 had been made to the American National Bank. Edw. B. Wallace, Chairman of a Committee to raise funds for the purchase of banquet tables and chairs for the Fellowship Hall, reported that over $800.00 had been given and that 6 banquet tables and 100 sturdy folding chairs had been ordered. The minutes of the previous meeting mentioned the finalizing of plans to get Mr. Leroy Ussery, noted Ala. Conference layman, to come speak to our congregation on “Tithing.” Mr. Douglas Sanders, Superintendent of the Church School, stated that more teachers were needed. He also asked for money to help replace the sliding doors in the Church School building with wooden partitions. It was felt that partitions would lower the noise level. Betty Ruth Haynes (Mrs. Warren), who was receiving $60 a month for her duties as part time secretary to the church, stated that she did not want any pay for her work.
City-wide Church Census plans made for January, 1953. Most of the Protestant Churches in the City were cooperating in this effort. Edw. Wallace, Chairman of the Census in our church, received excellent cooperation from the membership in surveying our area. In June 1953, Guy Miller was re-elected Chairman of the Official Board (formerly the Board of Stewards with additional members by virtue of their offices). George M. Haas was elected Vice Chairman, Marvin Lamb, Secretary, and Mrs. Clyde Moore, Treasurer of the Board. The proposed budget for the year was $26,037, including $11,400 to pay on the debt on the building. The pastor’s salary was $4,800. Other highlights of the year: Ben Sawada, special term missionary to Japan, and a former member of our church, spoke to our youth while he was home; the Rev. L. C. Brannon, who had served 40 years in Korea, spoke to our congregation on his work one Sunday morning; pledges were received toward $1½ million fund, launched to commemorate the Centennial Campaign Fund of Huntingdon College at Montgomery, Alabama; the Rev. Ben Sawada married that year.
The Church budget for 1954-55 was $33,000. There were 103 members reported in the Woman’s Society of Christian Service. The pastor reported 767 members on the church roll, November 10, 1954, at a quarterly Conference. All the Commissions and the Men’s Club were functioning nicely. Church School attendance was 217. George Haas, who had been delegate to the Annual Conference in June, recommended that our church place the Christian Advocate, the church’s publication, in the home of each church family.
More space was needed for Church School classes, and the need for a Children’s Building became apparent. The Official Board approved a recommendation of the Finance Commission that the Church employ the Wells Plan, a fund-raising campaign directed by a member of the Wells organization, to secure sufficient pledges to cover a loan for the construction of such a building. The Official Board also pledged $1,200 of the support of the Rev. Ben Sawada’s work in Japan.
Another year passed and the church membership increased to 799 members with a total of 465 enrolled in the Church School, with an average attendance of 199 members per Sunday.
Mr. George Haas was Chairman of the Official Board when permission was received from the District Superintendent, the Rev. Andrew S. Turnipseed, to hold a Quarterly Conference for the purpose of approving the erection of a Children’s Building. Mr. J. S. Attebery was Chairman of the Planning Committee. A Building Committee was created and it was empowered to elect its own chairman. On March 4, 1956, a Church Conference and a Quarterly Conference were held to discuss the “proposition of mortgaging the existing building of the church and the construction of buildings that may be erected, and for the purpose of securing the loan for the erection of an educational building.” Securing a loan proceeded slowly and the Rev. Dan Jones worked hard and persistently. Finally, the American National Bank agreed to lend the Church $100,000 to build the Children’s Building. (This Bank held the mortgage on the Sanctuary.)
Church School membership reached 507 and the average attendance per Sunday was 232 members. A Fisherman’s Club was functioning well, according to Henry E. Porterfield, Chairman of Membership and Evangelism. There were 109 Woman’s Society of Christian Service members and the Church Roll carried a total of 764 members. The Church rolls were purged of members who could not be located on September 1, 1946, when Mrs. G. L. Anderson started to work for the Church as an Educational Assistant. She worked particularly close to the youth of the Church.
By April 10, 1957, when the Fourth Quarterly Conference was held, there were 50 members on the Official Board. All Commissions and Committees were well organized and functioning, according to the pastor’s report to the Conference. 747 members were reported. There was an appeal throughout Methodism for support for displaced people (people made homeless as a result of World War II). Our church sponsored a German, Max Horst Stumph, who soon arrived with his American born wife, Artie. A house in the community was secured for them, and Mr. George Haas provided a job for Mr. Stumph. They paid the church back the money that had been guaranteed his transportation and began attending our church.
The Official Board agreed to accept $2,400 of the Rev. Ben Sawada’s support in Japan for the coming year. Two Couples Clubs were organized early that Church Year for fun and fellowship. They met in homes of the members monthly. Painting and papering and some new furniture did much to make the parsonage a more attractive place for the Jones family. The pastor’s salary was increased by $500. Mr. Henry Portersfield was secretary of the Official Board and he kept very interesting minutes of the proceedings. Mr. Marvin Lamb was Chairman of the Board.
Mrs. Clyde Moore and Mrs. W. C. Betbeze were honored at a special service one Sunday morning, when Mrs. Mary Montgomery presented them with a check for $800 from the Church congregation. These two faithful members who had been active in the choir work of the church for nearly 50 years had been wanting a new piano for the Chapel and were working toward realizing their desire. This check, a surprise gift, was given to them to purchase a piano to make their dream come true.
Officers elected to serve the Official Board for 1957-58 were A. D. Sanders, Chairman; Cecil G. Agee, Vice Chairman; Tom Laird, Treasurer; and Henry Porterfield, Secretary. Tom Sawada became Church School Superintendent.
Good fellowship existed among the members and love and respect were held for the pastor and his family, but the annual meeting of the Ala. – W. Florida Conference in June 1957 wrought a change. Rev. Jones was appointed to serve the First Methodist Church in Marianna, Florida, and the Rev. Comer Woodall was sent to Spring Hill Avenue.
The Church had grown under the leadership of the Rev. Dan Jones; and he too had matured, adding much to the stature of The Spring Hill Avenue Methodist Church, in its work in God’s Kingdom.
Eleanor P. Wallace (Mrs. Edw. B.)
Reverend Comer Woodall
June 1957 – 1960
In June of 1957, a reception was given for the new minister, the Rev. Comer Woodall, his wife, Mary, and children, by the Woman’s Society of Christian Service, to welcome them to Spring Hill Avenue.
This was the beginning of three years of the most intensive and progressive program in our Church history.
The first month of the Conference year, a nursery for crib babies was started. Beds were given and loaned by members, and a nurse was employed. This allowed young adults to be able to attend church and participate in its activities.
In 1958 we moved into the new Children’s Building. Now a great Church had adequate facilities for the Nursery, Beginners, Primary and Junior Departments.
An Open House was held on Sunday afternoon. Mrs. H. R. Cogburn, who had taught in the Children’s Division for 30 years, cut the ribbon for the opening of the building. The Assembly Room on the second floor for the Junior Department had been furnished by the Woman’s Society of Christian Service in honor of Mrs. Cogburn. The Curry Memorial Library, named and furnished by friends in the Church for Mrs. J. E. Curry, who had for years been librarian for the Children’s Division, was dedicated at this time. Parents who had children in the Primary Department at present and in the past gave a piano for the Primary Department in honor of Mrs. T. J. Cavanagh, who had served as Primary Superintendent for several years.
With the tremendous growth of the Children’s and Youth Divisions, the Adult Division began to grow. The new classes formed made it necessary for the Adult Division to organize for the first time. Mr. Ted Doucet was the Adult Superintendent. An Adult Council formed and met regularly.
With the new Adult Division, space was needed. The decision was for the Parsonage Committee, with Mrs. George (Marianne) Haas, Chairman, to find a suitable dwelling for a parsonage close to the Church that could be rented. One was found on Park Avenue. The old parsonage then became the “Adult Building.”
Mrs. Howard Seid was Minister of Music and organized the first Children’s and Youth Choirs. Mrs. Seid was a capable and highly trained musician. The Youth Choir had 40 members.
Since a Church is only as great as the spiritual life of its members is deep, perhaps the most important times during these years were the Revivals. Never before has Spring Hill Avenue had such successful Revivals. In 1959, Mrs. Mary Webster drew such crowds that each night the Sanctuary was filled. One night, Rev. Woodall asked all ministers present to stand – there were 21 present. The best way to evaluate the effectiveness is to say that the spiritual effect Mary Webster had on many of our members lasts till this day.
Another spiritual milestone was the New Life meeting led by an outstanding Washington, D. C., religious leader, Dr. Albert P. Shirkey.
The Woman’s Society of Christian Service was a “bee-hive” of activity. Mrs. J. Marvin Lamb was President, with 9 Circles and a Wesleyan Service Guild, which worked so closely they later became Circles of the Society. Mrs. Comer (Mary) Woodall led us in some of our best study classes. There was unity, good will, love and team work that prevailed in the Woman’s Society which made it a strength to the Church, for they were fulfilling their purpose, which is spiritual.
Two morning services were now being held – one at 8:45 A.M., the other at 11:00 A.M. The night services were held in the Sanctuary; before Rev. Woodall came, the night services had been held in the Chapel.
For two years, in 1958-59 and 1959-60, a complete Church Year Book was printed. Each family had a copy, giving the planned program for the church year. Copies are kept and treasured by many members.
The Gothic Tower, a church newspaper edited by the minister, was mailed to each church family every week. It kept the membership fully informed about all the activities of the Church, valuable publicity being given to forthcoming events. They were so important, the members who missed a copy felt lost until they could borrow one.
There were two leaders for the Kingdom of God during these years whom I would mention, and I have purposely saved their names till last, for it is impossible to say how much their labors of love have meant – Mr. A. G. (Zeke) Mills, Jr., was Superintendent of the Sunday School and Mrs. J. R. Montgomery was Chairman of the Commission on Education. Their leadership will long be felt.
This closes a three year period of Spring Hill Avenue Methodist Church. During these years Rev. Comer Woodall led us past many milestones, for there were many “firsts” for us.
Reverend Edmund O. Bradley
June 1960 – May 1963
Reverend Edmund O. Bradley was appointed to serve as pastor commencing with the month of June 1960. He and his wife, Lee, and their two children, Fran and Mark, very soon endeared themselves to the 887 church members, blending their Christian talents and personalities into every activity of the Church. All Commissions of the Church were functioning admirably at the time, having the required number of meetings which resulted in dividends for the entire Church.
The Commission on Missions, with Mr. E. B. Wallace, Chairman, assisted by eight Adult Church School classes, pledged to support a ministerial student, Hamed Negron, who was attending the University of Puerto Rico.
Our Church became a “4-star Church,” having four Advance Specials, one of the fifty-five churches of the 600 in the Conference that attained this goal.
The Commission on Membership and Evangelism, through the Fisherman’s Club, visited prospective and new members weekly, undertaking to reach the goal of 200 new members for the year.
The Commission on Finance sponsored the “Every Member Canvass” which resulted in 75% of the members pledging to the Debt Retirement of $38,361 and to the Current Budget of $33,128. The following year $49,190 was pledged to the Current Budget.
The Church School enrollment was approximately 500, with an average of about 50% attending. Mr. A. G. Mills, Jr., was Church School Superintendent and worked diligently by conducting periodic conferences for workers, enabling teachers, department and division superintendents and other workers to keep abreast of new methods of teaching and latest literature. The Church was well represented each year at the District and City Christian Workers Schools. Dr. Clovis Chappel of North Carolina, a well known Evangelist and author, held services for a week for us and many came and were blest by his inspired works and his loving spirit.
In 1962, the Men’s Club sent two of its members to a Layman’s Conference at Lake Junaluska. It proved such an inspiring experience that several from the Club and others have attended each year.
It was in 1962 that a “Homecoming Service” celebrating the 10th anniversary of moving into the new sanctuary was celebrated.
Dr. E. A. Childs of Greenville, a retired minister, but who was pastor of Spring Hill Avenue 35 years ago, brought the message of the morning, using as his text Acts 4:23.
Some very interesting facts were presented during the afternoon program which revealed the loyalty and faithfulness of many “torch bearers” of the past.
These have served for more than 25 years in some official capacity of the Church and Church School:
Mr. J. A. Attebery, Sr. Mr. W. C. Armistead
Mr. J. E. Curry Dr. and Mrs. H. R. Cogburn
Mr. A. D. McCrary Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Cohron
Mr. E. L. Brown Mrs. T. J. Cavanagh
Mrs. Clyde Moore Mrs. J. Z. Holland
Mr. C. I. Roberts Mrs. C. H. Eisenhardt
Mrs. J. S. Huggins
Special recognition was given to those who had served as chairmen of committees which made possible the building of the sanctuary and Children’s Building. These included Mr. W. O. Haas (deceased), Dr. H. R. Cogburn, Messrs. E. B. Wallace, L. W. Cohron, T. H. Ellis, architect, and Marvin Savell, builder.
The Rev. Ben Sawada was presented as being the only missionary sent out by the Church.
The day proved to be a reminder of the rich heritage that is ours, as well as being an inspiration for continuing progress in the spiritual growth of our Church and community.
Mr. William Chance was secured as Choir Director, as a Youth Choir was organized and with the Adult Choir was an asset to the Church, and many were enlisted in that service.
Mrs. G. A. Rush was President of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service and, with her ten Circle Chairmen, worked diligently. The interest in the activities of the Society was stimulated and the attendance at the general meetings was a record high.
Reverend O. Vance Mason
June 1963 – May 1966
In June 1963, with Mr. Tom Sawada, Chairman of the Official board, the Church welcomed the Reverend O. Vance Mason Family, consisting of his wife Marion and five children, Van, Melissa, Martha, Andy and Marianne.
On arrival he found the Church well organized with very active Men’s Club, Woman’s Society of Christian Service and Couples groups. All Commissions were functioning and Sunday School enrollment was over 350, with Mrs. Virgil Stowe, Superintendent.
It was during the first year of Mr. Mason’s ministry that the debt on the Children’s Building was near enough to retirement that a long range planning committee was appointed to study needed future construction. On January 8, 1964, a Church Conference approved the recommendations of the Committee to embark on the building improvement project, including the finishing of the sanctuary and the rehabilitation of the Youth Building at the cost of $100,000 to be repaid at a rate of $1,000 a month including interest for a period of approximately 8 years. $66,000 was to be used to finish the sanctuary and $10,000 on the Youth Building. Mr. Ed Wallace was Chairman of this project. He and his Committee, composed of Messrs. Zeke Mills, Leonard Phillips, Glennie Rush, and Mrs. Clyde Moore, worked long hours with Mr. Howard Ellis, architect, and Rev. Vance Mason, Minister, on plans for the finishing of the sanctuary, which now adorns the corner of Florida Street and Spring Hill Avenue.
Expansion of the Church’s program for all age groups began with the employment of William H. Chance, formerly church organist and choir leader, as Director of Music and Educational Assistant. With his energy and enthusiasm, “Bill” soon built this part-time position into a full-time one. Some of the unusual innovations in which Bill played a major role were inauguration of a “Young At Heart” club for older adults, the organization of a 40-voice Youth Choir which distinguished itself in annual summer tours of churches in Alabama and Northwest Florida, and reorganization, on a greatly expanded plan, of the children’s choirs.
Bill, the only full-time director employed in the history of Spring Hill Avenue, left the Church in June of 1965 to complete his work on a music major. He was succeeded, for the summer, by Mr. Tony Robinson, and then by Mr. Jimmy Finn, Superintendent of Public School Music in Mobile County.
In 1965, with gifts of several members for a generous down-payment, a Chapel organ was purchased. During the months that followed, through the efforts of Mrs. Clyde Moore, the debt on the organ was cleared.
Cathedral lights, given in memory of a much-loved member, Mrs. Mary Gillen Montgomery, were installed in the sanctuary and dedicated in a special service at the 11 o’clock worship hour on November 3, 1963.
In February of 1965, the sanctuary was officially completed, 13 years after the laying of the cornerstone. This memorable occasion, together with the completion of remodeling the Youth Building, was celebrated with Homecoming Day Services and dinner-on-the-grounds on Sunday, March 7, 1965. Former pastors present for the services were Rev. Everette Barnes, Rev. Dan Jones, and Rev. Edmund Bradley.
Special dedication services were held for the following gifts presented to the sanctuary and chapel: Altar Cloth Set (purple), Mr. & Mrs. G. A. Rush; Pulpit Scarfs (purple), Mr. & Mrs. W. C. Armistead; Linen Altar Cover, Mrs. Tom Cavanagh in memory of Mrs. J. A. Lowery; Photo and Scrap Book, Susannah Wesley Class; Communion Service, in memory of Mrs. E. D. Williams by her children, Marvin, Carolyn and Jean; in memory of Mrs. Mary Stallworth by Mrs. J. Z. Holland; in memory of Mr. C. H. Burch, Sr., Mr. C. H. Burch, Jr. and Mr. John Earl Curry, Jr. by their family; in honor of Charles and Mike Trotter by Mr. & Mrs. L. W. Cohron; in honor of J. S., Jr., Shannon and Frances Attebery by the Bible Study Class; Sanctuary Altar in honor of Mr. J. S. Attebery, Sr., by his family and friends; Sanctuary Lights in memory of Mrs. Mary Gillen Montgomery by her family and friends; Chapel Altar in memory of Mr. Cecil Agee by the Forum Class and friends; Chapel Lights in honor of Dr. & Mrs. H. R. Cogburn by their children, Marilyn Cogburn McLeod and H. Reginald Cogburn, Jr.; Bible and Stand in memory of Mr. A. W. Bass by Sue, Thyrl and Ray Bass; Altar Cloth Set (white) by the Woman’s Society of Christian Service; Pulpit Scarfs (white) in memory of Dr. & Mrs. A. W. Ralls by Mr. & Mrs. O. A. Traywick; Large Plant for Narthex by Mr. & Mrs. H. S. Glasgow; Large Plant for Narthex by Mrs. Eula Tanner in memory of Mrs. J. A. Lowery; Altar Pad – Chapel by Mrs. Ralph Griffin; Altar Pad – Sanctuary by Mrs. W. C. Armistead and Mrs. Fred Savell; Altar Candlesticks in memory of Mr. Leo B. Deloach by children, Brenda, Blake, Suzanne and Cara; New Shrubbery by Mr. Lonnie Choron, Mr. Tom Sawada, Mr. Clyde Moore and Mr. J. S. Attebery, Sr. The flowers were placed in the sanctuary by the Planning and Building Committees. The Altar flowers were in memory of the Rev. C. M. Ellisor. The flowers in the Narthex were in honor of the Rev. C. E. Barnes. The flowers in the Chancel Urns were in honor of the Reverends O. W. Mathison, Daniel Jones, Comer Woodall, E. C. Bradley and O. Vance Mason.
Mrs. Warren Haynes was president of the Woman’s Society for 2 years and the Society planned with the Commission on Missions to hold some of the study sessions on Sunday evenings in order that all church members might attend. We learned from these studies about the change of the approach to missions and of the great responsibility of each member to help the church realize its mission.
The Woman’s Society purchased lovely robes for all the choirs and they lent much in appearance for the worship services.
The plan of rotating the membership of the Official Board was instituted in 1964. That meant that names were drawn to ascertain those who would retire from the Board each year for the next 3 years and that a person must remain off the Board for one year before being eligible for re-election the following year when new members were elected.
Mr. Leonard Phillips was Chairman of the Official Board from 1964-1966.
Two Layman’s Witness Conferences were held by the church when the Rev. Ben Johnson and Mr. “Tap” Hanson came as leaders to conduct these Conferences which were open to church members and guests. Many “hill-top-experiences” were related and those present were helped in understanding how to lay hold of the power of the Lord as they attempt to live as witnesses for Jesus Christ and his redeeming love.
