History
Early History of the Church as a
Parish Extension of UFMCC, 1994-97.
The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches was started by
Reverend Troy Perry in
Covenant
The Tuscaloosa
Metropolitan
Community
Church
was established as a parish extension of Covenant MCC in
In August 1996, Tuscaloosa MCC moved to 1209 21st Avenue
in downtown Tuscaloosa
to share worship space with Unity
Church
. The first worship service in this location was held August 11, 1996
at 7 p.m.
Since
History of the Church as an Affiliate
of UFMCC, 1997-2002.
The Metropolitan Community Church of Tuscaloosa became an independent
congregation in February 1997. Dr. Lee W. Rahe
continued as Pastoral Leader until July 1997.
Susan Lowe became Worship Coordinator when Dr. Lee W. Rahe
left to move to Texas
in early July 1997 to complete ministerial training. In August 1997, both
Unity
Church
and Tuscaloosa MCC moved to a new location at 2605 Lurleen Wallace Blvd.
in Northport. The first service at the new location was held August 24, 1997
at
In fall 1997, church members asked Susan Lowe to remain as Interim Pastoral
Leader. Susan Lowe began ministerial studies in January 1998. In
August 1997, members of the church voted to change the church name to Living
Waters
Metropolitan
Community
Church.
In September 1999, Living Waters MCC moved into a new office warehouse suite
building at 1053 Martin Luther King Blvd.
in Northport, Alabama. The first service at this new location was held on Sunday, September 19
at
In early November, Covenant MCC in Birmingham
loaned the church an organ. Later that month, an accomplished pianist and
organist, Mr. Bill Steele, generously purchased a piano for the church.
Also, Ms. Dottie Cook, one of the founders of the church, purchased a sound
system for the church. In late November, the A. K. Stephens Fund gave
the church a $6,000 donation in honor of Don Wilson for his community service
and leadership within the church. A plaque announcing the honor was
presented to Mr. Wilson during the evening worship service on December 19.
On Sunday, December 5, 1999
, the church began holding both morning and evening worship services.
On December 6, the Board of the Church met and discussed calling Reverend
Helene Loper to be pastor
of the church. Reverend Loper preached a
candidate sermon for the church on December 12. In a congregational
meeting on December 15, church members voted to call Reverend Loper
to be the pastor of the church.
On
History of the
Church as an Independent Congregation, 2002- .
On July 21, 2002
at a congregational meeting of the Living
Waters
Metropolitan
Community
Church, members agreed to rent church worship space for a new church that was forming.
MCC members further agreed to switch Living Waters MCC worship services to
Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. and allow the newly forming church to hold a
worship service in the building on Sunday mornings at
In late July 2002, persons who were interested in forming a new worshipping body were invited to attend a meeting on Friday evening, August 9, at the home of Susan Lowe. About 20 persons attended this meeting. Interest was expressed in forming a new worshipping body and a name for the church was chosen. The new church began holding worship services at 11:00 a.m. on August 11, 2002, and Living Waters MCC began holding evening worship services at 6:00 that same day. The new church, God's House, held 'Bring a Friend Sunday' on August 11 and 37 people attended that day. The following weeks saw groups of 25 to 28 people attending the Sunday morning worship service. God's House Church incorporated a children's moment into the worship service, and a children's Bible study.
On August 25 at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, an ordination service was held. Susan Lowe was ordained by Reverend Sandy Winters of University Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Reverend Karen Ann Edwards from Orlando, Florida. The service was attended by 36-38 people. Reverend Susan Lowe continued as acting minister for the new church. Reverend Helene Loper continued as minister of Living Waters Metropolitan Community Church.
Living Waters MCC was closed on August 27, 2002 due to its members and friends choosing to transfer their memberships and support to a new congregation that was not affiliated with UFMCC. The Living Waters congregation at its July meeting expressed its desire to give this option in love to those who felt that they could no longer remain in UFMCC, due to that denomination’s new structure which took full effect in January 2003. The goal was for Living Waters MCC and the new group to work together in a spirit of ecumenical cooperation. During August 2002, worship attendance shifted to the new group and giving dropped to zero at Living Waters MCC. When the board met on the 27th, they decided that Living Waters MCC was no longer a viable congregation and that it needed to be closed immediately.
The new group (God’s House) offered to buy the small assets of the congregation. This enabled the board to pay all bills and tithes except the pastor’s compensation for August. The new group also assumed payment for the rent until the current lease expires.
God’s House members and friends held a congregational meeting on October 6, 2002 to vote on bylaws for the new church.
Wooden pews for the church were purchased from a church in Huntsville, Alabama, and the pews were delivered to the church on
Thursday, January 23, 2003
. The pews were first used in a
worship service on
During the spring of 2003, the congregation decided to search for property for the church to purchase as a new church home. Fundraisers were held throughout the summer to raise money for the building fund.
During the fall of 2003, an organ was loaned to the church. A choir was formed in 2003 and presented a cantata in December.
In early 2004, a library was added to the church (book shelves, books). Many books from a bookstore in Huntsville were given to the church. Presently, the church has a library of about 2,000 books.
A spring revival was held May 21-23, 2004 featuring Rev. J. R. Finney, the Gospel Echoes, and Reverend Karen Ann Edwards.
During the summer of 2004, property with two buildings and paved parking for 40-50 cars was located in Holt, Alabama, and negotiations were made for its purchase. The papers for purchase of the property were signed the first week of October. Cleaning and renovation of the two buildings was done during October and November. During late October, bookshelves and books were moved to a new library located in a separate building at the new property. Many items were moved from the old building to the new one during the week of November 15-20. A special "Moving Service" was held on November 21. During the service, many items were moved from the old church building to the new one (it was raining). The sermon was given at the old church, then items were moved via members' cars, and the communion service was held at the new building. A special Dedication Service was held in the new building on Sunday, November 28, 2004 at 11:00 a.m.
In October 2004, church members held a Fall Festival at the ministers' home (games, booths, costumes) for church and neighborhood children and families.
In December 2004, the church choir, under the direction of a choir director / vocalist / guitarist from Columbus, Mississippi, presented a Christmas cantata. Shortly before Christmas, choir members gave a program of Christmas readings and music at the Glen Haven Nursing Home in Northport. Nursing home resident / church member, Mary Beth Brown, was in attendance along with a number of nursing home residents.
Church member, Mary Beth Brown, passed away in mid-March and her funeral was conducted by Reverend Susan Lowe on March 19, 2005.
In the spring of 2005, the church choir presented a cantata during the worship service on Easter morning.
Spring 2005 membership was about 30 members.
In August 2005, the church began running ads on National Public Radio. These have continued to the present time.
In October 2005, church members held a Fall Festival at the church (games, booths, costumes) for church and neighborhood children and families.
In March 2006, William "Bill" Steele, longtime member and organist for the church, passed away. A service and burial took place at Athens, Alabama.
On January 21, 2007 the annual Congregational Meeting of church members and attendees was held. A calendar of events for 2007 was prepared. This included a decision to have pot-luck luncheons at the church each 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays. Each 5th Sunday would be Guest Speaker Sunday, a day when a guest minister or speaker would be included in the worship service.
On February 16, 2007 a spaghetti supper / bingo game night was held to raise funds for two charities: the Summer Camp for Children with HIV, and the Good Samaritan Clinic. The fundraiser was a success and more than $100 was raised. The fund raising for the two charities continued throughout Lent until Easter.
In February and March 2007, bids were solicited and received for putting a new, slanted roof on the church building. Two bids of $38,000 and $26,000 were received.
As a part of the Easter Sunday morning worship service on April 8, 2007, a Memorial Rose Garden beside the church library building was dedicated in memory of Mary Beth Brown (1935-2005).
Work on the new roof started about May 23 and was finished by June 29, 2007.
The 5th Anniversary Worship Service was held on Sunday, July 29, 2007. The service included Dana Clark and Susie Hodges from Columbus, Mississippi who sang and spoke. About 31 people were present for the worship service. After the service, everyone was invited to a pot-luck luncheon at the Ministers' home.