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GLORIFYING GOD

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GROWING AS DISCIPLES

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CARING FOR PEOPLE AND CREATION

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First Light
Living River
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Christmas International House
Campus Ministry Association
Annual Art Show

Vision Statement

At Montevallo Presbyterian Church, we will glorify God, grow as disciples, and care for people and creation.

Montevallo Presbyterian Church Congregation
Sunday, June 14, 2009

Celebrating Our Past

The Montevallo Presbyterian Church (USA) was organized on February 2, 1897, by the North Alabama Presbytery. The church had eleven charter members: Mr. F. W. Rogan, Mrs. F.W. Rogan, Mrs. J. L. McConoughy, Miss Augusta Hendrix, Mr. A. J. Lee, Mrs. W. B. Reynolds, Mrs. Augusta Wilson, Miss Susie Fox, Mrs. Janes and two Misses Janes.

The church building was completed in October 1902 on property deeded by Mr. H. C. Reynolds, Mrs. Rogan's father, and his wife Augusta. It was built of brick and consisted of the main auditorium, a vestibule, and a steeple. Elder R. F. McKibbon made and installed the pulpit. Mr. W. B. Reynolds, Mrs. Rogan's brother, provided an organ, kerosene chandeliers, and a stained glass window for the front of the church.

For many years the new church shared a minister with other surrounding churches, usually for short periods of time. There were two exceptions: the Rev. James Dunglinson, who was pastor from 1904 until 1910, and the Rev. Patrick Henry Carmichael, who served the church from 1920 until 1933. During the Rev. Carmichael’s tenure, the Sunday School annex was built. When the builder abruptly left in the midst of the annex addition, the Rev. Carmichael actually completed it himself with the help of a local carpenter. The Rev. Carmichael also taught classes in Bible at Alabama College (now University of Montevallo), where his brother, Dr. O. C. Carmichael, was president.

Montevallo Presbyterian Church has from its inception served college students. Forbes House on Vine Street was opened in the fall of 1947 primarily for the use of students. It was the gift of Mr. E. E. Forbes, Sr., in memory of his wife Mary Mallory Forbes. In 2007, the addition of a new entrance and ramp made the Forbes House handicapped accessible. Today, church fellowship suppers and campus ministry events are still held regularly at the Forbes House.

Living Faithfully in the Present

Today Montevallo Presbyterian Church (USA) is an active and thriving congregation, building on our past and looking toward the future. Our vision is to glorify God, grow as disciples, and care for people and creation.

Glorifying God

Worship is at the heart of our life as a church. We still worship today in the sanctuary built in 1902 with its much loved stained glass window of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. We celebrate the Service for the Lord’s Day each Sunday at 11:00 AM, with Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Our worship is enhanced by our youth choir. Members participate regularly in worship, providing flowers, serving as ushers, and reading Scripture and prayers.

Growing As Disciples

The life of faith is not static; we believe we should always be growing as we seek to follow Christ. Sunday School for adults and children is held each Sunday morning at 9:30 during the academic year. Tuesday morning Bible study offers the opportunity for more in-depth study of Scripture. Our monthly book discussion group explores contemporary books on religion, faith and spirituality. A monthly Women’s Ecumenical Prayer breakfast brings together women throughout our community for fellowship, prayer and learning. A monthly men's breakfast and quarterly fellowship suppers also offer us a chance to strengthen our relationships with one another as we sit at table together.

Caring for People and Creation

Our faith calls us to serve beyond the doors of the church. Through our mission outreach and benevolence giving, we seek to serve people with compassion and become better stewards of God’s creation. Some of our ongoing mission projects include the following:

Campus ministry has long been an important mission outreach of our congregation. The Forbes House Fellowship, our joint campus ministry program with University Baptist Church, meets weekly at the Forbes House for fellowship and reflection, and students regularly worship at the church.

First Light provides shelter and other services for homeless women and children in downtown Birmingham. Our church cooks and serves dinner at First Light once each quarter and provides financial support through our benevolence giving.

Shelby Emergency Assistance provides support to families in crisis in Shelby County. Our financial support of Shelby Emergency Assistance enables us to reach local residents in need. We also participate in SEA’s annual drives such as Project Schoolhouse, which provides school supplies for children in need, and Project Christmas, which provides gifts and food for a local family.

Living River, the future camp and conference center for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, is situated on 440 acres on the Cahaba River. As the Presbyterian (USA) church geographically closest to the camp, Montevallo Presbyterian Church is very much part of this project. Our church hosts canoe trips on the river for members, friends, and students. We also support Living River financially through benevolence giving.

A fuller history of Montevallo Presbyterian Church was compiled for the church's 110th Anniversary Celebration and is available in printable form.