Methodism first came to Alabama as early as 1803. In 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church divided over the issue of slavery. In 1878, a small study group gathered in Birmingham to worship together to establish the community’s first church. The church would be named Methodist Episcopal Church, South. By the end of the 1800s, there were at least 11 Methodist churches established in Birmingham.
In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church joined together to form what was then known as the Methodist Church, dropping the “Episcopal” and “South” from the name.
The Methodist Churches of America became The United Methodist Church when they united with the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUBC) in 1968. The merger had the practical effect of ending segregation nationally within the denomination. Alabama faced the challenge of merging historically black congregations with traditionally white ones. In 1974, the Methodist church congregation joined with another Methodist church in a newer building. The following year, the church was shuttered and sold. The property has sat abandoned since 1975.
Oh, this does look in a sorry state…
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I love reading your posts. It’s so cool what you do.
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Thank you for following my blog
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Is this for sale, do you know?
My fiance and I are looking to buy an old structure for our studios and gallery, also a home.
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As far as I know, the property is not for sale.
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Do you have any info on who owns it? I know someone very interested in it as a gothic wedding venue. As is.
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I don’t have any info on the owner. Sorry
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This is a facinating history. In your research did you learn where the AME church began? I grew up in Birmingham and was always perplexed when I would see that as part of the name. I think I was told that it stood for African Methodist Episcopal. I could not figure out how that mix ever came into being; it just seemed so odd to me.
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So sad do we know who owns it. Now..
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Aw, this was a really good post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a superb
article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything
done.
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That is interesting. Why such a place would be abandoned for so long.
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The inside of this churvh is very similiar to the First United Methodist church on Arlington Avenue and 19th street in Bessemer. The congregation merged in with another church probably about 10 yrs ago. Old buildings are sad when they are left alone.
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Does anyone know where this church is located?
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Where is this place located?
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Such a beautiful building. Such a horrific waste. “Restore us again” comes to mind. Thank you for the history you bring.
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