Our history...
The beginning...
A new church came into existence on November 4, 1960 on a temporary basis. The first Sunday meeting was held on November 6, 1960 at 9:30 a.m.
On Sunday, November 12, 1960 two services were held at 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. renting a building in which to begin services. The four room dwelling
was located on the north side of Highway 31, just north of the Spanish Fort Motel and was rented from Fuller Brothers for $25.00 per month. The building
was previously used for storage of grain and hay for horses and dogs that were part of a kennel located on the site. It was dilapidated and by all standards
was not suitable for worship services, but this could be a beginning - and it was!
A four acre square plot on Highway 31, 420 feet north of the Spanish Fort Motel was secured by the Pensacola Board of Missions from Fuller Brothers for $17,595.00.
1962
Ground breaking service for the church was held on the building site on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1962
The first service was held on Sunday, September 2, 1962 at 9:30 a.m
The cost of the church was $40,000. It is built of St. Joe Brick and is of colonial architecture. At this time the church had 51 members.
1976
Soon the small Fellowship Hall-Sanctuary was not large enough to seat the Sunday morning worshipers. Church members became increasingly aware that the time had come to take a
long awaited step - the building of a new sanctuary.
1977
Ground breaking was held on August 14th following the morning service
1978
Consecration of the new sanctuary of the Spanish Fort United Methodist Church was held on Sunday, May 7, 1978
The majestic cedar structure was the culmination of 18 years' growth and planning by the church members. Designed by Dietz, Prince and
Fischrupp of Mobile, the total cost of the building, including furnishings exceeded $330,000. General contractor for the project was
Baldwin Construction, Inc. of Bay Minette.
The contemporary structure of approximately 7,200 square feet contains a narthex, sanctuary, choir area, choir room, four classrooms,
sacristy, pastor's study, office and workroom, committee room and restrooms.
The windowless sanctuary, with seating for 288, was lighted from a 50 foot wide clerestory window
While the redwood paneled ceiling rises to approximately 40 feet above the chancel. Dominating the sanctuary was a 12 foot high hand-hewn
fir cross suspended above the altar.
Cedar shingles and vinyl wall covering completed the interior of the interior of the sanctuary. The pews were stained cherry wood with gold fabric
cushions. The entire building was carpeted with light tones of gold.
The glass-walled narthex, or vestibule, opened onto a 300 foot colonnade connected the sanctuary with the fellowship hall.
The exterior of the new church was red cedar shingles and rough sawn cedar boards. The roof sweeps up to a tower cradling a large hand-hewn
cross approximately 45 feet above the ground.
1986
Spanish Fort United Methodist Church celebrated our 25th birthday on Sunday, April 6. At 1:45 p.m. after the congregational dinner, everyone
assembled on the lawn and release balloons all together.
1987
In June of 1988, Reverend Charles H. Hale, Jr. and his wife, Averette and daughters Caroline (6 years old, and Christina, (3 years old) moved
to Spanish Fort to begin their ministry at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church
1991
The Administrative Board authorized the Building Committee to proceed with the necessary paper work to obtain bids from various financial institutions
in order to borrow $300,000, when necessary, during the building process. Spanish Fort United Methodist Church celebrated the mortgage burning
and dedication of the existing sanctuary building.
1992
Our most significant accomplishment this year has been the construction of our new Educational Building and Fellowship Hall.
On January 26, ground was broken by nearly 200 church members during a joyous ceremony held between morning a worship services.
1993
Mark Reed and his mother, Kathryn Reed, paid for the renovation of the former fellowship hall. The upstairs was turned into a youth
facility. This was something that had been a dream for many years. The building would be open on Friday nights so our youth and the
youth of the community would have somewhere to go for safe and supervised activities.
The downstairs of the building had been divided into a weight room, a cardiovascular room, and several Sunday School classrooms.
1994
Joe Jones, Chairperson of the Trustees, announced the purchase of 4 acres of adjoining property with an addition of 17 acres of land
donated by the Fuller family.
1997
Our dream of a new sanctuary was brought one step closer as the Building Committee presented preliminary architectural drawings
and financial strategies for construction. Members present voted overwhelmingly to accept the plans as outlined. On August 17, our
second Church Conference granted final approval of the new sanctuary plans and the necessary mortgage. Our new sanctuary main floor
will seat 544 people and the balcony will seat an additional 176 people.
Ground breaking was set and held on November 9, 1997. Rev. Bishop William Wesley Morris delivered an inspiring sermon that morning,
and the children joined him and Rev. Hale after the 11:00 service to break the ground. A church luncheon followed the ceremony. The church at
ground breaking was completely debt free.
1998
In 1998 construction on a $2,000,000 sanctuary was begun
Two portable buildings were moved in just south of the fellowship hall to be used as Sunday School classrooms. An anonymous donor paid
the rent for the first year. Early in September, on a very rainy Sunday, the Sunday School attendance record was broken with 279
adults, youth, and children attending.
1999
On July 11, we took part in a Taking Leave service, beginning in the old sanctuary with songs and recollections of the times and memories
it held, and ending the service in the bright new sanctuary, expressing the bright promise and hope for our future here. The rain that
sprinkled us on the trip from the old building to the new only served to hide tears shed for what was to be no more, but did not dampen the
enthusiasm and joy at the beauty of the new building. The covered dish dinner afterward served as a "warm up" for Consecration Sunday.
2000
THIS YEAR WE TURNED 40!
2001
Spanish Fort United Methodist Church had an unique opportunity to expand the administration education, and worship space of the congregation.
The space located at the Spanish Fort Shopping Center (next to AL's 5 & 10) was offered at very reasonable terms for a lease period of
three years. Our plans are to have a new building ready when the lease expires. This offered us more space for Sunday School and
Bible Study classrooms, additional space for youth programs, adequate church office space, and expand the ministry outreach and visibility to
our community. This would allow us to remove the rented trailers from the property and eliminated our rented storage facility.
2002
Our staff offices were relocated to the newly renovated and painted space at the shopping center on March 2, 2002.
As the committee met, another opportunity arose. This time the purchase of the 80,000 square foot Shopping Center. The building includes parking
for 600 vehicles and space for youth, community center, classrooms, administrative offices, plus many ministries. The selling price was
$2.3 million. Many renovations are needed and will be done as time, money, and needs permit. Rite Aid is currently leasing space in the
shopping center, and will remain as a tenant.
On April 24, a church wide vote was taken at a church conference at 6:00 p.m. at the new facility. church closed on the shopping center
property in June.
2003
Prodisee - This is the name chosen for our new facility (the shopping center) What does it mean? It is a word with Latin
roots meaning "to be of benefit". Prodi also alludes to the story of the Prodigal son' see refers to the people under the care of the
church. So the meaning of our name, prodisee, is a reminder of our purpose: Benefiting the world. It is our hope that the depth
and meaning of the name Prodisee will lead many to Christ in a way that pleases Him.
It is our ultimate goal to enter into agreements with firms whose purposes are consistent with our vision to serve the community and
support our various mission areas.
Our Food Pantry was opened to the public on November 18 and will open each Tuesday from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
2004
Many tasks have been completed in the church. One of these projects is the conference room in the suite of staff offices. This is
going to be a versatile room. It will be used in counseling for families, when there has been a bereavement, as well
as being used for various meetings.
Work on the front of the Prodisee Center has begun. Along these same lines, plans have been made for our new youth area which will
be located behind our future gym in the Prodisee Center. The youth's ideas have been sent to our architect, Jeff Jordan and I believe they
will be very happy with their new space.
Under the direction of the Building Committee, we have replaced the roof and the air conditioners, made improvements to the administrative and
temporary youth areas and now have given a much needed face lift to the front of Prodisee Center.
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