We are a grateful people! This church has seen 100 years of ministry in the mis- sion of Jesus and 100 years of lives changed by the power of His Spirit. Being es- tablished as Pierce Chapel in 1914, continuing under the name First Wesleyan Methodist, and growing today as First Wesleyan Church, we’ve always sought to bring the love of Jesus to our city and the world. Much of the early history recorded here came from precious artifacts provided by members, a “Year Book and Directory” from 1935-1936 and a 65th Anniver- sary “Celebration of Salvation” booklet. Other facts and stories were gathered from current members and from the South Coastal District of the Wesleyan Church. While the years have brought many changes in buildings and land, ours is not primarily a history of facilities and property. It is a story (actually many stories) of God transforming lives. That is why our greatest days are still ahead! In the Cause that Counts, Pastor Joel Gorveatte i May an intense focus always be on the pursuit of... Reaching UP We passionately praise God with our lives and lips. Reaching OUT We compassionately share God’s love with our city and the world. Reaching IN We intentionally grow in God’s grace through fellowship and discipleship. ii Historical Sketch The following is from the 65th Anniversary Celebration held in November 1979. Compiled and written by S.A. Rich, Church Historian, Edited by Louise Rich. “Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, es- pecially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 In the year of 1913, several families from the Friendship Wesleyan Methodist Church area in Bibb County and the Mt. Ivah Wesleyan Methodist Church area in Perry County, Alabama, including the Hartley, Meggs, Johnson, Tubb, Moore, Hobson, and Bamburg families with others, moved to Tuscaloosa for employment with the Kaul Lumber Company, a new plant at the time and with the Tuscaloosa Hosiery Mills. Around these families as a nucleus, a mission work was begun by the homes of the people, with the Rev. R.G. Ramsey doing most of the preaching for the mission work in 1914. The work was organized into a church, called Pierce Chapel, and Rev. L.A. Bamburg was appointed as its pastor by the 1914 ses- sion of the annual conference. The church met in business session in November 1915 asking the Annual Conference to change its name from Pierce Chapel to The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa with E.R. Tubb as secretary. The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa met in Church conference February 21, 1916, with the Rev. L. A. Bamburg in the chair. Rev. Bamburg was very faithful and untiring in promoting the work. In August of 1915 he secured the Rev. R.A. French and family as evangelists to conduct a large tent meeting. The original building consisted only of an auditorium. In 1937, a basement con- sisting of six rooms was built to take care of Sunday School. This was completed and opened for service on January 23, 1938. This was built under the supervision and during the pastorate of Rev. Paul E. Allred, and he is due much credit for its construction. It met the need for expansion at that time, but these facilities were 3 soon outgrown. A building fund was started in the Sunday School Classes for the purpose of further expansion. It was first thought to remodel and expand the old building, but as interest grew it was seen that the greater expansion should be made. The building committee then decided to raze the old building to the basement level and erect a new building. To do this it was necessary to remove the parson- age, which was situated at the rear of the Church lot. A lot (#9 in block 435) for the parsonage was secured on the rear of the block. The parsonage was removed to it and remodeled at a cost of $4,000. The basement of the Church was then prepared for worship services during the construction of the new building. Septem- ber 8, 1952 marked the last day of service in the old building. On September 22, 1952 the building committee signed a contract with Mr. K.T. Tucker, a building contractor, to supervise the building of the structure to be completed as early as possible. Mr. E.W. Hill was the carpenter foreman. Mr. H.P. Bailey was the masonry foreman. Mr. C.B. Burroughs was the paint fore- man. Mr. C.D. Hawkins, owner of the Harkins Sheet Metal Works, was in charge of the roofing work. All these men were members of the Church and took great interest in their particular part of the work to have it done correctly and as eco- nomically as possible.A great many others donated labor, including brick masons, carpenters, roofers, painters, and common labor. The estimated amount of do- nated labor was $3500-$4000. The facilities of the basement had served very satis- factorily until the new building was completed and opened for service on May 10, 1953. Dr. O.G. Wilson, editor of the denominational paper, was the speaker for the occasion. The service was blessed of the Lord. There were 390 in Sunday School and the offering of $1,342 came through the classes for the building. The auditorium and the balconies, having a seating capacity of 500, were filled during the dedication service, which was held at the afternoon meeting with an overflow crowd. 4 The first building was built in 1916 and continued use until 1952. The second building, constructed in 1952, was used until 1982 5 Name Change The Formation of The Wesleyan Church The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America and The Pilgrim Holiness Church began talking about a merger in the 1950’s. The two Churches coming together took the name THE WESLEYAN CHURCH in 1968. Our area is called the Mid-Gulf District of the Wesleyan Church, which includes Alabama, parts of Mis- sissippi and Louisiana, and Rev. M.C. House is our district superintendent. The following are two statements, one concerning the merger and the other concerning The Mission of The Wesleyan Church, taken from the 1968 Disci- pline. THE FORMATION OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH The Wesleyan Church Discipline, 1968, pp. 17-18. Merger between the Pilgrim Holiness Church and The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America was proposed at various times, and was voted upon by the General Conference of the two bodies in 1958 and 1959, failing to pass in the Wesleyan Methodist General Conference by a single vote. In 1962, The General Conference of the Pilgrim Holiness Church took action expressing renewed inter- est in union with The Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1963, the General Confer- ence of the Wesleyan Methodist Church took like action, instructing its Commit- tee on Church Union to pursue its work with all due diligence. On June 15, 1966, The Thirty-Second General Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church adopted The Basis for Merger and Constitution, and subsequently the annual con- ferences and local churches ratified the action. On June 16, 1966, the Twenty- Fifth International Conference of The Pilgrim Holiness Church also adopted The 6 Basis for Merger and Constitution. Thus the formation of The Wesleyan Church was authorized. The General Board of The Pilgrim Holiness Church cooperated in planning the uniting General Conference, and in preparing the new book of Discipline for its consideration. On June 26, 1968, The Pilgrim Holiness Church and The Wesleyan Methodist Church of America were united to form The Wesleyan Church. MISSION OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH The Wesleyan Church Discipline, 1968, p. 21 The Wesleyan Church has grown out of a revival movement that has always given itself to one mission – the spreading throughout every land of the gospel of Jesus Christ with its provision for Scriptural holiness. The message which ignited the Wesleyan revival was the announcement that God through Christ can forgive man of his sins, transform him, free him from inbred sin, enable him to live a holy life, and bear witness to his heart that he is indeed a child of God. The message was based on the Scriptures, was verified in personal experience, and came not only in word but in the power of the Spirit. It was dynamic and contagious, and was communicated from heart to heart and from land to land. It adapted itself to and gave new vitality and purpose to various kinds of church organizations. The Wesleyan Church is a product of the holiness message, and appreciates the rich heritage of spiritual values that cluster around this message. Its declared mis- sion is and ever shall be, as constrained by the love of Christ, to share the exalted doctrines, the glorious experience, and the victorious life of Bible holiness with all mankind, and such is the central objective of all of its evangelistic, missionary, edu- cational, literary, benevolent, and organizational activities. 7 Since the 65th Celebration In 1979... Move to McFarland Boulevard From 1982 Pastor’s Report, program for the Service of Dedication in December 1983, and discussions with church members After several months of research and study, and a few votes to stay on Greens- boro, definite action was taken to relocate and build a new facility. There was much prayer and several searches for the right property. Two local doctors, Dr. Henry Herrod and Dr. Brown, were persuaded to sell the desired land to the church.