A BRIEF HISTORY
| In 1905, a group of residents in the Foley area decided that they wanted to
have their own church services, rather than having to travel each week to the
Marlow area. This desire lead to the formation of the Union Sunday School,
which was held at the Illini Hill School, located west of the present site of
the City of Foley. On November 1, 1908, the first church built in the City of Foley, Grace Methodist Episcopal, opened its doors for services. This church, a wooden structure, was located at the corner of West Laurel and Pine Street. A group of women known as The AZABA Ladies Aid Society purchased the bell for the church's bell tower. A sister church, The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in June of 1925. They held their services in the Foley School Auditorium and never built a church building. In 1936, the two churches began in earnest talks to unify into one church. In late 1937, agreement was finally reached and lead to the formation of the Foley Methodist Church. In 1945, the old Grace Methodist Episcopal Church building was sold and work began on a new brick building on the northwest corner of Pine Street, facing south on Laurel. This became the new home of the Foley Methodist Church and this building is still standing today. The cornerstone of the church was laid on May 30, 1946. On May 20, 1951, Foley Methodist Church launched a new ministry by establishing beach side church services known as the Galilean Services. This unique approach allowed a number of visitors to the beaches, as well as church members and friends to gather to worship God in a casual setting. This ministry still flourishes today, with excellent attendance and participation by our visitors, as well as our ecumenical community. On February 7, 1960, ground breaking ceremonies took place on North Pine Street for our present day church building. The bell purchased by the AZABA Ladies was moved from the old church and installed in the bell tower, and is used each Sunday to call our church to worship. The first worship service held was on June 25, 1961. Subsequent expansion of class rooms and the Fellowship Hall were completed in late 1981. The sanctuary was renovated in 1986, adding the eleven originally designed stained glass windows. Plans for future expansion or building of a new facility are currently being investigated, for future growth of the church. Members of our church were instrumental in sponsoring the establishment of both the Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, in 1966 and the Lillian United Methodist Church, in 1980. We are the people of God's Church and are always willing to help others grow in their service to the Lord. |