History
Capitol Heights UMC
1832 - 2005
The Capitol Heights United Methodist Church had its beginning as a Methodist Protestant Church, located on Coosa Street between Bibb and Tallapoosa Streets. The year was 1832. This building was destroyed by fire 2 years later. Finally, a new location was selected, and in 1842 a new building was constructed on the corner of Bibb and Molton Streets. The church was named Bibb Street Methodist Protestant Church. Dedication services for the church were held in 1842.
The church remained in this location until 1923. The Home Mission Board issued instructions to seek a new location for the Bibb Street Church. Capitol Heights, a new and rapidly growing section. There was no church in this area. A lot on the corner of Winona Avenue and Florida Street was purchased. A small membership of dedicated men and women began the difficult task of building a new church. A memorial plaque in the front vestibule of the church records the names of some of these men and women. The building, consisting of a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 200, five classrooms, and a church office was completed in 1924, and the name was changed to Capitol Heights Methodist Protestant Church.
The membership grew rapidly, and an Educational Annex, consisting of six classrooms and a basement, was added inn 1927. The Capitol Heights Methodist Protestant Church became the largest church in the Alabama Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church.
The three branches of Methodist Churches – Methodist Protestant; Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and Methodist Episcopal Church, North, united in Kansas City, April, 1939. This church then became known as Capitol Heights Methodist Church.
An Educational Building with a Fellowship Hall, kitchen, parlor, library, and nine classrooms was erected and occupied in 1950.
On the night of May 10, 1952, fire destroyed the sanctuary and the Hill Educational Building. The church lay in ashes except for the new Casaday Memorial Building. The church treasury was empty, but a small group of laymen dedicated themselves and their money to the rebuilding of the church. Worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall of the Casaday Memorial Building, while a number of adult classes met in the homes of nearby church members and the Capitol Heights Elementary School.
In 1953 an Educational Building was erected on the site of the destroyed sanctuary. This building consisted of 18 classrooms, a library, four administration offices, and a large basement for recreational purposes. Property on St. Charles and Winona Avenues was purchased for expansion and parking. On January 27, 1957, the Educational Building was dedicated by Bishop Bachman G. Hodge. A new parsonage was built on Sweetbriar Road. The old parsonage was torn down, and soon the construction of the new sanctuary was begun. The first service was held in the new sanctuary on December 14, 1958.
In 1968 the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church united, and we became the United Methodist Church – our church name "Capitol Heights United Methodist Church."
The sanctuary underwent renovations in preparation for the installation of a Schlicker pipe organ in 1971.
In 1981, there was extensive remodeling done in the church offices, and an elevator was installed on the first floor. On July 10, 1986, a new group known as "Young at Heart" was organized. Later the group received the name "Capitol Heights United Methodist Seniors" – better known as "CHUMS." This group is still very active in the church.
In 1998 the Capital Improvement Program was begun with many repairs, improvements, and painting to the Educational Building and sanctuary. The new organ console arrived, was installed, and was consecrated in a special service on Sunday evening, November 1, 1998.
For detailed information, please contact Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brooks at Capitol Heights United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 70277, Montgomery, AL 36107-0277.
