HISTORY OF GRACE CHURCH 1959-2006

Grace Church began on October 12, 1958, with 35 people. On December 5, 1958, Watson G. Guy was called to develop and organize the church which was officially organized on May 17, 1959 with 136 charter members being received at the Dedication Service October 18, 1959. The Fellowship Building (where we worship today) was dedicated on November 4, 1962. The membership grew to almost 400 until the closing of Brookley Air Force Base, causing the loss of almost two-thirds of the membership.

Hayward Holderness, Jr., was Ordained and Installed July 13, 1969. During his time a very active youth program, coffee house and vegetable garden for the needy were started. In 1973 John Roper served as Summer Youth Director.

On September 15, 1974, Paul S. Mixon was installed. On December 7, 1975 during the morning worship service, a burning of the mortgage on the fellowship building was held. Mr. Mixon led a Bible study each week for SWACA with the help of the Elders.

Dawes B. Thomson was installed on July 31, 1977. His "Clown Ministry" was very popular with the young and old in the church as well as the presbytery. A very successful Inter-generational Vacation Bible School was held the summer of 1978 and was a first in the Mobile Presbytery.

The fifth pastor, Robert A. Stauffacher was installed on October 18, 1981 as a tent-maker, sharing his time with the Charter Southland Hospital.

March 1983, the old study was re-modeled into a kitchen as originally planned. The Pastor's study was moved to the front. In November 1983, the manse was sold.

A 25th Anniversary celebration was held on May 20, 1984 with former pastors Holderness and Thompson participating in a week-end event. Former members were invited to celebrate with us.

On July 31, 1988 a Covenant Agreement was signed between Grace and the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Bay, AL to join together in a Yoked Ministry. The Reverend James M. McDaniel, D.Min. served both churches for eight (8) years. During that time period, the old Sunday School building was torn down and the Fellowship Building was re-modeled to meet the needs of the current membership.

February 1997, Toby E. Mueller became the Designated Pastor for Grace Church for a three-year period. Her Installation Service was held on March 2, 1997. The Presbytery of South Alabama helped Grace acquire the modular building that was dedicated as our Sunday School building on November, 24, 1997. On May 1, 1999, Toby Mueller left Grace Church to accept the call as the Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Foley, Alabama.

The Session elected to not actively seek a pastor at this time and the Worship Committee began to schedule some creative worship services. Session members and lay people of Grace Church filled the pulpit part of each month and Supply Ministers were called for a couple of Sundays each month.

Beginning January 7, 2001, Ms. Kimberly Parker, Campus Minister for The University of South Alabama, served as regular pulpit supply for Grace Church for a period of six (6) months until she entered Columbia Theological Seminary in July 2001.

On December 2, 2001, Anne H.K. Apple was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Springhill Church and on December 9, 2001 was installed as Designated Pastor of Grace Church for a three-year period. On November 24, 2002, Anne Apple left Grace Church to move with her family to Memphis, TN.

Beginning in July 2003 Monnie L. Anderson served Grace Church as regular pulpit supply for a period of six (6) months. In January 2004 she became the Commissioned Lay Pastor of Grace Church.

On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of Mobile County, Coastal Mississippi, and Southern Louisiana. In answer to the Presbytery's call to assist with disaster relief efforts, the congregation of Grace Church stepped out in faith and began preparing to host relief workers coming in from all over the U.S.

The 8x12 storage shed was converted into two permanent showers complete with hot water and fresh towels. The worship area and fellowship hall was rearranged to accommodate separate men's / women's sleeping quarters. Twin beds, pillows, and linens were gathered to make the work crew's homecoming more relaxing after working all day in the hurricane damaged areas.

Continental breakfast items and lunch materials were purchased with money donated from caring people as far away as New York, California, and Alaska. Individuals also signed up to prepare hot meals for the workers when the arrived back at the church each night. The congregation of Grace P.C. feels honored and blessed to be a part of ministering to hurricane victims through the housing of work teams from all across the United States.

On July 2, 2006 Monnie L. Anderson left Grace Church to accept a call as the Assistant to the Pastor and Christian Educator at  Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church in Spanish Fort, Alabama.