The History of Montevallo Presbyterian Church
Celebrating Our Past
The Montevallo Presbyterian Church (USA) was organized on February 2, 1897, by the North Alabama Presbytery. The church had eleven charter members: Mr. F. W. Rogan, Mrs. F.W. Rogan, Mrs. J. L. McConoughy, Miss Augusta Hendrix, Mr. A. J. Lee, Mrs. W. B. Reynolds, Mrs. Augusta Wilson, Miss Susie Fox, Mrs. Janes and two Misses Janes. The name chosen for the church by the congregation was the Montevallo Presbyterian Church.
The church building was completed in October 1902 on property deeded by Mr. H. C. Reynolds, Mrs. Rogan's father, and his wife Augusta. It was built of brick and consisted of the main auditorium, a vestibule, and a steeple. Elder R. F. McKibbon made and installed the pulpit. Mr. W. B. Reynolds, Mrs. Rogan's brother, provided an organ, kerosene chandeliers, and a stained glass window for the front of the church.
For many years the new church shared a minister with other surrounding churches, usually for short periods of time. There were two exceptions: the Rev. James Dunglinson, who was pastor from 1904 until 1910, and the Rev. Patrick Henry Carmichael, who served the church from 1920 until 1933. The Rev. Dunglinson has the distinction of having been denied a request to resign from this pastorate in the middle of his years here. During the Rev. Carmichael’s tenure, the Sunday School annex was built. When the builder abruptly left in the midst of the annex addition, the Rev. Carmichael actually completed it himself with the help of a local carpenter. The Rev. Carmichael also taught classes in Bible at Alabama College (now University of Montevallo), where his brother, Dr. O. C. Carmichael, was president.
Over the years, the Montevallo Presbyterian Church has provided residences for its pastors in three different manses. The first, built in 1916 on Shelby Street across from the church, burned shortly after completion. Then Mr. F. W. Rogan sold a residence to the church to be used as a manse. In 1939, the third manse was built on Nabors Street with funds left by Miss Selma B. Sommerville of Wilsonville. It was sold in 2004.
Montevallo Presbyterian Church has from its inception served college students. To this end Forbes House on Vine Street was opened in the fall of 1947 primarily for the use of students. It was the gift of Mr. E. E. Forbes, Sr., in memory of his wife Mary Mallory Forbes. On Sunday night, January 5, 1947, the entire congregation was invited to an informal supper in the home. In 2007, the addition of a new entrance and ramp made the Forbes House handicapped accessible. For the next 75 years, church fellowship suppers and campus ministry events would be held regularly at the Forbes House.
In November 2007, the congregation undertook the renovation of the educational wing of the church building, incorporating a ramp for handicapped access, a compact kitchen and fellowship area, safe and attractive classrooms and nursery, a rear fire escape, and a new, more efficient heating and cooling system. During this period of renovation, the congregation met at Forbes House for Sunday School and worship. The renovation overlapped a period of pastoral transition in which Rev. Gerald Stephens was a regular supply pastor.
The second decade of the twenty-first century began as a time of congregational stability and expanding initiatives, especially in Earth Care and in outreach to college students. However, in the early morning of April 3, 2017, two weeks before Easter, members awoke to news of what legal texts and insurance policies often label as an “act of God.” A strong wind had brought down a huge oak tree, destroying the 115-year-old church sanctuary. Rebuilding consumed more than a year, while the congregation continued worship and congregational activities at Forbes House. Again without the leadership of an installed pastor, the church relied heavily on Rev. Wayne McLaughlin, who has come to hold a special place in the hearts of the congregation. He is now a regular supply pastor to a small congregation with a half-time installed pastor.
Less than six months after the October 2019 dedication of the rebuilt sanctuary and the installation of a new pastor, the Covid-19 pandemic suspended in-person worship. Using YouTube, Zoom, and Facebook as the chief means of maintaining congregational life, the new pastor and congregation remained faithful and are now perhaps stronger in some ways because of the impediments of the last five years. The congregation has now incorporated Facebook live-streaming as part of worship, even as it now resumes in-person worship. Montevallo Presbyterian enters its 125th year with renewed hope for the vitality of its continuing ministry and mission.
MPC Pastors Over the Years
| Pastor | First Year | Last Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. D.D. Little | 1900 | 1902 |
| Rev. Thomas Parker | 1903 | 1904 |
| Rev. James Dunglinson | 1904 | 1910 |
| Rev. R.T. Liston | 1911 | 1918 |
| Rev. P.H. Carmichael | 1933 | |
| Rev. E.A. Mohns | 1934 | |
| Rev. T.M. Davis | 1939 | 1944 |
| Rev. T. Frank Wallace | 1944 | 1951 |
| Dr. Henry C. Niles | 1951 | |
| Rev. H. Davis Yeuell | 1954 | 1958 |
| Rev. R. David Kaylor | 1958 | 1961 |
| Rev. Denton McLellan | 1962 | 1965 |
| Rev. Joe Pack Arnold | 1966 | 1968 |
| Rev. John R. Simms | 1971 | 1975 |
| Rev. Gary P. Goodman | 1975 | 1981 |
| Rev. Thomas A. Cheatham | 1982 | 1996 |
| Rev. George Peelen | 1999 | 2002 |
| Rev. Leanne Pearce Reed | 2003 | 2008 |
| Rev. Wendy Wolford Hare | 2009 | 2012 |
| Rev. Leanne Pearce Reed | 2012 | 2017 |
| Rev. Lindsey Wade | 2017 | 2019 |
| Rev. Dr. Sam Hamilton-Poore | 2019 | Present |
Continuing the Legacy
Through the years, the gifts of generous members have supported the ministry and mission of Montevallo Presbyterian Church. Their legacy has enabled us to continue to serve and grow. What will our legacy be? Through our financial contributions, we can build on what we have received and give a gift to those who come after us. Gifts to the church can be made in cash, stock or bonds, and distributions from a traditional or Roth IRA. The church may also be included in your estate planning. If you would like more information on any of these giving opportunities, please contact the church office. Let us give generously so the legacy will continue.
