The Beginning

By Mable Dene Anderson

(compiled from minutes of meetings held beginning in the fall of 1991) 

United Methodists in Orange Beach had been interested in starting a church for several years. Sandy McGill made the first move by contacting the Rev. Norman Carr who was head of the AL/West FL Conference Committee on new church development. Rev. Carr told Sandy that those interested in starting a church should begin by looking for some suitable land.

Sandy and Sylvia McGill and Mable Dene Anderson decided to start making inquiries as to land that might be acquired through a donation. Sandy spoke with Wade Ward and was told that the Meyer Foundation had no available land. Mable Dene contacted Mr. and Mrs. John Snook and they had no available land either. Sylvia contacted Mr. and Mrs. John Hadley and they demonstrated a willingness to donate several acres with the stipulation that a church be built on the property. In other words, it would be for a church only and could not be sold with the proceeds being used to purchase more suitable property.

On March 31, 1992 Sylvia and Mable Dene met at the latter’s home and discussed the next step. It was decided that Sylvia would call Rev. Carr and ask him to meet with the Hadleys and view the property.

On April 6, 1992, Mable Dene Anderson, Sylvia and Sandy McGill wrote a letter to Bishop C.W. Hancock expressing their desire for a church at Orange Beach and telling him of the offer from the Hadleys. Copies of the letter were sent to District Superintendent Dr.Langdon Garrison; Dr. William Calhoun, executive director; and the Rev. Norman Carr.

On Thursday, April 12, 1992 , Rev. Carr and Sylvia met with the Hadleys and walked over the property. Later in the evening a meeting was held at the McGills’ home with Rev. Carr, the McGills and Mable Dene in attendance.

Rev. Carr advised that the land could be usable as a church site if more highway frontage could be acquired. The property is “T” shaped with only 60 feet of highway frontage. He said that approximately 300 frontage feet and a total of around 8 acres would be needed. He stated that any land acquisition should be large enough to allow expansion for a time frame of 50 years. He also said financial support would be available through the AL/WFL Conference for land purchase. He suggested that the group find out who owns the adjoining frontage property and also look at other available properties that might be purchased. These findings should be forwarded to him.

Rev. Carr also suggested that interested persons begin informal meetings and try to form a core group. Following the meeting, Sylvia and Mable Dene set April 30 as a target date for an informal get-together with other interested people.

Dr. Garrison called Friday, April 17 and said he would like to meet with the group on the following Tuesday.

Monday, April 20, Sandy McGill made contact with the owner of the adjacent (frontage) property. The owner, John Rudolph, expressed interest in selling the property at a price below the appraised value. Sandy also contacted Ed Hand who had done engineering work for Mr. Rudolph and Ed expressed interest in joining the “group”.

Tuesday, April 21 Dr. Garrison, Ed Hand, Mable Dene and the McGills met with Mr. Hadley at the site and Mr. Hadley again made the offer to donate the land with the stipulation that a church be built. The group re-assembled at Mable Dene’s home and had a discussion with the district superintendent on the correct procedure to follow. He stated that the District Board of Missions would be meeting the following day and that he would make his report to them. He said that the group should pursue getting title to the adjoining property. He further stated that after a demographics study has been done, if the board deems the property unsuitable for a church, the land would be given back to the Hadleys.

 The DS was asked if the group could begin accepting donations toward a church at Orange Beach. He suggested that donations be directed to the District Board of Mission, earmarked for “proposed Orange Beach UMC”.

Following the meeting, Sylvia and Mable Dene continued the discussion and it was decided to name the group THE ORANGE BEACH CONNECTION. The purpose of the group would be Christian fellowship with a goal of establishing a United Methodist Church in Orange Beach. It was further decided that the two of them would open a bank account with the funds being used for incidental expenses. The account was opened in their names as there was no tax id number for the group.

April 22 Ed Hand contacted Mr. Rudolph and was told that he would sell the property, adjacent to the Hadley property, to the church, at 40% of the appraised value, with the group paying for the appraisal. Ed contacted appraiser Les Farmer and he said an appraisal could be done for $200. Ed also contacted Orange Beach city hall and found that the land is zoned single family-residential. It will be necessary to apply to the planning commission to have the land re-zoned for a church. This entails having a public hearing and all adjacent property owners must be notified of the application.

April 24 a letter was received from DS Langdon Garrison. He stated that the District Board of Missions met April 22 at which time he reviewed with them his visit to Orange Beach, the land proposals and our hopes for a new church. He said they too were excited over the prospects of a new church in the area. Al Bruner, a part-time research consultant for the conference, was asked to conduct a demographic study of Orange Beach and report back as soon as possible.

July 22  Sandy and Sylvia McGill; Ed Hand and Mable Dene Anderson met with Al Bruner and answered questions for his demographic survey. The group reviewed the appraisal on the Rudolph property. Mr. Rudolph will be in the area the first week of August. Mr Bruner indicated that we should go through with the purchase of the property.

August 11 Sandy, Sylvia and Mable Dene met with Mr. Rudolph to discuss the purchase of the property. Mr. Rudolph stated that he was willing to donate the land if his accountant approves it. He said he would need a second appraisal and as soon as he receives it, his accountant will advise him. If approved as a donation, the Pensacola District of the United Methodist Church will prepare a deed and send it to him for his signature.

August 19 Ed Hand, Sylvia McGill and Mable Dene Anderson met with members of the Gulf Shores UMC to discuss the formation of a church in Orange Beach.  Representing Gulf Shores were pastors Gerald Shelton and Misty Edwards; Malia Lee; Joe Garris; Floyd Williams and Tom Gauntt. The “group’ reported all the plans and actions to date and asked for the support of the Gulf Shores church. The GS folks decided that the group should go to the administrative board on 9/21/92 and present the same information and ask for support. The Gulf Shores group was so negative toward the Orange Beach group’s plan that it was decided just to forget about their support.

August 24 the District Board of Missions met and approved the plan for  beginning a church in Orange Beach. They encouraged the group to begin having meetings and developing a core group .The conference will appoint a pastor in June of 1993.

August 27 a meeting was held at the home of Mable Dene Anderson. Those in attendance were Ed and Joan Hand; John Hadley; Sandy and Sylvia McGill; Dr. and Mrs. John VanValkenberg and Mable Dene.

Mable Dene served as moderator and asked others for reports. Sylvia McGill reported on what had transpired to date concerning the property. Mr. Hadley was thanked for his generous donation of the land. Ed Hand gave a brief outline of his involvement in establishing the Lillian church and told the group what things need to be done.

One of the first things to be done is a door to door survey. In order to carry this out, a larger group is needed. It was decided that a hamburger cook-out would be held with time and location to be decided.

The location for regular meetings was discussed. A tentative date of January 15, 1993 was set for the worship gatherings to begin. Dr. VanValkenberg will preach the first sermon.

September 13 the group met for a hamburger cookout at the home of Sylvia and Sandy McGill with 15 people in attendance. Ed Hand led a short devotional service that included singing and a solo by Walter Tatum. Dr. VanValkenberg closed the devotional time with a prayer and blessing of the food. Sylvia McGill gave a brief talk on the progress the group had made on acquiring land and receiving approval from the board of missions to proceed in forming a church. Dr. VanValkenberg told of his vision of what we may become as a church and announced the need for a survey, which he will head.

September 27 the group gathered at the Orange Beach Community Center for a potluck dinner and meeting. Thirty-seven people attended. Following dinner an organizational meeting was conducted with several committees being formed. We also received a gift of hymnals from the Fairhope UMC. The group decided to participate in the Lions Club yard sale being  planned for October 3rd.  Following the business session Sandy McGill served as pianist and Joan Hand led congregational singing. Dr. VanValkenberg gave an inspirational talk on the blessings of taking the road less traveled. The next meeting was set for Sunday, October 11.

November 14 the group met at the future site of the Orange Beach United Methodist Church and erected a sign.

The group continued to meet twice a month through October, November and December at the Orange Beach Community Center.

On the first Sunday in January, 1993 the group began weekly worship services at the clubhouse of  Beech’s Trailer Park. The DS provided a preacher each week.

The church grew and prospered. A double wide mobile home was purchased and placed on the property.

Easter Sunday, 1993 marked the first service of the Orange Beach United Methodist Church on the church property. Approximately 125 attended that service.