Humble Beginnings

There was a need for a congregation of the Lord’s people in Meridianville, Alabama. After a meeting of local Christian men, it was decided to secure a place to meet. In February 1964, thirty-four people met in the Meridianville Elementary School to worship their Lord.  Williard Conchin presented the first sermon and Al Smith was the song leader. By the fall of 1964, this present building was erected. Our first church service was held in January 1965. There were no pews in the building for the service but folding chairs were found. Quite often there were more souls added to the number, and in February of 1965 the first “church baby” was born -- Leigh Ann Cothren Shubert. J.B. Whitaker was the first full-time minister. Bill Harris and Jim  Pendergrass served the congregation as the first Elders. Paul Brooks, Jim Dowdy, Ray Lowery, Lawrence Matthews, Frank Rogers and Ray Tucker were the first Deacons.

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There were 14 families represented at that first schoolhouse worship service the families of Chuck Nolen, Jim Dowdy, Addye Hanback, Don Mincher, Vivian Tucker, Bobby Cothren, Paul Brooks, Paul Ragland, Bill Harris, Al Smith, Forrest Hill, Bill Clemons, the Hughes family and Williard Conchin began the church family we have today. Seven of the original fourteen families are represented in this present church family. Twenty-five (or more) of the children raised in and by this congregation have returned after marriage and are now raising their own children here at Meridianville in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”.

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In 1981, the congregation had increased and required an addition to the front of the building. Since that time, three more additions have been made. In 1991 a fellowship area, office space, and classrooms were added. In 1998 a Fellowship Hall was built to accommodate the growing number of families at Meridianville. In 2003, our current beautiful auditorium was completed.