Our History
The Daleville First United Methodist Church was founded in 1860. According to the history of the church written by longtime member Gwendolyn Windham Sadler, the first site was a small lot now occupied by Southeast Alabama Gas District on Daleville Avenue. The original church was used for 34 years. but because the small lot was too small to accommodate Sunday School classes, plans were made for a new building.
The second site was just across the road from the first, adjacent to the town cemetery. Under the leadership of T. Foster Windham, chairman of Trustees, a 3/4-acre lot was purchased from Birt and O.V. Byrd for $40 in February 1894. Tragically, a storm in 1912 damaged the building, but the people of the church worked the difficulties into good. Foster Windham donated logs for lumber and was assisted by his brother, Alva Windham, a carpenter; Tarve Brackin, a brick mason; and the workers in repairing, remodeling and even enlarging the church building. The enlarged church served for many more years. The last service in the 64-year-old church was Nov. 30, 1958.
The third site is the present location at the intersection of Alabama Highways 85 and 134. Children of the late Foster and Saphronia Windham gave the 2-1/8 acres of land. the deed was dated and signed by Clarence, Corrie and Florrie Windham on Feb. 25, 1959. The fellowship hall and Sunday School classrooms were complete first, and services were conducted there Jan. 17, 1960. The sanctuary was not completed until five years later , and the first services there were conducted on May 9, 1965.
Although the church still stands on the same corner lot, the building housing the Daleville First United Methodist Church's faithful family of God may actually be considered the fifth. Tragedy struck the church family for the second time when fire destroyed the red brick structure on May 18, 2014, in the dark early Sunday morning hours. As the smoke continued to rise from the smoldering ruins that Sunday morning, members gathered under the shade of nearby oak trees to worship the Lord, pray for strength and ask for God's guidance in the difficult times ahead.
During the next 29 months, the Rev. John McCullough, church leaders and members faced challenges as the rebuilding process progressed slowly. The City of Enterprise loaned the church the use of the Daleville Convention Center for several weeks until a "permanent temporary" home was secured at the old Oriental Grocery Store on old Highway 134 just west of the church site.
Pastor McCullough retired in June 2016 with thanks for his years of service and his untiring efforts to have the church rebuilt. The church family welcomed the Rev. Lee Jones, who celebrated with the church family the completion of the "Little White Church on the Corner" in November 2016. The first service in the new building was Nov. 27, 2016. With Alabama-West Florida Conference Bishop David Graves, District Superintendent Sara Shaver and former Pastor John McCullough joining Pastor Jones, the newest Daleville First United Methodist Church building was consecrated for service in the name of the Lord.
The second site was just across the road from the first, adjacent to the town cemetery. Under the leadership of T. Foster Windham, chairman of Trustees, a 3/4-acre lot was purchased from Birt and O.V. Byrd for $40 in February 1894. Tragically, a storm in 1912 damaged the building, but the people of the church worked the difficulties into good. Foster Windham donated logs for lumber and was assisted by his brother, Alva Windham, a carpenter; Tarve Brackin, a brick mason; and the workers in repairing, remodeling and even enlarging the church building. The enlarged church served for many more years. The last service in the 64-year-old church was Nov. 30, 1958.
The third site is the present location at the intersection of Alabama Highways 85 and 134. Children of the late Foster and Saphronia Windham gave the 2-1/8 acres of land. the deed was dated and signed by Clarence, Corrie and Florrie Windham on Feb. 25, 1959. The fellowship hall and Sunday School classrooms were complete first, and services were conducted there Jan. 17, 1960. The sanctuary was not completed until five years later , and the first services there were conducted on May 9, 1965.
Although the church still stands on the same corner lot, the building housing the Daleville First United Methodist Church's faithful family of God may actually be considered the fifth. Tragedy struck the church family for the second time when fire destroyed the red brick structure on May 18, 2014, in the dark early Sunday morning hours. As the smoke continued to rise from the smoldering ruins that Sunday morning, members gathered under the shade of nearby oak trees to worship the Lord, pray for strength and ask for God's guidance in the difficult times ahead.
During the next 29 months, the Rev. John McCullough, church leaders and members faced challenges as the rebuilding process progressed slowly. The City of Enterprise loaned the church the use of the Daleville Convention Center for several weeks until a "permanent temporary" home was secured at the old Oriental Grocery Store on old Highway 134 just west of the church site.
Pastor McCullough retired in June 2016 with thanks for his years of service and his untiring efforts to have the church rebuilt. The church family welcomed the Rev. Lee Jones, who celebrated with the church family the completion of the "Little White Church on the Corner" in November 2016. The first service in the new building was Nov. 27, 2016. With Alabama-West Florida Conference Bishop David Graves, District Superintendent Sara Shaver and former Pastor John McCullough joining Pastor Jones, the newest Daleville First United Methodist Church building was consecrated for service in the name of the Lord.
