HISTORY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

DADEVILLE, ALABAMA

Two Elders, (Dr. W. B. Fulton and H. C. Appleton) and one Deacon (C. B. Greene) were elected and installed as the first officers of the church.  The church was supplied by student pastors from Columbia Seminary and worship services were held in the American Legion Hall until a fire destroyed the building in August 1951.  Services were moved to the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville and the Community Activities Building until the American Legion Hall could be rebuilt.

After ten (10) years and a number of fund raising projects, (public suppers, silver teas, bazaars, sale of Christmas cards, bronzed baby shoes), on February 1, 1959 this faithful group of Presbyterians held their first worship service and hosted an open house in their new brick church.

The present church lot was purchased from Mrs. W. W. Hicks for $2,000.00 and was paid for in full in April 1952.  On February 1, 1959, after 10 years and a number of fund raising projects (public suppers, silver teas, sale of Christmas cards, bronzed baby shoes, birthday calendars, and bazaars) the faithful Presbyterians realized their dream and held their first worship service in the new $45,000 brick church.

The Rev. William Dantzler, who served as a student pastor many times while attending Columbia Seminary in the early years of the church, was called to be the first pastor of the church.  Rev. Dantzler served as pastor from 1962 until July 1, 1963. 

The first wedding ceremony to be held in the new church was on February 21, 1963 when William Kendrall Patterson and Carolyn Smith were joined in holy matrimony by Rev. William Dantzler.

The Rev. George Kaulbach became pastor just after his graduation from Columbia Seminary in June of 1964.  He served this church until September 1965 when he left to pastor a church in Foley, Alabama. The mortgage of the church was finally satisfied, after much work, prayer and faith, and the building was dedicated on January 3, 1965.  The Rev. Hugh Linton was the guest speaker on this very important occasion.  Rev. Linton was a former pastor of the church who had gone on to become a missionary in Korea and fortunately for us was visiting the United States at that time.  A new organ was purchased and played for the first time on January 24, 1965 by the minister's wife, Martha Kaulbach.

Mr. Claude Gamble was the student pastor from Columbia Seminary and regular pastor for the summer of 1966.  

Student pastors, from Columbia Seminary, served our church throughout the year of 1967.  

The Rev. Paul Crouch became the pastor in 1968.   

The church purchased a three-bedroom, two-bath home located at 611 Farrington Street in Dadeville during the year of 1970 to be used as a manse. 

The Rev. Gordon Lyle served the church as pastor from September 1970 until February 1975 and Mrs. Lyle was our organist and choir director. The addition of a steeple and enlargement of the fellowship hall was completed in 1974.  The Session voted to name this addition the “Fannie W. Appleton Hall” in honor of Fannie Appleton who did so much to help make our church become a reality.   Dedication on the debt free Fellow-ship Hall was on May 23, 1976.  

The Rev. Wade Acton became interim pastor in March 1975 as and became the  full time pastor in 1980.  He served our church until his retirement in 1998.

As the membership grew, more space was needed and a building fund was established. In July 1982, construction began on a new wing to be used as classrooms.  In late November 1982, the congregation began using the new classrooms.   The congregation voted to name this new addition the “Griffith Wing” in honor of Dr. David Griffith who drew the blueprints, designed the addition and contributed much time and money to the project and his wife Bonnie Griffith who was also gave much of her time and financial aid in seeing this project completed. This new wing was officially dedicated on March 13, 1983. The burning of the mortgage papers on the Griffith Wing took place in a special ceremony at the church on May 26, 1985.

The congregation voted to buy the vacant lot adjoining the church property on March 15, 1987.  Today that lot has been completely paid for and we have room to grow should the need arise.

Our first "Homecoming" was held on Sunday, August 13, 1989 with The Rev. William Dantzler filling the pulpit and bringing the message.

The Rev. Gordon Foltz was pastor from July 2000 through August 2005 when he left our community to pastor a church is West Virginia.

We were without a Pastor for months as the Pastor Nominating Committee was organized and began the search for a minister to lead us.  We were surprised to discover that a candidate for Interim Pastor, The Rev. Dr. James M. “Monty” Cook, had moved into the Dadeville area and excited when he agreed to serve as Interim Pastor.  We grew to love “Monty” and were truly blessed to have him as our Interim Pastor throughout 2006.

The Reverend Kathleen Vance Rankin “Kitty”, from North Carolina became our full-time Pastor in February 2007 and was officially installed on March 4, 2007.  We expect great things from “Kitty” and are inspired by her enthusiasm and love of God.

This history only gives the barest facts.  Those involved in the founding of this beautiful church have many wonderful memories of the faith, strength and dedication as well as the struggle involved in its founding and growth. They have given much of themselves and leave us with a visible symbol of their faith in and love for God.

Three (3) of the original charter members, Betty Duffey Evers, Lamar Evers and Agnes Brewer Willis, are still faithful members and attend church every Sunday.