United Methodists sell closed church for $3.5 million: What it became, where the money goes

The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has finalized the sale of the former Aldersgate United Methodist Church campus in Montgomery, securing roughly $3.5 million for the denomination. The transaction, which totaled $3,497,334 according to the conference's recent Book of Reports, follows a period of intense legal friction after conference leadership denied the congregation's request to disaffiliate.

A New Chapter for the Vaughn Road Property

Aldersgate was among more than 40 churches that pursued legal action in an attempt to depart the conference while retaining their assets. Ultimately, the congregation abandoned the legal challenge and surrendered the property. Today, the campus at 6610 Vaughn Road serves as the home for Montgomery Christian School, which completed its first full academic year at the location in May 2026 after opening in the fall of 2025.

The Rev. Steve Badskey, formerly of Aldersgate and now serving Christ Methodist Church, notes the school’s success in the expanded space. “They went from 10,000 to 65,000 square feet,” Badskey said, adding that enrollment has climbed to 170 students since the move. Badskey continues to serve the school as a part-time music teacher while maintaining an office in the building.

Strategic Reinvestment of Church Assets

The nearly $3.5 million windfall arrives as the Alabama-West Florida Conference faces a tightening budget, which is set at $3.6 million for 2027. During the annual conference in Pensacola held June 7-9, the Rev. Emily Kincaid, chair of the board of trustees, outlined how the proceeds would be stewarded.

A major focus of the conference’s plan is a $5 million investment aimed at the Task Force for Black Church Renewal. This initiative seeks to address historic inequities and strengthen the future of Black congregations within the conference. “We know that black churches have faced unique and painful challenges in our system and in our conference, because of segregation, racism, inequity, and historic under-investment,” Kincaid explained. “We believe this moment called for more than a symbolic gesture.”

Additionally, the conference has designated 20 percent of property sale proceeds to a maintenance fund for existing infrastructure, while the remaining 80 percent will flow into the Manna Endowment Fund to support church planting and community revitalization efforts.

A Challenging Climate

The sale of the Aldersgate campus comes amid a broader pattern of closures. The conference voted to close 21 churches this year, following the closure of 27 churches in 2025.

Financial pressures extend beyond property liquidation. Conference treasurer Rev. Angie Long recently highlighted a growing trend where many churches are forwarding no money to the conference. During 2025, only 121 congregations met their full apportionment requirements. “We have some churches that flat-out refuse to give,” Long said. “That’s the cloud over where we are.”