United Methodists vote to close 15 churches in Alabama, including Center Point

The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church has officially voted to shutter 15 congregations across the state. The decision, finalized on May 29, includes the historic First United Methodist Church of Center Point, marking the end of a long chapter for these faith communities.

A Difficult Decision

Bishop Jonathan Holston, who leads the United Methodist churches in Alabama, emphasized that these closures were not chosen lightly. "They represented seasons of faithful ministry," Holston stated. "They’ve come to a close, and they call us to honor the witness of congregations who served their communities with grace and courage and have done this over generations."

He added, "We praise God for the generations that have been a part of these congregations. Baptisms, weddings and all different types of activities have happened on their campuses, in these communities of faith."

Center Point Milestone

Among the affected sites is the First United Methodist Church of Center Point at 2129 Center Point Parkway. Originally established in 1941 as Brown Memorial Methodist, the church saw its membership decline significantly over the last decade, dropping from 150 members at the end of 2014 to 73 by the end of 2024.

The property remains a landmark in the city, situated across from Center Point City Hall. The campus features a mix of architectural history, ranging from the original 1940s red-brick sanctuary to a newer, modernist building, connected by a central garden.

Trends in Membership

The closure of these 15 locations follows a broader trend of attrition within the denomination. The conference has faced dramatic membership losses since the 1990s, with a significant shift occurring after a major schism in 2022 and 2023 that saw hundreds of churches disaffiliate. With the most recent closures, roughly 250 United Methodist congregations remain within the North Alabama Conference.

The number of closures this year is fewer than the 20 churches closed last year, a period that also saw historic properties put up for auction. In 2024, seven additional sites were closed and sold.

Full List of Closures

The following churches were approved for closure:

North District

• Neel UMC in Hartselle

Mid-Central District

• Williams Chapel in Jasper
• Arkadelphia in Bremen
• Bowman’s Chapel in Crane Hill
• Maxwell Chapel in Haleyville
• Union Chapel in Cordova
• Whiton in Crossville

East District

• Lawley’s Chapel in Pell City
• Sardis in Lanett
• Shady Grove in Goodwater

West District

• Aliceville First UMC
• Carrollton First UMC
• First UMC of Center Point
• Panola
• Shiloh UMC in Calera