When held its first official worship service, Henry Ford was raising wages for autoworkers to a shocking a day. The Panama Canal was seeing its first steamship pass through.
That was Jan. 4, 1914.
This Sunday, Jan. 12, Dauphin Way UMC will celebrate 100 years of ministry and the culmination of a year of . Members and former members will gather at 10:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary at 1507 Dauphin St. for a special worship service followed by a church-wide lunch. Bishop B. Michael Watson, who serves in the North Georgia Conference and was senior pastor from 1990-2000, will speak. Current pastors are Revs. Jeff and Robin Wilson.
The theme throughout the decades, say ministers and members, has been a heart for discipleship on Dauphin Street once considered the western outskirts of Mobile, now the bustling heart of Midtown.
During the past year, we have looked back at the firm foundation that has been laid for us through the decades and have been inspired by the examples of the saints who went before us and the treasured memories of our rich heritage as a faith community, said Kimi Oaks, chair of the Centennial Steering Committee.
Dauphin Way got its start in 1913 with afternoon Sunday school classes held in private homes to teach Methodism to area children. The enrollment of 48 included infants to adults, overseen by a minister at St. Francis Street Methodist Church.
The congregation s first preacher was a part-time circuit minister who served both Dauphin Way and St. Stephens Road churches. The charter members included last names like Dolive, Dawson, Fulford, Dumas, Hahn and Payne. The two churches would later merge.
By the war years, Dauphin Way had overcome financial challenges and was poised for years of growth. It would also enjoy long pastoral appointments, which is fairly unusual in the Methodist tradition.
Rev. A Carl Adkins, appointed in 1941, was to oversee the retirement of the church debt, the formation of clubs and other groups and the construction of the present sanctuary, which opened in 1957. Membership had grown to about 2,000.
The church s 75th Anniversary book describes the new sanctuary this way: Majestic in its simplicity, the spired sanctuary is flanked inside by white columns and focuses on the stained glass window that symbolizes the Resurrection and the Great Commission.
Adkins would remain for 25 years, until his death in 1966. He was replaced by Rev. Joel McDavid, who was elected bishop in 1972. Rev. took his place.
Dill, now retired but still a member of Dauphin Way, was senior pastor for 18 years until 1990, when the congregation numbered about 2,700. He said the Centennial has given Dauphin Way members an opportunity for careful reflection. It has caused us to think about not only the value of the church and the accomplishments of the church but what the future could be and should be.
He said he has been impressed by the consistent dedication of the laity. That s what has made it a great church, he said.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Dauphin Way saw its bell ringers and Chancel Choir tour Europe. A St. Stephens Ministry and Adopt-A-School programs were established. A Family Life Center was built to house a library, parlor, gym, foyer and covered walk.
Watson, now resident bishop of the North Georgia Annual Conference, followed Dill. Appointed after Watson were Rev. Neil McDavid (2000) and Rev. Gorman Houston III (2003). In 2010, Houston stunned the congregation by resigning following an anonymous ethical complaint, according to a report on AL.com.
Today, a couple serves as of the congregation of about 2,144.
Our mission is Making Disciples Who Make a Difference, said. As we move into a second century of ministry, I believe that God will continue to use our church to make a real difference in our community.
Rev. Robin Wilson said the congregation is excited about reaching out to new people in faith and love. There are so many people out there who are desperate to know that someone loves them, she said. Dauphin Way UMC is ready to spend the next 100 years continuing to share the love of God with our community and world.