History of Lakewood Presbyterian Church, PCA
The earliest idea of establishing a church in Pell City originated from a vision statement at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody, Alabama, during the 1980s. Dr. Craig Childs, who was the pastor at Community at that time, played a key role in developing this vision. He later conducted a Bible study in Pell City at the home of Alan and Annette Haynes for families in the area, which served as a precursor to the eventual planting of the church in Pell City.
On September 24, 1993, the MNA Committee of Evangel Presbytery convened and approved the recommendation for a PCA mission church in Pell City. Ron Landry, Wendell Bedsole, and Alan Haynes were appointed for a temporary session for the church. The MNA Committee also committed to supporting Pell City financially in its budget, a commitment they maintained for several years.
The Pell City mission church began holding meetings in October 1993, initially consisting of about seven families from the area. Additionally, several members from Community Presbyterian Church came to help support the new church plant. The church rented the Seventh Day Adventist building for Sunday worship services. Dan Allison from Search Ministries began preaching at the inaugural services and also led a weekly home Bible study.
After a few months, retired Teaching Elder Lee Trinkle took on the role of pulpit supply pastor and served the congregation until a full-time pastor was called. During Lee Trinkle's time as pastor, the mission church officially organized on July 24, 1994, becoming the First Presbyterian Church of Pell City, PCA. With the Lord's blessing, the church began to grow. Shortly thereafter, a pulpit committee was formed to search for a full-time pastor. On September 18, 1994, the congregation voted to call Teaching Elder Mike Russell as their pastor. Mike Russell served as the pastor of the church for three years.
During this time, the congregation moved from the Seventh Day Adventist church building to a warehouse facility owned by Goodgame Welding Company, located along Highway 231. The church was permitted to renovate part of the warehouse into a multi-purpose building that included a sanctuary/fellowship hall, a small kitchen, and several classrooms. In these early years as a church plant, the congregation developed a strong commitment to missions, engaging in local outreach initiatives, such as Lifeline Village (a Christian home for unwed mothers), as well as various global missions for Christ. Unfortunately, just after the building was remodeled, a major expansion of Highway 231 began, involving extensive construction that lasted over two years. This expansion diminished the visibility of the church building and significantly reduced the available parking area.
On September 24, 1993, the MNA Committee of Evangel Presbytery convened and approved the recommendation for a PCA mission church in Pell City. Ron Landry, Wendell Bedsole, and Alan Haynes were appointed for a temporary session for the church. The MNA Committee also committed to supporting Pell City financially in its budget, a commitment they maintained for several years.
The Pell City mission church began holding meetings in October 1993, initially consisting of about seven families from the area. Additionally, several members from Community Presbyterian Church came to help support the new church plant. The church rented the Seventh Day Adventist building for Sunday worship services. Dan Allison from Search Ministries began preaching at the inaugural services and also led a weekly home Bible study.
After a few months, retired Teaching Elder Lee Trinkle took on the role of pulpit supply pastor and served the congregation until a full-time pastor was called. During Lee Trinkle's time as pastor, the mission church officially organized on July 24, 1994, becoming the First Presbyterian Church of Pell City, PCA. With the Lord's blessing, the church began to grow. Shortly thereafter, a pulpit committee was formed to search for a full-time pastor. On September 18, 1994, the congregation voted to call Teaching Elder Mike Russell as their pastor. Mike Russell served as the pastor of the church for three years.
During this time, the congregation moved from the Seventh Day Adventist church building to a warehouse facility owned by Goodgame Welding Company, located along Highway 231. The church was permitted to renovate part of the warehouse into a multi-purpose building that included a sanctuary/fellowship hall, a small kitchen, and several classrooms. In these early years as a church plant, the congregation developed a strong commitment to missions, engaging in local outreach initiatives, such as Lifeline Village (a Christian home for unwed mothers), as well as various global missions for Christ. Unfortunately, just after the building was remodeled, a major expansion of Highway 231 began, involving extensive construction that lasted over two years. This expansion diminished the visibility of the church building and significantly reduced the available parking area.
After Rev. Russell left the church to pursue a business career and later took on pulpit supply duties at other churches, several godly men were provided by the Lord to preach at the church over the next two years. Among them were Teaching Elder Clete Hux (now with the Apologetics Resource Center), Bob McPherson (from Campus Crusade for Christ), and Wesley Chanell (an elder at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church). Wesley Chanell served as the pulpit supply pastor for one year while completing his seminary training at Briarwood and was later called to a church in Atmore, Alabama. In January 2000, Teaching Elder Bill Rutledge began preaching at First Presbyterian Church of Pell City, where he faithfully served as the pulpit supply pastor for over twelve years.
Current Location
During this time, the church continued to grow and evolve. In 2001, the church began searching for property to purchase and build upon. Thanks to a very generous gift, the current property, which spans ten acres on Stemley Bridge Road, was acquired in the same year. As the move to the new location approached, the session and congregation agreed to change the church's name to Lakewood Presbyterian Church. The first service held at the new location took place on Sunday, December 22, 2002. A dedication worship service for the new building, dedicated to the worship of the one living and true God, occurred on January 19, 2003, at 2:00 PM. Rev. Frank Barber of Briarwood Presbyterian Church delivered the sermon that afternoon, and the church was filled to capacity with members and guests.
A few years later, the church added a pavilion and playground to the property. The session also adopted a mission statement for Lakewood, reflecting their commitment to Jesus Christ and the building of His Kingdom: "We seek to glorify God by loving Him and by sharing Jesus Christ with our community and the world. We emphasize the gospel of grace through joyful worship, biblical teaching, and genuine relationships."
In 2012, a pulpit committee was formed to search for a full-time pastor. The congregation voted to call Reverend Daniel Leavengood to the position, and he continues to serve the church faithfully.
A few years later, the church added a pavilion and playground to the property. The session also adopted a mission statement for Lakewood, reflecting their commitment to Jesus Christ and the building of His Kingdom: "We seek to glorify God by loving Him and by sharing Jesus Christ with our community and the world. We emphasize the gospel of grace through joyful worship, biblical teaching, and genuine relationships."
In 2012, a pulpit committee was formed to search for a full-time pastor. The congregation voted to call Reverend Daniel Leavengood to the position, and he continues to serve the church faithfully.
