Christian Methodist episcopal church - MONTGOMERY
HALL MEMORIAL
"The Church Where Faith Works."
HALL MEMORIAL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36116
(334) 301-4471
Hall Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) Church is celebrating 84 years (1939-2023) of service. The church was founded and organized in 1939 by Reverend C. W. Hall as pastor. Originally, it was a small one room wooded house on Mobile Highway. In 1947, under the pastorage of Rev. X. L. Coleman, the church acquired a lot and built a small wooden church on 1325 Bragg Street. This small wooden church was heated with wood heaters, had no air conditioning, and had only one long string electric light. The floor was wooden and worshippers could see the ground beneath. But, God had a plan for Hall Memorial CME Church. Rev. X. L. Coleman became the Presiding Elder and Rev. J. R. Colvin became pastor for a year.
The church began to perform construction after Rev. Humphrey became pastor. Through the efforts of the stewards, Brother Sam Smith and Brother Elverse Jackson, Sr., the floors and pews were replaced and the church started moving. After Rev. Humphrey left the church, Hall Memorial had and array of pastors, some only being assigned for a year. The church became stagnant, but the Lord continued to bless his people.
Some of the pastors recorded in our history from 1948 were Rev. W. F. Timmons, serving 5 years, Rev. J. F. Boswell, Rev. James, Rev. Cooper, Rev. O. C. Wells, Rev. Brundidge, Rev. Dr. Albert Sloan, Rev. Flintroy, Rev. H. L. Green, Rev. Cunningham, Rev. Rollin Ransom, Rev. R. T. Threatt, and Rev. W. R. Johnson. Rev. John Norwood became pastor for eight years. During that time, the church showed many improvements. Carpet was installed and bathrooms were improved. A pastor’s office was constructed along with a small kitchen.
Then, the Lord showed favor on his people. He sent Rev. B. R. Caple in 1985, a kind and gentle man who started the renovation of the church. With such enthusiasm, the whole congregation was motivated. Under the leadership of Rev. Caple and the support of the trustee board, the church was able to add a 600 square foot fellowship hall, two bathrooms, new air conditioner, new lighting fixtures, and many other improvements. Rev. Caple’s health failed, but he started a ministry of love and labor. At that time, Rev. Freddie L. Carger was the head steward and shared the same belief as Rev. Caple, “If you put God first, you can do anything.” After Rev. Caple retired due to illness, Rev. O. D. Warren was assigned to Hall Memorial. During the interim of that 1-2 years pastorage, Rev. Carger was called into the ministry. Hall Memorial became a beautiful sanctuary with a total area of about 1500 square feet.
Rev. Freddie L. Carger became pastor of Hall Memorial in 1992. Pastor Carger’s attitude illustrated his belief that there is nothing that God cannot do. He never looked at numbers as a sign of defeat or victory.
Our membership believed in God for increase. The trustee board looked at many options including buying land, buying a building, or totally renovating the old church. As trustee William Bibbins traveled back and forth daily on Seibles Road, he noticed a church that was for sale, the blessing they had always wished for. He asked the church to consider this building. The trustee board went to work on making this a reality.
The challenge was so great dealing with the bank until the hope became dim, but Mrs. Minnie Carger never gave up. She kept pressing toward the goal and continued to negotiate with the realty company and the bank. Her personal dedication and prayers paid off. We purchased the building on March 28, 2002 and twenty-one years later, it is paid in full. By the grace of God, we are now worshipping and praising God in over 15,000 square feet, 2.5 acres of land, 300 plus seating capacity, 6,000 square foot fellowship hall and more.
In 2004, Rev. Freddie L. Carger passed away and Elder Leo Douglass became pastor until July 2005. Since 2005, the following pastors have served at Hall Memorial CME Church: Rev. Beverly Smiley (2005), Rev. William Kelly (2005-2007), Rev. Anderson T. Graves, II (2007-2014), Rev. Richard Carter (2014-2017), and Rev. Shelia E. Crabb (2017-2019). Rev. Sam H. Gordon, III has served since July 2019 and is the current pastor.