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United Methodist Conference Votes To Close Flomaton UMC And McRae Street UMC In Atmore
June 12, 2025
The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has voted to immediately close 26 churches in south Alabama and one in the Florida Panhandle.
In the North Escambia area, the closures included the McRae Street United Methodist Church in Atmore and the Flomaton United Methodist Church on Palafox Street. The other churches closed were across South Alabama, along with one in Jackson County, Florida.
Other Methodist churches in the area, including the First Methodist Church Atmore, will remain open.
The vote came during the annual Conference meeting held at the First United Methodist Church in Pensacola
In its decision, the Conference cited small or declining membership as a reason for the closures. Also, several of the churches named were involved in recent property disputes with the UMC
The other 21 churches closed in South Alabama were:
Pleasant Hill in Choctaw County
Mt. Herman in Hale County
Mt. Carmel in Hale County
Ramsey’s Chapel in Hale County
Liberty in Hale County
Pleasant Valley in Hale County
China Grove in Hale County
Morris Chapel in Lee County
Irvington in Mobile County
Aldersgate in Montgomery County
Minerva in Washington County
Trinity Weoka in Elmore County
Greenville First in Butler County
Trinity in Russell County
Guy’s Chapel in Baldwin County
Fitzpatrick in Bullock County
Loachapoka in Lee County
Whitfield Memorial in Montgomery County
Butler First in Choctaw County
Pictured: Flomaton United Methodist Church on Palafox Street. File photo.
Comments
9 Responses to “United Methodist Conference Votes To Close Flomaton UMC And McRae Street UMC In Atmore”
@Flomaton Resident – you have it backwards. These churches don’t want any part of the UMC’s “woke” policies. They have lifted their ban on homosexual clergy and support same-sex marriage, now. I won’t get into whether any of that is right or wrong, but the church members – the TRUE “church” – wanted no part of it. Doubt me? Just do a little research.
This a sad development in my church. We in Africa were born and grew up in this church. Sin was condemned as such. Now sin is celebrated in my church! The most sad thing is that the church leadership has kept the ignorand African in the dark, the poor lady out in the village, the unemployed without means of getting information to remain in such abomination!
UMC in Africa has not been allowed to decide to dissafiliate as did the Americans!
What a shame!
The truth is that the conference decided that since the Bible obviously calls out specific sins that if you continue to engage in then you can not inherit the Kingdom of God. But because of so many Methodist churches such as those that are more prone to allowing worldly things inside the church the issue can down on a vote that would allow homosexuality and even ordain ministers who are homosexual. I am not judging anyone but that was why these churches fought to try and keep their properties when they voted to pull out of the United Methodist. There was an old clause that was put into deeds that said the property was held in trust for the purpose of the Methodist church. So courts have ruled that the church had no standing and all these closures were people walking away from churches that many of their ancestors help build.
Again everyone has a right to their belief but I have to stick with the Bible, but also I am just a sinner saved by grace but I can’t continue to live in sin. They really need to tell the truth about all the closings.
This is very sad to hear. The Methodist Church in Flomaton has been there my entire life and I was baptized there as a baby.
Most all the elders of the church are all long gone and buried and most of their children have moved to other areas or in some cases, passed away also.
It’s just very sad that in our country such as it is today, that they are now closing down the Churches. I realize that the reasoning is low attendance, but still, it’s just sad.
The United Methodist Conference hasn’t been “united” since they got woke. I’d be curious to know how many of these excommunicated churches listed had already abandoned the UMC at-large. I suspect it’s only the largest that are following the “progressive” trends, and the conference wants to show their displeasure at the conservative rebels. Good riddance.
My great-great grandfather was a methodist circuit preacher who probably served many of the areas that eventually formed these branches. I would be interested whether he would have thought this was a good thing or a bad thing. They had best be careful or the “non-denominational” churches (i.e. Church of Christ) is going to (continue to) eat their lunch.
Churches turn to the world, not Christ. And there will be a great falling away. We’re running out of time to reach every soul, and churches drift towards worldliness, compromise and bickering. Soon, it will be all rock bands and chant/swayshows claiming to be ‘church’. Back to Bible, folks. Sad times.
This is a result of the split between UMC and Global Methodist Church. John Wesley would be ashamed of everything going on in the church today.
“I know your works” Jesus spoke to all 7 churches in Asia. He stated He would come and remove His candlestick (His spirit) to those not willing to repent .
Everyone knows why the UMC split. Half or more of the UMC congregations walked away no longer wanting to be part of it.
The results are visible, empty or soon to be empty buildings. What’s missing?
A once dynamic and influential denomination epitomized now by shuttered buildings.
Any questions?
Wow… I guess “UNITED” should be removed from the title now.???