8:30 a.m. at Higgins Ferry every Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Conducted by First United Methodist Church of Clanton.  Come by car or boat. All are welcome!
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Following is an article written about River Church by its founder John Trobaugh in the 1st Quarter 2005 Newsletter.  It is especially poignant as we lost our dear friend and neighbor later that year.  We are all grateful for his vision and willingness to serve our Lord. Becki McCallum

 

How River Church Began
written by founder John Trobaugh in 2005


I have been asked to write about how our River Church has become the institution it is today.  We go back thirty-seven years.  (Boy that makes me feel old.)

 It was started by a group of young people who wanted to reach out to the Lake Community in fellowship and worship.  On our first Sunday we had about eighty boats in our slough, with an old pump organ and hymns we all knew – no hymn books.

It has steadily grown to what it is today – a community of friends and worshippers.  We have recently averaged about one hundred seventy-five in weekly attendance, and many more on special days and holidays.  This service falls under the auspices of the First United Methodist Church of Clanton.  Hundreds of people have dedicated their time and talents over the years to make the service what it is today.  I would like to name all the workers, but there is not enough space to do so.  Many have gone on to be with God and I would, no doubt, leave some out, therefore it is best not to go in that direction.  Still, I would like to thank those who make this happen every Sunday morning beginning on Memorial Day weekend, and running through Labor Day weekend each year as we gather to worship.  We have made headlines with several T.V. (CNN and others) and radio stations as well as newspapers from Birmingham and Montgomery.  Our river service will be featured in Southern Living magazine in April 2005.  We all look forward to the beginning of this thirty-seventh year of worship this summer at Higgins Ferry Landing. 

May God bless you in a very special way.  John.

Summer Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m., Trobaugh Pavilion at Higgins Ferry launch.