Built to the Glory of God in Honor of Neva C. Williams
                      Dedicated on November 15, 1998

How It All Began:

The concept of building a children’s church at Perry Hill United Methodist Church was the vision and dream of the Reverend B. Gene Williams (Pastor at Perry Hill UMC from 1986-1992). The idea of a children’s church was first started at a United Methodist Church in Tallassee, Alabama. A second children’s church was built at the First United Methodist church in Millbrook, Alabama. It was there that B. Gene and his wife Neva , were able to place stained glass windows at the entrance in memory of their two sons John Mark, and Frank (Dee). After this experience, it was B. Gene’s dream to have a children’s church (similar to the ones in Tallassee and Millbrook) built at Perry Hill United Methodist church. He believed that it would be a Holy place where children could learn to worship God in a place of their very own. Construction of the children’s church at Perry Hill began in August 1998, and the dedication was on November 15, 1998.

The Meaning of a "Children's Church":

The children’s church was built with the unique needs of children in mind. The main entrance door is only 60 inches tall, in order to give the children a door to enter "their church" that is just their size. Adults who enter through this door must stoop in order to enter in. This has been considered an act of humility when entering such a Holy place of worship. The ceiling was lowered to 6ft., in order to give the illusion of a child’s sized room. The pews are 6ft. long, just the right size for the children to sit down and have their feet touch the floor. The altar rail was lowered to just the right size for the children to kneel and have prayer or communion. The altar table was built to match the size of the altar area. It holds a children’s Bible, and the worship appointments (cross, candlesticks, offering plate) all of which are smaller than those used in the adult worship service. The altar table is also decorated with an altar cloth and Bible bookmark that matches the colors of the Christian calendar. All of these special sized adornments, are an important part of the worship experience for the children. We want them to learn the importance of reverence during a worship service and how to praise God in their own way.

Memorials and Honorariums:

The beautiful stained glass windows that decorate both the outside entrance and the main sanctuary, gives the children’s church a Holy feeling. When the light shows through the stained glass windows, you feel like you are actually visiting with Jesus. It’s a feeling that you just have to experience to believe.

All of the windows were donated by church members, either in memory or honor of loved ones. The two windows that are on either side of the entrance door , were placed by B. Gene and Neva Williams in memory of their sons John Mark, and Frank (Dee) Williams.

The bronze plaque that hangs over the entrance door reads "The Children’s Church. Built to the Glory of God, in honor of Neva C. Williams 1998. Neva was unaware until the day of dedication that the church was built to honor her.

A Labor Love:

To the glory of God, the funding and the construction was all done by members of the Perry Hill UMC family. There was no cost incurred by the church for this project. The only things that were contracted out were the stained glass windows, and the carpet installation. The construction consisted of converting a storage closet and one existing Sunday school room into the narthex entry, and main sanctuary that exists today.

The project took approximately 15 weeks to complete, with volunteers working mostly after work during the week. The reason for constructing a narthex, according to B. Gene, was to take advantage of the view one would have of the church’s entryway, when coming down the stairs from the upstairs adult sanctuary. The church’s outside façade completely fills your view when coming down the stairs which over takes you with its beauty. The two angels that are mounted on the outside stained glass windows, represent B. Genes sons who are with Jesus in heaven.

A Day to Remember:

The dedication of the children’s church was held on November 15, 1998. It was truly a special day at Perry Hill UMC. A small unveiling ceremony was held before the morning worship service for the immediate family & friends of B. Gene, along with the construction crew & their families. It was the moment that the church had been waiting for ever since B. Gene shared his vision of a children’s church here at Perry Hill. B. Gene was in good enough health at the time to take in and enjoy every minute of living out this dream with the people he loved the most.

A Prayer for Children:

It is truly our prayer here at Perry Hill UMC that this children’s church will glorify our Lord and savior Jesus Christ in every way, while bringing children to Christ.  

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