United Methodists Vote to Close 20 Churches, Including Hoover’s Discovery UMC
In a significant decision on Friday, the United Methodist Conference voted to close 20 churches across North Alabama, including the Discovery United Methodist Church in Hoover, established in 1993. Once thriving with 600 members by 2003, attendance at Discovery has sharply declined, leading to its final service held on Easter Sunday, April 20.
The conference has plans to repurpose the Discovery campus. It will be handed to Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood, which aims to reopen it as a third location by August 2026. Rev. Brian Erickson, senior pastor of Trinity, expressed gratitude for the conference’s decision to invest in new beginnings rather than simply profit from the property sale. “We want to be part of planning something new, but we want it to be about a redemption story,” he said.
Bishop Jonathan Holston, who oversees Alabama’s United Methodist churches, acknowledged the pain involved in closing fading congregations but emphasized the necessity of progress. Since many churches have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church over recent years, “finding places where God has called us to go” is paramount, he noted.
In addition to Discovery, churches closing include Oak Grove Church, Jubilee Church, and The Table, among others. Bishop Holston reflected on the impact of closing these communities on the broader mission, stating, “It’s always a solemn moment when we think about the mission and ministry of those congregations.”
As Trinity plans to revitalize the Hoover campus, it aims to honor Discovery’s legacy while bringing renewed hope to the community. Erickson recalled Trinity’s own journey from a failed church to one of the largest congregations in North Alabama, underscoring that every church has a cycle of life.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
