By Marsha Littleton | Special to the Advertiser

 

The membership of Clanton First United Methodist Church celebrated the consecration of the John and Margo Gibson Youth Center with a special worship service, a barbecue lunch and an open house on April 10.

With elements of both Hydrate (contemporary worship), and CFUMC’s traditional service, as well as the children’s choir, songs of praise and thanksgiving filled the Helen E. Parrish Activity Center.

The church purchased the property at the corner of Fourth Avenue (Alabama Highway 22) and Ninth Street North in 2015, in part, with a generous gift from the estate of the late Margo Gibson, a retired Chilton County educator.

The building has since been converted from a warehouse facility to a worship and gathering location for DV8, CFUMC’s youth group.

Covering an area of approximately 5,000 square feet, the space includes a gathering area, a recreation room, offices and a worship center with a light and sound system suitable for a full contemporary worship service.

“This is obviously a God-sent thing,” said Delmer Owens, retired chief of engineers at Ft. Rucker and the church’s project manager. “Through the gift from the Gibsons and other donors, we were able to purchase the property, design and complete the construction of a class-A facility for use by the youth of Clanton.”

John and Margo Gibson were active members of the church for many years, serving in numerous leadership positions.

John Gibson was a retired businessman, and Margo Gibson retired as principal of Jemison High School after a lengthy year career in education.

Phillip and Wesley Gibson, sons of the couple, traveled from Toronto, Canada, and Brussels, Belgium, respectively, to be present for the consecration.

“We are excited to be dedicating this building to the glory of God,” said the Rev. Rob West, senior pastor at CFUMC, expressing the feelings of the congregation. “John and Margo Gibson made the purchase of the property possible, and their sons and family are in attendance to present this amazing facility for consecration.”