Four women and a pastor: Mrs. C.I. Lee, Mrs. Owen Lyle, Miss Carrie Teague, Mrs. G.W. Puckett and Rev. E.M. Barnes, Jr., from Hartselle First Methodist Church had a vision of a need in the West End section of Hartselle for Christian fellowship. On the night of October 31, 1954, they met in a metal covered shell of a building in west Hartselle to worship God. Only two girls, Faye Drake and Joan Brooks, were present. The tiny flame that was kindled on that night in October burned on early in 1955. As a result, a Friday night worship service was started. In August 1955, a revival was held in a tent on a lot nearby, and out of this the West End Community Fellowship was organized.
The West End adventure grew in size and in spiritual depth as month followed month and more people came. A Bible School was held each Friday afternoon after school for the children, with refreshments served by the women of First Church. In 1955, Mrs. Naomi Moore came from First Church to work in the Bible School and in church school. Mrs. G.W, Puckett lead a Wednesday afternoon Bible Class for women. Then came that great week in April 1956, a revival was held in the tin building with Rev. Robert Heaps preaching. On the evening of April 20th., the West End Methodist Church was born, which was a shinning moment in the West End Adventure Story. With interest high, the group set about to organize and launch a church program. Rev. E.M. Barnes , Jr., assumed the responsibilities of pastor. Church officials were chosen and a schedule of worship set. There were five classes in Sunday School: Beginners through Adults, which met each Sunday in one open hull of the tin building. One class was held in each corner and one in the center of the building. Due to the limited space confusion was unavoidable. The metal building was uncomfortably hot in the summer and unhealthfully cold in the winter. When it rained there was such a din on the roof that discourse was nigh impossible. At the time there was between 40 and 60 in attendance for Sunday Afternoon Worship and the average for Sunday school was about 57.
From the beginning everyone realized that the metal building was only a makeshift meeting place. It never seemed quite right to call such a building “our church”, but at the time it was the best that could be done.
West End Church needed a real home. In October 1956, through gifts from West End Church, Hartselle First Church and the District Board of Missions, two vacant lots on St. Clair Street were purchased for $1,000, half of which was given by the seller, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Cooper. A building committee, which was composed of Henry McAbee, Asburry Moore, G.W. Puckett and Eleanor Bishop, was appointed to carry a building plan forward. A committee was appointed by First Church to work with the committee from West End. Serving on this committee were Hoyt Groover, Luther Roberts and Ernest Maddox. Working together, a building was designed for West End, to be built of concrete blocks. Included in the building was a sanctuary, kitchen, four class rooms and rest rooms, at a cost of approximately $10,000. The starting date for construction was set for March 1, 1957.
Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957, was a great day. The new church was ready for Worship. Miss Carolyn Teague rang the bell at West End on that morning at 8:45 a.m. to call he membership and surrounding residents to get ready to come to the opening of the new church. At 9:15 a.m. the bell rang again to assemble at the tin shop. At the next ringing of the bell, the congregation marched to the new church where Rev. E.M. Barnes, Jr., brought the message on “What Christ and His Church means to me.” Sunday school was held immediately after the worship service and a revival was held that night with Rev. A.M. Jones preaching.
Excerpts from a history written by Naomi Moore, one of the first members of West End.
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