The second sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Albany was erected in 1854. It was replaced by a new brick sanctuary in 1901. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
First United Methodist Church of Albany has been celebrating its 175th anniversary throughout the year with special unified, themed services each quarter. The final unified service will take place Dec. 4 and current head pastor Rev. Thad Haygood will present his ‘state of the church’ address where he plans to honor the past, assess the present and look to the future.
The current sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Albany (Staff Photo: Brad McEwen)
The Mothers Sunday school class stands in front of the First United Methodist Chruch of Albany’s Educational Building shortly after it was built in 1930. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The Walden Chapel, which now sits where one of the past sancutaries of First United Methodist Church of Albany once stood, is used for the church’s Sunday 8:30 a.m. service, as well as small weddings and funerals. (Staff Photo: Brad McEwen)
Buddy Rainey, a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Albany, stands next to the bell that used to hang in the steeple of one of the church’s former sancuaries, but now sits in a garden between the church’s office and current sanctuary. (Staff Photo: Brad McEwen)
The 1995 Hosanna Youth Choir from First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
This First United Methodist Church of Albany Sunday school class from 1947 was instrumental in founding The Anchorage, a faith-based substance abuse treatment center in Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
For many Albanians, this picture of the former sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Albany, which used to stand on the corner of Flint Avenue and Jackson Street, brings back fond memories of one of the city’s oldest church families. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
This group of First United Methodist Church of Albany members was the church’s first medical mission team to travel to India in 1984. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The second parsonage of First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The third and fourth parsonages of First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The fifth parsonage of First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The First United Methodist Church of Albany choir performs during a service earlier this year. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
First United Methodist Church’s Walden Chapel now sits on the site of one of the Albany church’s former sanctuaries on the corner of Flint Avenue and Jackson Street. (Staff Photo: Brad McEwen)
Buddy Rainey, a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Albany, points out a painting of one of the church’s past sanctuaries that now hangs in the church’s women’s parlor. (Staff Photo: Brad McEwen)
A full congregation is packed inside the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Albany earlier this year as part of a series of unified services celebrating the church’s 175th anniversary. The final unified service of the anniversary year will take place Dec. 4, during which the Rev. Thad Haygood will honor the past, evaluate the present and look to the church’s future. (Photo Courtesy of Todd Urick)
All the new babies born in a certain year. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
This picture from 1957-1958 captures the installation of Cile Crouch as the presdient of the First United Methodist Church of Albany’s Women’s Society for Christian Service. Pictured, from left, are Rev. Frederick Wilson, Crouch and Evelyn Dann. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
First United Methodist Church of Albany Senior Pastor Thad Haygood enjoys a holiday event back when he was serving as the church’s associate pastor from 1998-2003. Haygood recently returned to the church with his wife, whom he met during his first stay in Albany, and their children. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The 1996 Confirmation Class of First United Methodist Church of Albany poses for a picture. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
Children and families gather for a past outdoor celebration at First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The 2001 confirmation class of First United Methodist Church of Albany poses for a picture. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
First United Methodist Church member Spec Dozier, left, joins Rev. Guy Hutcherson, right, in presenting the 1968 Certificate of Appreciation for Music Assistance to Cile Crouch. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
The 1996 confirmation class of First United Methodist Church of Albany poses for a picture. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
A member of First United Methodist Church of Albanymember helps two youngsters with their Easter baskets during a past church celebration. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
A look into the past of First United Methodist Church of Albany (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
A group of children perform during a past service at First United Methodist Church of Albany. (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
Past and present members of First United Methodist Church of Albany’s Hosanna Choir give a special performance during one of First Methodist’s unified services this year in celebration of the church’s 175th anniversary. (Photo Courtesy of Todd Urick)
A First United Methodist Church of Albany Mother’s Morning Out Class from 1982 (Photo Courtesy of Beth O’Brien)
