Church
Church in the Pines & Children’s Chapel
Welcome New Chaplain, Mike Densmore!
“The Children’s Harbor ministries are amazing to me. The opportunity to become
a part of this organization which serves so many in so many ways is truly humbling.”
– Mike Densmore
Welcome New Chaplain, Mike Densmore!
Our Chaplain is Mike Densmore, a retired Methodist pastor with over 40 years in pastoral ministry. Mike is available for pastoral care in our Chapel and Church in the Pines community and for chaplain services with our Camp partners as needed. May we all be in faithful prayer for the healing ministries of Children’s Harbor.
Phone (256)749-9355 | Email
“The Children’s Harbor ministries are amazing to me. The opportunity to become
a part of this organization which serves so many in so many ways is truly humbling.”
– Mike Densmore
2022 Upcoming Guest Speakers/Singers
May
May 1 – Tim Alexander, UAB
May 8 – Sherry Harris, Vestavia Hills
May 15 – Gates Shaw, Retired – Christ Episcopal
May 22 – Larry Little, Eagle Consulting
May 29 – George Mathison, Retired – Auburn
June
June 5 – Chuck Roberts, Peachtree Presbyterian
June 12 – Chip Vann, Alex City FUMC
June 19 – Karl Stegall, Montgomery First UMC
June 26 – Keith Thompson, Canterbury UMC
July
July 3 – John Ed Mathison, Retired – Leadership Ministries
July 10 – Lawson Bryan, Bishop Emeritus – Montgomery
July 17 – Hamp Green, Church of The Highlands
July 24 – Andy Wolfe, Pastor Emeritus- Trinity Homewood
July 31 – Chuck Hasty, Grace Presbyterian – Columbus
August
August 7 – Jeremiah Castille, Jeremiah Castille Foundation
August 14 – Brian Erickson, Trinity Homewood
August 21 – Jay Wolf, Retired – Montgomery First Baptist
August 28 – Mike Densmore, Children’s Harbor Chaplain
September
September 4 – Mickey Morgan, Retired – UMC Birmingham
September 11 – Mark Jackson, Retired – Mulder UMC
September 18 – John Hill, Flint Hill
September 25 – Mike Holly, Bluff Park UMC
Singers:
May
May 1 – Tim Lawrence
May 8 – Dr. Brad Willis
May 15 – Tony Hawthorne
May 22 – Amy Hibbs
May 29 – Jamie Langley Henderson
June
June 5 – Jerry Cunningham
June 12 – Brian Cummings
June 19 – Lee Jackson, Babs Seay, Jan Belcher Queen
June 26 – Baylie Payne
July
July 3 – Scott Blake and Lieutenant Colonel Sherwood Stewart
July 10 – Corey Daugherty
July 17 – The Johnson Family
July 24 – Yancey McBride Taunton
July 31 – Shelia Jackson and Patrick Jackson
*Guest speakers and singers are subject to change upon availability.
Ways to give
When you choose to tithe at Church in the Pines or Children’s Chapel, you can:
- Give via check or cash during services on Sunday.
- Give online anytime here, and select “Children’s Chapel/Church in the Pines” for the gift purpose.
- Give with automatic, monthly recurring gifts by going here and under “Recurring Gift”, select “Make this a monthly gift.”
Unfortunately, the “text to give” service is no longer available.
You can also support Children’s Harbor through tribute gifts! With a donation of $10 or more, we will send a card to a person you designate honoring a special occasion, honoring a special person, or in memory of their loved one. No mention of the gift amount is made. To get started, click here and check the box to “Make this gift a tribute”.
Follow @childrensharbor and request to join the “Church in the Pines and Children’s Chapel” private group to stay in the loop.
Contact info: 334-857-2133
Church in the Pines & Children’s Chapel History
Our little Church in the Pines began in 1953, under a small, pine straw covered arbor, on the shoreline (750 mi) of a yet undiscovered and rather new Lake Martin in Alexander City, AL. Julia Russell organized and convened the first service with the help of the reverend Duncan Hunter. Church in the Pines became, pretty much, a certainty; a guarantee, none-the-less, of remaining “down at the lake” all day on Sunday. The services, with time, took on a non-denominational and ever more sophisticated format. The most unique aspect of this little church was, however, the fact that many of the congregation arrived in a rather motley collection of boats.
In the early days the property was owned by “Russell Mills” and in 1956 they constructed a large, open, a-frame building to replace the pine straw covered arbor that was the original in the mid-70’s Russell Lands, Inc. took over responsibility for the property. the church was then renovated, and permanent benches were installed. In 1987 Mrs. Julia asked Mrs. Luanne Russell to begin coordinating the services – which she did for many years thereafter and continues, to this day, to advise management in regard thereto.
In 1963, friends of the Dunn family contributed the altar structure as a memorial to William Ransom Johnson Dunn, III – and to “all who love the lake.” Russell Lands donated the entire property to Children’s Harbor Inc., in 1989; subsequently, same was dedicated to the memory of Adelia McConnell Russell. In 1990, Children’s Harbor Inc., put on the mantle of responsibility, now providing year-round services, either in the Church in the Pines or in the Children’s Chapel.
Church in the Pines is one of the most unique worship services in this country and it is deeply embedded in the hearts of hundreds (for over 65 years now) and reverently remembered by thousands. Innumerable couples have been married in the two facilities, as well.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this ministry of Children’s Harbor,
— Ben Russell
