Fork & Cork Chef's Dinner

Join us April 11th at the Historic Kress Building in Birmingham for a signature inaugural fundraiser Fork & Cork Chef's dinner, featuring James Beard winner Adam Evans with Automatic Seafood and Oysters and five-time semifinalist Rob McDaniel of Helen Restaurant.

Purchase Tickets

Church

Church in the Pines & Children’s Chapel

Sundays at 9:00 a.m. CST

Casual attire

200 Kowaliga Marina Road, Eclectic AL - Church services will take place at Church in the Pines during warmer months and Children's Chapel during cooler months. *During the summer months, there is an area for boats to pull up to join the service.

Sundays at 9:00 a.m. CST

Casual attire

200 Kowaliga Marina Road, Eclectic AL - Church services will take place at Church in the Pines during warmer months and Children's Chapel during cooler months. *During the summer months, there is an area for boats to pull up to join the service.

Welcome New Chaplain, Mike Densmore!

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

2023 Upcoming Guest Speakers/Singers

 

February

February 5 – Mike Densmore

February 12 – Wayne Cowhick

February 19 – Julie Holley

February 26 – George Smith

March

March 5 – Mike Densmore

March 12 – Charles Cummings

March 19 – Rick Evans

March 26 – Al Jackson

April

April 2 – Mike Densmore

April 9 (Easter) – Dr. Tim Thompson

April 16 – Clint McBroom

April 23 – Mike Pearson

 

Singers:

 

February

February 5 – Timmy Anderson

February 12- Amy Hibbs

February 19 – Jerry Cunningham and Kelley Hill

February 26 – Lisa McCain

March

March 5 – Harlan Burton

March 12 – Lottie Monroe

March 19 – Amy Hibbs

March 26 – Laurie Birnell

April

April 2 – Dottie Dye

April 9 – Jamie Henderson

April 16 – Yancey Taunton

April 23 – Kim Sanders

April 30 – The Southernaires

May

May 7 – Denise Bates

May 14 – Baylie Payne

May 21 – Katrina Shaw

May 28 – Mack Daugherty

*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:

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