Church
Church in the Pines & Radney Family Children’s Chapel
Meet Our 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
Meet Our 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 Radney Family Children’s 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
2026 Upcoming Guest Speakers and Singers
Speakers:
August 2026
August 2 — Mike Densmore, Children’s Harbor Chaplain
August 9 — Hamp Greene
August 16 — Garrett Harper
August 23 — Jay Wolf
August 30 — Jeremiah Castille
September 2026
September 6 — Mike Densmore, Children’s Harbor Chaplain
September 13 — Jay Woodall
September 20 — Judy Quick
September 27 — Jonathan Yarbaro
October 2026
October 4 — Mike Densmore, Children’s Harbor Chaplain
October 11 — Mark Jackson
October 18 — Ron Schultz
October 25 — Vince Ellison
Singers:
August 2026
August 2 — Lauren Marino
August 9 — Jerry Cunningham
August 16 — Grace Wagstaff, Patrick Jackson
August 23 — Scott Blake
August 30 — The Fellowship Quartet
September 2026
September 6 — The Lakeside Quartet
September 13 — Lenora Goodman
September 20 — Baylie Payne
September 27 — Randy Anderson
October 2026
October 4 — Mack Daughtery
October 11 — Lisa Norton
October 18 — Madison Daughtery
October 25 — Laura Evelyn Smith
*Guest speakers and singers are subject to change upon availability.
Ways to give
- Give via check or cash during services on Sunday.
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Make a one-time gift online here. Select to support “Children’s Chapel/Church in the Pines.”
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Set up an automatic monthly recurring gift online here. At the top, choose “Monthly” and select to support “Children’s Chapel/Church in the Pines.” You can cancel or modify this at any time.
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Send your gift by mail to 434 Children’s Harbor Drive, Eclectic, AL 36024, and write “Chapel” as a note included with your gift.
Church in the Pines & Radney Family 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 Radney Family 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*
