Our Mission

To make Disciples for Jesus for the transform of the world

Center Grove United Methodist Church is presently a member of the North Alabama Conference, Northeast District. In 1842, during the era of slavery a group of pioneering worshipers assembled in order to form a congregation to reach and attract people of color, currently known as Center Grove United Methodist Church. The congregation composed of ten families was founded in a humble makeshift building in Mullins Flat on the Old Jink Jordan Plantation. In 1888, the Old LaGrange Hall, a former slave trading post, would become the second location for Center Grove. The two-story house was far much more than just a place of worship but served as a school and overall community pillar for African-Americans within the Madison County area. During the spring of 1974, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for a new church and parsonage on our present location. In 1975, with Rev. Wylheme as minister, church family and friends held their first service in the new sanctuary. We trace our legacy to these early pioneers of Center Grove that endured with God’s sovereign grace and mercy in the midst of challenge and obstacle.

“To be a contemporary of God and to know Him. To serve God and His people is the greatest blessing that I could ever receive.”

Our Pastor

Rev. R. Seth Shamery

Pastor Shamery is a devoted spiritual leader with a remarkable journey of transformation and a deep commitment to helping people live to their full potential through a commitment to Jesus Christ.

At the age of 30, despite having a college education, a successful career in corporate America, supportive wife with children, owning his third home, traveling the world and living debt-free, felt this undeniable void within himself. Pastor Shamery experienced having money but still being poor, having a large group of associates but feeling alone, a productive career but no purpose. This strong unwavering inner discontent prompted a quest for meaning and purpose, leading to a personal transformation guided by Jesus Christ.

In November 2009, after a period of personal growth and spiritual maturity, Pastor Shamery answered God’s call to provide people with the tools, knowledge and programs that will allow them to live what he has experienced; a more satisfying, purposeful, peaceful and faithful Christian life.

Since accepting his call to ministry, Pastor Shamery has completed his Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University’s, Rawlings School of Divinity, as well as many other ministerial certifications and training. Along with his first pastorate, where he served five years as Senior Pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, he worked professionally for one year as a High School Science Teacher at Aliceville High School and two years with the Fatherhood Program administered through the Pickens County Family Resource Center. In 2018, Pastor Shamery founded, Infinite Chances, faith-based non-profit that works to strengthen rural communities by way of empowerment, facilitating unification and making Disciples of Jesus Christ. He has pastored Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Hargrove Memorial United Methodist Church and is currently the Senior Pastor of Center Grove United Methodist Church.

He is happily married to his wife of 25 years, Wende. To this union they have been blessed with one beautiful daughter, Adrian, a grandson Ashton Jayce and a two precious Goddaughters Charlize Rose and Jaliyah.

All believers are given gifts to be used in furthering the Kingdom.

Our Leadership Team

Tina Moore, Operations Manager

Danny Newton, Praise & Worship Leader

Andrew Downer, Pianist | Minister of Music

LaRue Larry, Percussionist

Brenda Spillman, Facility Maintenance.

Why United Methodist

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1937, Center Grove Circuit had 222 members; 5O Sunday School members; $145.OO, district- annual conference and benevolences; 2, number of church buildings; $1,000.00 estimated value of property and assets; $5,OOO.OO estimated value of land; 1 parsonage; 1, local preacher; 1 subscriber to The Advocate.