Steeped in History
Intentional in Tradition
Progressive in Reason

Although Christ Church in Albertville was founded in 1977, the history of Christ Church began in Piedmont, Alabama in 1871 with Reverend J. Smith and the McCollister family.

The church edifice was erected in 1889 and the church was consecrated in 1892 and was named Christ Church. Mary Daily McCollister requested that Christ Church may ever stand to the Glory of God. Unfortunately, the congregation stopped meeting shortly after.

In 1977, fifteen families in the Albertville/Boaz area wanted to start a new church. In January, Sand Mountain Episcopal Chapel began meeting over Bains Appliance Store with the permission of the diocese. Eventually, Ellen Bains Perryman, a member of the chapel, heard of the little church in Piedmont that was about to be torn down. The worn-down church was partially dismantled, put on wheels and was moved up to Albertville, where it was about to begin a new life.

“When the restoration began, heart pine board and batten put together with wooden pegs and cut nails were discovered. The original bricks from the foundation were cleaned and used as flooring in the narthex. Lovingly and painstakingly, the members and others in the community came together to restore and retain as much as possible of the original church,” tells Mary Elizabeth M. Daugette, great-granddaughter of Major Dailey.

To honor the church’s rich history, the members decided to keep the name Christ Church and to remember Mrs. McCollister’s request. Many of the pieces from the original church remain in our place of worship today, not to mention a beautiful three panel Gothic-style stained glass window that traveled all the way from England is displayed behind their wooden cross in the sanctuary. The bell from the original church now rings every Sunday when the members meet for worship.

In 2010, when the tornado came through Albertville, a hole was ripped in the roof of the church and moved it off of its foundation. Although the parish was unharmed, the church couldn’t be salvaged due to the severity of the damage. Two years later, the church was rebuilt and consecrated for the third time. The church is now twice the size, holding many artifacts from the original church, and even handmade stained glass windows from a church member.

Today, Christ Church is very active in the community with their many ministries. They run Canterbury Club at Snead State Community College, a community food bank, host Room in the Inn and have a Beans and Rice ministry.

The Rev. Robert F. Fowler, III

Fr. Robert arrived at St. Luke’s in December of 2015. He came to Alabama from St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Carrollton, Georgia, where he served as Curate after his graduation from Sewanee: The University of the South in 2013. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in the United Methodist Church in Albany, Georgia. The oldest of three children, he was active in the church as well as the church-sponsored Boy Scout troop, where he received his Eagle award. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1988 at St. Luke’s in Atlanta. He attended Georgia Tech and has post-graduate degrees from Georgia State University and Georgia Southwestern State University.

The father of two grown children, Rick and Rainey, he enjoys movies, baking, travel, and trivia. During his seminary time, he traveled to Tanzania on a mission trip, serving with a local priest in the central portion of the country. His chaplaincy work was completed at NCH Healthcare in Naples, Florida, in 2011. Fr. Robert was active in the Diocese of Atlanta before moving to Jacksonville. He is delighted to be serving as Rector to the people of St. Luke’s parish, as well as working with the students, faculty, and staff at Jacksonville State University. In his spare time, he enjoys playing (at) the piano, an occasional game of tennis, and performing on stage in Anniston and Gadsden.

He serves on the Board of Trustees of Sewanee (representing the Diocese of Alabama), the Board of the Exchange Club of Jacksonville, and the Meals on Wheels Board. He is working to obtain his Doctor of Ministry from Sewanee (which will take about 5-6 years). He also serves as the Secretary of the Diocese of Alabama. 

Prior to the ministry, Fr. Robert worked first in the real estate and construction business and then for 20 years in the investment business. Pastoral care is a ministry near and dear to his heart. He feels that working with clients on their financial goals prepared him for a ministry of listening and counseling. He genuinely enjoys people, likes to laugh, and feels that everyone has gifts and treasures to contribute to the mission of the Church..