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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. Dr. Ethan P.J. Ferguson

The Reverend Ethan P. J. Ferguson is a proud Bahamian and remains canonically resident in the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caico Islands, while currently serving in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. He was ordained as a Deacon on August 31st, 2006 and to the priesthood on July 25th 2007. He earned a Diploma of Pastoral Studies from Codrington Theological College (2006), a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from the University of the West Indies (2006), a Master of Arts in Chaplaincy & Pastoral Theology from Dublin City University, Ireland (2021) and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Leadership and Homiletics from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA (2024). He has served in numerous roles including: Assistant Curate/Youth Director of Holy Cross Church, Nassau; Mentor/Counselor at Claridge Primary School, Facilitator/Counseling Coordinator for Alpha Prison Ministry at the Bahamas Department of Corrections; Rector of St. Stephen’s Parish, Fresh Creek, Andros (2009-2012); Chaplain of St. Andrew’s Anglican School, Exuma (2012-2018), Rector of St. Andrew’s Parish, George Town, Exuma, and Holy Innocents Parish, Ragged Island (2012-2021); and formerly President of the Exuma Christian Council. 

His passion remains preaching and transformational leadership for the spiritual renewal and growth of the church, the empowerment of youth, young adults and the overall laity for the discovery of their gifts for the building up of the church and the transformation of our communities; and of course, music – both ancient and modern, as a tool for revival and conversion. His ministry has been hallmarked by spiritual revitalization, vocational discernment, inreach and outreach initiatives, liturgical innovation as well as creative ministry opportunities for the education and maturation of all members. 

Ethan and his family relocated to Tennessee in August 2021 to study for his doctorate at The University of the South, where he recently graduated. He is married to Deacon Anatol Ferguson and they have one son, a three-year-old named Zaire’ Aleksandr. Ethan loves ministry and treasures the opportunity to minister in word and sacrament to all people. He is living his dream and has found his purpose. God be praised!