THE MAYFAIR STORY: The First 60 Years
The Mayfair story began in 1947 when the Central Church of Christ chose to expand their mission efforts into a new part of South Huntsville. Two lots in the Mayfair subdivision on the corner of Bob Wallace Avenue and Poincianna Street were purchased and the building was constructed for $25,000.
The first service was held on November 20, 1949, with about 50 people in attendance. Jack Duncan was the first minister and preached Mayfair’s first sermon. He was succeeded by O.D. Johns and Everette Alexander. In September of 1955, the first elders and deacons were selected. Russelle Bailey, Herbert Crowson, Henry Jones, and Robert Smith served as elders along with Al Bryan, Raymond Buford, Walden Smith, and Tillman Williams who served as deacons. Elizabeth Williams served as the first church secretary.
Shortly thereafter, Bill Wardlaw became the minister that would lead Mayfair into its next home. By this time, the church had grown to the point that a new building was needed and farm land used to grow cotton was purchased on the outskirts of town on Whitesburg Drive. The elders and deacons had the foresight to recognize this area as a prime location based on Huntsville’s projected growth. Our city was being tapped to play an integral part in America’s space mission. The projected growth meant souls to be saved and Mayfair positioned itself to serve and share God’s word.
In 1960, the first phase of the new Mayfair Church of Christ facility was completed. There were 512 people in attendance at the first worship service in the new building. Soon after moving to the new facility, Brother Paul Hunton served as minister, later resigning to become principal of Madision Academy. He was succeeded by Bob Anderson, who served as minister for 13 years. In April, 1965, Mayfair’s facility was completed.
During this decade, the foreign and stateside missions realized exponential growth as Mayfair Church of Christ made its mark on the world to the glory of God. Dorsey and Ola Traw began their ministry in Thailand in 1961 and are still searving the Lord in that capacity today. Numerous souls have been saved and the Lord’s church has grown significantly in Thailand because of the Traw’s dedicated leadership.
In the early 70’s, Mayfairs youth ministry was established and has grown tremendously over the years, serving as a model for other churches across the nation. Youth Missions also began during this decade to supplement the steadily growing foreign missions program for which Mayfair was known.
The 70’s saw Mayfair continuing to spread God’s word to the four corners of the earth. Peter and Cathy Manuel began their mission work in Capetown, South Africa, supported by the Mayfair congregation. Since that time, the gospel has been spread to thousands living in the country of South Africa, where the Manuels are still serving today.
The Mayfair Child Development Center opened in 1975 to serve as an outreach program to the community by supplying quality daycare, preschool and kindergarten programs. The MCDC provides a healthy, safe environment that promotes the physical, social, cognitive and spiritual development of young children. The Family Life Center was added in 1978. This center houses a large fellowship hall, adult classrooms and the church office.
In 1979, Mayfair was blessed to have Gary Bradley come to serve as our minister. What a wonderful way to close out this decade. The 70’s led up to the 80’s with Mayfair and the Lord’s church worldwide growing and expanding and spreading the gospel to so many. It is still true that the sun, on its daily journey, never sets on Mayfair’s mission outreach.
The decade of the 80’s continued to show the need for growth, outreach, and service. The ministry program was developed and implemented and has grown to over 80 ministries serving in all areas from building security, to internet ministry, to disaster relief. The television ministry “Abundant Living” was begun and has reached thousands of people in the Tennessee Valley of the last 20 years.
The “Mayfair Cares” motto was seen throughout these years as the church reached out to so many in our community during times of need. In 1982, Mayfair donated land just west of the church building to be used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to build a retirement apartment complex to serve the aging in our community. Mayfair Towers has been a very positive outreach providing care for hundreds of elderly people.
Towards the middle of this decade, Mayfair was faced with the possibility of expansion once again. In 1987, the addition to the auditorium was completed with additional classroom space beneath. This was soon filled to capacity with congregational growth maintaining a rapid rate. In 1989, a deadly tornado came within 500 yards of our property, killing 19 people and devastating the surrounding area. Mayfair responded with emergency relief and support for the community for which it cares so much.
With the decade of the 90’s came many changes in the makeup of our nation as well as the world. The Cold War ended, communism fell, and doors to Russia and other countries that had once been closed tightly were now open. Mayfair continued to expand its outreach in every way, both stateside and foreign, to the glory of God. In 1995, Mayfair’s involvement in Huntsville’s Inner City began. As a result, the Inner City Church of Christ was established with great success. With support of other area churches, Jesus is being taught to the hurting of Huntsville.
In 1996, Mayfair had even begun to have three morning services to try and alleviate the crowding in the auditorium during Sunday morning worship. A research committee was established to study the feasibility of adding on to the current building or looking for property to purchase for a new building.
The decision was made to buy 25 acres in beautiful Jones Valley just over the hill from Whitesburg. By 1995, the funds for the purchase were secured and the land was bought. In 1997, the Vision 2000 campaign began with great success. The design for the building was completed and on March 7, 1999, Groundbreaking Day was held with many members and dignitaries in attendance. The construction of the new facility was completed and Mayfair made it’s exodus over the hill to Jones Valley in the fall of 2000.
Mayfair has come so far with God’s help in serving and reaching the world with the message of Christ. It’s new facility marks a renewed commitment to the Tennessee Valley and the world that, with God’s continued guidance, we will continue to be a servant minded family of God.
People - in Huntsville, Belize, Mexico, and all over the world are the reasons to keep our light shining for Christ in Jones Valley. Because of the vision of a handful of faithful christians 60 years ago, Mayfair lives on to reach the lost. May God continue to bless this great church so that for generations to come, God’s name will be glorified.