Church services are very casual and there’s a good mix of adults, youth and at least 2-3 dogs.”Carol Poupore
SMITH LAKE – Located on the banks of Alabama’s scenic Smith Lake, Rock Creek Mission provides a place of worship for those who are on vacation or away from their home churches. By boat or by car, the Mission welcomes everyone to stop by and worship with them.
“Generally I would say we have about 60 to 70 people in attendance but on the Fourth of July weekend we had over 150 come out,” said Carol Poupore, senior pastor at Addington Chapel United Methodist Church. “Holidays are big! Church services are very casual and there’s a good mix of adults, youth and at least 2-3 dogs,” she smiled. “After the service we have a great potluck breakfast.”
Rock Creek Mission began meeting for community ecumenical worship in the summer of 1986 at a pavilion adjacent to Rock Creek Marina in Crane Hill. The small group of dedicated Christians had hoped to give weekend lake residents and visitors a local, accessible faith community. Together they pooled their resources and contacted people in the area to start this unique ministry.
Since the very beginning, the group has met early for short services which are followed by a longer time of potluck breakfast and fellowship. The Mission celebrates their 31st summer this year and during that time, there have been over 100 speakers share their messages of faith – and thousands of breakfast casseroles have been consumed!
There have also been a few additions to the Mission since its beginning in 1986. A dock was added so they could worship on the water. In the fall of 2007 a shelter with a fireplace was built. Services are held in this structure when the weather is rainy, cold, etc. More recently, in 2012, a new barge was added to the side of their dock and includes benches with backs, which everyone was excited about.
“There are many people involved in making this "mission" a success, especially Chris Culpepper and Allison Sligh, but there are also a group of committee members,” Poupore said. “Gloria Sandlin shares her gift of music on the keyboard, and occasionally we have people doing special music, like playing the harp or guitar.”
Rock Creek Mission provides a unique place to both worship and fellowship while visiting Smith Lake on Sunday mornings. If you are in the area, why not stop by and see for yourself?
Rock Creek Mission is located next to Rock Creek Marina, at 288 County Road 4010, Crane Hill, AL 35053.
Services are held every Sunday at 8 a.m. beginning Easter Sunday and lasting through the end of September. Remember, each week the 30-minute non-denominational service is followed by a delicious potluck breakfast.
For more information, call 205-221-9363 or visit www.facebook.com/RockCreekMission/.
