The Inner City Church of Christ began as a summer
backyard kids club in Council Court by the Mayfair teens under the
leadership of Lee Milam. The official meeting place at the time was at
the Scruggs Center. The Mayfair Youth Group was very involved with the
ministry, particularly reaching out to the children in the community.
The Inner City Church of Christ was planted by the Mayfair Church of Christ in 1995. Sid (Patty) Smith was the ministry
leader. The Mayfair elders and members, with sincere love for the Lord,
took the Word of God to the families in the Inner City Community.
The first preacher at the Inner City Church was Lynn Brisco (and family).
After about two years, James and Kimberly Williams replaced the Briscos.
In March of 1998, Phil (Diane) Kinzer and family assumed the leadership
of the ministry and were blessed to have Terence (Elizabeth) Highsmith
and family part of the ministry. It was also at this time the church
started meeting at the building on Stokes Avenue. During the winter of
1999, the church moved to 309 Seminole Drive.
During the same time the Kinzer family relocated to Nashville. Joe
McConnell joined the staff as preacher/evangelist, and worked along with
James Williams for a period of time. The Nashville Inner City Ministries
partnered with Mayfair, Inner City Church, and Joe McConnell and
initiated the first
Catfish Dinner which provides the biggest contribution for its outreach.
Shortly thereafter, Joe McConnell resigned his position at the Inner
City CoC and Art Leslie joined the staff. Art (Cynthia) Leslie served as
the Minister and Youth Minister. James Williams left Inner City to
pursue other ministry interests.
During the tenure of Art Leslie, Deacon Brian (Jane) Hinson, Jerry (Ann)
Minor, and Elder George (Linda) Smith began to oversee the church. In
2008, God saw fit to bring Tim, (wife, Michelle and son, Sherif) Smith to
Huntsville, AL. Tim became the minister later that same year after Art’s
resignation. They were joined by the Dorsey family in July 2009. Oscar
Dorsey served as the youth minister and director of the Learning
Center until May 2010. In August 2010, Sebrun and LaKeyia Branch were
added to the Inner City family as Youth Minister/Worship Leader and
Learning Center Director, respectively.
Around 1993, the Inner City began to plant its seed in the community
with the Sidewalk Sunday School in Council Court, which later became the
Tuesday Night Bus Ministry. The Care Center rooted from Mayfair and was
moved to Inner City at 309 Seminole Drive. We now feed twenty-five
families per week, offer clothes, and household items. Wonderful
Wednesday found its home at the Inner City CoC where we meet once a
month on Mondays for ladies bible class. The ladies now meet every
Wednesday to study and fellowship with one another. In 2003, we kicked
off L.I.F.T., a summer program where we allowed elementary kids to
attend Vocational Bible School for two weeks. Later in 2005, Connect was
developed for middle to high school students so they could also attend
the summer program. In 2006, the church began its operation of the
Huntsville Inner City Learning Center, held 4 days out of the week.
During this time children receive tutoring and a hot meal from the
volunteers. SOAR, a mentoring program, was introduced in January 2007.
The year of 2008, we started our first Annual Youth Weekend with BANG!
In that same year we celebrated our First Annual Homecoming.
Over the past 15 years, God has blessed the church with baptisms,
leaders, teachers, and many others who have a desire to serve others
through outreach and evangelism. The Inner City Church continues to grow
by reaching out to lost and maintaining a nurturing environment for its
members. To God be the Glory.
