Way back in 1937, when the cars looked a whole lot different and were much slower and Odessa’s population was under 9,500, Mackey Chapel United Methodist Church was just getting started.
The venerable church at 306 W. Clements St. celebrated its 85th anniversary Nov. 13 with the Rev. Charles E. Sims, pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, as guest speaker. Pastor Adrianne Coleman says it was a memorable day with a packed house, a choir from St. James Missionary Baptist Church and other participants who greatly enjoyed the ambience in the church whose founding pastor was the Rev. J.D. Mackey.
“It was a spectacular observance of history attended by the South Side Missionary Alliance and the sister congregations of Shiloh and St. James,” said the Rev. Coleman. “Having been the pastor since July 1, my experience has been of a loving, well-established congregation that has a heart for the community.
“They have been very supportive of me as their new pastor.”
Citing Exodus 15:11-16, the program said it was a celebration that “Through the grace of God, we made it through.”
The scripture asks, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretch out your right hand and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone until your people pass by, Lord, until the people you bought pass by.”
In order, Mackey Chapel’s other pastors have been the Revs. Columbus Moore, Mr. Fortson, H.I. Pearson, C.L. King, W.B. Lott, Eldridge M. Cooper, James W. Morgan, Elvis Carter, Charlie J. Houston, E.A. Rogers, Joe H. Carter, Walter Webb, Earl Spencer, H.A. Gregory Jr., Nathaniel Johnson, Meredith C. Stone, George B. Young Sr., Dean Simmons, Hadley R. Edwards, Johann Neethling, Curtis Hayes, Michael Kirkwood, Michael V. Jenkins, Dennis Bade, Darren Patrick and Karin Carlson.
The church’s motto is, “Where Jesus Christ Is Lord and Everybody Is Somebody.”
