1988
First Public Service
The initiative for a new Presbyterian church in Madison came from Presbyterians who were moving into the community during the mid 1980s. North Alabama Presbytery and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) encouraged and supported this initiative. The first public service was held at Pentecost, 1988. The Rev. Joe Regan was the organizer-evangelist for the first eighteen months, leaving at the end of 1989.
Founding of the church
Dr. John Bush began his ministry at Grace on the day of Pentecost, 1990. At that time the congregation consisted of about thirty members. Services were held at Kid’s Stuff Day Care Center on Wall Triana Hwy, then were moved to a leased building on Castle Drive just off Slaughter Road behind Wilson Lumber Co. In August Grace Church moved into rented space in a former furniture store on Hwy 72 just east of Hughes Road.Grace Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) was founded as a congregation, with about a hundred enrolled adults and children, on March 8, 1992, at which time Dr. Bush became its first installed pastor and the congregation elected its first Session.
1992
1994
Grace Building
Our new church home was constructed in 1993 on a 9.75-acre site located on Wall Triana Highway in Madison. The first service was held here on the second Sunday in December. The building was dedicated “To the Glory of God” at a celebration held on Sunday, January 14, 1994. Rev. Libby Rollins became Interim Pastor after John Bush left in January 2001.Rev. Robin Palmer arrived on August 1, 2003. Robin did not come to us as a stranger, but had been a guest minister many times. She had been a chaplain at Huntsville Hospital.
Rev. Robin Palmer
Rev. Robin Palmer arrived on August 1, 2003. Robin did not come to us as a stranger but had been a guest minister many times. She had been a chaplain at Huntsville Hospital and wife of Rev. David Palmer who was Director of Camp Maranatha.
2003
2006
Stephen’s Ministry
In 2006 several members became certified as a Stephen’s Minister to meet the need of ongoing personal care in a confidential environment. Stephen Ministry is our congregation’s one-to-one caregiving ministry. God works through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose life seems barren and forlorn because of a crisis or tragedy.
Fellowship Hall
On December 14, 2008, Grace held a New Building Dedication Service for the new fellowship hall, with classrooms and library space totaling over 6300 sq.ft. This was a celebration of over three years of planning, capital campaign project, and lots of hard work.
2008
2012
Columbarium
In 2012 The Presbyterian Columbarium and Prayer Garden was dedicated to God’s glory and is available for use by all churches of the North Alabama Presbytery.
Harvest of Grace Community Garden
Harvest of Grace Community Garden – In 2019 soil was turned, weeded, and prepared for planting. The first crops, okra and watermelons were gathered in 2020. Since that first crop many more vegetables have been added to the garden. The garden is maintained by volunteers of the congregation on “Garden Evenings” where dogs are welcome and work is done together in fellowship. The produce from the garden is donated to The Downtown Rescue Mission.
2019
2026, April:
Reverand Robin Palmer Retires
In April 2026, Rev. Robin Palmer retired after 22 years of service. Pastor Robin led the church through many wonderful services and events and will always be remembered for her ministry and leadership in both the Grace Church Community and North Alabama Presbytery.
Dr. Karl Kling
In August 2026, Dr. Karl Kling accepted the calling to lead Grace into the future.
Dr. Karl Kling has enjoyed serving and sharing in ministry with congregations in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama during 45 years of pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Pastor Karl earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Seminary and his M.Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is Bachelor of Science degree is in Organizational Management from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. While serving churches in the Oklahoma City area for ten years he also had a practice in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is a member of North Alabama Presbytery, a Clinical Fellow in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a Clinical Fellow and Psychotherapist Member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
2026, August
HISTORY
