White pastor retires after 32 years at Birmingham church; new Black pastor is former SEC team chaplain [Video]

After 32 years as pastor of Parkway Christian Fellowship in Birmingham, the Rev. Randy Williams is retiring this month.

Williams, 74, will preach his last sermon as pastor on Aug. 18, with the Rev. Ron Harris being installed on Aug. 25.

Parkway Christian Fellowship was started in 1979 by former members of Huffman Assembly of God, while another group formed Cathedral of the Cross.

It once had hundreds of members, but has dwindled to Sunday attendance of less than 100, about 50 percent Black.

“I see this church as a multi-racial, multi-generational church that reaches in this area, Huffman, the city of Birmingham, our state and the rest of the world,” Harris said. “It has been a historically missional church, to feed, love, to care for, and build future leaders that will impact the world.”

Harris, 57, has been a traveling evangelist and team chaplain for sports teams including the …