Whereas the Lake Mitchell Community has gathered at the river for Lakeside Worship Services for the past 32 years and,
Whereas this tradition began as a gathering of youth of the community and,
Whereas these services were encouraged through the farsighted efforts and continuing interest of one man in the community and,
Whereas it has become a tradition for those who live at the lake or come for week-end outings to join to worship as fellow Christians
Therefore:
The Lake Mitchell Home Owners and Boat Owners Association and the entire Lake Mitchell community do this Sunday,the 28th day of May in the year 2000 hereby honor and pay tribute to
Reverend John Doyle Trobaugh
for his forsight, unselfish dedication and hard work through the years which resulted in and continues these unique services to shepherd his river flock.
Memorial Day weekend has traditionally signaled the beginning of summer on the lake. The Lake Mitchell community has added to this rich tradition for the past 32 years with it's unique River Church services.
In 1967, Johnny Doyle Trobaugh was assigned as Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Clanton, Alabama. Shortly after his arrival, Johnny suffered a bad attack of "Lake Fever" and he fell in love with Lake Mitchell. A spot on a quiet back road caught his eye. It was in a slough, it had a cabin and a boat landing, it belonged to a member of his church and it was for sale. After some astute ministerial maneuvering and haggling, he and his wife Annella purchased the property. The Trobaughs began spending their "off-time" at the Lake. In a short while the very popular "Preacher John" or just plain "Johnny" to most of us, really had his finger on the pulse of the lake community.
That summer, the Trobaughs hosted a week-end Youth Retreat at the Lake House. The youth liked the surroundings so much they suggested the church begin a Lakeside Worship Service. Such things were unheard of around Clanton, but Johnny gave it a whirl. The youth printed flyers and went up and down the river in boats handing out flyers to lake residents and nailing them up at nearby bait and tackle places. The first service was held in 1967 with 80 people in attendance.
Weekly services continued at the Trobaaugh's lakeside home until the pavillion was opened and it was decided to move the services to the new location where there would be more room for boats and worshippers.
Through the far sighted efforts of Johnny Trobaugh and because of his continuing interest in this novel type of worship, the Lake side services are held each summer from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend It has become a tradition for thiose who live at the lake or who come for week-end outings to join as fellow Christians, (regardless of denomination) and to sing "Let Us Gather At The River".
This kind of success could not be possible without the loyal support of volunteers. Each year this unique service draws more and more worshippers and maintains an unbelievable record of never being rained out. The service has been featured on national television, CNN and ESPN, as well as local Birmingham stations. Unless Johnny is sick or on a mission trip, he is always there, shepherding his river flock.
We acknowledge with sadness the death of Johnny Doyle Trobaugh, "Preacher John" on Sunday, October 16, 2005. We will certainly miss him among our Lake community.
