New Irondale Church President

Earlier this year, Carol Simmons, former president of Bark Lake Cultural Developments, announced her retirement from the organization. Without someone assuming the role and others joining, the iconic Irondale Church faced closure and an eventual sale. So, a concert was held in late August to attract new members, and it worked. Now, the church, built in 1887, has new Board leadership and a promising future.Marilyn Pel steps into the role after only being an Irondale resident for two years. While admitting it's a daunting task, Pel says she's thrilled the church will remain a part of the community and she's touched by the willingness of others to help bring new life into the historic church.Though it's early days, Pel says the first job is for the church to build a following. So, now non-denominational services are taking place every Sunday. Families are returning to the church but beyond that, the sky's the limit for breathing new life into the old church.