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Florida Methodists Worship Here
Source: This article is from the
scrapbook of Frances Kathleen Scobee Henderson (24 May 1903 – 20
July 1998). Submitted by Darla Henderson.
“Florida has a fine brick church,” a
correspondent’s report noted in the Monroe County Appeal
June 6, 1874 while the 1876 Atlas of Monroe County shows that only
a Methodist Church is at Florida so the fine brick church is
supposed to be the Methodist Church.
Reports later noted that the Church at Florida had been
furnished with a $50 chandelier and was to have a new roof.
Although the original church was brick it burned and
records were lost so the only reports on the early church are from
newspaper clippings and personal written records.
In the October 31, 1897, issue of the Monroe County Appeal, the following story appeared on the dedication of the new
church: “The
largest crowd ever seen at a church service in Florida attended
the dedication of the new Methodist Church last Sunday morning.
The singing was splendid and Rev. Warren’s sermon
interesting and appropriate.
The church was paid for before the dedication by a
collection was taken up for the purpose of seats.
A basket dinner was served by the people of Florida and her
fame for whole-souled hospitality was fully sustained.
The Florida Methodist Church is one of the oldest church
organizations in the country.”
In 1933 the church had a homecoming with a huge crowd and
basket dinner. Former
pastors took part in the services at the time. Pastors who served
the little country church since 1907 include:
the Reverends C. J. Chappell, J. M. Hornback, A. C.
Zumbrunnen, C. L. Hess, H. D. Marlin, Ray S. Tomlin, W. B. Selah,
Aubrey Harcourt, Howard Woodruff, Orville Jackson, Leland Loy, L.
L. LaFrance, F. Bean, Frank Byrnes, T. P. Middleton, D. T.
Morrison, W. K. Harper, Harold Dodds, James S. Kabler, Glenn Ruhl,
Wesley L. Brun, O. David Griffin and Don Miller. The pastors are
from Monroe City and serve the Florida church as part of their
mission to the people of this area. The accompanying picture and
information were loaned to the NEWS by Frances Henderson of
Florida. The church
with snow for a background forms a perfect setting for a house of
worship for Florida Methodists.
Note:
“Text/Juanita Yates.
Information and picture by Frances Henderson.”
Included at the end of the article.
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