History

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

-Psalm 77:11

1867-1900 | 1901-1981

The first religious services of record held in our community were in the fall of 1867 when among a group of arrivals from South Carolina by way of northwest Florida, a devoted Methodist, T. Gautier invited the other members of the group to meet with his family on the Sabbath to worship God. A log building was erected on the Gautier property and this served as a community church for many years. Later an M. E. [Methodist] church was built in Grovesdale, the congregation of which was later transferred to the Howe Memorial Church on Summit Street.

The first record of a Presbyterian service was in December of 1878 when Rev. J. L. French held services in a school house in the northern part of town...In the summer of 1882 the Presbyterian minister from Palatka, Rev. S. T. Wilson, D. D., came about once a month and was interested enough to obtain the plot of ground where our church now stands and the former manse site. It was following his suggestion that the Rev. J. K. Wight of the Presbytery of North River, New York, came to us in the winter of 1882-1883. Through that winter Mr. Wight held services in the school house and on March 14, 1883 a meeting was held in reference to organizing a church. This organization was completed on March 24, 1883 with eleven charter members.

In the 1870's a community Sunday School was organized and progressed for several years until interested persons moved away. Summer heat and rain caused a lessening of interest and it gradually ceased to exist. On December 31, 1882 the Presbyterian Sunday School made its start, organized by Mr. Wight at the home of Mr. Edwin Gilbert and moved around from house to house as the winter people departed for their homes or the local members went away on vacation.

During the summer of 1883, subscriptions were received and the actual work started on the building of the church. However, as this work was done on the "Pay As You Go" plan, it was not ready for use until January 1884, and was completed and dedicated in April 1888. With Mr. Wight in the pulpit during the winter months of 1882-85, prayer meeting and Sunday School continued through these years. In the winter of 1885-86, the first permanent minister, Rev. James Mitchell, came to us from Alachua county. In the fall or winter of 1884-85, a special collection was taken for the purchase of a heater--a large box-type stove--which provided a fairly satisfactory method of heat until the furnace was installed when the church was remodeled in 1923.

Oldest Photograph of First Presbyterian Church (late 19th century)

The church is on the left; Grove Hall is on the right. From the accompanying description:

"This church was started in summer of 1883. Money gave out - was not completed until April 1888. However the first service was held Jan 20, 1884.

Grove Hall Hotel was erected by Mr. and Mrs. W L Chamberlain. They had a son named Walter. The story long ago was that Mrs. Chamberlain would put her husband up in the cupulo and lock the door. I think it was more of a joke.
The grove by the church was owned by Mr. Lyons who had great ideas for the little village but he passed away before completing plans."

Grove Hall burned down in 1932.

Mr. Emerson Brooks, a winter resident from New Jersey, gave us a "cottage organ" which was later replaced by a two-manual Estey reed organ. In 1950 the Estey was traded in on a wurlitzer two-manual electric organ, and the "cottage organ" has gone into service with another congregation. Money for the church bell was raised by subscription and it was installed in the spring of 1886.

The manse was built in 1893 with Mrs. M. H. Read heading the building committee. Through her untiring efforts, the sum of $996.58 was raised for the construction of four rooms, a kitchen and two small porches. Rev. T. C. Potter was the first minister to occupy the building. The Women's Society having made this their particular project, the manse has been added to and renovated until it was quite an attractive and home-like place.

--Taken from "Church Historical Notes," prepared for 100th anniversary celebration

First Presbyterian Church c. 1900

The Original Manse

Built in 1893 for $996.58, the manse was razed in 1965.

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1867-1900 | 1901-1981

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