top of page
Historic Florida Churches
By Joy Sheffield Harris


St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eau Gallie
St. John’s Episcopal Church parish was founded in 1890. But the church was not built until 1879. The first services were held Feb 20,...

Joy Harris
Jan 16, 20251 min read


Union Church Avon Park
Union Church, also referred to as Union Congregational Church and Union Evangelical Church, was the first church built in Avon Park...

Joy Harris
Jan 15, 20251 min read


Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-The -Sea
The original church constructed in 1889 on the eastern shore of Lake Worth was the first Protestant church building in southeast Florida....

Joy Harris
Jan 14, 20251 min read


First Presbyterian Church, Dade City
Located in the Church Street Historic District of Dade City this Victorian Revival style church was built in the 1890's.

Joy Harris
Jan 13, 20251 min read


Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Located in Jacksoville, the original Basilica of the Immaculate Conception was destroyed by Union troops duriing the Civil War. The 2nd...

Joy Harris
Jan 11, 20251 min read


Community Chapel of Melbourne Beach
Community Chapel of Melbourne is located in Brevard County. The first services were held on January 10, 1892.

Joy Harris
Jan 10, 20251 min read


St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg
St. James Episcopal Church was initially constructed in 1889 in the Carpenter Gothic style.

Joy Harris
Jan 9, 20251 min read


United Methodist Welaka
The 1895 freeze in Florida severely impacted Welaka's economy, forcing many residents to move elsewhere for employment. It took several...

Joy Harris
Jan 8, 20251 min read


Alachua United Methodist Church
In 1822, John J. Triggs was sent as a Methodist missionary to a new mission called Alapaha. This mission extended from south Georgia into...

Joy Harris
Jan 7, 20251 min read


Grace United Methodist Church, Lawtey
Located in Bradford County, this delightful church features a Victorian Revival style with four gables and cathedral glass windows.

Joy Harris
Jan 6, 20251 min read


McIntosh Presbyterian Church
McIntosh Presbyterian Church was built in 1907. William Henry Belk of Belk Department Store was a frequent winter visitor and lent...

Joy Harris
Jan 4, 20251 min read


St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Located in Historic Titusville.
In 1887, construction of a church was begun on land donated to the Titusville Episcopal mission by Mary Titus, wife of the town's...

Joy Harris
Jan 3, 20251 min read


Tangerine Community Church aka Congregational Church
The town of Tangerine was established in 1879 and this little white church was soon consructed. It still stands today.

Joy Harris
Dec 30, 20241 min read


Old St. Ann’s Church
Dedicated March 15, 1896, on the southeast corner of Rosemary & Datura Streets. In 1902 it was moved to North Olive Street on land...

Joy Harris
Dec 29, 20241 min read


Alva United Methodist Episcopal
Built in 1903 the Alva United Methodist Church lost its steeple in a 2017 hurricane. The bell remained intact and a 40-foot steeple was...

Joy Harris
Dec 28, 20241 min read


Saint Agatha’s Episcopal Church, DeFuniak Springs
Nestled among the rolling hills of Florida's panhandle, DeFuniak Springs was once referred to as the “Adirondacks of Western Florida”. In...

Joy Harris
Dec 27, 20241 min read


St. James Episcopal Church Perry
Constructed in the early 1900s with assistance from the Episcopal ladies of Perry. These women decided to fundraise for a chapel, and...

Joy Harris
Dec 26, 20241 min read


Kanapaha Presbyterian Church
In 1857, a group of Sea Island cotton planters from South Carolina who steeled near here called an organizational meeting to establish...

Joy Harris
Dec 23, 20241 min read


First Presbyterian, Wewahitchka
The First Presbyterian Church of Wewahitchka was initially St. John’s Episcopal. Constructed around 1895, it was consecrated by the Right...

Joy Harris
Dec 21, 20241 min read


Trinity Episcopal Church Melrose
In 1881, the Rev. Mr. Franklin of St. John’s Episcopal Chapel in Earleton led the service that began Trinity Church. The congregants met...

Joy Harris
Dec 20, 20242 min read
bottom of page