The Wonderful Charm of an Old Country Church
Something is charming about driving a country road and finding an old country church just around the bend in the road—small white chapels with stained glass windows nestled under a moss-draped canopy of live oaks. If you listen closely you can hear the faint sound of wind chimes in the gentle breeze.
Methodist Churches
The United Methodist Church in Florahomme, Florida says this is “The Friendly Little Church on the Side of the Road”. Seriously it says that on their sign. They hold Sunday morning service at 11AM.
Episcopal Churches
Country churches such as the Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, Florida have seen some history and have stood since the turn of the century. Complete with a bell tower and a white picket fence, Trinity Episcopal built in 1885 still stands as a reflection of a bygone era.
Churches such as these generally see an older congregation. A congregation that has attended marriages, baptisms, communions, and funerals all in the same church. Patrons draw their strength during hard times in these gathering spots and they still bring people together in a spirit of fellowship. New churches have become larger and have developed youthful music, and programs that attract younger folks.
As you enter the small town of Micanopy just south of Gainesville, you will pass by the Church of the Mediator Episcopal Church. This place of worship was built in 1874 as a Presbyterian church but since 1966 has been an Episcopal church. It is a contributing property in the Micanopy Historic District.
Sitting on a hill overlooking the Indian River, the All Saints Episcopal Church in Jensen Beach is the oldest church in Martin County, Florida. If you are a visitor to Jensen Beach, they welcome you to Sunday services held at 8 AM and 10 AM. All Saints has 30 stained glass windows and is renowned for its Carpenter Gothic architecture.
Roser Community Church – Anna Maria Island
The Roser Community Church on Anna Maria Island was designed as a community church and open to all visitors, it was funded by Charles Roser, an early resident and successful businessman credited as the inventor of the Fig Newton. The church was designed and built in the spring of 1913 and was donated to the people of Anna Maria Island, with the stipulation that it should always be the community’s church, not that of any particular religious denomination.
Carpenter Gothic Country Churches
Carpenter Gothic such as the churches listed is a style of architecture that involves architectural details on wooden structures that try to replicate features originally carved in stone. In earlier days, Florida had plenty of Southern pine forests – and also an abundance of carpenters who were church members. The results were often charming, historic structures.
Most of these churches still welcome visitors for Sunday service like the Orange Heights Baptist Church in Alachua County, Florida. The town of Orange Heights built the first Baptist Church in this small community of farmers and orange growers in 1912. This church moved to this location from its original site.
Christ Church is an Episcopal church in St. Simons, Georgia. It is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. Christ Church is also one of the most popular sites on the island.
Shall we gather at the river, or in this case the mountain creek? Dick’s Creek Baptist Church is located in Jackson County, North Carolina just west of Dillsboro off Highway 74.
What is it that makes these places of worship so enticing? Maybe it’s the old-time religion or the congregational singing. Maybe it’s the coming together of townsfolk every Sunday morning to share stories from the past week or to pray for those that couldn’t make it to services. It could be the covered dish dinner on the grounds under the shade of century-old live oak trees. Perhaps it is the life lessons that are learned that keep people coming back.
These are just a small sample of the churches that have caught my attention in my travels. In addition, I know that there are plenty more out there. As I travel the back roads of Florida, I will add to this list as I come across them. If you know of a church that would fit into this post, drop me a comment.
