Florida church celebrates 175 years of worship

On Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, people of the community of Florida, Mo., took a step back in time to celebrate a tradition of worship and fellowship that has been the spirit of the community for 175 years. It was on Saturday, the ninth day of November 1833, that Jacob Lanius, a young circuit riding preacher, opened a two-day meeting in the town of Florida. According to United Methodist Church archives, he received several additions and constituted a church of 14 members. Their names, along with the early church records, were lost when the original church burned some time before the summer of 1897. What is known about the early church history comes primarily from newspaper accounts. These tell us that the first church building was log. Since the Methodist circuit rider might only make it around to each of his churches once a month, other denominations used the same building to hold their church services - black residents of Florida, Presbyterians, reformers and Baptists held occasional preaching there as well as Methodists. On Oct. 31, 1897, a new church building was dedicated to replace the one that had burned. The Monroe County Appeal reported:
“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. 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 organi zations in the county.”
Today, there are two active churches in Florida, Mo. - the Florida Presbyterian Church, organized in 1869, and the Florida United Methodist Church. The two churches have worshipped together for many years to help keep the faith and tradition alive. The congregations maintain their own identities, but with the help of lay preachers, continue to worship together. The Methodist service is held on the first and third Sunday each month, while the Presbyterian service is held on the second and fourth Sunday.
The Homecoming Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Florida Methodist Church was held on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, exactly 175 years to the day from when the young circuit riding preacher Jacob Lanius came to Florida and organized its first Methodist Church. Morning worship services were held in the church building, now 111 years old, and a catfish dinner, desserts, cake and punch, and afternoon worship services were held outside under a large tend. In spite of the chilly weather, 125 people came to share in the traditions of worship and the historic good food and fellowship for which Florida is known.