Florence Alabama Churches 03/29/03

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ALABAMA- FLORENCE, AL- 3/29/03

CHURCHES IN FLORENCE

BETHEL CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH (1888)
On May 27, 1888, this church was established at the courthouse after a commencement sermon at the State Normal College delivered by the Reverend W H Smith. Its initial name was First Missionary Baptist, but in 1910 it became First Baptist. The Florence Land Company gave property and a building was erected and occupied in 1890. That building burned in 1909, only the piano, the pulpit Bible, a pulpit chair and the communion service survived.

Dedication for the next building occurred in 1910. A new sanctuary was constructed in 1963. First Baptist has always been committed to missions in The Shoals and around the world.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH


FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH	FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1818)
The Presbyterians organized the first church in Florence and purchased this property from the Cypress Land Company in 1818. A sanctuary was erected here in 1824. James L Stoss in early Alabama Territory missionary, was installed as the church's first permanent pastor in 1830. Although the church buildings have undergone several expansions and renovations, the present sanctuary occupies the site of the 1824 building... the "mother church" of Florence.

The congregation in 1968 decided to remain an urban church and to continue its historical presence in the heart of Florence.

First Meeting House for First Presbyterian Church, 1890

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (1822)
Established September 8, 1822 in a big house on the west side of town by Reverends John Cox and John Kerr. Cox and wife, Francis Langley, had been affiliated with the Wesleys in England. Second meeting place was in Farmer's Cobbler Shop on West Mobile Street. The third house of worship was built at the present site in 1827. It was replace in 1833, and again in 1904 with a brick structure that burned in1920. Present church was built in 1924 and renovated in 1968.

First Methodist Church building built in 1905. Burned in 1920. Present church on same site.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SAINT PAUL AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH
Organized 1879 from earlier 1840 Congregation. In early 1840's about 14 African-American members from First Methodist formed own congregation "Church Springs" near South Court Street. In 1857, a nearby brick cow shed was converted for its use under Reverend Robin Lightfoot who became a martyr during the Civil War. Site of American Missionary School after Emancipation. Organized as St Paul AME in 1879. relocated to Court and Alabama Streets in 1895. Charles B Handy was early pastor and William W Handy was early leader (father and grandfather to W C Handy.) St Paul relocated again in 1968 to present site.

SAINT PAUL AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH


TABERNACLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH	CALVARY FELLOWSHIP (Originally the Poplar Street Church of Christ, now the Wood Ave Church of Christ (Thank you R Hollander 6'06)


TENNESSEE VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH	TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH	BAPTIST STUDENT CENTER

WOOD AVENUE CHURCH OF CHRIST (1886)
In 1886 a group of Christians began meeting in the home of Susan Thrasher on the northeast corner of Court and Tuscaloosa Streets. For the next four years the group assembled in various rented places until it obtained its own building. The move was made to the southwest corner of Poplar and Tombigbee Streets in September, 1890. That building remained the church's home until March 1, 1970, when it moved to the northeast corner of Wood Avenue and Tuscaloosa Street. The oldest of all in-city Churches of Christ, Wood Avenue has played a significant role in the expansion of the Church of Christ throughout many parts of the world.