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Wakulla United Methodist Church

Church History

This History of the Wakulla United Methodist Church was compiled by Bruce Nesmith Alford. Although lengthy, we span the 19th and 20th Centuries, and as we enter the 21st Century our church continues to grow and is a vital part of our community.

1800's
In the early 1800's the eastern section of Wakulla County was a very busy place. St. Marks and Newport were large shipping ports with Newport being the County Seat. There were many large communities in this area up until the war between the States.

The original site of the Wakulla Methodist Church was directly across the road from its present location, and the original building was large and very attractive. After the Civil War, our community grew smaller, and the old church building deteriorated until it could no longer be heated or used. Church services were held in the school building which was next door to the old church. It was during this time period that the County Seat moved from Newport to its present location in Crawfordville.

In 1852 John Slade, who was known as "The Father of Methodism" and was probably one of the first circuit riders, was pastor of the Wakulla Methodist Church. He was tall, with an athletic build, high forehead and a strong, clear, musical voice. He was described as being very striking in appearance, and it was said that he possessed an intellect of high order and that he resembled Andrew Jackson!

In 1869 Rev. Enoch Giles, a former chaplain in the Confederate Army, was appointed to this area. He lived in Crawfordville and resided in the parsonage there, which at this time was the center of the local circuit.

In 1873 Rev. Author Core was appointed to the Crawfordville circuit. He is remembered as being one of the earliest "Saddlebag Preachers" who rode from St. Augustine to Pensacola.

In 1875-76 Rev. W.C. Collins was appointed to this circuit, and a new parsonage was built during his stay. Up until this time, Rev. Collins had been a member of the Texas Conference.

In 1884 Rev. W.S. Gray was appointed to this area. His purpose was to elevate the status of the local churches from that of a Mission to that of a Circuit. Up until this time local churches belonged to a Mission, which was a group of churches that were unable to meet all of their financial obligations and were supported by the Conference. A Circuit, on the other hand, was a group of churches that joined together for support and did not require financial assistance from the Conference.

In 1886 Rev. G. Lee was appointed. It was during this time that the name of the church Circuit was changed to the Wakulla and Carrabelle Circuit, which now included Carrabelle for the first time. In 1887 Rev. A.O. Hiscock was appointed to the Wakulla-Carrabelle Circuit and was reappointed in 1888.

At the annual Conference meeting in Bartow in January 1889, boundaries were changed, and Wakulla Circuit was separated from Carrabelle. It was at this time that Rev. James O. Barnett was appointed. I am not sure how many years he served, but I do know that he performed the marriage ceremony of Florence Elna Page and George Sessions Nesmith in Woodville in 1899. The Wakulla Church was on the circuit with Woodville and Crawfordville at this time.

Rev. William A. Weir was appointed to the Wakulla Circuit in 1897. He was a young man only 27 years old when he came to this work.

At the annual Conference meeting in December 1898, the boundaries of the Circuit were changed again, this time to include Carrabelle once again. Rev. Junious S. Collier was appointed to serve the Circuit for the year 1899. The Circuit was now known as the Carrabelle and Crawfordville Circuit. The total membership of the Circuit for the year 1899 was 260.

1900's
The new century was ushered in by the new preacher of the Carrabelle-Crawfordville Circuit, Dr. C.S. Claridy. Rev. Claridy was a medical doctor as well as a licensed minister. His services were invaluable to the physical as well the spiritual ills of the people. He served from 1900-1901. Rev. T.M. White was appointed for the year 1902. Little is known about this man, and it is believed that he did not stay the full year.

In 1903 Rev. G.S. Roberts was appointed to the Circuit. He served two years and was greatly loved. He lived in Carrabelle and used both railroad and horseback to travel around to the various churches he served.

In 1905 Crawfordville was placed on the Woodville Circuit, and a parsonage was built in Woodville. Rev. S.T. Coleman was appointed that same year.

In 1909 Rev. Frederick Crowson was appointed to the Circuit. He served four years and lived in the parsonage at Sopchoppy. Also in 1909 the name of the Circuit was changed to the Sopchoppy Circuit. It is reported that there were six churches on the Circuit at this time with a total memebership of 280. Rev. J.E. Sheppard followed Rev. Crowson in 1912, and stayed for one year. A supply preacher, C.E. Smith, followed Rev. Sheppard in 1913. He stayed only four months, leaving in April of that year. Rev. E.T. Breland was appointed in May 1913 to fill out the year vacated by Rev. Smith. Breland was reappointed in 1914, and it is believed that he did not finish out his second year. He was replaced by Rev. S.D. Williams in 1915, who stayed for two years.

Rev. Fred B. Langford was appointed to the Woodville Circuit for the years 1917-18. He was a young man who lived in the parsonage at Woodville and was respected by all who knew him.

In 1919 Rev D.G. McDaniel was appointed and stayed for three years. He was an elderly man, and it was said that he thought there were not enough people attending church to warrent his continuing to preach so he quit. Mrs. George Nesmith, Sr., decided that she could not raise her children in a community where no church services were being held so she contacted those who were in authority in the Conference at that time, Rev. A.E. Householder and Bishop Warren Candler. They sent to this area a blind Evangelist, Rev. Sam A. McCook, his wife, and their teenage son. Rev. McCook brought a large tent, and it was placed just south of the present church site in a large oak grove. A great revival was then held and many souls were saved and brought back to the church.

The following names were on the church role at that time:

Walter Page Sr., Lou Floyd, Bessie Nails, C.J. Posey, Mary Posey, Bryan Page, Fannie Page, Thomas J. Posey, George Branch, H.L. Burnett, Jessie Page, Florence Nesmith, Ida Culbreath, Sallie Dannelly, Lucille Page, Benjamin F. Page, Walter Page Jr., Eugene Page, Bruce Nesmith, Maggie Branch, Harriet Cooper, George Nesmith Sr., George Nesmith Jr., Frank Nesmith, J.W. Stewart, Alonza Stewart, N.F. Ward, Viola Ward, Kate M. Burnett, Sara Jones.

Rev. J.B. Legg was appointed for the year 1922. He was a local man and was not ordained. The churches in the Woodville Mission at that time were Woodville, Crawfordville, Wakulla and Midway with a membership of 230. Rev. Legg stayed through 1924, and in that year Rev. J.D. Duckworth was appointed. He served two years and was loved by all.

In 1923 the School Board built a new school building directly across from the old building, and services were then held in this building.

The Woodville Mission was supplied for the first five months of 1926 by Rev. Earl Hentz who lived in Tallahassee and commuted to his appointments. The churches in the Woodville Mission were reduced in the year 1926 and now included only Woodville and Wakulla. It was also in this year that Rev. M.H. Travis was appointed. Rev. W.W. Robbins was appointed Supply Preacher for the years 1927-29. Rev. Robbins wife was tragically killed in an automobile accident while returning from a Conference meeting in Ft. Myers.

Rev. J.O. Kroff was appointed for the summer of 1929. He was followed by Rev. F.M.C. Eads. Rev. C.F. Starnes was appointed in 1930. Rev. Cullifer was appointed in 1931 and stayed through 1932. Rev. S.E. Ward was appointed in 1933. Rev. J.A. Bridges was appointed in 1934. Rev J.A. Barton was appointed in 1935 and stayed three years.

In 1939 the separate strands of Methodism - the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Methodist Protestant Churches - were united as the Methodist Church.

Rev. A.P. Foster was appointed in 1940. In 1941, due to county school consolidation, the school building that the church was using at the time was let go by the School Board. It was then purchased from the School Board for the sum of $50.00 to be used as a Methodist Church. Sunday School rooms were added, and a piano was purchased. In those days money was scarce (these were late depression days) and the church used many different ways to raise needed funds. Fish Fries, chicken pilafs, bake sales and the sale of vanilla extract (this was done mostly by a dedicated Christian lady, Mrs. B.F. Page, Sr., who was better known as "Miss Fannie"), were all ways in which money was raised in those difficult days. On October 12, 1941 at a Quarterly Conference meeting, the little school building was dedicated as a church with all the services conducted by Rev. Paul A. Fletcher, who at the time was a District Superintendent of the Conference. Also at this time Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oliver donated the property in front of the present church building, and this extra land has enhanced the beautiful, woodsy setting down through the years.

Rev. Preston Trotter was appointed in 1942, and Rev. W.L. Windsor was appointed in 1943. Mrs. Sidney (Clarissa) Linton was the saint who saw that weekly Sunday School classes were held.

Rev. Neal Vause was appointed in 1944. He stayed for six years, longer than any other minister and was loved and respected by all. Rachel Green Oliver says that she was a teenager at this time and it was during Rev. Vause's ministry that she accepted Jesus as Savior and was baptized by Rev. Vause.

At the Annual Conference meeting held in Lakeland in June 1950, the boundry lines were again changed, with Crawfordville and Sopchoppy being placed in a two-churches circuit. Wakulla was combined with Woodville and the circuit was called the Woodville Circuit. The two churches shared a minister and services were held in Wakulla at 10:00 a.m. and then Woodville at 11:00 a.m. The parsonage was located at Woodville, and the two churches were served by student ministers from Florida State University, part-time ministers and retired ministers.

We at Wakulla United Methodist Church feel that our church has helped many young men who were students at F.S.U. on their way to becoming ministers.

Over the next several years the church boundry lines were changed many times. At times the Wakulla church was placed on the Woodville Circuit and at others with the Crawfordville Circuit. It was at this time that Mrs. Bruce (Mary) Cates was a saint in our midst as she witnessed to us about the Lord in her adult Sunday School class.

Rev. Gerald Williams was the student pastor in 1950. While our pastor, he married the pianist at the Woodville church, Nan Page Hall. There were two big weddings in our church in 1951: Thelma Walker and John Watts - and Rachel Greene and Fred Oliver, Jr.

Paul Wragg was the student pastor 1952-53. The wedding of June Greene and Doug Grider was during his stay.

The 1954 pastor was Rev. Paul Smelt; the 1955 Rev. Ivester Pope; 1956-57 Jim Bullard; 1958 Wayne Stutzman; and 1959 Rev. Fletcher Peeler.

Rev. Jim Tompkins was appointed part-time pastor in 1961. His regular job was Chaplain of the Florida Corrections System. It was during his pastorage that Fred Oliver, Jr. accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized by Rev. Tompkins.

Rev. W.L. Windsor was pastor in 1964 and 1965. Rev. and Mrs. Stimson came in 1966 - they were unusually stimulating and enthusiastic.

Then Rev. Al Leggitt came in 1967. In 1968 Rev. W.L. Windsor came again and stayed three years as pastor of the Woodville-Wakulla Charge; the total membership for the charge at that time was 104. It was during this time that J. Lewis Hall, Sr., Attorney, did work clearing right-of-way claims for our church. Beloved George Core was Chairman of the Official Board. Rev. Windsor and his wife Elizabeth, lived in Lamont. Mr. Bruce Cates and Mrs. Florrie Nesmith were two very loved and active laypeople in our congregation. Shirlee Stokes was our organist at this time; and Dr. William W. Roughton was the District Superintendent. Much beauty and comfort was added to the church when Bill Nails has the church carpeted in 1969.

1971 was a milestone for the Wakulla Church. A mobile home was purchased as a parsonage and was placed on the church grounds. Rev. George McCauley, the bagpipe-playing Scotsman, and his lovely wife Marian, were the first to occupy the new parsonage. Rev. McCauley was the first minister ever to actually live in Wakulla. Both George and his wife were loved by all who knew them. The Wakulla Church at that time was part of a 3-church Parish - Wakulla, Crawfordville and Sopchoppy; the Parish concept was coordinated by Rev. Elwyn Burke, pastor of the Woodville Methodist Church. A memorable Revival Service was held in the Fall of 1971 with Rev. Howard Almand of Chaires as guest speaker. It was during this year, also, that a dedicated lady in our church family, Jackie Walker, stepped out in faith and started a choir. It was not difficult to find persons willing to sing, and folding chairs were placed off to one side at the front of the church-our music library consisted of Cokesbury Hymnals. There were eight or ten faithful members, including Bill and Sara Meador, George and Maude Core, Marie Ladd, Marian McAuley, Reynolds and Ouida Vick. Through the years, many other have taken taken part in the music ministry of the church, including all of the Ladd, Vick and Walker children.

In 1972, out of his love for music, Roland Alford, with the help of many others, sponsored the construction of a choir loft, which has been appreciated down through the years. We had a retired pastor, Rev. Leo Chamberlain, with us at that time, and he was a very good carpenter. Although he was quite ill and only stayed at Wakulla for a short period of time, he did much of the actual construction of the choir loft. After Leo's departure, Roland Alford had this work completed. Rev. Mark West, who was a professor at Florida State University, was assigned for the remainder of that year. He lived in Tallahassee with his wife and twin daughters. The church's WSCS funded the choir curtain and the chair curtains in the choir loft.

In March 1973, groundbreaking services were held for the new Youth Building. This was during the ministry of Rev. Mark West. In October of the same year, due to the efforts of Larry Wilson and Roland Alford, and with the help of many others, the building was completed; dedication services were held October 12, 1973 at the annual Homecoming services. The services were conducted by the then pastor Jim Haralson and Rev. Bob Chapman, District Superintendent. The new Youth Building was named in honor of Roland Alford.

The Florida Annual Conference in 1973 approved a License to Preach for our beloved Ralph Masters. Ralph did a lot of lay preaching in our church as he was asked to do from time to time. Thelma Crosby also had a lot of fruitful efforts as she actively helped us in several areas for many years.

Rev. Haralson resigned in February 1972, and Rev. Joedy Smith served in the interim period when we had no resident pastor.

The new pastor who arrived in September 1974 was Rev. Wallis Hurley. He and his wife, Lori, were with us for two years. The youth group at that time was very active under the leadership of Ginger Cook. At Christmas 1974 the choirs of Wakulla and Woodville combined to have a good presentation with music selected by Jackie Walker, Director.

Dr. Ed Harts served as pastor in 1976 until Rev. Skip Parvin arrived. Revival services held this year had Rev. Howard Almand of Carrabelle as guest speaker. Our District Superintendent at this time was Dr. Al Vaught. The pastor in 1977 was Rev. Fred Jones. In 1978 we had Rev. David Harper and wife, Jennie, as parsonage family. Rev. Al Leggett served for a short time after David. The Parish concept at this time was coordinated by Rev. Larry Hotchkiss of Crawfordville.

Rev. Paul Kelly and his lovely wife, Janie, moved into our parsonage June 1979. They stayed until June 1982. The youth of our church participated in the Parish Youth Choir, which presented "Here Comes the Son". Our youth also sang on tour with the Parish Youth Choir. In 1980 the Wakulla United Methodist Church was named Rural Church of the Year at the Annual Conference Meeting. A very special event in our midst was the arrival of little J.J., who was born to our parsonage family, which already consisted of Paul, Janie and Casey. The Kelly family were very special to all of us.

In June 1982 Rev. Earl Jacobs came to the Wakulla Church as pastor. Then during the years 1983-84, the Wakulla United Methodist Church and the Crawfordville United Methodist Church shared the same pastor, Rev. Clark Edwards, and operated as two separate churches. The Wakulla Church had Sunday morning services at 9:30, and the Crawfordville Church at 11:00. In 1983 the choirs of the two churches combined at Christmas and presented a beautiful singing presentation of "The Reason for the Season" with Jackie Walker, Director: Mary Updegraff, Pianist; and Ed Olson, Narrator. The cantata was presented at the Wakulla United Methodist Church, the Crawfordville United Methodist Church and the St. Marks Baptist Church.

Some outstanding events in 1984 were: Elmer Barbree began assisting the pastor in our worship services; Mrs. Jack (Beryl) Millward drew a beautiful picture of the church for the bulletin covers; new modern windows were put in our church; and our youth made a trip to Leesburg and Passion Play.

In 1985 a dream of the members of the Wakulla United Methodist Church came true. Edwin Culbreath graciously donated his old home to be used as a parsonage in memory of his beloved parents, Ida and Newton Culbreath. June 9, 1985 was Parsonage Dedication Day. Rev. Clark Edwards and Dr. Tom Mitchell (District Superintendent) led this special service. Edwin Culbreath and daughter, Judy Culbreath, were in attendance, and it was a glorious day for them as well as members of our congregation!

Rev. Howard Almand came as pastor to the Wakulla United Methodist Church in a semi-retired status in 1985. He and his lovely wife, Hazel, were the first occupants of our parsonage that Mr. Culbreath donated. Rev. Almand had a special charisma and what a loving, caring shepherd he was to us. In 1985 a U.M.W. group was organized with Hazel Almand as the first President. Rev. and Mrs. Almand were with us for two years and then completely retired to Carrabelle, Florida in June 1987. One of the tremendous happenings at our church during the Almand's stay was the Lay Witness Mision Weekend held in November 1986. Tom Whitaker and his Lay Witness Team led our church through a wonderful weekend of sharing God's love and committing more of our lives to Him.

June 1987 was another milestone for the Wakulla United Methodist Church. We became a full station church with the first full-time pastor, Rev. Richard Jones. The financial part of this was a real step of faith for the membership of 72. Several accomplishments to the beauty and enhancement of the church facility have been the expanding the pulpit area, the new alter rail, two new front doors, pew cushions, new carpet in the sanctuary and a special ramp at the front of the church. One of the blessings of having Rev Jones has been his song specials from time to time that have added a lot to the worship service.

Special notes from the writer:

The records of the Wakulla United Methodist Church were not always kept and some have been lost down through the years, so the dates given here may not always be completely accurate. Some of the information for the pre-Civil War period was gleaned from William Brooks' "From Saddlebags to Satellites" and "Where Cross The Crowded Ways, A History of the Crawfordville Methodist Church" for the pre-Civil War information. Most of the other information is from memory and from records of the Wakulla United Methodist Church. I am indebted to Eddie Page for the tremendous help he has been to me in preparing this history and I'm also indebted to the others who have come by and picked up my material, read it and added some of their recollections.

The Wakulla United Methodist Church and our church family meant a lot to me over the years and always will - it is my sincere hope that this history will be of interest and help to the current and future members of our beloved church.

Bruce Nesmith Alford, August 29, 1988

Richard Jones stayed at the church until June 1989. Rev. Jones was not married at the time but his wonderful friend Gail Christy was always there. She lived in Tallahassee and was instrumental in helping us keep the UMW strong. After she left the group dissolved.

In June 1989 the church was blessed with the arrival of Rev. Lister Grant and his wife Naomi. They were a wonderful inspiration to the church and stayed with us until June 1993.

Rev. Bill Brisbin and his wife Fran came to us in June 1993 and stayed one year. This was a rough year for our church. Our beloved Jackie Walker became ill and was not able to play the piano. Leah Pearson would leave her church, the Woodville UMC, and play for us often. Rev. Brisbin was instrumental in getting the Share Program started in Wakulla County with our church being the host site.

In June 1994, Rev. Marvin Bechtal and his wife Veronica arrived and gave of their talents and leadership. They stayed with us until June 1996. The church started once again to grow and thrive. In August 1995, we lost our beloved Bruce Alford. She and her late husband Roland left their home and surrounding land to the church. Bro. Marvin and Veronica were the first to occupy our new parsonage, which is located across the street from the church. The old parsonage donated by Edwin Culbreath was sold and the funds placed in certificates as "seed money" for what is now our Log Sanctuary. Bro. Marvin retired for health reasons and moved to his home in Otto, N.C.

In June 1996, Rev. John Hope, wife Laura and daughter Cheryl moved into the parsonage. It was really great having our first teenager living there. Under Bro. John's wonderful ministry and leadership the church exploded. We quickly outgrew the facilities and we began plans to build a new Sanctuary. After months of planning the Congregation voted to build the beautiful new Log Sanctuary. As we grew in numbers we also grew spiritually. The first service was held in the new sanctuary on June 12, 1998. Jackie donated the piano that is now in use in the new church and we are so thankful that she had the honor of playing it for the first few months. Jackie passed away in August 1999.

2000
Rev. John Hope left the church at the end of July to accept a position as Chaplain at the State Prison here in Wakulla County.

Pastor John Peavey, his wife Marti, daughter Joie and son Trae arrived the 1st of September to serve our church.