Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of the First Methodist Church of Pensacola/Site of the San Carlos Hotel
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 10, 2014
1. Site of the First Methodist Church of Pensacola Marker
(Side 1)
Pensacola's first Methodist congregation was established in 1821 by Alexander Talley, M.D. It met in a series of small, wood frame churches until 1881, when construction of a three-story, Romanesque Revival sanctuary was begun on this site. Services began here in 1884, but the building was not completed until 1890. The handsome red brick bell tower and gabled entrance portico of the church marked this corner of Palafox Street until 1909, when the property was sold and the congregation moved to larger facilities on East Wright Street.
(Side2)
The imposing, seven-story structure opened on this site in 1910 as the city's largest and most elegant hotel. Designed by the well known New York architect W.L. Stoddard, it was built by the local firm of C.H. Turner Construction Co. at a cost of $500,000. Its simple masonry design was embellished with Renaissance Revival exterior details. It was extensively “modernized” and expanded from 157 to 403 rooms in the 1920s, and continued to dominate the Palafox streetscape for the next 50 years. Increasing competition and gradual deterioration led to its closing in 1982. It was demolished in 1993.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 30° 24.793′ N, 87° 12.942′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is at the intersection of North Palafox Street and West Garden Street (Business U.S. 98), on the right when traveling south on North Palafox Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 North Palafox Street, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Garden Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Pensacola Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (within shouting distance of this marker); Pensacola's Catholic Presence (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Michael’s Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chase Street (about 400 feet away); First Jewish House of Worship in Florida (about 700 feet away); Morrison Family Homestead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gen. Andrew Jackson Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for San Carlos Hotel.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 10, 2014
2. Site of the San Carlos Hotel Marker
2. Pensapedia wiki entry for the First Methodist Church of Pensacola. (Submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 10, 2014
3. U.S. Federal Courthouse in background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 10, 2014
4. Marker Area
Public Domain (due to date)
5. The San Carlos Hotel (circa 1910's)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on September 4, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
