Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery
"White Lilly Cemetery"
— 1892 —
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013
1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island and Community Cemetery. "White Lilly Cemetery". Established in 1892, the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Merritt Island was the first African Methodist Episcopal church on North Tropical Trail, located on land James R. Ragan originally acquired through the Homestead Act in 1895. The wooden church sat on brick piers close to the road and was referred to as “The Little Church on Courtenay.” Church pews were made of rough-hewn cypress, worn smooth from years of wear, and lined with fans advertising an insurance company. In front of a small altar was the communion rail, a 4 ft. section of 2x4 wood. Rev. Lawrence Walton was one of the church's first pastors. Rev. L.R. Catlin, Jr. was the pastor when a cornerstone was added in 1959 and the congregation of 49 included many grove workers. After 76 years of use, the church burned down in 1968. The adjacent cemetery was originally known as the “White Lilly Cemetery.” Graves date back to the early 1900s with many unidentified. Among pioneer families buried here are the Gillins, McDonald, Williams and Anderson. Renamed the Bethel-Greater Mount Olive A.M.E. Church Community Cemetery, it is still in use and managed by the Greater Mount Olive A.M.E. Church, Merritt Island.
Established in 1892, the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Merritt Island was the first African Methodist Episcopal church on North Tropical Trail, located on land James R. Ragan originally acquired through the Homestead Act in 1895. The wooden church sat on brick piers close to the road and was referred to as “The Little Church on Courtenay.” Church pews were made of rough-hewn cypress, worn smooth from years of wear, and lined with fans advertising an insurance company. In front of a small altar was the communion rail, a 4 ft. section of 2x4 wood. Rev. Lawrence Walton was one of the church's first pastors. Rev. L.R. Catlin, Jr. was the pastor when a cornerstone was added in 1959 and the congregation of 49 included many grove workers. After 76 years of use, the church burned down in 1968. The adjacent cemetery was originally known as the “White Lilly Cemetery.” Graves date back to the early 1900s with many unidentified. Among pioneer families buried here are the Gillins, McDonald, Williams and Anderson. Renamed the Bethel-Greater Mount Olive A.M.E. Church Community Cemetery, it is still in use and managed by the Greater Mount Olive A.M.E. Church, Merritt Island.
Erected 2011 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the Florida
Location. 28° 26.523′ N, 80° 43.038′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is at the intersection of North Tropical Trail and Northgrove Drive, on the left when traveling north on North Tropical Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4725 North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Merritt Island & Community Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013
3. White Lilly Cemetery
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 31, 2013
4. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Trustees
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 28, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.