Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church
Photographed By Jay Kravetz, October 29, 2015
1. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church Marker
Inscription.
Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church. . , St. Augustine had no Protestant church when it became an American town in 1821. At first a united Protestant church was favored. Many denominations sent missionaries such as Presbyterian Eleazer Lathrop, who first arrived in 1821. By October, 1823, the few resident Presbyterians had decided to build their own church. Rev. Wm. McWhir arrived to organize the congregation. In 1824, the First Presbyterian Church was constituted and a cornerstone was laid for a structure. That church, which was located on St. George Street, housed Florida's first formally constituted Presbyterian congregation until 1890.
(continued on reverse side).
(continued from other side). Henry M. Flagler, whose efforts greatly aided the opening of the east Florida coast for development, built the Memorial Presbyterian Church in memory of his daughter, Jennie Flagler Benedict, who died tragically in 1889. He presented the magnificent Venetian Renaissance style structure to the First Presbyterian Church. Upon moving in to the new building in 1890, the congregation took the name Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of their benefactor. The remains of Henry Flagler lie beside those of his first wife, Mary, and his daughter in the mausoleum.
St. Augustine had no Protestant church when it became an American town in 1821. At first a united Protestant church was favored. Many denominations sent missionaries such as Presbyterian Eleazer Lathrop, who first arrived in 1821. By October, 1823, the few resident Presbyterians had decided to build their own church. Rev. Wm. McWhir arrived to organize the congregation. In 1824, the First Presbyterian Church was constituted and a cornerstone was laid for a structure. That church, which was located on St. George Street, housed Florida's first formally constituted Presbyterian congregation until 1890.
(continued on reverse side)
(continued from other side)
Henry M. Flagler, whose efforts greatly aided the opening of the east Florida coast for development, built the Memorial Presbyterian Church in memory of his daughter, Jennie Flagler Benedict, who died tragically in 1889. He presented the magnificent Venetian Renaissance style structure to the First Presbyterian Church. Upon moving in to the new building in 1890, the congregation took the name Memorial Presbyterian Church in honor of their benefactor. The remains of Henry Flagler lie beside those of his first wife, Mary, and his daughter in the mausoleum.
Erected 1974
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by St. Johns County Historical Commission in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-223.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. 29° 53.612′ N, 81° 19.006′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. Marker is at the intersection of Valencia Street and Sevilla Street, on the right when traveling west on Valencia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 Valencia Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church Marker, newly repainted.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 2, 2016
4. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church Marker reverse, newly repainted.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020
5. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020
6. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church Marker
Photographed By Jay Kravetz, June 6, 2017
7. Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 7. submitted on July 31, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.