Kissimmee in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Wesley Memorial Church
Photographed By Diane Murphy, November 8, 2023
1. Wesley Memorial Church Marker
placed on the
National Register of
Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Erected 1994.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 28° 17.763′ N, 81° 24.386′ W. Marker is in Kissimmee, Florida, in Osceola County. Marker is at the intersection of West Sproule Avenue and Mitchell Street, on the right when traveling east on West Sproule Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 W Sproule Ave, Kissimmee FL 34741, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Standard Oil Filling Station (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tree Firemark (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Endurance Run (approx. 0.2 miles away); Monument of The States (approx. 0.3 miles away); Young and Nora Tindall (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alexander Edwin and Nancy Temperance Partin Whaley (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry Tolle and Ruby Fletcher Simmons (approx.
this page online
Also see . . . Old Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. National Archives Catalog-NRHP (Submitted on November 27, 2023.)
Additional commentary.
1. Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
The history of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church begins with the arrival of Mr. Anthony Tress from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He came to Kissimmee in the fall of 1895 on account of poor health and before the end of the year, a Mass was celebrated at the Tropical Hotel by a Jesuit Father from Tampa. Following the arrival of his wife, Annie and two children in 1898, a defunct bank building was used 3 times a year for Mass services. There was only one other Catholic family in town.
Rev. Hugo Paff, brother of Mrs. Tress, on a visit in 1901, saw the need for vestments and other items necessary for the saying of Mass and presented her with them. Pews, kneelers and an altar were built by her father-in-law and the tabernacle was built by her husband. Over the next few years, more Catholic families arrived in Kissimmee and the congregation
Photographed By Diane Murphy, November 7, 2023
2. Wesley Memorial Church Marker
In the summer of 1911, lots were purchased on Sproule Avenue and fundraising began for the construction of the first Catholic Church building in Kissimmee. On May 5, 1912, the cornerstone was laid for the little brick Gothic-style church which would seat 175 people. The first Mass was said on June 30, 1912 in the newly built $7,000 church but it still lacked pews and electricity. The following year electric lights were installed; in 1915, pews were added and four statues were acquired in 1918. The first burial service from the church was in 1914 and the first marriage took place in 1915.
The arrival of Disney World also saw the increase in the number of Catholic visitors so there was a need for a larger church. The little church was sold to the First United Methodist Church in 1972 and the new Holy Redeemer Church was completed in November 1973. The First United Methodist Church still owns the old Catholic church building but only uses it occasionally. —National Historic Register - January 3, 1994
— Submitted November 8, 2023, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida.
Photographed By Diane Murphy, November 2023
3. Wesley Memorial Church Marker
Photographed By Diane Murphy, November 2023
4. Wesley Memorial Church Marker
Photographed By Diane Murphy, November 2023
5. Wesley Memorial Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2023, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 8, 2023, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
