Homeland Methodist Church

Homeland Methodist Church. Homeland Heritage Park. , Building a Suitable Church , The Homeland Methodist Church was established in 1875 and was originally called Bethel Methodist Church. The Bethel Methodist Church stood about a half mile west of where the present church currently sits, and was a crude structure without refinements or ornamentation. In 1887, the charter members of the church decided it was time to build a more suitable building. They began construction of the Homeland Methodist Church on property just about 500 feet south of its present location. The congregation contributed their time, effort, and materials to the building of the church. It took two years to build and was completed in 1889. , , The Steeple , The first steeple, made of wood, featured a spire that was created by James B. “Grandpa” Crum. According to one of his descendants, “Grandpa” Crum meticulously carved the spire atop the wooden shingled steeple. Unfortunately, this steeple was knocked over during a hurricane in 1946. The toppled steeple was too expensive to be rebuilt to its original height, so it was squared off and had a cross set upon it. An aluminum, replicating the shape and height of the original, replaced the storm-damaged one in October of 1990. , , Donation to Park , The church served Homeland until the mid-1970s when it was closed. It was donated to the Polk County Board of County Commissioners by Mr. And Mrs. Casey Fletcher and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wilson, and subsequently donated to the park on May 1, 1986.