DeFuniak Springs in Walton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Presbyterian Church

The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. The First Presbyterian Church was established in November 1883 more than a year before the Chautauqua resort/campus grounds opened in 1885. Its members first met in a modest log cabin on Nelson Avenue between Second and Third Streets, moving at least three more times prior to completing a church structure on the campus/ resort grounds around 1890. The original building was made of brick provided by Frederick DeFuniak, long time chief engineer of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad after whom the City of DeFuniak Springs, Florida was later named. The plot of land on which this church sets was donated by leaders of the Florida Chautauqua.

The First Presbyterian congregation outgrew the brick edifice by the early 1920s, and its red brick façade was demolished. The replacement building was built in 1923 of petrilite, a concrete product manufactured locally, at a cost of $45,000.

(caption) Presbyterian Church, DeFuniak Springs, Fla.

Erected by Florida Department of State and the City of DeFuniak Springs. (Marker Number #17.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places •

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Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1885.

Location. 30° 43.193′ N, 86° 6.778′ W. Marker is in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in Walton County. It is at the intersection of Circle Drive and South 7th Street, on the right when traveling west on Circle Drive. Located directly across from the First Presbyterian Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1063 Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs FL 32435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Train Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker

(about 500 feet away); Tented Classrooms (about 500 feet away); Chautauqua Tourism (about 500 feet away); Railroad Pedestrian Crossing (about 500 feet away); Florida's First Confederate Monument (about 600 feet away); Hotel Chautauqua (about 700 feet away); Walton County Confederate Monument (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeFuniak Springs.

Also see . . .
1. First Presbyterian Church/DeFuniak Springs, FL. (Submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Florida Chautauqua Association - Our History. (Submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Walking Tour Overview. (Submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. First Presbyterian Church

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.