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

Methodist Episcopal Church

— The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription.

Methodist Episcopal Church. . You are on the grounds of a once-gated campus/ resort opened in 1885 for the annual, multi-week Florida Chautauqua Assembly. Leaders wanted guests to connect with whatever faith they felt comfortable during their stay and arranged or facilitated construction of four churches on these grounds which included Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians. , , The First United Methodist Church was originally built in 1887 just north of this site and served as The Methodist Episcopal Church (northern branch). The original building was the first completed church on the grounds of the Florida Chautauqua resort/ campus to spiritually support Assembly guests. Leaders of this church were also leaders of the Florida Chautauqua Association, the organization which managed the resort/ campus and led the Assembly. The church was placed on these grounds in the center of many of the Chautauqua activities from 1887 until 1928, the last known Assembly on the resort/ campus. , , Around 1900, a second church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South denomination was established outside the grounds on Highway 90 (Nelson Avenue). In 1901, the northern branch on the campus / resort burned down and was rebuilt at this current location. In 1907, the two congregations merged, and members used this building exclusively as The First Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The church continued to serve as a central location for many Chautauqua Assembly events. In 1967, 32 years after the resort/ campus officially discontinued operations, the congregation decided a larger church was needed and replaced the building with this brick structure keeping the original stained-glass windows, chapel arches, chapel pews and the church bell below the steeple. Some of the original stained-glass windows in the chapel are dedicated to founding members of the Florida Chautauqua Association. , (caption) , This photo shows Civil War veterans leaving the First Methodist Episcopal Church to attend a Veterans Day Celebration at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood across the street during on of the original assemblies.

You are on the grounds of a once-gated campus/ resort opened in 1885 for the annual, multi-week Florida Chautauqua Assembly. Leaders wanted guests to connect with whatever faith they felt comfortable during their stay and arranged or facilitated construction of four churches on these grounds which included Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians.

The First United Methodist Church was originally built in 1887 just north of this site and served as The Methodist Episcopal Church (northern branch). The original building was the first completed church on the grounds of the Florida Chautauqua resort/ campus to spiritually support Assembly guests. Leaders of this church were also leaders of the Florida Chautauqua Association, the organization which managed the resort/ campus and led the Assembly. The church was placed on these grounds in the center of many of the Chautauqua activities from 1887 until 1928, the last known Assembly on the resort/ campus.

Around 1900, a second church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South denomination was established outside the grounds on Highway 90 (Nelson Avenue). In

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1901, the northern branch on the campus / resort burned down and was rebuilt at this current location. In 1907, the two congregations merged, and members used this building exclusively as The First Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The church continued to serve as a central location for many Chautauqua Assembly events. In 1967, 32 years after the resort/ campus officially discontinued operations, the congregation decided a larger church was needed and replaced the building with this brick structure keeping the original stained-glass windows, chapel arches, chapel pews and the church bell below the steeple. Some of the original stained-glass windows in the chapel are dedicated to founding members of the Florida Chautauqua Association.
(caption)
This photo shows Civil War veterans leaving the First Methodist Episcopal Church to attend a Veterans Day Celebration at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood across the street during on of the original assemblies.

Erected by Florida Department of State and the City of DeFuniak Springs. (Marker Number #12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

• Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 30° 43.007′ N, 86° 6.97′ W. Marker is in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in Walton County. It is at the intersection of Circle Drive and West Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Circle Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 Circle Dr, 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: The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Tabernacle (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida Education Association: The Beginning (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Recreation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The DeFuniak Library (about 600 feet away); Walton-DeFuniak Library (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeFuniak Springs.

Also see . . .
1. 12 Methodist Episcopal Church. (Submitted on April 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Florida Chautauqua Association - Our History. (Submitted on April 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Walking Tour Overview. (Submitted on April 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.