Islamorada in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Matecumbe Methodist Church

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 6, 2025

1. Matecumbe Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Matecumbe Methodist Church memorializes the determination and vision of the three pioneer families who labored to settle and organize the first community on Upper Matecumbe Key. These families were the Russells, Pinders and Parkers.

The early settlers on Upper Matecumbe were tied together by their Methodist faith. They began worshiping together in their homes. In 1891, Richard Pinder organized the first Sunday School. In 1894, he oversaw the building of their first wood frame church. By 1897 the decision was made to move the church to a more central location. It was transferred by rafts and moved to the spot on what is currently Cheeca Lodge. A cemetery was put in and still remains.

A devastating hurricane hit Islamorada on 2 Sept 1935. Many perished and not one structure on the island was left undamaged, including the original church. Soon after the storm, survivors gathered on the site where the church once stood, and decided to rebuild it as quickly as possible. Hugh Matheson donated land on higher ground, where the church now sits. The congregation grew and in 1957 this church was built in the same location.

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Descendants of the pioneer families, who began worshiping together over 125 years ago, still worship together in this church today.

This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 24° 55.032′ N, 80° 38.131′ W. Marker is in Islamorada, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Old Highway north of Johnston Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 81831 Overseas Highway, Islamorada FL 33036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American 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

Matecumbe Methodist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 6, 2025

2. Matecumbe Methodist Church and Marker

the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hurricane Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1935 Hurricane (within shouting distance of this marker); The Florida Keys Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Helen Wadley Branch Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Sweeting House (about 500 feet away); Hurricane Houses (about 600 feet away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Green Turtle Inn (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Islamorada.

Also see . . . Matecumbe Methodist Church History. (Submitted on July 7, 2025.)

Matecumbe Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 6, 2025

3. Matecumbe Methodist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.