Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Stewart Memorial Methodist Church
554 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
| — | Black Heritage Trail | — |
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, January 7, 2026
1. Stewart Memorial Methodist Church Marker
Church officials trace the church's beginnings to 1893 and the Reverend Thomas Hamilton Beb (H.B.) Walker, who was only 20 at the time. Later earning a Doctor of Divinity, he pastored several Methodist Episcopal churches in Florida. He authored many books and poems, such as "The Unknown Man" published in 1915 in Deland. Walker spent much of his time in France (studying/lecturing). Italy, Germany and Liberia. He was honored with the degree of Light Commander by the Republic of Liberia for his work.
It is not known where the church held its first meetings but in 1895, a small, white building at Second Avenue (now Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune Boulevard) and Pearl Street was built with funds donated by the Reverend M. L. Stewart, a retired Methodist minister who wintered in Daytona Beach. The building was named Stewart Chapel in his honor.
In the 1920s, the original structure was demolished, and construction began on a new building. Completion of the new building was delayed by a storm in 1926 which damaged the partially finished walls. The two-story building finally completed in 1936, contained a sanctuary choir room, Sunday school, dining room, kitchen and pastor's study. Stewart Memorial Methodist Church has had more than 40 pastors over the years.
In 1973, Stewart Memorial moved to a new facility and the vacated building was sold to the city of Daytona Beach and converted into the Richard V. Moore Community Center. Dr. Moore was president of Bethune-Cookman College from 1947-1974 and continued to work as a tireless civic leader until his death in 1994.
Timeline
1893 Founded by Rev Thomas H.B. Walker
1895 Stewart Chapel constructed
1920’s Stewart Chapel demolished
1936 New (Current) Structure Constructed
1973 Oldest After-School Program in the Daytona Area.
Erected by City
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 29° 12.793′ N, 81° 1.776′ W. Marker is in Daytona Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. It is on Doctor Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard 0.2 miles west of North Lincoln Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 554 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach FL 32114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, January 7, 2026
2. Stewart Memorial Methodist Church Marker
Also see . . .
1. Stewart Memorial: Serving community for 126 years . (Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
2. African American Heritage . (Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
