Jasper in Hamilton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Methodist Church of Jasper

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

1. First Methodist Church of Jasper Marker

Inscription. First Methodist Church
of Jasper
Built 1878
Placed on National Register of
Historical Places September 29, 1978
Presented by
Hamilton County
Historical Society

Erected by Hamilton County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 30° 30.891′ N, 82° 56.868′ W. Marker is in Jasper, Florida, in Hamilton County. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue SE and 5th Street SE, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue SE. Marker is located at the southwest corner of the church sanctuary building and may be partially obscured by surrounding shrubs during growing seasons. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jasper FL 32052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 17 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Florida Branch Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Good Old Days (approx. 8.4 miles away); Michael McKenzie Smith (approx. 12.6 miles away);

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Echols County (approx. 13.9 miles away in Georgia); Folklife of the Upper Suwannee (approx. 16.6 miles away); Foodways of the Suwannee (approx. 16.6 miles away); Tradition and Change (approx. 16.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jasper.

Regarding First Methodist Church of Jasper. National Register of Historic Places #78000943.

From the National Register Nomination:
The first Methodist Circuit Rider came to Hamilton County in 1825, but it wasn't until 1847-8 that the Methodist Congregation in Jasper decided that a building was necessary for their Church Services. Oral tradition indicates that a small, log structure was erected at the northwest corner of a lot which is today the oldest part of the city cemetery. The building was apparently destroyed by a hurricane on September 15, 1858. After that disaster, no new structure was constructed by the Methodist Church probably due to the hard times brought on by the Civil War and its aftermath.
In 1878, Dr. Lucian Frink and Mrs. Martha E. Frink donated a lot for the construction of the present building, begun in September of that year. No photographic
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

2. First Methodist Church of Jasper Marker
The marker is mounted on a concrete pedestal.
or written information is available on the configuration of the Church, but oral tradition indicates that it was a small, rectangular, frame building with a belltower centered on the entrance facade. In 1904-5, $1500 were raised for repairs to the church under the pastorate of Reverend S. W. Lawler, Sr. It is probable that these "repairs" consisted of the expansion of the building by the addition of the north and south transepts and the sanctuary. The stained glass windows are also believed to have been added during this time. In 1932-3, a small country church was moved to Jasper and attached to the northeast corner of the building. This section was expanded in 1947. Since 1938, several additional interior remodelings were undertaken completing the building as it is today.

Also see . . . First United Methodist Church (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The First United Methodist Church is a historic Carpenter Gothic church in Jasper, Florida. It is located at 405 Central Avenue, S.W. On September 29, 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as United Methodist Church.

(Submitted on September 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

First Methodist Church of Jasper image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

3. First Methodist Church of Jasper

Southwest corner; the marker is visible at center.

First Methodist Church of Jasper (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

4. First Methodist Church of Jasper (southwest elevation)

First Methodist Church of Jasper (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2018

5. First Methodist Church of Jasper (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.