LaGrange in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
LaGrange Community Church
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 22, 2016
1. LaGrange Community Church Marker
Inscription.
LaGrange Community Church. . Founded by Tom Johnson Cockshutt in 1869, this was the first organized Protestant Church on the East Coast of Florida between New Smyrna and Key West. Tom donated land for a cemetery and built a small log structure located on what is now the northern part of LaGrange Cemetery. It was used as a public meeting place, church, and the first public school in Brevard County. In 1872 a two-story structure of vertical logs was built on the present site. The first floor was used as a church and the second floor for public meetings and a schoolhouse. In 1893 the second story was removed, a bay window was added between the two front doors, and horizontal boards were placed over the vertical logs, encompassing the old structure within the walls of the new. Depicted on one of the eight memorial windows are the names of those who built the church: J.N. Feaster; J.C.C. Feaster; Tom J. Cockshutt; W.S. Norwood; B.J. Mims; R. Singleton; and W.P. Day. The first ordained pastor was W.N. Chaudoin from 1871-1904. Several other congregations were formed from this small church that included: First Presbyterian of Titusville; Mims Methodist Church; and Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Mims.
Founded by Tom Johnson Cockshutt in 1869, this was the first organized Protestant Church on the East Coast of Florida between New Smyrna and Key West. Tom donated land for a cemetery and built a small log structure located on what is now the northern part of LaGrange Cemetery. It was used as a public meeting place, church, and the first public school in Brevard County. In 1872 a two-story structure of vertical logs was built on the present site. The first floor was used as a church and the second floor for public meetings and a schoolhouse. In 1893 the second story was removed, a bay window was added between the two front doors, and horizontal boards were placed over the vertical logs, encompassing the old structure within the walls of the new. Depicted on one of the eight memorial windows are the names of those who built the church: J.N. Feaster; J.C.C. Feaster; Tom J. Cockshutt; W.S. Norwood; B.J. Mims; R. Singleton; and W.P. Day. The first ordained pastor was W.N. Chaudoin from 1871-1904. Several other congregations were formed from this small church that included: First Presbyterian of Titusville; Mims Methodist Church; and Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Mims.
Erected 2005 by The Brevard County Historical Commission and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-540.)
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 28° 38.376′ N, 80° 50.227′ W. Marker is in LaGrange, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and Briarwood Lane, on the left when traveling south on Old Dixie Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1575 Old Dixie Highway, Titusville FL 32796, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 22, 2016
2. LaGrange Community Church Marker and church
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 22, 2016
3. LaGrange Community Church
Taken from marker looking east.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 1, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
