The Key West citizen., 1954-11-13
Ba''d Of Prayer" Organizes First
Congregational Church Here In Y2

institutions Of worship in
Key West. Like some of the
other churches 1t had its
origin in a disagreement a.
mong the members of an
older church.
Sparks Chapel, one OF the Metho-
dist churches, had a subsidiary Or
ganization among its members.
known as "The Band OF Prayer"
This band voluntarily withdrew
because they preferred a different
form Of church government, where
they could have voice in church
affairs and in selecting a pastor.
Organization Planned
The band worshipped at the
homes Of the different members.
Finally in July, 1892, the leaders
OF this churchless band OF Chris
tians determined organize an in
dependent church.
The Rev. Charles w. Frazier was
called TO advise the brethren, and
on July 20, 1892, the church was
organized at the home Of Samuel
Roberts with Rev. Frazier as its
first pastor.
The. meetings were thereafter
held in an upper room" used as
. sail loft at the old Red Mems
Hall located at the corner Of Caro-
line and Elizabeth Streets.
John A. Harris was the first con-
vert OF the church, his regeners-
tion having taken place at the ini-
ual meeting OF the Band of Prayer.
Present Structure
II was through Mr.. Harris that
the church obtained its present
site on william Street, upon which
the commodious brick church was
erected.
Some of the charter members
were: Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Gates,
Obadiah Higgs, Samuel Gates, John
J. Russell, Mrs. Emma Roberts,
Samuel p. Roberts, Pembroke Be-
thel. Daniel Bethel, Mr.. and Mrs.
Tom Adams, Mr.. and Mrs. Alex
Harris, Julia Frow Russell, Ma
mie Frow Shaw, Berniza Sands,
Thomas Roberts, Richard Roberts
and Robert Roberts.
During the Spanish American
War the church was very active in
aiding the Army and Navy Young
Mems Christian Association and in
World Wars l and II facilities were
made available for the entertain !
ment. relaxation and spiritual gui.
dance Of servicemen.
Hvrrlesns Damage
The original brick church stands
today. II was damaged during the |
1909 hurricane but this damage was |
soon repaired.
It's present organization Is as fol- |
lows:
Clerk - Mrs. Clyde P. Stickney:
Treasurer Mrs. Paul Abury; |
Sunday School Supt. - Paul Al |
bury: Minister of Music ~ Gerald
Saunders: organiSts - Mrs. W. r.
Dean and Mrs. Paul Archer: Chair. |
man Official Board Clyde P.
Stickney; Deacons and Deaconess-
es - Clyde p. Stickney. Chairman,
Grover Albury, Bert Sawyer, Neil |
Knowles, Alfonso CowleS, Henry
Saunders, Mrs. Samuel Drudge,
Mrs. Ralph Sawyer and Miss Edith
watkins; Trustees Bradley
Sweeting. Chairman. Mrs. Victor
BergStrom. Arnold Currie, Samuel
Durdge. Mrs. Frank Stickney.
The Women's Auxiliary Mission
airy Society, Congregational Circle, |
Young Women'S Circle, and the |
Adult Bible Class are some Of the |
organizations in the church which |
are active in constructive teaching |
and in the performance Of Chart |
able works.
Service Schedule
Sunday school services are held |
on Sunday in addition to the NOR
ming and evening services. Adult
Bible classes are held on first Tues.
days and Midweek Prayer Meet.
ings on Wednesdays. Al present |
the Rev. Robert 7. Woodruff, Jr. |
Is CUES, minister.
The purpose of Pilgrim Fellow.
ship" which meets every Sunday
at $50 p. m. is to band our youth
together in a spirit of Christian |
Fellowship. This is an important
part Of the church as the youth Of |
today are the leaders Of the church
tomorrow and should be given
training and guidance to help pre-.
pare them for their place IN the /
church.
Despite the difficulties and dis
appointments which have been en.
countered in the past the mem
bers have remained steadfaSt and |
the First Congregational Church |
ever goes forward strengthened hy |
the loyal faith Of lis members.