The Key West citizen., 1954-12-04

The history Of the Church Of
Christ In Key West dates from
June z, 19z2 when eleven persons
assembled for worship In the court
house. None Of the original mem
bers Of the congregation are now
living in Key West.
Bro. Lawrence Hood came to the
church the first of January 1943,
seven months after the first meet
ing in the courthouse and is now
the oldest member from the stand
point of attendance.
He became active in the affairs
Of the church and is ever willing
and ready to do his part in work
Ing for the church.
Various Meeting Places
Under date Of September Is, 1916,
the church moved from the county
courthouse to 9l6 Seminary Street.
This was in the home Of Bro. Law
renee Hood.
While still meeting at the home
Of Bro. Hood at 916 Seminary
Street, tent was furnished by the
Oneco, Florida Church Of Christ
and was erected on q vacant lot
next to the home.
Evangelist ]. p. Prevatt con-
Quoted series Of gospel meetings.
The church was strengthened by
these meetings.
After the above mentioned meet
ing place of worship was moved to
the home Of Sis. M. w. Byrd at
1i20 Petronia Street.
Present Property
In the meantime the minute book
shows that the church, under date
Of May IA, 1916, had bought two
lots at Ashby and Won Phister
Streets for the purpose Of erecting
Q church building.
After the purchase Of the lots
and while the building was being
erected, the church continued to
meet at the home Of Sis. Byrd un-
til April is, 194s. At this time the
church building was partially COM
pleted and Bro. Prevatt conducted
q meeting in the unfinished build
ing.
The building, since completed,
built and finished as a labor Of
love. The work was done thru the
efforts and generosity Of many
members Of the congregation with
out pay.
Afsraefive Building
Much of this work was done by
the Hood brothers, Lawrence and
Evens. The building is neat and
attractive and is>a credit to those
who have labored to make 1t q
place to meet the Lord.
The preachers home is q gift
from Lee Shields, a faithful broth
er and is being finished as a COM
Portable place to live.
At the time Bro. Prevatt held q
series Of meetings during April
1913, he had with him Bro. William
B. Collins, young man from
Harding Christian College, who act
cd as song leader for the meeting.
Ministers Named
After the meeting Bro. Collins
was invited to stay as minister for
the congregation. He continued in
this work until June /, 1852. Dur
ing February Is to 20, 1s4S a meet
ing was conducted by Bro. Glenn
Schumacher, with good attendance
and interest.
In April 1851 Bro. C. w. Scott,
Miami, held successful meeting
and the church was built up and
edited.
Upon the departure Of Bro. Col
Inns, J. Edward Wolven was re-
tanned to work with the congrega-
ton. He continued for short time
until August 81, 1852.
Crews Called
The present minister, Marcus A.
Crews, has been with the church
since October 1852.
In February 1854 Bro. John
French Of Little Rock, Arkansas
conducted gospel meeting which
was his third meeting here since
the establishment of the congrega-
tion. Much good was done by his
fine preaching.
The present minister's son, Stan
lev d. Crews Of Waynesboro, Ten
nessee, recently held series Of
gospel meetings for the local
church and the members were edi-
fled and strengthened by the good
lessons from Gods word.
visisers Welcomed
The Church Of Christ is compoS-