The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-10-02
Fleming Street Metbodid Church
Was Organized As Sparks Chapel

10 1908, the members OF First
Methodist Church having decided
to introduce musical instruments
into the church, about thirty men,
bers disagreeing with this proce-
dure severed their connection and
formed new congregation.
It was to be known as Sparks
Chapel, after its first pastor, Rev.
]. o. A. Sparks.
Charter Membership
Those enrolled were: Joseph P.
Roberts, Mrs. Emma Roberts, T..
B. Russell, Mrs. Sarah Russell,
Benjamin Russell. Mrs. Mary N.
Albury, and Philip Albury.
Randall Adams, Mrs. Catherine
Adams, George Curry, Mrs. Mary
Curry, Joseph Ingraham, Mrs.
Elizabeth lngraham, Samuel Kemp,
John Demerritt and Jabez Pinder.
Mrs. Drucilla Pinder, Joshua
Pinder, William Saunders, Mrs.
Elizabeth Saunders, Benjamin Ro-
berts, Sarah Thompson, Sarah Cur
ry, Thomas Adams, John Roberts
and Mrs. Margaret Roberts.
Church Erected
A lot on the corner of Fleming
and William SITS. was secured and
q small frame building was erect
ed, this to serve as place of wor-
ship until 1887 (19 years. when un-
der the pastorate of Rev. w. H. F.
Roberts q new church was built.
The original deed of gift to the
land contained a clause intended
to prohibit the use of instrumental
music in any church erected there.
Rev. Mr.. Sparks drew the deed
but it was not properly worded and
failed in its purpose.
Organ Purchased
In 1892, over the protest Of a few
OF the older members, an organ
was purchased and Mrs. Agnes
Pritchard was the first organist.
During the pastorate Of Rev. S.
Scott this building was remodel
and was one Of the most attrac-
tive churches in the city.
On October II, 1909, it was total
" destroyed by a hurricane and
for several yesrs the congregation
worslipoed in the Harris School
Charch records for this period |
speak of the kindness of manv |
groups In the city who offered |
thei' facilities and especially of the |
Board Of Education.
Present Bvildinq
after many trials, on the second |
anniversary Of its destruction and |
utder the supervision of the pastor |
Riv. W. B. Tresca, work was be- |
gun on the foundation of the pre.
sent and beautiful and worshipful |
structure.
At meeting of the Quarterly |
conference on Feb. 81, 1912. the |
name was changed from Sparks |
Chapel to the Fleming st. Metho- |
dist Church.
during the paStorate of the Rev
W. B. Mundy, the Education Build. |
Ing was added because of the |
pressing need of additional space |
70 house the evergrowing church |
scnooi and as a center for many |
church related activities of Chris. |
tan fellowship.
Growth Of Church
From a small beginning. the
church now has membership of
436 with large church school and
through the years has taken its |
place in the religious and cultural
life Of the city.
Many distinguished members Of
the Florida Conference have sery. |
ed as its pastor.
Among its members are the des- |
cendants of those early Wesleyan |
Methodists who brought God with |
them and a desire to establish His |
church In a new city in a new
world.
Ed. Note: Compiled and written |
BY Mrs. James E. Statham. Credit
Is given to "Key West, the Old
and New by Jefferson B. Browne
Tor much of this material.