Florida Conference historical records now available from the comfort of your home
The Florida United Methodist Heritage Center has the immense privilege and careful task of ensuring the Florida United Methodist Archives are preserved and protected. From books to pictures, histories, postcards, church plates, and other one-of-a-kind accessions, the Heritage Center is a place where preservation and remembrance take place. In the Bible, the word “remember” or the idea of remembering is found over 250 times. Remembering is a gift. We can reflect on what has come before us and we can also learn and grow from others and places in time. Through the archives, remembrance is found in the accessions. Though these valuable accessions are tangible, the intangible memories are just as, if not more, valuable because of the faithful congregations, steadfast pastors, extraordinary laity, and remarkable bishops who have served the Florida Conference.
When reading the history of a local church founded in 1885, for example, the information found stirs the heart and mind to see that the saints that have gone before us left indelible legacies. These saints worked hard, sacrificed, and built sanctuaries and educational buildings that would serve generations. What we experience today is because of these saints who came together, through struggles, financial hardships, and long committee meetings to ensure that the Florida Conference would remain and grow. Even if a local church has rebuilt its buildings and facilities over the decades, that grit and work from the saints are still present today. When we step onto church grounds, we stand on holy ground.
In the summer of 2022, the Commission of Archives and History for the Florida Conference voted to approve the archives upgrading the office equipment. This new equipment, mainly scanners, has opened new ways to explore and make these accessions available for all who would like to log on and research. Digitization of the accessions creates computer files where people can take their time and read, remember, and reflect upon Florida Methodism all in the comfort of their own homes. This digitization ensures the preservation of these important documents and treasured histories will be available for future generations.
The digitization efforts of the accessions in the archives will take time. This rich history began way before 1845, the founding date for the Florida Conference. Our oldest stalwart churches recently turned 200 years! Thousands upon thousands of people, from pastors to laity, have enabled the Florida Conference to become what we cherish and uphold today.
These links are ready for you to explore. There is a link for local pastors, local churches, and missionaries, and there is a link to the history of the Florida Conference.
When accessing these links, it is key to “click” on the images when researching. That way, the digitized file will open whether it is text or images. So, please be sure to “click” on files to open these to a larger image.
Finally, it remains an incredible blessing to assist people and churches in researching information about their Christian journey as Archivist. Whether through baptism records, pastor records, mergers, and other milestone occurrences, the Heritage Center is available to explore the history files we have to try and fill in the gaps of history. Also, if you have questions, especially regarding how to write a church history for your local church, to ensure that your church history is preserved, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Heritage Center. You can call 863-680-4992 or email judith.m.new@gmail.com.
Psalm 102:18, “Let this be recorded for a generation yet to come, so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord.” Thank you for taking the time to look through these files and explore more of our heritage as Florida United Methodists.