Historic Churches 2009
Trinity Episcopal Church
79 Sixth Street
The history of Apalachicola and Trinity Church are closely interwoven. First incorporated in 1829 as West Point, the young seaport became Apalachicola in 1831 and the seat of Franklin County in 1832. In 1838, the white pine church building, cut to measure and assembled in sections in White Plains, New York, traveled by schooner to Apalachicola. Trinity Church, believed to be the sixth oldest in Florida, is the second oldest still holding services—170 years. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ornately hand stenciled ceiling is original. The Henry Erben tracker organ, an extraordinary instrument, was installed in the 1840s. In the 1920s Trinity purchased the Pilcher organ. In 2000, the Ruhland organ replaced the Pilcher; however, the Erben organ is still in use frequently. The Reverend Martha Harris is the Rector.
The history of Apalachicola and Trinity Church are closely interwoven. First incorporated in 1829 as West Point, the young seaport became Apalachicola in 1831 and the seat of Franklin County in 1832. In 1838, the white pine church building, cut to measure and assembled in sections in White Plains, New York, traveled by schooner to Apalachicola. Trinity Church, believed to be the sixth oldest in Florida, is the second oldest still holding services—170 years. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ornately hand stenciled ceiling is original. The Henry Erben tracker organ, an extraordinary instrument, was installed in the 1840s. In the 1920s Trinity purchased the Pilcher organ. In 2000, the Ruhland organ replaced the Pilcher; however, the Erben organ is still in use frequently. The Reverend Martha Harris is the Rector.
First United Methodist Church
75 Fifth Street
Before 1846, the congregation shared Trinity Episcopal Church or met in members’ homes. In 1900, the original 1846 building caught fire from flames that started next door in the manse and destroyed the church building and over 70 other structures in downtown Apalachicola. In 1901, the congregation built the distinctive building in use today. The Pastor is the Reverend Themo Patriotis.
Before 1846, the congregation shared Trinity Episcopal Church or met in members’ homes. In 1900, the original 1846 building caught fire from flames that started next door in the manse and destroyed the church building and over 70 other structures in downtown Apalachicola. In 1901, the congregation built the distinctive building in use today. The Pastor is the Reverend Themo Patriotis.
First Baptist Church
46 Ninth Street
On December 18, 1848, ten members gathered with “Brothers” from Gadsden and Jackson counties and constituted a church in Apalachicola. In 1850, the new members built the First Baptist Church on the corner of Sixth Street and Avenue H. The congregation reorganized in 1885 and made extensive repairs to the original building. In 1902, under the name Calvary Baptist Church, the congregation built the building at the present location. In 1910, they installed electric lights at a cost of $20. In 1912, they built the first “pastorium”. In 1934, church members voted to change the name back to the First Baptist Church. Members established the First Baptist Christian School in 1984 and completed the new school building in 1997. Reverend Bill Plazarin is the Pastor.
On December 18, 1848, ten members gathered with “Brothers” from Gadsden and Jackson counties and constituted a church in Apalachicola. In 1850, the new members built the First Baptist Church on the corner of Sixth Street and Avenue H. The congregation reorganized in 1885 and made extensive repairs to the original building. In 1902, under the name Calvary Baptist Church, the congregation built the building at the present location. In 1910, they installed electric lights at a cost of $20. In 1912, they built the first “pastorium”. In 1934, church members voted to change the name back to the First Baptist Church. Members established the First Baptist Christian School in 1984 and completed the new school building in 1997. Reverend Bill Plazarin is the Pastor.
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
27 Sixth Street
In 1845, Father Timothy Birmingham organized the congregation. The original church, which served a number of Irish, Italian and other families, was an ornate wooden structure with elaborate interior stencil work. The present Romanesque building dates from 1929. Members appreciate that the architecture is a “successful attempt at relating to the Mediterranean origin of many of the parishioners when the church was built and to the Spanish origin of Christianity in this state and county.” Members also see this architecture as tying back to the Roman Basilicas and Roman Halls of Justice used by early Christians. Father Roger Latosynski is the pastor.
In 1845, Father Timothy Birmingham organized the congregation. The original church, which served a number of Irish, Italian and other families, was an ornate wooden structure with elaborate interior stencil work. The present Romanesque building dates from 1929. Members appreciate that the architecture is a “successful attempt at relating to the Mediterranean origin of many of the parishioners when the church was built and to the Spanish origin of Christianity in this state and county.” Members also see this architecture as tying back to the Roman Basilicas and Roman Halls of Justice used by early Christians. Father Roger Latosynski is the pastor.
