October 7, 2025 · 7:31 pm
Methodist preaching was first heard in Key West in 1832 when two touring missionaries got here right here by schooner. For 12 years the gathering of Methodists typically met within the dwelling of a Bahamian named Samuel Kemp. Imagine it or not, a few of Samuel Kemp’s descendants proceed to worship within the sanctuary at the moment of the United Methodist Church merely often known as “Previous Stone”!
Named “Previous Stone” as a result of it was constructed of native coral rock. This materials, known as Key Limestone, was quarried partially from the church grounds itself! The outlet left after the rock was eliminated was lined and capped for a few years served as a cistern. The cisterns water provided not solely the church, but in addition elements of the neighborhood, in addition to ocean-going vessels that sailed into Key West for provides.
A sequence of 4 church buildings was constructed earlier than the current sanctuary. The third was constructed on the current website and was quickly destroyed by a hurricane. Nevertheless, the insurance coverage cash enabled the congregation to construct a small body sanctuary, which was accomplished on the current website in October of 1847. Get this, throughout the 1950’s it was found that the current sanctuary was constructed over a small cemetery behind the outdated sanctuary. One tombstone should be seen on the Simonton Road facet of the constructing!
Yow will discover this oldest brick church in Key West with a lot historical past at 600 Eaton Road within the space often known as Previous City.
