When Henry Flagler arrived in St Augustine the Methodist Church in St Augustine was young. Only in 1881 had George Atkins come from New Jersey to found the Church which had met in various locations until 1884 when Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church was far enough along in construction to be used for services. However, the building was short lived due to Henry Flagler’s hotel plans. The original building was located where the Alacazar currently stands and in 1886 Flagler began negotiations with the church. Eventually, an agreement was reached through which Flagler would build a new sanctuary and parsonage for the church, as well as, provide land for its construction in exchange for the land the church originally occupied. Finally, in 1888 the first services were held in the new church where the congregation has been located ever since.



Text by Kayleigh Gades