History Of The Pine Castle Union Church, Orange County, Florida

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HISTORY OF THE PINE CASTLE UNION CHURCH
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

A collection of handwritten notes apparently written in 1958 by Esther 
Lancaster, who attended the church during its early years.


      On July 30, 1900, the women of Pine Castle met and 
organized a church society.  Mrs. Sallie Hansel suggested we name it 
"Christian Workers Society."  All were in favor of the name.  Charter 
members were:

Mrs. Edna Hoffner
Mrs. Minnie Bazemore
Miss Alice Bazemore
Mrs. Chat Matchett
Mrs. Viola Sweet
Mrs. Susan Sutton
Miss Kate Sweet
Mrs. Cora Fuller
Mrs. Sallie Hansel
Miss Ann Wilson
Mrs. Alice Macy
Mrs. Ann Etty

      Property was donated by Mrs. Ada Stone for church purposes.  
The object of this society was to try to get a church built for the 
community and to assist the needy.

      Logs were hauled to the saw mill near Taft [a small town 
south of Pine Castle].  Mrs. Waterhouse of Orlando owned the mill, and 
Mr. John Hansel sawed the logs with the help of C.H. Hoffner and 
others.  C.J. Sweet was fireman.  The lumber was dried and building was 
started on the land donated by Mrs. Stone.

      The ladies made ice cream, and cake was donated to raise 
money.  The men did the building.  The ice was hauled from Orlando to 
make the ice cream.  Several took turns in freezing it.  

      Mrs. Aten, who lived on the corner of Main and Orange 
Avenue, opened her home to serve dinners to men who were working on 
building.

      Pews were purchased from First Baptist in Orlando, who were 
buying new ones.  Mr. J.L. Empie of Orlando made these.

      Mr. George Macy of Orlando built the pulpit.

      Mrs. Edna Hoffner advanced the money for a bell that cost 
$37.50.  Mr. Paul Macy and C.J. Sweet put it up.

      Mr. Ed Johns, janitor, received $1.00 per month salary.

      The church was to be a union church.  The trustees were: 
John Sweet, to reperesent the Methodists; Tom Etty, the Missionary 
Alliance; and John Matchett, the Baptists.  The Methodists had services 
every other Sunday morning, and the Baptists the same.

      In 1930, the Union Church property was deeded to the 
Methodist congregation for their sole use