Folkway #11: Religion

So, how did religion influence our pioneers?

Centuries before the pioneer era, Spanish priests scoured the Central Florida frontier for native converts.  They established at least one mission among the Jororo tribe, who lived south of Pine Castle at "Atoyquime."  But, Catholic influences were largely wiped-out by British raiders in the 1700s.

Almost all of our area pioneers were Protestants, specifically Baptists or Methodists.  Almost.  The Cohen brothers who owned a chain of mercantile outlets across frontier Florida, including one at Pine Castle, were Jewish.  Francis Eppes, a grandson of President Thomas Jefferson, hosted Episcopal worship services in his home near Pineloch.  And, the well-known "Aunt Ginny" Prescott was a rare Mormon.

The earliest settlers worshipped in their homes, under the supervision of lay preachers or circuit riding ministers.  Larger revivals were held outdoors.

It was not until the 1870s that an actual church was constructed in the Pine Castle area.  An intrepid Presbyterian lady by the name of Florence Milton led the fundraising efforts that made its construction possible, so it was only fitting that it was erected near her home at Lake Jessamine.  Pine Castle's founder Will Wallace Harney wrote of spending New Year's Eve at a "watch party" thrown by the fledgling congregation.

The Presbyterians quickly outgrew their little church, though, and built a bigger facility a few miles to the north.  Regrettably, only a few of the modern members of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando know of their congregation's Pine Castle roots.

Another church was not built here until 1900, when area Baptists and Methodists teamed with the Missionary Alliance to establish Pine Castle's revered "Union Church." 

The structure was used by people of all faiths, and was primarily served by itinerant preachers, circuit riders, and other clergymen who visited the area during the mild winters.

As Pine Castle grew into a sizeable town, the Baptists were able to build a separate church but retained their interest in the Union Church.  Eventually, though, they deeded this interest over to the Methodists who used it exclusively for many years before building their modern red brick church on Fairlane.  Then, the Baptists reacquired the Union Church and had it moved out to Narcoossee to house their first mission at Lake Whippoorwill.