History of community church of Keystone heights
On December 19, 1923 a meeting was held, at the Keystone Heights School, of those
people who were interested in organizing a church in Keystone Heights. A Board of
Trustees was named. A Finance Committee was also name and empowered to appoint
a building committee. The amount of $15,000. was approved for the building. On
January 11, 1924 a dedication was held on the church building lot.
Rev. E. D. Mowry was elected (for a six-month period) as the first minister on March 6,
1924. He was to carry out all religious services and later instructed to draw up bylaws.
On September 6, Rev. Mowry was requested to continue as pastor. On October 6 a
decision was made to give the Sunday offerings to Rev. Mowry for his personal support.
He was asked to continue as pastor for an additional six months. At that time a property
custodian and pianist were elected.
A congregational meeting was held to present the bylaws, for future action and a
Church Covenant was adopted.
The Bylaws were revised and proposed for a vote on May 15, 1924. A group of 25
people unanimously approved the bylaws, “The Declaration of Purpose and Principles”.
The Preamble of the bylaws read: “We the Christian people of Keystone Heights, for the
Glory of God and the Promotion of His worship, and to advance the interests of His
Kingdom in this community, do institute and organize this Community Church of
Keystone Heights, Florida.” At the same time, the first Sunday School and Church picnic
was held at Lawrence Park on Lake Geneva.
A sketch of proposed plans for the new church building was presented on May 1, 1924.
Mr.Tappley, an architect, was instructed to draw up working plans for the 32’ by 60’
building. It was not until October 6 that the firm of Architect MacDonough was hired to
supervise the completion of the church building. G. E. Wiggins was the contractor for
the building. In March of 2025, twenty people signed bank notes for $100.00 each, to
insure the completion of the church building.
The church continued to grow and receive new members. On November 30, 1927 a
new pastor, Rev. B. R. Weld was selected. In December of 1927 a budget of $1,200.
was approved. On April 8, 1928, the first baptisms were held
In 1931 J. Edwin Larson offered four acres of land to be used as a cemetery. The offer
was accepted. {The management of the cemetery was turned over to the city of
Keystone Heights in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s.}
Plans were made to form a Ladies Aid Society and a young people’s organization in
December of 1940.
The first full-time pastor, Rev. George E. Farrar, was hired in 1942.
In December of 1944 a sum of $831.34 was set aside to begin a building fund for a
parsonage. At that time there were 125 members on the roll at Community Church. In
August of 1946 a lot on Sylvan Way, across from the church, was purchased (an
exchange of another lot owned by the church was part of the deal) for the parsonage.
Membership continued to grow, ministries came and went. For example: there was a
“Men’s Club”, a Ladies Aid Society, Youth, Choir, a “Bell Choir”, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts
and various children’s programs such as Royal Rangers and Missionetes. In 1963
There was a total membership of 351. At that time the total “Benevolences” (what we
now call our “Missions Budget”) was $710. In 1964 it was increased to $1,400.
Along the way, other churches were being started. There were numerous Baptist
Churches, Assembly of God, Methodist and others. As these churches were start. ed,
the Community Church membership leveled off. In 1965 the average attendance was
166 per week with a membership of 340.
In the early 1960’s plans for a new church were beginning to take shape. Local
architect and church member, Don Morgan was hired to draw up the plans. The budget
for the new sanctuary was $112,000 with up to $70,000 mortgaged. There were 33
people who personally signed to guarantee the mortgage. Triest Construction was the
builder. The ground breaking was November 7, 1965. The church was built, furnished
and landscaped for $130,000. June 12, 1966 was the first service in the new sanctuary
that was already 50% paid for.
Expanded parking area was purchased for $3,000 shortly after that. Property north of
the sanctuary, referred to as the “Haney Property” was purchased for $15,000. At that
time the parsonage or manse that was across the street, was also sold.
In 1969 there was attendance at the Easter service of 580 people. The average
attendance at that time was about 185. Young people made up about 25% of the
regular attendance.
Community Church was instrumental in starting a “senior’s Ministry” which became the
Keystone Senior Services, Inc. The building that was built for the seniors was named
for Bill Beam who had also served as mayor.
In 1976 bids were accepted for a new Sunday School building and to enlarge and
remodel the old educational building. The loan for that project was for $120,000.
June 29-July 2 1986 Community Church hosted Peter Marshall Jr. for a seminar. In
1987 we hosted June and Gene Evans for the first of several seminars.
In 1987 the Community Christian School opened under the leadership of Rob Morford
who was Assistant to the Pastor at that time. There were 57 students from four-and-5-
year-old kindergarten through grade 6. In 1988 the enrollment was up to 93. The school
operated for 25 years but closed due to the national economic crisis in 2008.
In 1987 various properties that had been given to the church were sold to pay for a
planned addition between the educational building and the sanctuary. The new addition
was completed and in 1993 all mortgages were paid in full.
In 2001 plans were being made for a multipurpose family-life-center. It was started in
2002. In January of 2003 we received the “Certificate of Occupancy”. The total cost for
the building was $750,000 with a mortgage for $650,000.00. It was paid off in six years.
New By-Laws and amendments were adopted in 2009. The new by-laws changed the
governing structure of the church to one that was staff-driven with an Executive Board
and a Board of Elders. This has proved to be more efficient.
There were additional transitions as we got a new pastor and then a new music director
and new youth leaders. Soon we remodeled the educational building into a Kingdom
Kids Building with many new and inviting things for our children. We also began having
a” Night of Worship” several times a year. Three small Connect groups were started to
give people more intimate fellowship.
As we moved from one year to the next, we could never have imagined the change that
a global pandemic would bring to our church. Suddenly we are having on-line services
using Zoom and wearing masks everywhere we go! It was so nice to be able to meet in
person again, but the online services on YouTube and Facebook have continued. New
ministries including “Comfort and Care” and Men’s Ministry came about as someone
saw a need and filled it.
We trust God that He will continue to lead and guide us through the next 100 Years!!!
people who were interested in organizing a church in Keystone Heights. A Board of
Trustees was named. A Finance Committee was also name and empowered to appoint
a building committee. The amount of $15,000. was approved for the building. On
January 11, 1924 a dedication was held on the church building lot.
Rev. E. D. Mowry was elected (for a six-month period) as the first minister on March 6,
1924. He was to carry out all religious services and later instructed to draw up bylaws.
On September 6, Rev. Mowry was requested to continue as pastor. On October 6 a
decision was made to give the Sunday offerings to Rev. Mowry for his personal support.
He was asked to continue as pastor for an additional six months. At that time a property
custodian and pianist were elected.
A congregational meeting was held to present the bylaws, for future action and a
Church Covenant was adopted.
The Bylaws were revised and proposed for a vote on May 15, 1924. A group of 25
people unanimously approved the bylaws, “The Declaration of Purpose and Principles”.
The Preamble of the bylaws read: “We the Christian people of Keystone Heights, for the
Glory of God and the Promotion of His worship, and to advance the interests of His
Kingdom in this community, do institute and organize this Community Church of
Keystone Heights, Florida.” At the same time, the first Sunday School and Church picnic
was held at Lawrence Park on Lake Geneva.
A sketch of proposed plans for the new church building was presented on May 1, 1924.
Mr.Tappley, an architect, was instructed to draw up working plans for the 32’ by 60’
building. It was not until October 6 that the firm of Architect MacDonough was hired to
supervise the completion of the church building. G. E. Wiggins was the contractor for
the building. In March of 2025, twenty people signed bank notes for $100.00 each, to
insure the completion of the church building.
The church continued to grow and receive new members. On November 30, 1927 a
new pastor, Rev. B. R. Weld was selected. In December of 1927 a budget of $1,200.
was approved. On April 8, 1928, the first baptisms were held
In 1931 J. Edwin Larson offered four acres of land to be used as a cemetery. The offer
was accepted. {The management of the cemetery was turned over to the city of
Keystone Heights in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s.}
Plans were made to form a Ladies Aid Society and a young people’s organization in
December of 1940.
The first full-time pastor, Rev. George E. Farrar, was hired in 1942.
In December of 1944 a sum of $831.34 was set aside to begin a building fund for a
parsonage. At that time there were 125 members on the roll at Community Church. In
August of 1946 a lot on Sylvan Way, across from the church, was purchased (an
exchange of another lot owned by the church was part of the deal) for the parsonage.
Membership continued to grow, ministries came and went. For example: there was a
“Men’s Club”, a Ladies Aid Society, Youth, Choir, a “Bell Choir”, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts
and various children’s programs such as Royal Rangers and Missionetes. In 1963
There was a total membership of 351. At that time the total “Benevolences” (what we
now call our “Missions Budget”) was $710. In 1964 it was increased to $1,400.
Along the way, other churches were being started. There were numerous Baptist
Churches, Assembly of God, Methodist and others. As these churches were start. ed,
the Community Church membership leveled off. In 1965 the average attendance was
166 per week with a membership of 340.
In the early 1960’s plans for a new church were beginning to take shape. Local
architect and church member, Don Morgan was hired to draw up the plans. The budget
for the new sanctuary was $112,000 with up to $70,000 mortgaged. There were 33
people who personally signed to guarantee the mortgage. Triest Construction was the
builder. The ground breaking was November 7, 1965. The church was built, furnished
and landscaped for $130,000. June 12, 1966 was the first service in the new sanctuary
that was already 50% paid for.
Expanded parking area was purchased for $3,000 shortly after that. Property north of
the sanctuary, referred to as the “Haney Property” was purchased for $15,000. At that
time the parsonage or manse that was across the street, was also sold.
In 1969 there was attendance at the Easter service of 580 people. The average
attendance at that time was about 185. Young people made up about 25% of the
regular attendance.
Community Church was instrumental in starting a “senior’s Ministry” which became the
Keystone Senior Services, Inc. The building that was built for the seniors was named
for Bill Beam who had also served as mayor.
In 1976 bids were accepted for a new Sunday School building and to enlarge and
remodel the old educational building. The loan for that project was for $120,000.
June 29-July 2 1986 Community Church hosted Peter Marshall Jr. for a seminar. In
1987 we hosted June and Gene Evans for the first of several seminars.
In 1987 the Community Christian School opened under the leadership of Rob Morford
who was Assistant to the Pastor at that time. There were 57 students from four-and-5-
year-old kindergarten through grade 6. In 1988 the enrollment was up to 93. The school
operated for 25 years but closed due to the national economic crisis in 2008.
In 1987 various properties that had been given to the church were sold to pay for a
planned addition between the educational building and the sanctuary. The new addition
was completed and in 1993 all mortgages were paid in full.
In 2001 plans were being made for a multipurpose family-life-center. It was started in
2002. In January of 2003 we received the “Certificate of Occupancy”. The total cost for
the building was $750,000 with a mortgage for $650,000.00. It was paid off in six years.
New By-Laws and amendments were adopted in 2009. The new by-laws changed the
governing structure of the church to one that was staff-driven with an Executive Board
and a Board of Elders. This has proved to be more efficient.
There were additional transitions as we got a new pastor and then a new music director
and new youth leaders. Soon we remodeled the educational building into a Kingdom
Kids Building with many new and inviting things for our children. We also began having
a” Night of Worship” several times a year. Three small Connect groups were started to
give people more intimate fellowship.
As we moved from one year to the next, we could never have imagined the change that
a global pandemic would bring to our church. Suddenly we are having on-line services
using Zoom and wearing masks everywhere we go! It was so nice to be able to meet in
person again, but the online services on YouTube and Facebook have continued. New
ministries including “Comfort and Care” and Men’s Ministry came about as someone
saw a need and filled it.
We trust God that He will continue to lead and guide us through the next 100 Years!!!