The Church at Montverde has a rich history in the Central Florida area. It’s roots began as a Methodist church and has evolved over the years. Following is the history of the church from its founding to the present day.
History of the United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a church of Jesus Christ in which the word of God is preached. The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a Protestant body, which did not come directly out of the Reformation but had its origin within the Church of England. The founder was John Wesley. Wesley’s message had a double emphasis, which was God’s grace is offered to all human life and second was the moral ideal, which the gospel calls us to the love and service of others. Wesley emphasized evangelism, organization, administration and education. Methodism spread from England to Ireland and then to America. In 1766, Phillip Embury, a lay preacher from Ireland, began to preach in the city of New York. Methodism believes today as it did from the first, that the only infallible proof of a true church of Christ is its ability to seek and to save the lost, to disseminate the Pentecostal spirit and life, to spread scriptural holiness, and to transform all peoples and nations through the gospel of Christ (Book of discipline, 1992).
MUMC History
Montverde United Methodist Church (MUMC), 17015 Porter Avenue, Montverde, Florida 34756, is a member of the United Methodist Church, Florida Conference (East Central District). MUMC was founded in 1884.
Note: The following historical information was collected through interviews with people ages 60 – 90. Of this group, many were home bound or care givers. Their attitude is that they are still a vital part of the Church and community. They look not to what the Church can do for them, but what they can do for the Church and its mission.
In 1865, Mr. John Wyatt Harden was the first homesteader on the west shore of Lake Apopka. Mr. Harden invited his neighbors to come to his home for Sunday School and it was not long before they had outgrown his home as a meeting place. Near the year 1884, Mr. Harden thought it was time for a church to be built. He gave land for the cemetery and the Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church South Conference gave the lumber to build the church, and it was brought in by mule teams to the site. The neighborhood men built the church. Some of the hand-hewn log joists that were used under the floor are still in place. Originally, the church had two separate doors at the front with steps all the way across. The men used the right side door and the women entered on the left. It was the custom for the men to sit on one side of the church and the women on the other. Later double doors replaced the separate doors.
Kerosene lamps were used for night services. An old style grand piano was first used for the music. After that came a pump organ followed by an upright piano. Later an electric organ and an upright piano were installed.
Rooms were added on the east and west side of the Sanctuary to be used for Sunday School. These were later used for public grammar school classrooms. The ceilings were lowered and paneling was placed on all the inside walls. A front porch and a copper steeple were added. Four classrooms, a fellowship hall with a kitchen (seating capacity 50), and restrooms were added in the early 60’s. This was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Varena Martin Cox in 1965.
Our current grounds include a fenced play area which was added in August 1997. In late 1998 a wooden cross and flower beds were placed in front of the Sanctuary and dedicated to Rufus Landis and his wife. In June 1998 the Sanctuary was scraped and painted.
The first parsonage was built in the 1920’s. The current parsonage, built in 1963, is located one block north of the church.
In the early days a circuit rider preacher served the Methodist Church for two Sundays a month. At one time we were with the Oakland Circuit, another with Lockhart and Fairvilla. The last circuit was with Ocoee and Zellwood. To see a list of pastors from 1916 to present, click this link. Both Methodists and Baptists held services in the building. Everyone attended all services.
Mission work has been an important part of MUMC. For many years the Mary Reese Circle (a Methodist women’s ministry) had been a part of the church. For a period of time the Lydia Women’s Circle provided a local soup ministry.
One of the primary missions of MUMC has been reaching out to the youth of the community through Christian Endeavor, Epworth League, Montverde Youth Fellowship, and the Lightseekers youth group. The Christian fellowship of church dinners, ice cream socials and activities keeps the “sweet spirit of Christ” alive for all.
Vacation Bible School, for many years, was held for the entire community. From 1997 – 1998 Vacation Bible School was replaced by Children’s Jubilee, meeting once a month for two hours.
When the Montverde School (Montverde Academy) started in 1912, the church was used for some classes. The students attended Sunday School and Church at MUMC for many years before a Chapel was built on the Academy campus. Church services were held on Saturday and Sunday. People came from all over the area and stayed in the homes that would shelter and feed them. The young Harden brothers cared for the visitors’ horses, putting an additional burden on the family. The church was the center of the social life. Preaching was Sunday morning and Sunday School was in the afternoon. Another service was held Sunday night. Sunday School picnics were enjoyed by children and adults. Pit barbecues were always a favorite.
Christmas programs were held each year with everyone taking part in marches, flag drills and recitations. The men brought in the largest tree they could find in the woods, and it was decorated with homemade ornaments. Lighted candles were used on the tree. Parents brought gifts for their children and they were put on the tree — not under it.
In the late 80’s, the church had been pastored by a number of part time student ministers. During this time, the church had a split and the membership numbered less than 20 and declining. The church had always been short of money and at times had to juggle bills to get through the month. Pastor Rufus Landis was assigned to MUMC as a retired full time minister in an effort to keep the doors of the church open. One of the staff members from the United Methodist Conference came from Lakeland and met with the Church Board to determine the church’s purpose. Pastor Landis concentrated on developing a foundation of lay people to lead the church as well as address facility maintenance of the 100+ year old church. Additionally, the strategy was to have a presence in community activities as well as provide activities on the church grounds. The Pastor and his wife lived in the parsonage and participated in the community. The new members increased the churches financial resources, volunteer time and experience in leadership positions.
In 1996 Pastor Landis stepped down as full time pastor and was replaced on a temporary/voluntary basis by Reverend Duane Zoller. Reverend Zoller had retired from the First United Methodist Church of Clermont and had been a great friend of MUMC. This forged a link between the two churches.
Reverend Jim McGraw then became the part time pastor of MUMC for the conference year 1996-97. The Rev. McGraw and his wife, Bernice, lived in Zellwood and accepted a minor salary. The Rev. had musical abilities which he brought to the church. He related well with the retired membership which was the majority at that time. After a year and a half, Rev. McGraw asked not to be re-appointed due to health reasons
In June 1997, Abe Harris accepted the part-time pastoral position with MUMC and moved into the parsonage with his wife Nancy. When the two of them arrived, neither of them were working and both dedicated 100% of their time to the church. Their enthusiasm and energy attracted new members through the youth group, children’s jubilee and personal contact with people in the community and beyond. Abe was born and raised in the Clermont area and his family are active members of First United Methodist Church, Clermont.
Montverde United Methodist Becomes The Church at Montverde!
During the summer/fall of 2023, Montverde United Methodist Church began the process of disaffiliation from the United Methodist denomination. Work was completed at the end of 2023, and as of January 01, 2024 The Little church in Montverde became The Church at Montverde, affiliated with the Global Methodist denomination. You can learn more about the new Global Methodist at their homepage: Global Methodist Home.