ALL OUR WELCOME!

APRIL 24 TH , 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

· 10:00 am – 11:00 am Introduction to photo exhibits & historical displays

· 11:00 – 12:00 Remembrance sharing in the Sanctuary

· 12:00 – 3:00 pm Return to the photo exhibits & historical displays

Call or text Val Mobley 407-648-1134 for information or questions.

The History

Broadway United Methodist Church, on the corner of Broadway Avenue and Amelia Street in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District Orlando, FL, will be celebrating 100 years on APRIL 24, 2022. Experience the church’s past in pictures, historical displays and hear remembrances. The original church building was not on the corner of North Lake Street (as it was known in 1922) but on the lot next door to the corner lot. The wood frame, single story building was erected in 1922 by the men of the congregation in a single day.

Since over 100 people joined the new church at its first service, everyone realized that a larger building would be needed. Plans were made almost immediately to build a bigger church. The original name of the new church was North Lake Street Methodist Church, South.

In 1925 Rev. J. L. Criswell was appointed as pastor. He was the planner, architect and builder of the church as it stands today. The new building was to be built on the corner lot next door to the original building. The city changed the name of the street to Broadway in 1927, so the church changed its name then to Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The original wood frame building was torn down when construction began on the new building. A basement was dug (with the help of horses from a traveling circus that was in town) and the lumber from the original building was used to provide a roof for this new basement. That way the church would be dry while holding services until the 2 upper stories were completed in 1927. In December of that year a cornerstone was laid with a time capsule inside. Placed in the time capsule were a Bible, membership roster, list of building committee members and copies of the local newspapers.

As time marched on an elevator was installed as well as A/C in 1956. Hurricane Donna in 1960 was the first time that services were not held – the basement flooded. The church withstood Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jean in 2004 without needing to close. However, the pandemic of 2020 caused closures.

In January 1980 a fire in the sanctuary caused extensive damage. The stained-glass windows survived the fire intact due to the heroic efforts of the Orlando Fire Department. The congregation shared space with the Concord United Methodist Church for almost a year until the repairs were completed.

The Lake Eola Heights Community Garden was built in 2016 on the grounds of the church. It is the only community garden in the city of Orlando on private property.