A Brief History of First United Methodist Church
Niceville, Florida (Part 1)

Pastors of FUMC

The Early Years of FUMC (1913-1963)

As early as 1911, preaching services were held by the Reverend C.A. Butrum, who was a pastor in Freeport.

In late 1913 Reverend D.B. Sellars and Reverend K.K. Rushing formally organized our church. They held services for one week in the Edge and Spence Mercantile Building on Bayshore Drive, later the site of Carr Hardware. During that week of services, thirty-one people joined the Church and were baptized in Juniper Creek near the head of Boggy Bayou. Those joining were: Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Nathey, Mrs. R. A. Burlison and Mrs. G. B. Anchors, Mrs. Addie Willingham, Mary Richardson, Della Rushing, Lucia Early, Sarah Howell, Mary Allen, Lucy Grantham, Mary Spence, Ida Ervin, Nettie Owens, Lola Erwin, Winford Spence, Mr. and Mrs. John Dashinger, Miss Lou Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hudson, Miss Quinnie Nathey, Mrs. Alice Allen, D. S. Davis, J. S. Allen, Carrie Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. 0. E. Fisher, Amanda Thomas and S. J. Ervin.

After that week, the Reverends Sellars and Rushing left to fulfill other engagements, but returned occasionally and conducted services. In November of 1913, Conference met and decided to send the Reverend C.F. Butrum to serve the Niceville church; however, because of other church commitments, he preached only the fourth Sunday of each month. During this time period, services were held in the High School, located on the west side of Boggy Bayou near the area of the present Nice-Val Parts store. Later services were held in the Woodman of the World Hall, then located near the First Baptist Church.

In 1914, Conference sent Reverend B.F. Brown to Niceville; he was here from 1914 until 1915. In the early part of January 1915, a group of church members organized a Sunday School and appointed a Superintendent, Secretary and Treasurer, Pianist, and Sunday School teachers. Also, in the early part of 1915, Reverend Brown started the construction of a small church, across the highway from Bay Trailer Court near the Antique Shop on the north side of Mill Creek. Even though the framing was erected, the building was never completed. Because more room was needed to accommodate the growing membership, members of the church decided to move from Woodman Hall to the school house, located on Highway 20 in the area of the present Edgewood Subdivision. Services continued in this school house for several years but were conducted by several pastors.

In 1916, Reverend Gilbert served as pastor; in 1917, Reverend A. Sellars; in 1918, Reverend J.M. Mathison; in 1919, Reverend R.J. Coxwell; in 1920, Reverend W.F. Floyd.

In 1921, Reverend B.F. Brown returned to Niceville. He supervised the construction and completion of a church. Other ministers came and preached in this church: in 1922, J.F. Price served; in 1923, D.L. Folsum served; in 1924, O.H. Vanlandingham served; in 1925, J.W. Gibson served.

In1926, Grant Gafford came to our church. Unfortunately, on Mother’s Day in 1926, the church was destroyed by fire. Soon after the fire, Reverend Gafford began the rebuilding of the church; however, he had to leave before the completion of this church building. Blocks, timber, etc., were used for pews.

In 1927, Reverend E.E. Stafford became pastor; from 1928 to 1930, A. H. Vanlandingham served; from 1931 to 1934, D.P. Dansby; in 1935, J.O.Wilson; in 1936, J. T. Eckford; in 1937, J. L. White; in 1938, J. F. Wachof; from 1939 to 1941, H.F. Wesley. In 1942, D.J. Spivey came to our church. He served as pastor until 1945.

Reverend Spivey preached every fourth Sunday. Carol Britlinger, Reverend Burleigh Law, and Laymen R. R. Roush volunteered to fill the pulpit the remaining Sundays. Roush and Brintlinger were with the Air Force at Eglin AFB, and Law in Civil Service at Eglin AFB. Mr. Roush became the pianist.

1945 was a year to remember in the history of our church because on August 26, 1945, the church was officially named Niceville Methodist Church. According to a newspaper article "Under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. D.M. Spivey, of Freeport, the Methodists of Niceville Sunday dedicated their church with appropriate services." According to a Dedication Service program, Mrs. Mattie Moore said, "We present this building to be dedicated to the glory of God and the service of men." Furthermore, the booklet states, "Then shall the minister say: By what name shall this church henceforth be known? To which shall be answered: It shall be called the Niceville Methodist Church." Serving on the building committee was J. M. Reynolds, G. B. Anchors, Miss. Mattie Moore, and Miss Lula Jane Edge. The officials of the church were J. M. Reynolds, Mrs. T. J. Peaden, Mrs. Charles Parrish as Sunday School Superintendent, and Miss Corinne Howell (Mrs. Lester Early) as Secretary and Treasurer.

In 1947, during Reverend Shoemaker’s assignment here, the first parsonage was built.

In 1949, expansion of church facilities included an educational building with Sunday School rooms, social hall, bathrooms, and a small kitchen. Reverend Shoemaker left Niceville in 1949.

In 1949, Reverend G.G.Vickers served for one year.

In 1950, Reverend Haywood Scott came, and he served from 1950 to 1954. It was during this time that regular church pews and pulpit furniture were purchased.

In 1954, Reverend A.M. Shirah came, and he pastored the church until 1956. It was during this time that the old debt on the Educational Building was paid off. Also, plans for a new sanctuary were drawn up and presented to the Board; however, the Board decided not to pursue this at this time.

In 1956, Pastor A.C. Britt was assigned to the Methodist Church, With regard to Brother Britt, as he was called, and from interviews, he was a highly-loved minister and a real “go-getter.” One of the things he did was to type the church bulletins himself. In addition, it seems he wanted to build a sanctuary from the bottom up, and ultimately, that is just what was accomplished. Stories were told about how he, himself, during the construction, hooked a chain and pulley to steel beams and pulled them up and then bolted them to the wall structure, one at a time. Apparently, this was a fairly dangerous thing to do. One church member remembers a comment made to the minister: “Preacher Britt, you are going to kill some of these people.” She said the sanctuary was built as follows: blocks first; bricks next (accomplished by hired employees); then beams; then roof; then shingles. With donated labor and materials, estimated at $28,000.00, plus $47,000.O0 (only $15,000.00 borrowed from the Pensacola District Board of Missions and Church Extension) in cash, the sanctuary was completed and the first service was held May 21,1961. Rev. Britt delivered the sermon. His subject was "Church , Loyalty; his scripture, Revelation 2nd Chapter, 10th verse, "Be Thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life". Serving on the building committee during this period were Chairman Walker Spence, L. H. Childs, Watson Hodge, Jerry Reynolds, M. G. Moore, Joe Marler, W. G. Ransom, W. T. Walker and Treasurer, Mrs. Corinne Early. The Official Board recommended and voted to have Homecoming every third Sunday in May and to ask Rev. Britt to preach the sermon each Homecoming as long as he is physically able to do so. He accepted and has filled the pulpit every Homecoming since, except, one, at which time, Rev. 0. H. Vanlandingham substituted for him. When he left in 1963, this church had been in the business of serving the Lord for fifty (50) years.

Our Church History From 1963 to 1983

Our Church History From 1983 to 2002