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Historic Church NearsCentury Of Existenceby Peggy BailerWith the dedication of its new parsonage and is first Charge Conference as a separate entity, the Pt. Washington UnitedMethodist Church continued its history that began in the yearof 1884.That year a Mr. Wilson and his wife, people of Independent means, were lured to Florida by slightly exaggerated tales of a land of milk and honey and land boom near St. Andrew’s Bay. Although they did not find what they had come looking for theydid find the small sawmill community of Pt. Washington whichgreatly appealed to them for the abundance of game and the goodfishing in its surrounding area.Wilson was a religious man and since there was no church in the community he started holding Bible meetings in the school house. When in 1888 the Freeport Circuit, consisting of Freeport, Portland, Black Creek and Bruce, Wilson, anxious to have services at Pt. Washington wrote the Presiding Elder to ask that a minister be supplied. The Alabama Conference was unable to respond at that time and it was learned that a Mr. John Wesley, an ordained minister, but not a member of the conference wasliving in Vernon, the county site of Washington County. He was contacted and agreed to accept the call. The year was 1889.The Reverend Mr. Wesley and two of his sons, Stephen and William came in January of 1890 to make Pt. Washington their home. Later the rest of the family joined them.He held services every Sunday and founded the church. The charter members included the Wesley family, the Wilsons andMiss Adeline Holley who married the eldest Wesley son StephanHaywood NamedJohn R. Haywood has been named General Manager of Seascape Resort and Conference Center on Highway 98.Haywood will be responsible for overall resort operations including real estate sales, golf and tennis operations, food and beverage facilities, conference sales, and the guest rentalprogram.Haywood’s background includes extensive experience in real estate sales and construction, and management in food and beverage operations. He is president and owner of A.F.J. Investments, Ltd. in Atlanta.Other credits include being a former vice-president of Atlanta Outfitter’s, Ltd., a consultant inthe food operation of ‘‘The Cup’’ Restaurant in Atlanta, and consultant work for Environmental Planning Engineering and Great American Investment Corporation in Atlanta.TSXOXOCv* *-W.Vx:S:**• *!fand Miss Katie Strickland who married William H. who built t home that is now known as Eden State Park and Gardens.In 1892 the church had grown to such an extent that Mr. dey felt it should be included in the Alabama Conference. Thisrequest was granted by including it in the Freeport Charge with services held on the second Thursday night of each month. Mr. Wesley continued to hold the regular Sunday services.Under the leadership of Mr. G.N. Winslett, the Freeport Circuit minister, the building was begun in 1893 and finished in 1894. The lumber was donated by the Strickland W’esley sawmill as it had donated the lumber for the school years before.The original building is still the sanctuary and there have been additions of Sunday School rooms and a fellowship hall. The original bell still rings from its steeple.The descendants of John Wesley has produced five Methodist ministers. His son Charles, his gandson Herman, great grandson John (and son of Herman), great-grandson Jack Burlisqn and the most recently ordained great grandson and another grandson of Herman. Martin Wesley. The present administrative board chairman is great grandson Dick Saltsman and great granddaughter, OlUe Sue Butler, is a trustee of the church.Last Sunday 's historic conference and with its first full timePastor since John Wesley, the Reverend Michael Calumbo, the church at Pt. Washington is planning to take its place in the growth of this area. (A point of clarification: The Reverend John Wesley is not the John Wesley of England who founded theMethodist Church.)Pt. Washington United Methodist Church.
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Destin Log
Destin, Florida, US
Sat, Dec 04, 1982
Page 10
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FL, USA 23 May 2020
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