LaGrange Community Church
Posted by: 
overrover
N 28° 38.402 W 080° 50.243
17R E 515893 N 3168116
Site of the first church erected between New Smyrna and Key West; a community church built in 1869.
Waymark Code: WMFPJ
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/26/2006
Views: 43
Founded by Tom Johnson Cockshutt in 1869, this was the first organized Protestant Church on the East Coast of Florida between New Smyrna and Key West. Tom donated land for a cemetery and built a small log structure located on what is now the northern part of LaGrange Cemetery. It was used as a public meeting place, church, and the first public school in Brevard County. In 1872 a two-story structure of vertical logs was built on the present site. The first floor was used as a church and the second floor for public meetings and a schoolhouse. In 1893 the second story was removed, a bay window was added between the two front doors, and horizontal boards were placed over the vertical logs, encompassing the old structure within the walls of the new. Depicted on one of the eight memorial windows are the names of those who built the church: J.N. Feaster; J.C.C. Feaster; Tom J. Cockshutt; W.S. Norwood; B.J. Mims; R. Singleton; and W.P. Day. The first ordained pastor was W.N. Chaudoin from 1871-1904. Several other congregations were formed from this small church that included: First Presbyterian of Titusville; Mims Methodist Church; and Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Mims.
THE HISTORICAL LAGRANGE CHURCH
LaGrange is a community in North Brevard County; it is an era as much as it is a place, a microcosm of all that went into forming these United States. The hardships and dangers confronting the early pioneers of LaGrange were no less than those faced by early settlers in the other parts of the United States.
Everything that LaGrange was is represented in this picturesque church located on Old Dixie Highway just north of Titusville. The LaGrange church first began in 1869, and is the oldest church between New Smyrna Beach and Key West and the oldest Protestant church between St. Augustine and Key West.
Other than scattered Indians, there was little settlement activity in Brevard County until the David Nathaniel Carlile family arrived from Mississippi in 1852. He came well equipped to populate the area having brought his wife and ten children. The Carliles were followed by Feasters, Cuylers, Norwoods, Singletons and Warrens. The honor roll of early pioneers can be read off the gravestones in LaGrange Cemetery. The history of LaGrange is the thread that binds us to those who have gone before and made our lives possible.
The LaGrange area was accessible mostly by water, with the St. Johns River being the primary north- south artery for people and goods. Salt Lake provided the closest landing for items destined for the LaGrange community. Goods traveled overland on a two wheeled cart pulled by men. Oxen eventually replaced the men and to avoid the deep sand, wooden rails were put in place to make it easier to roll the carts.
LaGrange Church was the social center for the early settlers. Non-denominational religious services were conducted for various faiths and all day meetings with dinner served on the grounds were typical. Food served was wild hog, venison, turkey and mullet served with cabbage palm, mangoes and sweet potato pie.
To the forefront of this community rose a Baptist minister, The Reverend William Chaudoin, who for 33 Years served the LaGrange Community. His prominence was such that when he died in 1904, the trustees for the then fledgling John B. Stetson University at DeLand, named Chaudoin Hall for him.
The LaGrange church is located 1575 Old Dixie Highway, 3 miles north of Titusville, just north of Dairy Road.
Open House is held the 3rd Saturday of each month, from 10 - 12 noon, free and open to the public. Special Tours and lectures for groups are available. For information please contact Roz Foster at 321-267-4480 or Peg Boshara, 268-3384. Closed during the summer
Marker Number: F-540
Date: 2005
County: Brevard
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: THE BREVARD COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Website: [Web Link]
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