History of our Church

 This is the recorded history of our church. We hope you'll enjoy it.

Long before any Methodist society was formed in Sparr, Methodist circuit riders made their way through the area, preaching at every opportunity.  On occasion, folks in Sparr and the surrounding farming communities would travel to Ocala to hear the Rev. Culpepper and others preach fiery sermons at revivals and camp meetings.  Then, in the late 1870s, about the time the railroad was introduced to the Sparr-Anthony area, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Swain convinced the Methodist Society to move from Spring Hill to Anthony.  In 1886, Rev. R. H. Tydings, a fifty-year veteran of the Methodist ministry, superannuated in Anthony and began serving the Methodist Society in Anthony, including Sparr, and preach when he had occasion.

            It should come as no surprise that the earliest record of the actual organization of the Methodists at Sparr appears in the history of the Anthony United Methodist Church.  According to church records, as well as information that appeared in an April 1890 edition of the Ocala Banner, “a Sunday School was organized at Sparr, April 18, 1890, by the Rev. Graham, Mrs. E. H. Swain, and Mr. I. J. Brokow, all from Anthony.”

            The Sparr Methodist Church was officially organized in 1893 with twenty members whose names are uncertain.  At that time, Sparr had become part of the Anthony, Greenwood, and Grahamville circuit with Rev. W. S. Richardson as pastor.  It is believed that the Methodists in Sparr met in homes and in the old school house (Later known as Woodman Hall) until a sanctuary was eventually completed in 1912.  During the early years between 1890 and 1910, Sparr Methodist Episcopal, South was assigned to the Anthony circuit, sharing a circuit riding preacher with churches such as Anthony, Eurika, Greenwood (Pine area), Grahamville, Reddick, Kendrick, and Martin.

1910 to 1919

            J. W. Luffman, Daniel Grantham, and J. L. Grantham, as trustees for the Sparr Methodist Episcopal Church, South, signed for the original church property on September 27, 1911.  The land was originally a patent from the United States to James Galbraith in 1888.  We know from the following article (printed in a November 29, 1912 issue of the Ocala Banner) the original sanctuary was built between September, 1911, and November, 1912:

The Sparr school has been completed, furnished and painted, and the building is a credit to the neighborhood.  The school is progressing nicely, under Professor Boyd as principal and Miss Simmons as assistant.

The Methodist Church has been completed, and painted and seated nicely.

The steeple to the Baptist Church having been completed adds greatly to the appearance of the building.

We have preaching twice each month, and with Miss Miriam Stephens, organists for the Methodist and Miss May Grantham organist for the Baptist, we have excellent music and good singing as well as good preaching.

The Woodman of the World camp here have purchased the old school building, and will soon remodel and arrange if for the Woodman Hall.  (Ocala Banner, Nov. 29, 1912)

            The Methodists began services of worship in the new building, even though the interior was not finished.  The exterior had been completed and painted, but there was no ceiling inside the sanctuary.  The lanterns that were affixed to the walls so that evening services could be held, would remain for nearly 30 years (until electric lighting could be installed).  Still, the struggling young church was vitally alive and looking to the futu5re.

1920 to 1929

            Circuit riders played an important role in the settling of the United States and were vital to the g4rowth of the Sparr Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  In the first 26 years of the church’s history, they were served by a total of 18 circuit riders.  Eight more circuit riding preachers would serve Sparr from 1920 to 1929.  Because of the number of churches served by one pastor, as well as the difficulties that could be encountered traveling between the points of a charge, most churches held services fewer than once a week.  However, many churches made great use of lay speakers, who would often lead worship when the pastor was unavailable or at another church.  In 1921, Rev. Mann served five churches (Sparr, Citra, Greenwood, Reddick, and Fairfield).  The next year, with the help of two assistant pastors (Rev. C. E. Cook and Rev. J. R. Cason), Rev. Mann served seven churches on a single circuit (Sparr, Anthony, Citra, Island Grove, Greenwood, Burbank, and Grahamville), with a total member of 458.

            The circuit riders, whose lives were often difficult (and whose salary was always meager), thrived on the challenges of birthing and nurturing newborn churches.  These men had hearts that burned for the souls of men, women, and children, as well as a great passion to proclaim salvation in Christ alone.  To that end, revivals were almost a yearly event in most churches – and Sparr church was no exception.  Through the concerted efforts of these circuit riders, as well as the swelling numbers of new folks moving into the area by wagon, train, and automobile, Sparr Methodist Church, along with her sister churches, grew stronger in number and in witness.  Part of the church’s witness was a love and appreciation for their circuit riding pastors, for whom the congregation regularly provided with an abundance of farm produce (as a means of supplementing their pastor’s salary).  The pastor and his family were also often invited to dinner by grateful parishioners.  After being joined to both the Citra and Reddick circuits through much of the 1920s, the decade closed with Sparr Methodist Church returning to the Anthony circuit, with Rev. J. C. Jones as pastor for a single year.

1930 to 1939

            The 1930s were marked by both good times and bad for the nation and the Methodists.  The depression of the early 30s was felt in Sparr as severely as in most of the United States.  However, since much of the local economy was agricultural, families were able to provide one another with food, if not much else.  Bishop John M. Moore returned Sparr Church to the Citra circuit with five other churches and appointed Rev. W. H. Herndon as pastor.  Then, 1931, some 19 years after the construction of the Sparr sanctuary, the building was dedicated to the glory of God.  Rev. Mann returned to speak at the July 12^th dedication service.

            Throughout the 1930s, the Sparr church averaged approximately 42 full members and paid an average of $285 annually to the pastor for support.  The value of the church building reported to Annual Conference during the 1930s was $150 and total church expenses for the year was $300.  And yet, the Lord was gracious to the church as it walked through the Valley of the Great Depression.  That grace was most clearly seen in the unification of 1939.

            Discussions were held at Annual and General Conferences across Methodism in the 1930s about the hope of uniting the fragmented Methodist Church.  In 1938, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Methodist Episcopal Church, North, and the Methodist Protestant Church agreed in principal to unite into a single Methodist denomination.  These denominational efforts came to fruition in 1939, when all three denominations passed a Declaration of Union and drew up a new constitution, creating The Methodist Church.  This was the first of several attempts to reunify the fractured followers of John and Charles Wesley into a single denominational family.

1940 to 1949

            The 1940s ushered in an age of tremendous change for the people of Sparr and the Sparr Methodist Church.  The ominous clouds of war finally came to rest over the United States and naturally affected daily life in Sparr.  Still, the mission and ministry of the church continued uninterrupted.  Rev. H. S. Austin was appointed as pastor of the Citra circuit, which included Sparr Methodist.  The value of the church property was reported to be $2,500 with a membership of 45 full members.  In 194, under the leadership of Rev. L. P. Driscoll, a good number of young people from Sparr Methodist came to salvation and asked to be baptized.  On September 17, 1944, the youth (including present members Shirley Lyles White and Bill Powell) were immersed in baptism at Simmons Lake near Citra.

            Electricity also made significant changes in the life of the Methodist fellowship during the 40s.  The old lanterns inside the church were retired when Mr. o. Riker and others wired the church building for electricity and electric lights were installed.  Membership continued to grow and the church budget exceeded $1,000 for the first time.

            A young pastor from South Carolina was appointed to the Anthony circuit in 1946 and served Sparr as well during his tenure.  Rev. George Harper oversaw the construction of the Sunday school building at Sparr Church.  In fact, Rev. Harper worked on every aspect of the construction along with Elvin Perry, Orval Riker, and others. 

            The addition increased the value of the church property to $6,000 and allowed classes to meet outside the sanctuary for the first time.  Until that time, the sanctuary was partitioned into classrooms with curtains (the holes for fastening these curtains can still be seen in the sanctuary walls).

            The 1940s ended with Rev. R. D. Summer as pastor and with a membership of 90 full members.

1950 to 1959

            The W.S.C.S. and the M.Y.F. were especially active during this period in the church’s history.  W.S.C.S. even included the young women in the congregation.  At one point, its secretary was only 14 years old.  In 1952, the women’s group published its first cookbook and titled it Sparr’s Treasure of Personal Recipes.  Mission projects and a “secret pal club” were also some of the activities of the W.S.C.S.  The Methodist Youth Fellowship was active, but was unable to meet on Sunday afternoons for outings.  Rather, the youth went on Saturday outings when an adult was available.

            In the early fifties, while teens across the nation were flocking to see the antics of Elvis, members of the Young Married Sunday School Class made a commitment to put $1 per week into a special fund to build a lunchroom for the church.  After a few years of sacrifice, $9000 was collected and the lunchroom was constructed, with Mr. Riker drilling the well using a homemade drilling rig he had built.  The new building had a tin roof with no ceiling and only screens for windows.  There was also a single sink.

            In September of 1953, Joyce Ryerson came to the circuit and began working with our church.  Joyce was a US-2 missionary for the Methodist Church and worked with us until August 1955.  At the end of her mission service, Joyce married W. J. Crosby of Citra and settled down to teach school and continue her service at the Citra Methodist Church. 

            In the mid-fifties, new pews were purchased by families in the congregation for $40 each.  The new cypress pews, which are still in use today, were more comfortable and more attractive than the original church pews.

            Pastor Stewart, who served Sparr Church from 1953 to 1956 also worked as a barber in the community.  On September 20, 1955, the church pianist, Ethel Luffman and her beau, Miller Bagley, crashed a birthday party for Rev. Stewart and presented him with a marriage license and requested to be married.  The bride and groom were both in their 60s and had lost their first spouses.

            The scripture says that “to everything there is a time and a season” and so it was that the late 1950s was a time filled with both heartache and joy.  Pastor Ben Blackburn was appointed to the church in 1956, but only served seven months before leaving because of illness.  Rev. C.E. Folsom was appointed to replace Rev. Blackburn in February of 1957.  Services were often held with the church windows open for ventilation.  Due to an infestation of honey bees in the old chimney (once used for a wood heater), bees kept coming into the sanctuary.  Since the wood heaters had been replaced by gas heaters, the men’s group tore down the old chimney.  The project netted several bee stings and nearly 30 pounds of honey in the comb!

            November of 1958 was a time of sorrow and celebration for our church family.  Within a span of days, Granny Riker died and Pastor Folsom and his wife, Phyllis’ daughter, Laura Elizabeth, was born.  Granny Riker had been a faithful member of the Sparr Church from its earliest days and had been a strong and steady influence in the church.  Just one year later, in December of 1959, funeral services were held for the infant daughter of Brady and Shirley White.  The closeness of the Sparr Methodist proved to be a tremendous source of strength and support, both by the congregation and Pastor Folsom.

            At the close of the decade, Sparr Church reported a membership of 92 full members and a property value of $19,000.

1960 to 1969

Sparr Methodist began in the 1960s on the Anthony circuit with Rev. Folsom still serving as pastor.  Then, in 1961, the Sparr congregation was attached to the Citra circuit under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Clarence Weeks.  Few records exist for the period of 1961 to 1963.

            In the summer of 1963, Rev. Samuel Fountain was appointed to the Citra circuit and Sparr Church.  It was Pastor Fountain who first wore a clerical robe in the pulpit, even though the church was not air conditioned.  During the week, Rev. Fountain worked at the prison in Sta4rke to help support his five children and his wife.  During the winter of 1964, a bathroom was added to the Sunday school building.  By summer, the congregation was making plans to say goodbye to Re. Fountain and greetings to a new pastor.

            The Sparr Church family welcomed Rev. Wallace Draper as pastor in June of 1964.  Pastor Draper was meticulous about details and was always extremely well dressed and groomed.  He may well have been the best dressed pastor the Sparr Church has ever had.  Near the end of Rev. Draper’s tenure, Lora Crandall paid to have the sanctuary ceiling lowered to the worshipers would be warmer in winter.  Some discussion was held concerning a change in the sanctuary lighting, but it was voted to keep the existing light (which had been removed some years earlier from the old McCrory Department Store and donated to the church).  There were 79 members reported at the close of 1966. 

            In the years since the merger of 1939, the Methodist church one again looked for4ard to uniting with a sister denomination.  Because we had always shared a similar theology, doctrine, and Book of Discipline, the Methodists voted to merge with the Evangelical United Brethren Church on April 12, 1968.  While this did not immediately affect the Sparr congregation, it did increase and enrich our denomination as a whole.

            Rev. Charles Dickman was pastor at the close of the decade.

1970 to 1979

            The 1970s were active years.  Shortly after Rev. Frank Daniel was appointed to the Sparr Church in June, plans were made to hold a church wide fruit/fundraising project.  During the following year (1971), 50 new song books were purchased.  Susie Rawls donated a refrigerator for the kitchen and an air conditioner was installed in the sanctuary by Sears Roebuck and Co.  The church paid $1,200 down and monthly payments on the balance.  The year 1971 may be remembered as the year we stored away the pew fans that had been donated by Roberts Funeral Home and Heirs Funeral Home in Ocala.  For nearly 70 years, those little cardboard funeral home fans with the flat wood handles had been a part of the worship scene at Sparr.  However, folks were thankful that the air conditioning had bee installed in time for the revival in March.  Later, in 1972, the first windows were purchased and installed in the kitchen.

            In 1973, the Sparr Church was once again added to the Anthony circuit.  Pastor Ellis served for one year.  During that time, 50 new chairs were purchased for the dining room.  With the arrival of Rev. Denman Jones in 1974, Sparr found itself on a circuit that included Anthony and Ft. McCoy.  In the fall of 1974, the church bell was once again heard throughout the community after many years of silence, during which repairs were made (including a new rope).

            In 1975, Rev. Doug Kirk became pastor.  An organ was later donated and Lois Bronson played two hymns and an offertory on Sundays.  On June 20^th, 1976, the organ was dedicated in memory of one-time church pianist, Mrs. Vera Nathan.  In following years, the Sparr church purchased the 4.93 acres north of the existing property with the intention of someday building a parsonage.  A building fund was established by Tom Lovell with a $1,0000 donation  The doors of the sanctuary were in 1978 by Jim Dillard and the first Sparr United Methodist Church Horse Show was held on July 16^th, 1978 (with June Fink in charge).  This was the beginning of an important, if unusual, ministry for this church.

            In 1979, two stained glass windows were donated in memory of Russ Hinkle.

1980 to 1989

            Sparr petitioned the Flo4rida Conference for single charge status in 1980 and in June, Rev. George Holston was appointed.  This was the first time in the church’s history that it was ever a single point charge.  A retired forester, Rev. Holston served the Sparr congregation, even as he worked to complete the United Methodist “Course of study” for local pastors.  Eleven members were added to the church family in his first full year as pastor.  In 1981, the original sanctuary roof was replaced by volunteers from St. Mark’s UMC in Ocala.  Material costs for the project totaled $2,500.  In appreciation for their help, the women of the church served a feast to the men at break.  It was aid tat many of the volunteers ate so well that some were unable to return to work.

            It was during the tenure of Pastor Holston that the Horse Show Ministry really took off.  The show became recognized throughout the North Florida area for the quality of its shows and the family atmosphere.  The kitchen, under the leadership of the Women’s Fellowship, was a tremendous source of revenue for the church building fund and an important part of the Horse Show ministry.  The church also welcomed the 4-HG club and invited them to use the church facilities for meetings and events.  Other ministries that sprung up during this time were a nursing home ministry to the Ocala Geriatric Center and Palm Garden Nursing Home.

            Easter sunrise services became an annual event, with the Sparr Baptist Church and the Sparr United Methodist Church sharing in the services.  The pastors took turns preaching every other year.

            In the mid-eighties, considerable renovation was done on the Sunday school building.  Through the efforts of Ellery and Greta Dunn, Vernon Priest, and others, the walls were paneled, ceiling tiles installed, and fans and an air conditioner added.  Norman Perry donated new bibles for the sanctuary in memory of his Father, Elvin L. Perry, and the Men’s Fellowship was reorganized.  The men’s group met on the first Saturday for a breakfast (cooked by Pastor Holston).  After breakfast the men usually stayed to do repairs around the church building.

            A new sign and extensive landscaping were added in the mid-eighties as well.  Girl. Scout Troop 297, under the leadership of Jill Bradbury, provided the expertise and hard work for the landscaping.  The church became involved with two new ministries:  the Jim Russo Prison Ministry and the Interfaith Services Food Pantry.  Responsibility for the Horse Shows fell to Gil and Ruth Gilliland and their daughters.

            In 1986, a group of volunteers from First United Methodist Church in Ocala replaced the roof on the education building.  As with the sanctuary, the only cost to the church was materials and a feat for the volunteers.  Another stained glass window as added in 1987 by Mrs. Mathilda Dreyfuse.  As the decade proceeded, missions continued to be an emphasis in the Sparr Church, adding Mission Saturation Weekends to its calendar.  In May of 1986, Shelton and Lottie Powell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a special ceremony and renewal of vows.  The church was overflowing with friends and family.  Another celebration shared by the church family was the ordination of Rev. Holston in Lakeland in May of 1987.  Several church members attended the ordination service.

            A Round Robin Revival was held in 1988 with Sparr, Anthony, Ft. McCoy, and Pine churches.  The pastors preached in one another’s churches.  Also, in that year, the handicap ramp was completed. The following year, Maggie Sites added the last stained glass window to the sanctuary in memory of her late husband.

            Near the close of the 80s, Pastor Holston announced his retirement.  For nearly a full decade, longer than any previous pastoral tenure, Rev. Holston had shepherded the Sparr flock with a steady and loving hand.  The retirement of Pastor Holston was a sad time in many respects, for not only had he endeared himself to so many but, with his leaving, the single charge status for the church came to an end.

1990 to 1993 

            Sparr was yoked with McIntosh as a two-point charge in 1989 and Pastor Al Beck was appointed to the charge. Coming from First United Methodist Church in Miami, the Becks moved into the parsonage in McIntosh.  Pastor Beck is a private pilot, has served in the mission fields of Belize and Honduras, and was the first pastor to war a clerical collar.  His sermons often included character narratives in costume.

            A new ministry, developed with the help of Mary Vannatta, brought recognition to the Sparr Church.  The ministry, called “Little Fuzzies,” supplied indigent mothers and their newborns with a layette and other supplies upon their discharge from the hospital.

            With hearts full of hope and an eye to the future, the Sparr congregation retired the mortgage on the “horse show property” with a grant from the Florida Conference and the Gainesville District.  This grant was in conjunction with the church’s purchase of the Lovell home, situated behind the church, for a future parsonage.  Mrs. Alsa Lovell would remain in the home for the remainder of her life.

            Many of the great ministries established in the past were continued under the leadership of Pastor Beck.  After a year’s absence from the Sparr congregation, Pastor Beck encouraged Rev. Holston and his wife, Ethel, to return to Sparr and the church family.  Thus began a team ministry between Rev. Holston and Rev. Beck.  Together they taught Wednesday nigh Bible study, worked on mission and ministry projects, and shared the pastoral care duties.  The Bible study group met in Ft. McCoy at the home of Mathida Dreyfuse on March 20^th, 1991, to study and celebrate Mathilda’s 90^th birthday. 

            Several ambitious projects and ministries were begun in the 90s, most of which were started by the laity.  These included an extensive renovation of the kitchen by the Men’s group, a ceramics class led by Jan and Gene Horney, a swimmersize class at Carol Bradbury’s home, and a resurrected Youth ministry with the Moyers, Powells, and Philips as leaders.

            The year 1992 brought some interesting events to Sparr United Methodist.  Doris Hamner began playing the organ for services after it was silenced when Amy Bradbury moved away.  On Easter morning, worshipers entered the church to find hundreds of helium-filled balloons floating in the sanctuary.  The balloons carried messages of hope and resurrection.  During 1992, V.B.S. became a “family oriented” evening event and received strong support from the congregation.  A the charge Conference of 19923, Rev. Holston was elected as Pastor Emeritus for the Sparr Church and Pastor Beck expressed his gratitude for their partnership ministry.  On the mission front, our church participated in the relief efforts in South Florida following Hurricane Andrew.

            The “storm of the century” blew through Sparr in March of 1993, leaving many of the large oak trees badly damaged but the building relatively untouched.  For as many years as anyone can remember, this was the first time services were canceled due to weather.  At home, a Shepherd’s ministry was established through which “Shepherds” in the congregation assist the pastor with congregational care.  Later that year, the Men’s Fellowship remodeled the bathroom and made two separate bathrooms from the old one.  Bill Powell took special interest in this project.

            On May 16^th, the church celebrated Rural Life Sunday and the preacher came dressed in overalls.  Blue jeans, overalls, and calico were standard wear for the vent and the service had an “old time religion” theme, including some of the old favorite gospel hymns of yesteryear.

            At the writing of this history, plans are almost complete for celebrating the church’s 100^th birth on August 29, 1993.  Bishop H. Hughes is scheduled to preach and District Superintendent Jimmy Jones will attend.  After worship, an old fashioned “dinner on the grounds” will be provided and the Journeymen Gospel Quartet will be on hand to sing.  Two other special events for the day are the photographing of members and friends for a centennial church directory and the presence of a hot air balloon.  God promises great things ahead for this Sparr United Methodist Church family.