Lecanto Church of Christ History
Lecanto’s first church house was a little log house. It was built in 1869 and served for school and a meeting house until the First Union Church was built in 1883. All denominations had meetings there and everyone went to church. In 1895 the Baptist decided to build on their present location and afterwards, the Church of Christ and the Methodists each built a meeting house of their own.
The little Old Union church house eventually disappeared. It was located on the vacant property just west of the cemetery. That lot is the property of the community now. It is to be fenced and made into a cemetery park. It is under the supervision of 3 trustees appointed by the county commissioners. We hope to keep it as a memorial of good old days of our forefathers, when having a neighbor and being a neighbor meant more than it does now.
The old frame church building that was used for years was torn down in 1960 and a new concrete block building was built.
Preachers who preached here
SCOTT R. BARNUM:
He began preaching about 1873. He was a reformed lawyer, and preached occasionally for about 4 years. He married Lou Hampton. He later went to Tampa, to practice law.
BROTHER MOSER:
He came to us from Missouri. His initials are thought to be S.C. He began preaching here in 1877 and continued to come now and then until 1915 or later. He was the brother-in-law of Billy and Henry Edwards of Red Level, Florida.
BROTHER DOW GEIGER:
He was a native of Florida. His first name is unknown. We do know he was the brother-in-law of the above mentioned Brother Moser. He began preaching for us in 1879-1880. He was a former Baptist minister but unfortunately went back to the Baptist Church about 1900. He was a very convincing preacher.
BROTHER YOUNG:
He came to us from Lake Butler, Florida. His first name is also unknown. He preached one sermon in 1879. He was married to Ruth Gibbons, a friend of John Morrison.
BROTHER MASON:
He was called the father of Lecanto Church of Christ. He came here in 1880 and found the members in discord. He succeeded in uniting the brother hood as no one else had previously done. He continued preaching during the early 80’s.
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