St. Agatha’s moves forward in faith

By Mendy Henderson, Coastline Communicator for St. Agatha’s, DeFuniak Springs

The tiny white frame church on Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs has a Five Year Plan that includes a goal for preservation and improvement of its historic structures and grounds.  This goal is certainly in keeping with their 2000-2007 success in restoring both the church (1892) and the vicarage (1887) with the help of The Florida Department of State, Bureau of Historic Preservation matching grants program.

In examining this and other goals the vestry determined that there was barely enough space to meet current educational and fellowship programming needs much less future ones.  In fact, Adult Sunday School met in the Vicar’s parlor and Children’s Sunday School met in the Vicar’s dining room.  Functions in the parish hall were very crowded.  When four wheel-chair bound members were present on the same day it was difficult to move about.  Members wanted to resolve these issues but lack of building space and the poor economy seemed to be overwhelming considerations. Never the less, preliminary investigations about new construction crept forward.

Then God presented another opportunity.  A query letter about purchasing the adjoining property was answered positively five years after it was originally sent.  This property includes a dwelling (circa 1885), that might be used to provide the priest with a private vicarage which the church has never before been able to offer.  The home, like the church and vicarage, is a contributing site to the DeFuniak Springs Historic District (on The National Register of Historic Places) and can be an attractive portion of a priest’s compensation package.  The current vicarage can now be used for Sunday School rooms and as fellowship space.  In addition, a small lot suitable for future building was part of the package.  The decision was to move forward in times of economic uncertainty or to remain crowded, stable and risk free?  After careful fact finding and long deliberations the decision was to move forward…in faith.

Positive things began to occur.  Philip M. Duncan, II, Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast granted the mission church $50,000 from the Noel Turner Fund and also a loan for a similar amount from the Congregational Loan Fund. Saint Agatha’s Endowment Trust will supply some of the required funds.  A Capital Campaign, chaired by John Miller, started this month to raise additional money for the final purchase of the property and to restore funds to the Trust.

Members are excited about the future of St. Agatha’s and they see the need to plan for generations yet to come. Their reputation for restoration and preservation make them good stewards for these historic properties.   They are moving forward…in faith.  If you would like more information, contact John Miller at 850-892-5441 or St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church, 150 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.