In the late 1800's many English settlers came to central Florida to engage in the citrus industry. Envisioning a mission church to reach the growing English community, two retired British Army officers raised $1,800 to construct this Episcopalian church in the Conway area of Orange County, Florida. The original location included a nearby cemetery on this site. The first service of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was held on June 2, 1889.
The Great Freeze of 1895 ruined many English citrus growers. As they left the area, local churches declined and some were abandoned. During the Depression, Holy Trinity was deconsecrated, used for a local chamber of commerce, and later sold to a Conway Methodist Church in 1938.
Here's where Casselberry's history comes in...
In 1947, Hibbard Casselberry said, "You can't have a real town unless you have a church." What he wanted on a personal level was a place to marry Miss Martha Norris. The families in town had been gathering in private homes. The roof on the Community House needed too much repair.
Hibbard looked for a building he could move, as was common for him to do during World War II when building supplies were scarce.
The little Episcopal church was one of Central Florida's oldest structures, crafted of 200 year-old pine, with Gothic arched windows, a copper "onion skin" dome, pine floors, a cathedral ceiling, and Byzantine carvings on the doors. He wanted to buy this church and move it to Casselberry, but the costs to move it in its fragile condition was too great in the post-World War II economy.
Hibbard decided that a new church building should be built in Casselberry. He gave his highest and best land on Highway 17-92, at Piney Ridge Road, to his children, Hibbard, Jr, Leonard, and Molly, and had them donate the land. It was one of his "teaching by doing" parenting lessons. Then Hibbard called his friend Gamble Rogers design the small chapel that is today.
Fast forward 1959 to Fern Park as we know it today. An Eastern Orthodox congregation moved the church to Fern Park (as we know it today, south of Highway 436) "placing it on the shores of Lake Kathryn."
WHAT lake? Many people who have lived here for years will remember this church. The historic marker at its current location states it was on Lake Kathryn.
My guess is that the name of the lake (Lake Kathryn) that the church sat on was what Lake of the Woods is now, and that developer changed the name.
In October of 1989, the church was purchased by the First Baptist Orlando member Art Williams and family in memory of wife and mother Marie who had dreamed of a small prayer chapel for her church. It was moved to the First Baptist property in November 1989, refurbished, and dedicated on September 8, 1991.
Most of this history comes from the historic marker at First Baptist Orlando. Way to go, Art Williams and family! You saved a true gem.