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Grace Episcopal Church
History
Grace Church, Ocala, is the oldest church in the Diocese of Central Florida.
On July 20, 1853 the Bishop of Florida, Francis Huger Rutledge, noted in his diary: "Canonical notice was received of the formation of a new parish at Ocala, the county seat of Marion county, to be known as Grace Church."
Growth over the next several years was slow and the mission almost went out of existence until in 1861 the presence of seven families and a newly arrived priest breathed new life into it. Regular services were suspended for a time as the community concentrated on equipping volunteers for the army of the Confederacy, who enlisted in large numbers from Marion county. During the war years, services were held at a local plantation where a clergyman was in residence.After 1865, with the war over, a schedule of regular services was resumed with a missionary priest who rode circuit via horseback, stagecoach and private carriage. Episcopalians in Ocala shared a new Baptist building along with all the other denominations in the city and they occasionally shared ministers as well.
In 1875 a building fund was started and in 1880, Grace church acquired its own building and held its first service on Christmas Day of that year. The new building was located on the Southwest corner of Northwest first Street and First Avenue. The building apparently created quite a stir. As per the local newspaper account, "The Episcopal Church is putting on the airs of a young Cathedral with its tower, belfry, and new wings." By 1888, membership had grown from the original 74 to 200, and the building was enlarged. Two wings were added, each seating 20 people. In 1893, the first rectory was built.
In 1902, the present location was purchased for $300, and plans were made to move the church to its new location. After services in March 1905, the building was disassembled, moved to its new home, reassembled and slightly enlarged. The first service at our present site was held on Trinity Sunday, June 18, 1905. In the 1930's, a program was begun to purchase native rock for a Parish Hall. In 1948, the Parish Hall was built and the rectory moved to the next lot east.
Following completion of the Parish Hall, work began on the adjoining wings to the east. The original west end entrance was closed and a niche created for the baptismal font. New doors were added to the south and north sides. Grace Church Day School opened with kindergarten classes in 1956. Grades were added annually through the years and in 1974 the seventh and eighth grades accepted students.
From the 1960's to the present time, growth in the congregation has resulted in progressive changes. In 1960, the first associate rector was called. During that time, alterations to the church building were necessary to enlarge and make it more adequate for worship. The greatest changes took place in 1972 when the sanctuary was enlarged, and the alter was moved from the east wall to its present position.
The Grace congregation has gone from strength to strength. As the "mother church" of others in the area, it has sponsored missions in Ocala, notably St. Patrick's, now a parish, and St. Stephen's. In Dunnellon the parish church of Holy Faith was established. While Grace Church has been considerably enlarged over the years, it still retains its Florida Gothic structure.
Through the years, Grace Church continued to focus on the spiritual needs of our growing church family and of our community. Grace Church has remained a strong presence in the Ocala - Marion county community, serving God's people in the Episcopal tradition for over 150 years.
Grace Church, Ocala, is the oldest church in the Diocese of Central Florida.
On July 20, 1853 the Bishop of Florida, Francis Huger Rutledge, noted in his diary: "Canonical notice was received of the formation of a new parish at Ocala, the county seat of Marion county, to be known as Grace Church."
Growth over the next several years was slow and the mission almost went out of existence until in 1861 the presence of seven families and a newly arrived priest breathed new life into it. Regular services were suspended for a time as the community concentrated on equipping volunteers for the army of the Confederacy, who enlisted in large numbers from Marion county. During the war years, services were held at a local plantation where a clergyman was in residence.After 1865, with the war over, a schedule of regular services was resumed with a missionary priest who rode circuit via horseback, stagecoach and private carriage. Episcopalians in Ocala shared a new Baptist building along with all the other denominations in the city and they occasionally shared ministers as well.
In 1875 a building fund was started and in 1880, Grace church acquired its own building and held its first service on Christmas Day of that year. The new building was located on the Southwest corner of Northwest first Street and First Avenue. The building apparently created quite a stir. As per the local newspaper account, "The Episcopal Church is putting on the airs of a young Cathedral with its tower, belfry, and new wings." By 1888, membership had grown from the original 74 to 200, and the building was enlarged. Two wings were added, each seating 20 people. In 1893, the first rectory was built.
In 1902, the present location was purchased for $300, and plans were made to move the church to its new location. After services in March 1905, the building was disassembled, moved to its new home, reassembled and slightly enlarged. The first service at our present site was held on Trinity Sunday, June 18, 1905. In the 1930's, a program was begun to purchase native rock for a Parish Hall. In 1948, the Parish Hall was built and the rectory moved to the next lot east.
Following completion of the Parish Hall, work began on the adjoining wings to the east. The original west end entrance was closed and a niche created for the baptismal font. New doors were added to the south and north sides. Grace Church Day School opened with kindergarten classes in 1956. Grades were added annually through the years and in 1974 the seventh and eighth grades accepted students.
From the 1960's to the present time, growth in the congregation has resulted in progressive changes. In 1960, the first associate rector was called. During that time, alterations to the church building were necessary to enlarge and make it more adequate for worship. The greatest changes took place in 1972 when the sanctuary was enlarged, and the alter was moved from the east wall to its present position.
The Grace congregation has gone from strength to strength. As the "mother church" of others in the area, it has sponsored missions in Ocala, notably St. Patrick's, now a parish, and St. Stephen's. In Dunnellon the parish church of Holy Faith was established. While Grace Church has been considerably enlarged over the years, it still retains its Florida Gothic structure.
Through the years, Grace Church continued to focus on the spiritual needs of our growing church family and of our community. Grace Church has remained a strong presence in the Ocala - Marion county community, serving God's people in the Episcopal tradition for over 150 years.