Church History

The Dade City First United Methodist Church had its beginning in 1886. Our first services were held in a building that was later used as the local courthouse when Pasco County formed. Our sanctuary is the oldest church building on historic Church Street, being built in July 1889. In 1954, the church sanctuary was set in its final location. In 1997, we finalized our additions to our Church Campus with the design and completion of our Christian Life Center (CLC) complimenting the architectural details of the original sanctuary.

New stained glass windows were installed in 1975 in the original openings. The front portico on the sanctuary, the west wing and the entrance porch along the north side of the education building were added in 1987 to provide a more modern appearance.

The congregation remains proud of its heritage that dates to 1886 when church services were held in a store building that later served as the first Pasco County courthouse. Located on the southwest corner of the square where the Historic Pasco County Courthouse now stands, the building was owned by W.N. Ferguson, co- owner of Coleman and Ferguson Co. Coleman and Ferguson owned the building that they offered to the county for a courthouse when Pasco became a county in 1887. Ferguson was a church trustee, and his wife was the church’s first organist.

James E. Lee built the existing church on a quarter-acre purchased from Reuben Wilson in March 1888. Lee, originally from Georgia, had recently built the Methodist Church in nearby Enterprise.

However, church is not just a building.  Church is a people.  While we seek to honor our heritage, we want to be faithful to God's call for our future.  Our church is a community of people who want to be more like Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  When that happens, more people will be inspired to follow him, and that's really the whole point of church anyway!

We hope that when you come here and meet us, you meet Jesus and also want to be more like him and follow him as your Lord and Savior.  All people are welcome, and we hope and pray you find Christ here at Dade City First United Methodist Church.