~ Churches ~
Vernon is home to several historic churches that date back to the 1800’s, the most notable being Moss Hill Church, which is well documented in several historical books listed below. Some of these books are available at the Society’s museum but some are out of print. As we collect those that are out of print, we will offer them for sale in our museum store.
Below are photographs and brief descriptions of many of Vernon’s churches.
Bethel Church
Bethel Church, located in Washington County on Highway 173, south of Bonifay, Florida. Formed on May 7, 1887, the present structure was built during 1956-57. It is located adjacent to the site where the original frame church was built. This is a Primitive Baptist church sometimes referred to as Hard-Shell Baptists and/or Old School Baptist. The church engages in concretional singing with no musical instruments.
Calvary Hill Pentecostal Church
Calvary Hill Pentecostal Church is located at 3652 Roche Avenue, Vernon FL 32462 (Corner of Pioneer Road and Roche Avenue (Hwy 277).
Eastside Baptist Church
Eastside Baptist Church was formed in 1984 just on the outskirts of Vernon, Florida. The church has always been known for discipling and building relationships.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
3334 Holmes Valley Road, Vernon, FL 32462
Hard Labor Creek Church
On this site Union and Confederate forces met in a brief standoff. A number of Washington County
men from the Vernon Home Guard were taken prisoner, but others retreated at full speed back down the road to Vernon. Participants in the fight later described how they dodged bullets while riding hard for town with Union soldiers on their heels.
Live Oak Baptist Church
Live Oak Baptist Church is located on River Road, near Vernon, Florida.
Moss Hill Church
This church was organized from the Holmes Valley Methodist Mission established between 1821 and 1825. The building that stands today had been in use since construction in 1857,
making it one of the oldest standing church buildings in the state of Florida. The cemetery contains Civil War graves of soldiers that fought for the Vernon Home Guard. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized by the Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials.
New Bethel A.M.E. Church
New Bethel American Methodist Episcopal Church is located on the corner of Pompey and State Road 79 in Vernon, Florida.
New Hope Methodist Church
New Hope Methodist Church is located on Highway 79, south of Vernon.
Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church
Founded around 1880, the church has been at its present location for approximately 60 years. It is located at Hinson’s Crossroads.
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church is located at 3013 Moss Hill Road, Vernon, Florida
Vernon Baptist Church
Vernon Baptist Church is located at 2888 Church Street, Vernon. The church was established in 1892.
Vernon Evangelistic Full Gospel Church
Vernon Evangelistic Full Gospel Church is located on State Road 79 in Vernon, Florida
Vernon United Methodist Church
Earliest records indicate a congregation met in 1890 in the old courthouse. A wooden sanctuary was constructed in the early years of the twentieth century with the last service in the old wooden sanctuary on July 1, 1962. Ground breaking was July 7, 1963 and the dedication of the new building was on September 26, 1965.
For Further Reading:
- Holmes Valley, E. W Carswell
- Vernon, the Heart of Old Washington County, Florida, Mary Cathrin May and Faye Middleton with Erik Robinson
- Washington Florida’s Twelfth County, E. W. Carswell
