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Eustis Presbyterian Church Celebrates 140 Years

Historic House of the Lord
By Adrian Newby
    Many people in our area may be familiar with the lovely church at Citrus Avenue and Center Street in Eustis. We have often driven by it and admired its beautiful construction. It looks unique in its setting, a bit of a stone castle on a corner with a bell tower. Established in 1884, it was a hub of early life in the Eustis area, having gone through several phases of construction and expansion.
    We had a chance to go inside an see this historic structure on Saturday, as the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis was celebrating its 140th birthday with historic tours and refreshments. It was a sort of 140th birthday party, but what party would be complete without music? Inside the historic structure, the music of the church was on display with handbells, chimes, piano, organ, harpsichord, and more. We heard that a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation had helped them with the first pipe organ.
    Guests were handed a brochure in the vestibule and were then met by a host who took them on a tour. Quickly, the community history was on display with beautiful stained glass windows, gorgeous handmade pews, and the historic work of local artisans on display.
      Along with the stories of the Bible that were illustrated in the variety of many beautiful stained glass windows, the history of Eustis was on display. Early settler names that helped found the town like Ferran, Bronson, and Pendry are woven in on plaques and memorials. The church has a memorial garden outside that has a columbarium. A very restful and beautiful garden where some members have been laid to rest.
    From those who chartered the town to those who ran the general mercantile, that beginning of faith and the people who helped to get the church on its way were woven into the fabric and structure of the church. In fact, the original congregation dedicated their structure debt-free in 1885, with a charming story of plank boards stretched over orange crates and feet dangling in the Florida sand as the first sermon was preached.
    We have to say we loved seeing a tall orange tree in the stained glass window that faces Center Street. Jesus is in the foreground but the local flora appears in the background and is a tip of the hat to the crop that fed and profited the new settlement.
    There were lots of familiar faces in the congregation's tour guides that were present on Saturday. In the foyer, we were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. George Trenfield, former Agriculture and F.F.A. Sponsor/ teacher from Umatilla High School. We were also greeted by Dalton Yancey, who was on hand to help lead the tours and tell guests about the beautiful stained glass windows. We also enjoyed saying hello to former Lake County Commissioner Catherine Hanson. Catherine was recognized as one of Lake County's distinguished women of import a few years ago and received a special award.
    Saturday was a lovely opportunity to enjoy a tour and a look back at  140 years of faith and what it accomplished in securing the beginning of a community. The structure is gorgeous and represents the generous donations of many generations of believers. Visitors on Saturday were treated to birthday cake and a delightful glimpse into local history.
        Today the congregation is served by Pastor Mario Bolivar, a former lawyer turned pastor, who has been serving the congregation since 2018. The church hosts three services each week on Sundays including an 8 a.m. in the sanctuary, a contemporary service in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m. which takes place with coffee and refreshments, and a traditional service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. The 11 a.m. service includes piano, organ, chancel choir, and a brass ensemble. On select Sundays, there is a featured handbell choir.
    The church promotes many outreach services to the community including Center Street Kitchen on Fridays, Moms Morning Out, a recovery house, a praise band, a splash children's ministry, and more. Happy Birthday wishes to the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis. They've been going strong from 1884 to now.