In 1823, the Methodists in the area held services in private homes and when the weather was favorable, in adjacent groves of trees.  Somehow the word was passed from one to another and people came from miles around usually one or two days ahead of the preaching day and were hosted by the people whose home or grove was to be used.  It was not unusual to look up and catch a glimpse of an Indian behind a tree as they, too, came to hear the white man preach.

            As early as 1828 the words of the Methodist Church were being preached in the homes of early settlers in Florida.  Rev. Robert W. Finley preached the first sermon in what later was the village of Florida.  The church was often served by a circuit rider from 1828 to 1840.

            The life of a circuit rider was hard.  He and his trusted steed rode from charge to charge in all kinds of weather.  His attire was somber.  He wore black and always a broad-brimmed black hat.  His constant hope and desire was that he would be invited to share the home of congenial people whose women were good cooks.

            Thus, the Florida congregation grew and in 1871, feeling a pressing need for a fitting place to worship, erected their frame church building on property secured from John Dancer.  This was the first church building erected in the village of Florida.  The church building has undergone many changes during the years.

            Florida's first hotel known as "White Hall" was occupied by Christian Stout and eventually sold to John Dancer for a private dwelling and eventually became the property of the M.E. Society for parsonage and church purposes.  In 1878 at the insistence of Rev. Camman preached a strong sermon, convincing the charge that it was necessary to build a comfortable house for the preacher.  A new parsonage was built for $760.  The parsonage has had several changes since it was first built, including an addition completed in 1988.