A Spiritual Family Historic Kanapaha Presbyterian Church
THE MULTI-COLORED stained glass chancel window of the Biblical Ruth and Naomi gathering water from a well is a perfect metaphor for the church in which it shines. Historic Kanapaha Presbyterian Church of Gainesville has been quietly attracting members and cultivating a well spring of faith for over 140 years. In fact, every feature of this historic landmark reflects the earnest spirit of its early members. Pioneer women members purchased the church's other Gothic red-bordered stained glass windows with monies earned by traveling throughout the community—via horse and buggy— and selling homemade ice cream.
With a history as rich as the pioneer ice cream and spirit on which it was built, the original church, from 1859, survived the Civil War, railroad booms, depressions, and major population shifts. Constructed in 1886, the present building is still one of the most recognizable landmarks and the congregation the longest surviving in Alachua County , with a founders list of recognizable names such as the Haile's, Chestnut's, and Stringfellow's.
Today, the wood frame, Gothic style church, located in a field along Archer Road at SW 75th Street , is recognized as the “mother church” for Presbyterian churches in Gainesville , Archer, Micanopy, McIntosh, and Ocala . Inside, the sun still dances through the stained glass on sunny days. The diversity and richness of the mosaic colors seem to epitomize the congregation and its philosophy. Here, the bright and open atmosphere is not one of pressure or prejudice; rather it is one of welcome, acceptance and affirmation.
Since the arrival of the Reverend Dawn Conti, almost two years ago, and under her joint leadership with the church's ruling elders, church membership has grown by nearly 40 percent. Holding an MBA from Drexel University earned in 1990 and Masters in Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she was voted by the seminary's faculty as “best preacher” of her 2003 graduating class, Rev. Conti is a second-career pastor. Although ordained as an elder in the church in 1986, this is her first calling as an ordained minister of Word & Sacrament She feels that this particular church “is where God called me to be.” Moving from Jacksonville , along with her husband and two girls (ages 9 and 12), and hoping to plant roots in Gainesville , Rev. Conti was looking for “a place to preach, teach, grow and build a foundation.” 
However, when listening to Rev. Conti (or as some call her “Pastor Dawn”) speak to her congregation, her style is more like a conversation with a spiritual teacher, rather than a lecture from a traditional preacher.
She believes that every individual can find spiritual growth and development. She thrives on believing in the power of individuals in community. “Whatever your background or experience, God wants to share God's love with you. Each person has an individual gift or calling,” she says. “We try to help people find their own gift, vision or calling that makes them unique. Then, with individuals enabled, we are even stronger when we are together.”
About her relational theology she says, “I believe we are most like the people our Creator intended when we come together in community. But given the demands of everyday living and the mobility of our culture, many of us live busy lives in spiritual isolation. However, at Kanapaha the spirit is that of a family of faith, a place of belonging where Christian fellowship nurtures members and friends are fed by God's word. Our congregation includes infants to octogenarians, singles, childless professional couples, families and empty-nesters. We feel we have been so blessed so that we may be a blessing,” Rev. Conti continued.
Her brick and mortar and community foundation is also growing. Rev. Conti's eyes light up when asked about plans for their new fellowship hall. “It's been a real blessing to be here and it's exciting to watch the church grow,” Rev. Conti says . While structure is important, ten percent of the church's budget supports mission. With an eye toward helping the community, local missions supported include Arbor House, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Gainesville Community Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Peaceful Paths, and St. Francis House. According to Rev. Conti, “We believe that together we can help bring God's kingdom of peace to our own relationships, local community, and the world.”
This ideal of community, family, and spiritual gathering is the foundation on which Kanapaha church was built. Beginning in 1856, a handful of South Carolina Sea Island cotton growers settled in the area, then known as Arredondo. It did not take long for them to feel their need for an established church. Convincing their former pastor, the Rev. J. W. McCormick, to move from South Carolina to Florida; all they needed was land and a structure.
The original church was built and located down a dirt road just off the present day Archer Road and 63rd Street. The land (donated by Mr. Moses Ramsey) was a beautiful woodland spot of magnolias, hickory, holly, oak and a jungle of snowy white dogwood. Kanapaha Prairie Lake bubbled up from behind the church. The church was dedicated on the first Sabbath of May 1st 1859, and was a popular meeting place for many years.
Shortly thereafter, however, the onset of the Civil War took its toll, when members, including Rev. McCormick, joined the Confederacy. Returning to Gainesville in 1865, Rev. McCormick found desolation, but a wedding invitation from 1878 indicates the original Kanapaha church was still standing. From then on, records are sketchy, but it is known that church leaders changed their church's location in 1886 to be closer to the new railroad station of Kanapaha—quite a development boom for the time. They constructed a new church calling it “New Kanapaha Church, South Arredondo,” but over time it simply became known as “Kanapaha Church.”
Today, worship continues in Kanapaha Church and with a growing membership, a second Sunday service will soon be necessary. Members still enjoy and appreciate the original wood-frame architecture, long-leaf pine pews, stained glass windows, kerosene chandelier, and old church bell. However, this quaint building has had many restorations over the years. For instance, the original steeple was refurbished in 2001 with a full steel beam inner skeleton to withstand hurricane force winds, and carefully craned atop the corner tower to the delight of onlookers. Inside the steeple is the church bell that is outfitted with a pneumatic hammer to chime at the top of each daytime hour. Coupled with an atomic clock, if the Kanapaha bell tower chimes, and your watch doesn't show top o' the hour, well... your watch is probably wrong.
The capital campaign for the fellowship hall reflects the church's need for space for new programs, weddings, and community outreach programs. The existing fellowship hall, a small cinderblock utility building that holds about 35 persons, has served as the only kitchen and gathering facility for the church. Built with help from the Boy Scouts in 1949, its foundation has heaved so badly with age, the walls are teetering outward at every corner.
So, plans are underway to create a perfect marriage between the timeless beauty of the church and the functional, modern aspects required of a new building. Designers are keeping in mind the preservation of the character that made up the mindset of the original architects that echoes in each and every hand-cut, hand-crafted timber and trim. The new mission is to provide the best accommodation possible for the congregation and community, while carefully preserving the architectural integrity of the church and green space.
A covered walkway lined with wrought-iron railings will connect the new hall with the church, or sanctuary. A gazebo will act as a unifying feature between the buildings, adding to the Southern country charm. Crafted in the same architectural style of the sanctuary, the fellowship hall will include a large kitchen, much-needed restroom facilities, several individual classrooms, and an open space for multi-purpose activities and new programs.
Current church-based programs are designed to appeal to all ages. Sunday school programs include classes for preschoolers, elementary and middleschoolers, high school students, and adults. Plans are underway for next year's Vacation Bible School. Last summer, Vacation Bible School was held for the first time in many years. Children ranging in age from 3 to 12 attended and learned, among other things, how to shine God's light in their community and throughout the world. Obviously, a consistent light seems to shine on the well-tended prayer and meditation garden next to the children's play area. Surrounded by old oaks, the garden is filled with young, flowering plants and tender herbs. The cornerstone reads “To Cultivate a Garden is to Walk with God.” In fact, the church prides itself on its ability to find practical, understandable ways to teach youth how to cope with the obstacles they face and cultivate their faith. Not an easy task in today's world.
Music at Kanapaha Church is led by two experienced musicians: David Vowell and William Powell. A number of church members volunteer their own talents as singers and instrumentalists. The church is currently investigating the possibility of offering an alternative contemporary service in addition to the traditional Sunday morning service.
In keeping with its family based orientation, Kanapaha also offers a Congregational Care Program, a volunteer group whose purpose is to offer practical, emotional, and spiritual support in both joyful and trying times for its fellow members and their families, both old and young. According to Rev. Conti, “I think one of the extraordinary things about our congregation is the caring found here. The family of faith pulls together, helps, and supports one another.” At Kanapaha, you'll find an extended family of support that can provide that much needed breath of encouragement that everyone needs from time to time.
While members are considered “neighbors” not everyone lives close to Kanapaha. Like early members (who may have had to brave the elements and travel long distances by horseback) some current members travel from all over the area to worship here. Of course, they are fueled by “modern horsepower” but, most importantly, they come for the faith and fellowship they find.
As a Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), the church's missions aren't solely locally based. Outreach-based missions are designed to help people both near and worldwide. They include such missions as the traditional Presbyterian One Great Hour of Sharing which helps world wide efforts for hunger, disaster relief, and development; the Pentecost Offering (for children's advocacy); the Peacemaking Offering; the Christmas Joy Offering; and others.
Although the location, ministries, and offerings have changed over the years, the primary focus remains clear: Nurturing the spiritual growth and formation of members, to grow together, and to welcome all seekers into a community of faith. Rev. Conti acknowledges one of the unique aspects of the congregation is their graciousness in making room for new members while respecting new ideas.
With Rev. Conti, the church elders, and the Kanapaha congregation, this graciousness and focus—with an eye for growth and community—appears to be securely in place. One can only imagine that Kanapaha's 19th century forefounders would be pleased that their well-spring of faith and family continues to flow.
As Rev. Conti says, “All are welcome, and you bless us with your presence. Whether or not you join as a permanent member, Kanapaha's peaceful atmosphere is a place that is suitable to unwind, to explore and develop your relationship with God, or your personal spiritual journey, wherever you may be in that journey. Come find your place in God's family at Kanapaha.” G
Visit Kanapaha Church at 6221 SW 75th Street (Just off Archer Road and one block west of Tower Road), Gainesville, call 352-378-9080, or visit their website at http://www.kanapaha.net. Worship begins on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., and a nursery with childcare is provided during service. For more information about the Presbyterian Church (USA), please visit the national web-site at www.pcusa.org.