Seminole Heights United Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seminole HeightsUnited Methodist Church |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | United Methodist Church |
| District | Gulf Central District |
| Province | Southeastern Jurisdiction |
| Leadership | Rev. Tiffania Icaza Willetts, Pastor |
| Status | Active church |
| Location | |
| Location | 6111 North Central Avenue, Tampa, Florida |
| Territory | Florida Annual Conference |
| Website | |
| www.semheights.com | |
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Seminole Heights United Methodist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Frank A. Winn, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Seminole Heights Residential District (ID93000751) |
| Designated CP | August 5, 1993 |
Seminole Heights United Methodist Church is a beautiful and historic church building in Tampa, Florida. People also call it Seminole Heights Methodist or Seminole Heights UMC. It is an active Methodist church, meaning people still gather there for worship.
The church was built in 1927. It has a special design called Gothic Revival style. This building is an important part of the Seminole Heights Residential District. This district is a special area recognized for its history. The church is located at 6111 Central Avenue in the Old Seminole Heights neighborhood.
Contents
Building Design and History
Where the Church Stands
The land where the church now stands was once home to Seminole Heights Elementary School. The school later moved to a new campus. This new campus is right across Hanna Avenue from the church. This move made space for the church to be built.
Both the Seminole Heights Elementary School and the Methodist Church buildings are very close in age. They are also located very near each other. They even share a common building material: yellow brick.
Who Designed the Church?
A famous architect from Tampa named Frank A. Winn, Jr. designed the church. He created many important buildings in the area. Some of his designs are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For example, the Old Lutz Schoolhouse is one of his recognized works.
In 1927, the same year Seminole Heights Methodist Church was built, another Methodist church in Tampa Heights also finished a new building. This building, a three-story Sunday school, was also designed by Winn.
Gothic Revival Style
Frank Winn chose the Gothic Revival style for the Seminole Heights Methodist Church. This style looks like old European cathedrals. It often includes pointed arches and tall windows. The church's design is one reason why the Seminole Heights Residential District is known for its Gothic Revival buildings.
Inside and Out
At the front of the church, a set of stairs leads up to the main entrance. There is a portico with three arched openings before you go inside. A portico is like a porch with columns.
Inside, the main worship area is very large and open. Light comes in through twelve tall stained glass windows on each side. The building's exterior has pilasters, which are like flat columns, between each window. These help support the building.
The main floor is raised, allowing for a special lower level called a basement ("Allen Hall"). This kind of basement is not common in local buildings. The yellow brick of the church is decorated with white cast concrete details. The building has a steeply sloped gable roof, which means it has two sides that meet at a ridge.
What the Church Does
A Place of Worship
Seminole Heights United Methodist Church is an active church. It is part of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This is a large Protestant Christian denomination.
Church members meet for worship services every Sunday. They also have other meetings during the week. These include Bible studies, programs for kids and teens, music practice, and dinners.
Community Events
Seminole Heights UMC hosts many special events throughout the year. They have outdoor movie nights and flea markets. They also hold craft bazaars and church conferences. During holidays, they have an Easter Egg hunt, a pumpkin patch in the fall, and several community events around Christmas. The church also runs a pre-school and day care in a building next to the main church.
A Space for Everyone
Besides being a place of worship, the church building is also used for community events. Seminole Heights Elementary School uses the church for its yearly concerts. Different groups, like Twelve-Step programs, also hold regular meetings there. The Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association often uses the church for its general meetings.
