LASR.net Homepage




Menu

Belva's Real Estate Florence Visitors Center

First Presbyterian Church of Florence


category : Historic Churches
First Presbyterian Church of Florence The First Presbyterian Church of Florence was the second oldest Presbyterian Church in Arizona. Established in November of 1888, the Reverend I.T. Whittemore came from Illinois and preached in a room of the first courthouse. Described by some as a dusty, dirty, unpaved, unimproved isolated typically rough western town, Florence boasted one saloon for every 40 inhabitants by 1888. Reverend Whittemore spent 12 years of service in this neglected vineyard of God, and the church moved from place to place. After occupying the room at the courthouse, the church moved to a building which still stands on the old grammar school grounds known in recent years as a youth center.

In May of 1931, with donated hard labor, a local mule team, locally made brick by George Smith, the present church was completed in Spanish Colonial Revival style, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bell that rings today in the historic brick church on Butte Avenue was cast in New York State in 1889, and shipped to Florence by rail and wagon.


Address: 225 E. Butte Avenue

Come visit us in Florence, Arizona

Attractions and Upcoming Events


Florence Woman's Club

The Florence Woman's Club grew from the original Florence Village Improvement Club, organized in 1897 to improve and beautify the town of Florence. Members paid 25 cents a year to Mrs. T.F Weedin to keep the club's rake under her porch.

Florence, AZ Historic Buildings

Florence Historic District

As the fifth oldest town in the state of Arizona, downtown Florence has been designated an official "Historic District" with more building listed on the National Register

Florence, AZ Historic Districts

Jesus Preciado de Luna/Bernardina Lorona House

This is the Historic District's finest example of a Sonoran corner-style row house. Its street facades are flush with the property line and the wings are one room deep. Always used as a residence, it was built in 1880 by Juan Luna, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Florence, AZ Historic Homes

Nicholas Saloon

The earliest fired-brick building still standing in Florence and the town's second oldest brick structure, the second Nicholas Saloon and Beer Hall was built in 1889 for John Nicholas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Florence, AZ Historic Buildings

Things to do Historic Churches near Florence, AZ