Church History

Psalm 136:1
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Walk with Us through Time

Milestones ... Past to Present

Lafayette Presbyterian Church, a mission of First Presbyterian Church, began worshiping in 1946 as Lafayette Community Church. It was named for the Marquis de Lafayette’s Land Grant of colonial times, which encompassed the community east of Tallahassee. For the next 35 years, Lafayette Church met at its site on Apalachee Parkway.
The church was organized as Lafayette Presbyterian Church (LPC) on March 27, 1947, located on Perry Highway (now Apalachee Parkway). The church site was in front of the present WalMart, where a Taco Bell now stands.
Lafayette Presbyterian church is the second oldest Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, after First Presbyterian Church. Fifty-eight confirmed members and five baptized children were on the Charter Roll.
The organizing pastor was a former missionary to Korea, the Rev. E. T. Boyer, who soon returned to the Korean mission field. The first Session had three members: Julian R. Alford, S. Jack Durham, and J. M. Burgess.
By 1961, the original church building had been expanded to include a hall (Boyer Hall) for classrooms and fellowship, and an expanded sanctuary for seating 180 people. Membership by 1961 was 125 members.
From 1962 to 1968, the Rev. Julius J. Cox led the growth of the membership to 188. The Rev. Cox became ill with cancer and died at the end of 1968. Our church library is dedicated to his memory.
Controversy swirled around the church in the ‘60's and early ‘70's with issues about integration, the ordination of women, and admittance of baptized children to Holy Communion. The church came out on the side of openness and grace, full acceptance, and shared mission.
In 1977, a Presbytery-wide study recommended that a Presbyterian Church be located on Mahan Drive. The Lafayette congregation voted to make the move and property was sought.
On January 3, 1982, Interim Pastor Dr. Leo Sandon conducted the first service on the new property on Mahan Drive, in “God’s Little House” as some named it, the building now referred to as “The Rock” behind the parking and playground areas. Before the year was out, its first Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall had been built. Today, nearly twelve acres of beautiful woodland surrounds the buildings, and serves as a precious gift to those looking for a quiet, meditative walk.
On July 31, 1983, heralded by bagpipes, Lafayette Presbyterian Church moved into its present worship space.
The stained glass windows located on our current Sanctuary wall were retrieved from the original church Sanctuary on Apalachee Parkway before it was demolished, and rededicated to the glory of God on February 2, 1997.
The bell was taken out of the original church steeple and placed in a display cabinet in our Narthex (entry). It was rededicated to the glory of God on March 16, 1997 and remains in occasional service today.
On March 16, 1997, the congregation celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its organization, welcoming at the same time new minister, the Rev. Clarence C. Payne.
Christian Education for children, youth, and adults was (and is) a mark of our strong Reformed faith. To serve that ministry better, a Christian Education Center was built, opened, and dedicated to the glory of God on September 8, 2002.
In the spring of 2003, the Fellowship Hall was renovated to create more space for fellowship luncheons and other activities.
On May 1, 2003, the Rev. Dr. John Lown began his ministry as the 9th installed pastor of Lafayette Presbyterian Church.
The lighted fountain in the pond at the front of the church was given in loving memory of Peyton Don Stovall by his wife, Joyce, and son, Russell, in December 2004. The fountain was dedicated on February 13, 2005.
A memorial garden, with a large cross visible from the road, was built on the west side of the church as the Eagle Scout Project of Kevin, in October 2005.
Malawian Presbyterian Pastor John Gondwe and his wife, Florence, were our guests for five days at the end of March 2006.
A prayer trail from the front pond to the Memorial Garden, with Scripture markers and meditation benches, was constructed by Brody as his Eagle Scout Project during the spring of 2006.
Al Thayer retired as Church Treasurer on June 30, 2006, after serving eleven and a half years.
Monroe E. Fletcher was honored on September 24, 2006, for his devotion as a member of the Chancel Choir for 56 years.
A new and expanded kitchen was completed in 2006 and dedicated in September 2006. Also, the relocated and rejuvenated Julius J. Cox Church Library was re-dedicated in October 2006.
Lafayette Presbyterian Church marked its 60th year of ministry on March 27, 2007; an Anniversary Homecoming and Picnic was held on April 29th.
The "White House," which stood on the west property, was demolished in May 2009 due to asbestos issues.
In 2009, the Stephen Ministry of lay Christian caregiving was implemented with 13 Stephen Ministers trained and commissioned. Truly, Lafayette Presbyterian Church is a congregation of people who care about other people, to multiply our joys and divide our troubles, a congregation that sees itself as “blessed to be a blessing.” This is not only our history, it is our present and our vision for the future.
The Session began considering renovation designs for our Sanctuary, sought bids from architectural firms, and began to move forward with specific plans.
On December 31, 2013, the Rev. Dr. John W. Lown completed more than ten years of service to the congregants of Lafayette Presbyterian Church and more than forty years of service to the people of God. He entered retirement, honorably, on January 1, 2014.
On February 1, 2014, the Rev. Dr. Robert L. Sullivan was called to be our Interim Pastor for one year. During that year, he helped create a Self-Study Committee, which designed an extensive survey to analyze the current status and needs of our church.
On March 19, 2014, the church held a joint memorial service with Faith Presbyterian Church for The Honorable Reubin Askew, former Governor of Florida, and a devoted and beloved member of our church. Officiants at the service were the Rev. Dr. Robert Sullivan (Lafayette), the Rev. Dr. John Lown (Lafayette, retired), the Rev. Clarence Payne (Lafayette, retired), and the Rev. Dr. Tom Borland (Faith). Accompanied by Dr. Deloise Lima Ohlsson, Lafayette's Chancel Choir, the FSU Chamber Choir, representatives of Faith's adult choir, and an oboist from FSU also participated in the service.
On February 16, 2015, the Rev. Joan Wooten began her call as our Interim Pastor with a very moving Ash Wednesday service to begin our Lenten "journey into the wilderness."
Parallel to the arrival of Rev. Wooten, painting and other renovation work began in our Sanctuary. These renovations eventually included painting the Sanctuary, Narthex (entry), Pastor's Study, and the Church Office; new window treatments; new doors for the Sanctuary and rooms off the Narthex; and new carpeting throughout the Sanctuary and Narthex.
"The Rock," a building at the rear of our church property (in which our early services on this property were held) was completely renovated and, on Sunday, March 1, 2015, dedicated to the glory of God for the use of our young people.
On April 12, 2015, “Music with a Mission” began a ministry “to lift, to love, to share” in our community with its inaugural concert, “Faith and Revelations.” Hosted by a choir comprised of our Chancel Choir, choir members from Fellowship and Christ Presbyterian, and instrumentalists and singers from FSU’s College of Music, we provided support for and information about the National Parkinson Foundation North Florida and its Awareness Choir, as well as for a hearing loop for Lafayette’s sanctuary.
In coordination with installation of the new carpet, a Hearing Loop was installed in our sanctuary on April 15, 2015 to assist those with hearing impairment to reconnect with the Word of God and other elements of our worship services, as well as studies and other gatherings held in the sanctuary.
The 100th birthday of long-time member Jean ("Miss Jean") was joyously celebrated by the celebrant and more than 200 members, family, and friends through hymns and service music during worship and at a reception that followed.
On November 22, 2015, "Music with a Mission" hosted "In Remembrance," a beautiful service of remembrance for the community and a benefit concert for partnering agency "Big Bend Hospice" and its community grief programs for youth and adults.
On January 3, 2016, the congregation of Lafayette joyously welcomed the Rev. Stephen E. Graves (Steve) as its new minister with a reception following worship to honor this new partnership with Pastor Steve and his wife, Susie. Members of Steve and Susie's family and friends attend worship and the reception with us, as well.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Our Pastors ... Present to Past
* denotes an installed pastor

*Rev. Stephen (Steve) E. Graves
January 1, 2016 -
Spouse: Susie

Rev. Joan H. Wooten, Interim
February 2015 - December
   31, 2015
Spouse: David

Rev. Dr. Robert Sullivan, Interim
February 2014 - January 2015
Spouse: Rosemary

* Rev. Dr. John W. Lown
May 2003 - December 2013
Spouse: Toya

Rev. William F. Lee, Interim
May 2002 - April 2003
Spouse: Dottie

* Rev. Clarence C. Payne
March 1997 - April 2002
Spouse: Rosita

Rev. Dr. James H. Monroe, Parish Assoc.
June 1995 - March 1997
Spouse: Oneida

Rev. James N. Urquhart, Interim
June 1994 - March 1997
Spouse: Margaret

* Rev. Stephen P. Mitchell
October 1988 - May 1994
Spouse: Lynn

Rev. Leo Sandon, Jr., Interim
December 1987 - October    1988
Spouse: Marvel Lou

* Rev. Zolton J. Phillips, III
January 1982 - August 1987
Spouse: Sue

Rev. Leo Sandon, Jr., Interim
October 1980 - January 1982
Spouse: Marvel Lou

* Rev. James E. Bearss
July 1974 - September 1980
Spouse: Elinor

Rev. John Martin,  Interim
January 1974 - June 1974
Spouse: Alfa

Rev. Archie C. Ray, Interim
July 1973 - December 1973
Spouse: Eliza

* Rev. Herman Gudger Nichols, Jr.
July 1969 - July 1973
Spouse: Mary

Rev. John W. TerLouw, Interim
April 1968 - July 1969
Spouse: Jane

* Rev. Julius J. Cox
February 1962 - January 1968
Spouse: Ruth

Rev. B. F. "Barney" Ogletree, Jr., supply
November 1961 - January 1962
Spouse: "Tommy"

Rev. Carlton Heil, temporary supply
September 1961 - November    1961

Mr. Archie McDaniel, student supply
June 1961 - September 1961

* Rev. Frederick J. Lenk
April 1957 - June 1961
Spouse: Edith

* Rev. William T. Wing, Jr.
September 1951 - November    1956
Spouse: Ellen

* Rev. Frederick J. Lenk, stated supply
September 1947 - August 1951
Spouse: Edith

* Rev. E. T. Boyer, stated supply
March 1947 - Fall 1947
Spouse: Gladys