It all began over 100 years ago, in 1904: A group of people began meeting for Sunday School classes in the home of Mr. & Mrs. George Frohock. These people were hard-working, rugged pioneers who had come to settle in this new land of Florida. Our city wouldn't be named North Miami Beach until many years later (1935).
"Fulford-By-The-Sea" was founded by Captain William Hawkins Fulford. Captain Fulford and his crew had been employed by the U.S. Coast Guard during the Spanish-American War to patrol the Atlantic seacoast and to exterminate pirates and freebooters. Later, he used his vessel to bring newcomers to Florida. Utilizing the Homestead Act of 1890, he homesteaded a 160-acre land grant he received from President Grover Cleveland. This area developed into the city of Fulford-By-The-Sea.
This brings us up to 1904: With an interest in worship, Captain and Mrs. Fulford and Mr. & Mrs. George Frohock (also early pioneers) organized a Sunday School to meet in the Frohocks' home. Soon a larger place was needed for the group to meet, so the community held fund-raising suppers and bazaars. With this money a wood-frame Community House was built. They were even able to buy an organ. The building was used for community functions as well as for church services on Sundays; services were led by circuit-riding preachers.
Alas, the hurricane of 1908 brought this building to an end. After the hurricane destroyed it, members continued their services by meeting in the local public schoolhouse. Each Sunday morning a mule and wagon stopped by the Fulford's home to pick up their little pedal organ and haul it to the school for church service.
Unhappy with the situation of the blown-down community house, Mr. Harry Lapham, a local merchant, decided to place a fruit jar on the counter of his general store to start collecting money to build a church. The year was 1912. People put their pennies, nickels, and dimes into the jar. With this money and with a $300 loan from First National Bank, church founders were able to build the first church building.
The first Fulford Methodist Church building was erected in 1912, by the 28 charter members. This was a poured concrete building at N.E. 163rd Street and 21st Avenue. Much of the labor and materials were donated by volunteers. The church's bell was brought over from Nassau by Captain Fulford. Fulford Methodist Church was the first house of worship built in what is now North Miami Beach. It was served by circuit preachers until 1924, when it employed its first full-time pastor: Rev. J.W. Jackson.
The original church remained in use until 1949, when membership had grown to 110. At this time it was demolished to make room for the widening of a new road: 163rd Street. The church was relocated; the new church was built at its present location: 19th Avenue and N.E. 164th Street. Land lots were donated by the Allen Hanford Company. A sanctuary, parish hall and parsonage were built in 1949 and dedicated in 1950. The church was of the Spanish Mission style. Its cornerstone and bell were transferred from the original church. At this time, three of the original charter members were still living and remained church members. The minister was Rev. Richard Hill. Subsequently the church was expanded: in 1953 the sanctuary was enlarged and Sunday School rooms were added, then in 1960 a new sanctuary was completed.
In 1968 the Methodist Church became the United Methodist Church.
The sanctuary was razed in 2001 and our new sanctuary was completed and dedicated in the year 2002.
Over one hundred years later……and our story continues in this time and this place. The church stands as our symbol of faith. Let this church always be a place of prayer for all people of every nation, and let it truly be a sanctuary of acceptance for all people who seek God.
