MUMC Church Windows story.pdf

Islamorada Church approved for

National Register of Historic Places 

The Matecumbe United Methodist Church at Mile Marker 81.8,  founded by Islamorada’s first families — the Parkers, Pinders and Russells, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Victoria Kattel, president of the Colonial Dames XVII Century Indian Key chapter, who lives in Islamorada and attends the church, researched its history so she could submit a request to the national registry as part of the Colonial Dames’ efforts to preserve local history. Her request was granted, and the church was added to the register on Nov. 24, 2020, the first structure to be included on the National Register in the Upper Keys.

Kattel said in September 1900, Preston Pinder made a promise to his grandfather, Richard Pinder, to continue the work of the wood frame church and Sunday school that Richard had started on the eastern side of Upper Matecumbe Key in 1894. In 1901, the church was moved to a more central location to better serve the three area families. Two large rafts were made and lashed together to move the church via water, historian Jerry Wilkinson wrote at http://www.keyshistory.org. 

To read more, click above current photo of the church at right.

The community has gathered, worshiped and adored the church and its offerings ever since. One thing that became annoying, however, at least to a few parishioners, was the jaundiced glow created by the multitude of mostly yellow stained glass windows. Susan Bateman, in particular, felt a change was needed. In a nine-year period, she made it her mission to enhance the church with many more glorious and much more symbolic stained-glass windows. The artistic vision became a group effort as more community members learned the art of stained glass and created sell-able items to fund the windows. Magnificent artworks now beautify this one-of-a-kind church. Read Susan's story at the link at the top of the left column.