Lafayette History

On March 27, 1947, Lafayette Presbyterian Church was chartered by the Presbytery of Florida in a meeting at the Lafayette Community Church building “on the Perry Highway near Tallahassee.”

Three Ruling Elders were elected and installed by the Presbytery for the new church: Julian R. Alford, S. Jack Durham, and J.M. Burgess. The Rev. E.T. Boyer was appointed Stated Supply, and the church was on its way ... the second Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee.

The church drew its name from the Land Grant to the Marquis de Lafayette by the U.S. Congress after the Revolutionary War, land which encompassed the community east of Tallahassee. For the next 35 years, Lafayette Church met at its site on Apalachee Parkway where today a Taco Bell stands in front of a Walmart store.

Controversy swirled around the church in the ‘60’s and early ‘70’s with issues about integration, 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.

On January 3, 1982, Lafayette Church held its first service on new property on Mahan Drive. 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.

Christian Education for children, youth and adults is a mark of our strong Reformed faith. To serve that ministry better, a Christian Education Center was added in 2002. The church has reaffirmed the value of Christian education by calling its first Director of Christian Education, Beth House, who began her ministry in January 2010. A vital youth ministry is a part of the gifts she has brought.

Recognizing the need of community families for positive programs benefiting youth, the church has long-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 10 and Cub Scout Pack 10, both of which have become among the best and most popular units in the Suwannee River Area Council. The scouts’ (and scouters’) achievements and awards have been exceptional. Today, excellent Girl Scout Troops have again found their home at Lafayette.

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.