Reeves Church History

In 1921, a modest wooden church located at the 1100 block of North Fern Creek Avenue was quietly undergoing a change that would permanently transform the congregation over the next 90 years. A retired minister from Michigan, Reverend George D. Reeves, was 75 years old when he and his daughter, Edith, started Sunday school classes at the Highland Grove Chapel church in 1921. This small non-denominational community church was named after one of the many subdivisions sprinkled within Colonialtown, called “Highland Grove”. With growing membership & popularity of Edith & Pastor Reeves, the name officially changed from Highland Grove Chapel to Reeves Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church in 1930. In 1950, construction of the present day Spanish Mission style sanctuary began & was completed 1951. The original wooden church was torn down in 1955 and two additional buildings were added to the sanctuary making the campus what it looks like today. Although Reverend Reeves did not live to see the massive transformation and growth of his church, Edith continued her involvement with Reeves until her death in 1979 at age 90.

The contributions and traditions of Reeves Methodist Church over the last 90 years are too numerous to list in a short article; however I’ll try to summarize a few of the stories I gathered from elder members. Departed Reeves church member and WWII veteran, John Burch, enjoyed collecting used bicycles which he repaired, painted, and fixed up for children. During the 1970’s every child at the United Methodist Children’s Home (Enterprise) had a bicycle because of Mr. Burch’s contributions. The decoration of the annual gold and white Chrismon tree has been a Christmas tradition that has continued at Reeves since the 1970’s. Another tradition which is remembered (and greatly missed) was of Mr. Chives Lawrence’s beautiful lighted poinsettias that he planted and tended all across the front of the church during the Christmas holidays. Mrs. Bruce stated “Reeves was known for the poinsettias. People came from all around Orlando to see the poinsettias at night. It was just a magnificent display of flowers.”

Elder members also speak fondly of the progressive dinners parties which were popular for many years. Groups as large as 45 members moved from house to house, eating each course of a planned dinner at a different participant’s home. The night started at one house with appetizers, progressed to another house for another course, moved on to another house for the main course, and eventually ended at the final home of the night with dessert, music, and singing. And of course, who could forget the long running tradition of the Reeves Church picnic which fills the whole neighborhood with the delicious smell of hot- off-the-grill BBQ?

Discovered in sections under the carport of Mr. & Mrs. Eggeston’s house, the “Adoration of the Magi” window is now on permanent display at the church thanks to the restoration committee formed by Reeves members in 1976. This 170 year old, 6 foot by 12 foot stained glass window was designed by German artist A.F. Muller and was purchased by Louise Eggelston’s grandfather who was a stained glass artist and kept the window in his studio for many years. The window was exhibited at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia which was the first official World’s Fair held in the U.S. One hundred years later the Reeves Church memorial committee was formed to restore the window for permanent display. Miraculously, all nine panels of the window were in flawless condition with the exception of one small break in the fingers of the Christ child which was meticulously restored. The completed window was encased in a boxwood frame designed and fabricated by wood artisan and long time Reeves church member Harry Peebles. It has recently been featured in the Art Glass Guide Map of Orange County and tours of Reeves “Adoration” along with other notable art glass pieces were given throughout Orlando in June 2009. For more information about the Reeves’ “Adoration of the Magi” window and other art glass throughout Orange County, check out www.ocfcl.net/artglass .

Additional historic photos of Reeves Church are also posted on the Colonialtown.org website.

Thank you to the following Reeves members for providing historic information: Margaret Peebles, Beverly Eggleston, Robert & June Lyon, Dr. Charles & Ethel Bruce, Robert Bruce, and Amelia Wines