The Altamonte Chapel was designed by a Boston Architect and built in 1885 on
Lake Brantley, 4 1/2 miles from where it is now, at Altamonte Springs. A
group of New England settlers attended the church at that time.
In 1895, a disastrous freeze destroyed the groves that the settlers depended
upon for survival, and they were soon forced from the area to find other means
of livelihood. The Chapel was left deserted, and was eventually returned to the
original owner.
Unfortunately the owner also fell upon hard times and, in 1897, transferred the
deed to the building and the surrounding land to Rollins College in lieu of
tuition for his two daughters.
In the early 1900's two enterprising pioneers, A. H.
Fuller and Maxwell McIntyre from the developing area (now
known as Altamonte Springs) bought the building for $600.00 from Rollins College. The
Chapel
was dismantled and moved piece by piece in wagons to the place where the present
Sanctuary now stands. The Chapel was reopened for services in 1908 and
during the winter months many famous guests attended.
In 1955, the Altamonte Chapel, a community church, was formally organized.
The Educational Building was erected in 1957. The congregation became
affiliated with the United Church of Christ in 1965 and of that same year, the
congregation called its first full-time pastor, the Reverend Wayne E. Smith.
The Chapel has had three full time pastors; Reverend Smith, Reverend Marcella
Freeze and our present pastor, the Reverend Dr. Terry L. Grove.
