Moss Hill Church

The Moss Hill Church, also known as the Moss Hill Methodist Church and now the Moss Hill United Methodist Church, is located near Vernon in Washington County, Florida, in the United States. The Holmes Valley Methodist Mission was established in 1821–1825. The church was built in 1857.^[1]

Moss Hill Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Show map of Florida Show map of the United States
Nearest city	Vernon
Coordinates	30°35′2″N 85°40′40″W
Built	1857
NRHP reference No.	83003554
Added to NRHP	November 7, 1983

Exterior of Moss Hill Church

Interior of Moss Hill Church

Moss Hill Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States.

Construction

The construction of the church is from heart of pine wood (the center of a pine tree, saturated with sap). This wood also is known in the West Florida dialect as "Fat Lighter". The term "fat" refers to the saturated sap. The term "Lighter" refers to "lighting" or "burning"; as small spikes of this special wood can be used to begin combustion. Upon aging, the wood becomes very strong, impervious to termites or water damage.

The altar area of the church was constructed by the Roche Family, early settlers to Holmes Valley, Florida.

The church is still in existence today.

References

1. Washington County Historical Society - Moss Hill Methodist Church Archived 2009-06-23 at the Wayback Machine

• General Census of the United States, 1836.
• Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
  • Washington County listings
  • Moss Hill Church
• Washington County listings at National Register of Historic Places