109 S Broad Street
Address
109 S Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601
Year Built
Original Structure 1891; Current Structure 1964
First Owner
First United Methodist Church
A postcard from 1918 showing a photo taken in 1915 of 109 S Broad Street; The view is Broad Street looking east
A postcard from 1911 showing 109 S Broad Street. The view is Broad Street looking East.
A postcard of 109 S Broad Street that shows the Methodist Church head on.
This is an image of 109 S Broad Street in the 1960's.
This is a postcard showcasing 109 S Broad Street. The view is Broad Street looking East. Do you see the Texaco on the left side of the image?
Photo from "Brooksville and Hernando County" Presented by the YMCA
Learn More about the Walking Tours
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109 S Broad Street - Brooksville Methodist Church
Welcome to another delightful stop on our stroll through Brooksville’s historic treasures. We’re standing right here at 109 S Broad Street, in the heart of downtown, admiring the Brooksville Methodist Church, a place that’s been warming hearts and lifting spirits since 1879. This church, once known as the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, is a true cornerstone of the community. Let’s take a peek into its past and see what makes this spot so special.
Back in 1879, when Brooksville was still a young town, the First United Methodist Church was founded with a mission to bring folks closer to God and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Built just a block from the county courthouse, this church became a gathering place for worshippers seeking a bit of grace in their lives. Unfortunately, a hurricane caused the destruction of the building and it was rebuilt in 1891. Over the years, it grew into a hub of faith and fellowship. The church’s location on South Broad Street, also known as U.S. 41, made it a beacon for locals and travelers alike, drawing in folks for Sunday services, Bible studies, and community outreach.
This church has always had a heart for serving. In 1964, a new sanctuary was constructed. By the 20th century, it was bustling with ministries like the United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, and active youth and children’s programs. The Brooksville Common, a community space on the church campus, hosted events that brought folks together, from picnics to holiday celebrations. One of its proudest offerings is the food pantry, open every second and fourth Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, providing meals to those in need.
In 1974, the congregation saw a need to serve the children of Hernando County in a new way, blending academic excellence with Christian values. And so, the Methodist School Center came to life, with a mission to provide a “well-balanced, comprehensive, and integrated” education in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment. The school’s motto, etched on the Tree of Learning at the Brooksville Common, says it all: “While educating a child’s mind, we must not neglect to educate their heart.”
From its inception, the school aimed to educate children from prekindergarten through eighth grade, offering a curriculum that challenged young minds while nurturing their God-given talents. With a staff of over 30 full- and part-time degreed teachers and dedicated assistants, the school built a reputation for academic excellence, boasting above-average test scores and a time-tested approach to learning. It wasn’t just about reading, writing, and arithmetic—though they did that quite well. The school encouraged kids to ask questions, think for themselves, and grow in faith, creating a space where they could develop new skills, form good habits, and learn responsibility.
The school was led for many years by Sandra Snow Sullivan. As Director of MSC, she touched the lives of countless children and their families. Every child who attended MSC will never forget her rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant and her encouragement to “sparkle.”
Over the years, the school evolved into a vital part of Hernando County, serving 156 to 176 students at a time with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 15:1. It became a place where children not only learned academics but also developed character. The Methodist School Center’s legacy is celebrated in the Brooksville Common, a community space next to the church, where the Tree of Learning honors its founding in 1974 and its mission to educate both mind and heart.
Citations
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, https://www.fumcbrooksville.com.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville - Food Pantry, Right Service FL, https://www.rightservicefl.org.
The First United Methodist School Center, GreatSchools, https://www.greatschools.org.
UMData Church Profile, UMData, https://www.umdata.org.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, FaithStreethttps://www.faithstreet.com.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, Local Prayers, https://www.localprayers.com.
Methodist School Center, https://www.1stmsc.com.[](https://1stmsc.com/)
The First United Methodist School Center, GreatSchools, https://www.greatschools.org.[](https://www.greatschools.org/florida/brooksville/3561-The-First-United-Methodist-School-Center/)
The First United Methodist School Center in Brooksville, FL, Niche, https://www.niche.com.[](https://www.niche.com/k12/the-first-united-methodist-school-center-brooksville-fl/)
Methodist School Center of Brooksville, FL, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com.[](https://www.facebook.com/methodistschoolcenter)
The First United Methodist School Center (2024 Profile), Private School Review, https://www.privateschoolreview.com.[](https://www.privateschoolreview.com/the-first-united-methodist-school-center-profile)
Admission :: Methodist School Center, https://www.1stmsc.com.[](https://www.1stmsc.com/admission/)
The Brooksville Common, Brooksville Methodist, https://brooksvillemethodist.org.[](https://brooksvillemethodist.org/the-brooksville-common/)
Brooksville Methodist, https://brooksvillemethodist.org.[](https://brooksvillemethodistorg/about-us/)
Church History - Brooksville 1st UMC, https://www.fumcbrooksville.com/chruch-history/)
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109 S Broad Street - Brooksville Methodist Church
Welcome to another delightful stop on our stroll through Brooksville’s historic treasures. We’re standing right here at 109 S Broad Street, in the heart of downtown, admiring the Brooksville Methodist Church, a place that’s been warming hearts and lifting spirits since 1879. This church, once known as the First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, is a true cornerstone of the community. Let’s take a peek into its past and see what makes this spot so special.
Back in 1879, when Brooksville was still a young town, the First United Methodist Church was founded with a mission to bring folks closer to God and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Built just a block from the county courthouse, this church became a gathering place for worshippers seeking a bit of grace in their lives. Unfortunately, a hurricane caused the destruction of the building and it was rebuilt in 1891. Over the years, it grew into a hub of faith and fellowship. The church’s location on South Broad Street, also known as U.S. 41, made it a beacon for locals and travelers alike, drawing in folks for Sunday services, Bible studies, and community outreach.
This church has always had a heart for serving. In 1964, a new sanctuary was constructed. By the 20th century, it was bustling with ministries like the United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, and active youth and children’s programs. The Brooksville Common, a community space on the church campus, hosted events that brought folks together, from picnics to holiday celebrations. One of its proudest offerings is the food pantry, open every second and fourth Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, providing meals to those in need.
In 1974, the congregation saw a need to serve the children of Hernando County in a new way, blending academic excellence with Christian values. And so, the Methodist School Center came to life, with a mission to provide a “well-balanced, comprehensive, and integrated” education in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment. The school’s motto, etched on the Tree of Learning at the Brooksville Common, says it all: “While educating a child’s mind, we must not neglect to educate their heart.”
From its inception, the school aimed to educate children from prekindergarten through eighth grade, offering a curriculum that challenged young minds while nurturing their God-given talents. With a staff of over 30 full- and part-time degreed teachers and dedicated assistants, the school built a reputation for academic excellence, boasting above-average test scores and a time-tested approach to learning. It wasn’t just about reading, writing, and arithmetic—though they did that quite well. The school encouraged kids to ask questions, think for themselves, and grow in faith, creating a space where they could develop new skills, form good habits, and learn responsibility.
The school was led for many years by Sandra Snow Sullivan. As Director of MSC, she touched the lives of countless children and their families. Every child who attended MSC will never forget her rehearsals for the Christmas Pageant and her encouragement to “sparkle.”
Over the years, the school evolved into a vital part of Hernando County, serving 156 to 176 students at a time with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 15:1. It became a place where children not only learned academics but also developed character. The Methodist School Center’s legacy is celebrated in the Brooksville Common, a community space next to the church, where the Tree of Learning honors its founding in 1974 and its mission to educate both mind and heart.
Citations
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, https://www.fumcbrooksville.com.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville - Food Pantry, Right Service FL, https://www.rightservicefl.org.
The First United Methodist School Center, GreatSchools, https://www.greatschools.org.
UMData Church Profile, UMData, https://www.umdata.org.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, FaithStreethttps://www.faithstreet.com.
First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, Local Prayers, https://www.localprayers.com.
Methodist School Center, https://www.1stmsc.com.[](https://1stmsc.com/)
The First United Methodist School Center, GreatSchools, https://www.greatschools.org.[](https://www.greatschools.org/florida/brooksville/3561-The-First-United-Methodist-School-Center/)
The First United Methodist School Center in Brooksville, FL, Niche, https://www.niche.com.[](https://www.niche.com/k12/the-first-united-methodist-school-center-brooksville-fl/)
Methodist School Center of Brooksville, FL, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com.[](https://www.facebook.com/methodistschoolcenter)
The First United Methodist School Center (2024 Profile), Private School Review, https://www.privateschoolreview.com.[](https://www.privateschoolreview.com/the-first-united-methodist-school-center-profile)
Admission :: Methodist School Center, https://www.1stmsc.com.[](https://www.1stmsc.com/admission/)
The Brooksville Common, Brooksville Methodist, https://brooksvillemethodist.org.[](https://brooksvillemethodist.org/the-brooksville-common/)
Brooksville Methodist, https://brooksvillemethodist.org.[](https://brooksvillemethodistorg/about-us/)
Church History - Brooksville 1st UMC, https://www.fumcbrooksville.com/chruch-history/)
The Architecture
Gothic Revival