112 North Orange Avenue

112 North Orange Ave – Parsonage, First Baptist Church of Brooksville

We’re standing at 112 North Orange Avenue, a charming spot with deep roots in Brooksville’s past. It is now the Robert Bruce Snow Law Office. There once stood the First Baptist Church of Brooksville, facing Jefferson Street, where you now see a parking lot. This rusticated block building, constructed between 1906 and 1911, was the parsonage for the First Baptist Church of Brooksville from the 1920s all the way until 1973. That means it was home to the church’s ministers, a vital role for a congregation that’s been a cornerstone of this community since at least 1847, back when it was known as Union Baptist Church, formed by the merger of Bethlehem and Bethesda Baptist congregations.

Imagine the life this house witnessed over those decades! Built in the Masonry Vernacular style, with its hipped roof and classic 2/2 double-hung windows, it was a sturdy and welcoming home for the ministers who led the First Baptist Church through the early 20th century. You can still see the history in its walls—literally! Take a look at the north side, where a later addition shows off a different wall texture, a little clue to how the house evolved over time to meet the needs of its residents.

This parsonage wasn’t just a home; it was part of the church’s heartbeat, supporting the spiritual life of Brooksville during a transformative era. The First Baptist Church itself moved to a new sanctuary on Howell Avenue in November 1973, and sadly, the original church building here was demolished in December 1974. But this parsonage endured, standing as a testament to the church’s legacy. Since 1975, it’s been repurposed as the Robert Bruce Snow Law Office, a shift that reflects how Brooksville has grown and adapted over the years.

As you gaze at this historic gem, picture the ministers who lived here, guiding their flock through times of change, and think about the stories these walls could tell. From its days as a parsonage to its modern role, 112 North Orange Avenue is a living piece of Brooksville’s rich history. Let’s keep walking and discover more of our town’s treasures!

Citations

“112 North Orange Avenue Historical Details.” Tour Brooksville. https://www.tourbvl.com/112-n-orange-avenue.

“First Baptist Church in Brooksville Is Celebrating 160 Years.” Tampa Bay Times, November 18, 2011. https://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/first-baptist-church-in-brooksville-is-celebrating-160-years/1256113.

“Robert Bruce Snow Law Office Current Listing.” MapQuest. https://www.mapquest.com/us/florida/robert-bruce-snow-law-office-4774292.

“Exploring Downtown Brooksville’s History & Architecture Guide.” Visit Florida https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/florida-tours-west-central-coast-walking-through-brooksvilles-historic-site/.

Old Brooksville in Photos and Stories, October 2015 Vol. 209.

First Baptist Church of Brooksville, FL 1847 to 2002 “Always Faithful”, Betty Debusk.