History
Eustis Church of the Nazarene was organized May 22, 1949, due to the combined interests and efforts of Rev. and Mrs. Warner W. Glenn and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Kurns. The Kurns had moved from California where they were a part of the organization and development of the denomination under the leadership of Phineas F. Bresee. This idea for a church in Eustis sent Mr. Kurns to obtain a permit from the city to erect a tent on the corner of Mills and Eustis where services were held for one month and an average attendance of 10 per Sunday.
Rev. Warner W. Glenn was called as the first pastor with the following charter members: Rev. and Mrs. W.W. Glenn, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Kurns, Mr. and Mrs. Coillet, and Rev. and Mrs. C.G. Weathers. The Glenns served for four years as pastors.
Dr. John L. Knight, the District Superintendent of the Florida District, offered the church building in Sparr, Florida. Mr. Kurns, Rev. Glenn, and others proceeded to dismantle the church building, haul it in and rebuild it on the property which had been purchased on the corner of Mills Avenue and Eustis Street. While this was being done, regular services were held in the recreation hall in downtown Eustis. Many prayer meetings were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carrington. The Glenn’s sister, Mrs. Mildred Johnson also attended the church.
The church was dedicated in February of 1950 with General Superintendent Dr. Hardy C. Powers officiating. When pledges were taken, Mrs. Glenn didn’t see Rev. Glenn pledge, so she pledged $25 not knowing where it was coming from and when she got home, she nearly fainted when she learned that her husband had pledged $50 and didn’t know where his was coming from either. After all, they were only guaranteed $10 a week salary. But, God impressed upon Mrs. Glenn to raise turkeys. She bought 15 baby turkeys and raised them in spite of foxes and wild cats and sold eight of them for $90 and paid the pledges and had some left over
In 1981, the church broke ground on the new location for the church at 480 CR 44, Eustis, FL 32726. Many people in the church donated their time and labor to bring us the current building we worship in. Rev. Franklin D. Stephens was the pastor, his wife Mildred still attends when she is able. The building was finished in 1983.
Rev. Franklin D. Stephens (Pastor) and Dr. D. Moody Gunter (N. FL District Superintendent) broke ground on the church’s New Life Center which when completed, contained a full gym, fellowship hall, kitchen, and multiple Sunday School rooms.
