Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Graveyard, church get historical designation
Pastor Jerry McDaniel raised concerns about the designation.
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published February 23, 2005
DADE CITY - Pasco County commissioners voted Tuesday to add the Clay Sink Baptist Church, school building and cemetery to the county's register of historic resources.
The property is on 2 acres in the Withlacoochee State Forest near the Hernando County line. The school building, now a church fellowship hall, was built in 1912 and served as the county's first voting precinct. The cemetery is a private graveyard, bearing the graves of about 500 people from the area's pioneer families.
The Rev. Jerry McDaniel, pastor of the Baptist Church, raised concerns about the historical designation because it limits what modifications can be made to the property.
He said the church had just a handful of members when he came about three years ago and now is growing.
"My position is, yes, let's preserve history, but we better not stamp out what God is doing," he said.
Commissioner Steve Simon said the designation will only serve as a protection to the property, not hinder the church's growth.
"You will have a notoriety that other churches would covet - covet in a good way, pastor," he told McDaniel.
Any changes or additions made to the buildings will have to be reviewed by the county staff and be in keeping with the architecture and character of the area. McDaniel said he has no immediate plans for building renovations.
Other places already on the county register include the original Airpeka post office and the Trilby cemetery.
[Last modified February 23, 2005, 00:35:16]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
