Historical Roots of
Glendale Presbyterian Church

Glendale Presbyterian Church, at least to some extent, is the fulfillment of the vision of Daniel J. Currie, who served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in DeFuniak Springs.  He dreamed of extending the blessings and benefits of their church into surrounding rural areas that were not served by regular ministry.  Rev. Currie’s vision materialized in the form of six mission Sunday Schools:  Knox Hill, Cluster Springs, Mossy Head, Indian Creek, Gillis Chapel, and Glendale.  Of the six only Glendale became a fully organized and self-supporting church.   

The present Glendale Presbyterian Church chapel was originally built in the nearby town of Bagdad.  It was dismantled and moved, piece by piece, and reconstructed on its present site North of DeFuniak Springs.  Here is how that came about:

The original congregation, consisting of 14 members, first met in the Masonic Lodge in Glendale, but soon moved into a nearby schoolhouse for worship services.  After 25 years of existence, however, the Glendale Church found a permanent place of worship; the Lord provided an unexpected gift.  A congregation in Bagdad, Florida was being dissolved and they were willing to give their building, constructed in 1901, to the Glendale congregation.  All they needed to do was move it 65 miles!  This task was accomplished by dismantling the chapel, hauling it board by board to the new site, and reassembling it there.  Glendale pastor, W.E. Powell provided the necessary leadership and the dedicatory service was held in 1946.  

The Word of God has been faithfully preached from the pulpit of the chapel ever since.