Lake Shore United Methodist Church

2246 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida

(904) 388-1780

In 1944, Rev. Howren Norton, the pastor of Ortega Methodist Church, recognized a need for a new Methodist Church to serve the fast-growing Lake Shore area. In the preceding 25 years, no new Methodist Church had been organized in the entire city of Jacksonville. With the help of Rev. O.E. Rice, pastor of First Methodist Church, Rev. Norton conducted a survey of the 847 homes in the Lake Shore area in the fall of 1944; and 300 individuals indicated a desire for a new Methodist Church. Their desire soon became a reality, and Rev. Norton became the founder of our beloved church.

In May 1945, Dr. A. Fred Turner, superintendent of the Jacksonville District, formally organized Lake Shore Methodist Church with 36 charter members. The congregation began meeting for worship in a community building, called the Avondale Building, which the congregation eventually purchased. One year later the congregation broke ground for the sanctuary building. The sanctuary is constructed of beautifully crafted Tennessee Crab Orchard Stone, which was purchased uncut and then cut to size onsite. Bishop Arthur J. Moore laid the cornerstone for the sanctuary on February 16, 1947. By May 1947, two years after the church had been organized, membership had grown to 210, and the sanctuary was “windowsill high.”  Two years later, on Easter Sunday 1949, the congregation moved into the new sanctuary.

In 1955, on the 10^th Anniversary of the organization of Lake Shore Methodist Church, the congregation laid the cornerstone for the fellowship hall. Rev. Norton returned to preach the anniversary sermon. The Fellowship Hall, named “Norton Hall” in honor of our founder and first pastor, was completed and consecrated for use in September 1955.

On May 19, 1963, the congregation broke ground for the education building, and classes began meeting in the new building in September. On Sunday, October 6, Dr. J. Milburn McLeod, the superintendent, was present for the consecration service for the new Moore Building.

In 1978, through generous donations from many of our members, we installed stunning memorial stained glass windows in our sanctuary.

Since the 1980’s, we continue to make improvements to the property. Major improvements include purchasing nearby properties for additional parking spaces and the construction of the Wesley building. We demolished the old Avondale Building to make room for the Wesley Building, a larger two-story administration and education building, which houses the church office and pastor’s study, conference room, Sunday School class rooms, nursery and child care rooms, and choir room.

We are a vital church, and it is our goal to know Christ, and to make Him known, and to build relationships of mutual care and support as we serve Christ together.