1887 Church at Manatee Village Named to Florida’s 11 to Save List
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation has named the 1887 Church at Manatee Village Historical Park in Bradenton to its 2025 “Florida’s 11 to Save” list—an annual initiative spotlighting historic sites across the state in urgent need of preservation.
Originally constructed between 1887 and 1889, the church holds the distinction of housing the first Christian congregation established on the Florida mainland south of Tampa. Its construction was briefly delayed due to a yellow fever outbreak, but upon completion, the wooden structure became a vital spiritual and community hub in early Manatee County.
In 1975, the 1887 Church, along with the 1860 Manatee County Courthouse, was relocated to form the cornerstone of Manatee Village Historical Park as part of a local bicentennial preservation effort. Today, the park serves as an educational resource and cultural landmark managed in partnership with the nonprofit Friends of Manatee Village.
According to the Trust, the church—like many aging historic structures—now faces critical preservation challenges. Necessary repairs include a new roof and significant structural stabilization to ensure its longevity.
Being named to the Florida Trust’s 11 to Save list brings statewide attention to the site and provides valuable support to the Friends of Manatee Village in their campaign to raise awareness and funding for the church’s restoration.
Other sites on the 2025 list include the Magic Beach Motel in Vilano Beach, the St. John’s River Lighthouse in Duval County, the entire city of Cedar Key, and the Apalachicola Arsenal Officers Quarters in Chattahoochee.
The Suncoast region has had a strong presence on the list in recent years. In 2024, both the ancient indigenous burial mounds on Tidy Island in Bradenton and Warm Mineral Springs and Spa in North Port were recognized. In 2023, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota was listed, drawing broader public dialogue on its future.
By naming the 1887 Church among the 2025 honorees, the Florida Trust aims to preserve not just a building, but a tangible link to Manatee County’s early history and architectural legacy.
