Stewart Memorial Methodist Church (Richard V. Moore Center)
554 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
Church officials trace the church’s beginnings to 1893 and the Reverend Thomas Hamilton Beb (H.B.) Walker, who was only 20 at the time. Later earning a Doctor of Divinity, he pastored several Methodist Episcopal churches in Florida. He authored many books and poems, such as “The Unknown Man” published in 1915 in DeLand. Walker spent much of his time in France (studying/lecturing), Italy, Germany and Liberia. He was honored with the degree of Knight Commander by the Republic of Liberia for his work.
It is not known where the church held its first meetings but in 1895, a small, white building at Second Avenue (now Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard) and Pearl Street was built with funds donated by the Reverend M. L. Stewart, a retired Methodist minister who wintered in Daytona Beach. The building was named Stewart Chapel in his honor.
In the 1920s, the original structure was demolished, and construction began on a new building. Completion of the new building was delayed by a storm in 1926 which damaged the partially finished walls. The two-story building, finally completed in 1936, contained a sanctuary, choir room, Sunday school, dining room, kitchen and pastor’s study. Stewart Memorial Methodist Church has had more than 40 pastors over the years.
In 1973, Stewart Memorial moved to a new facility and the vacated building was sold to the city of Daytona Beach and converted into the Richard V. Moore Community Center. Dr. Moore was president of Bethune-Cookman College from 1947-1974 and continued to work as a tireless civic leader until his death in 1994.
Timeline
1893 - Founded by Rev Thomas H.B. Walker
1895 - Stewart Chapel Constructed
1920’s - Stewart Chapel Demolished
1936 - New (Current) Structure Constructed
1973 - Structure became Richard V. Moore Community Center