Washington County's Historic Church and School Buildings

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Falling Waters State Park in Chipley

Photo Credit: VISIT FLORIDA

Vernon's Moss Hill United Methodist Church was built in 1857.

Florida has a rich and diverse history.  African American landmarks and legacies exist in various locations throughout the state. The following historical sites can be found in Washington County.  While some of these sites can be visited, other listings are marked "private" and are not open to the public.

Vernon
Moss Hill United Methodist Church
Corner of Vernon and Greenhead Roads (Private)
Built in 1857 by church members and their slaves, this simple, weathered, wood-frame church is the oldest unaltered building in Washington County. Many of the planks still bear the hand prints and fingerprints of the workers, and the barefoot imprints of children may be seen on ceiling planks. Three miles southeast of Vernon, this building is one of the nation’s best examples of frontier church architecture.


Vernon Elementary School
3665 Roche Avenue
During desegregation, Washington County’s white students from Careyville and Wausau, and black students from Shady Grove were sent to the current Vernon Elementary School site. Lacking funds to build a new school, the county added on to an existing one. Parts of the three closed schools were
moved and attached to Vernon Elementary. (850) 535-2486.

Adapted from Florida Black Heritage Trail, published by the Florida Department of State, in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA, copyright 2007. For more information on African American sites, please visit flheritage.com.

Additional information can also be found at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/milesmedia/floridablackheritage/