The Chokoloskee Church of God was established in 1913, with the beginning of the Pentecostal movement on Chokoloskee beginning in 1912 by J.J. “Babe” and Sally Whidden who traveled from Fort Myers to the island by boat. According to church records that first year saw 40 people converted and baptized at McKinney’s landing during that revival. Many of the revivals went on for days, weeks or months depending on when the next mail boat landed to take the circuit rider preachers back to the mainland.
Several historic families were (and still are) members of the Chokoloskee Church of God including the Hamiltons, Browns, Storters and Mckinneys. The late Chokoloskee native Loren G. “Totch” Brown stated in his book “Totch Brown: Life in the Everglades” that his Grandfather C. G. McKinney donated the land, lumber and first brass bell for the church.
It wasn’t until 1928 after the completion of the Tamiami Trail, the first permanent preacher, the Rev. Baldree who was appointed and served for one year. Since the beginning the church has had 20 pastors to lead the small congregation. The church building is also the third rebuild since the original in 1913. A hurricane destroyed the original building and a new wooden structure was rebuilt; once again in 1961 a new concrete structure was built which stands still today. During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the steeple blew off and was found two blocks away, however the brass bell was not recovered. The Steeple was replaced along with new pews and the little church still stands as a place of worship on Chokoloskee.
Several historic families were (and still are) members of the Chokoloskee Church of God including the Hamiltons, Browns, Storters and Mckinneys. The late Chokoloskee native Loren G. “Totch” Brown stated in his book “Totch Brown: Life in the Everglades” that his Grandfather C. G. McKinney donated the land, lumber and first brass bell for the church.
It wasn’t until 1928 after the completion of the Tamiami Trail, the first permanent preacher, the Rev. Baldree who was appointed and served for one year. Since the beginning the church has had 20 pastors to lead the small congregation. The church building is also the third rebuild since the original in 1913. A hurricane destroyed the original building and a new wooden structure was rebuilt; once again in 1961 a new concrete structure was built which stands still today. During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the steeple blew off and was found two blocks away, however the brass bell was not recovered. The Steeple was replaced along with new pews and the little church still stands as a place of worship on Chokoloskee.
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