History of Alva Methodist Church

Upon entering the rose-tinged sanctuary of the timeless Alva Methodist Church, you may find a warm feeling enveloping you and a sense that you might be on the threshold of something wonderful happening – and you are. These walls whisper of over a century of dedication to the Lord and testify that his miracles abound in this time; within these walls – for His people.

With the humble beginning of Alva, God has proved that where two or more are gathered in his name, there he will be also. Captain Peter Nelson, a seaman from Denmark came ashore here between 1881 and 1883. He staked his claim, decided to build a town and named it Alva. The name Alva was derived from the Latin term for white, as the land was filled with tiny white flowers. A ten-acre tract of land, which was reorganized a few times, was divided up for a school, a park, and a church. 

In 1884 the Alva School was built and the first teacher, Miss Maggie Verdier, had merely applied for information and was hired.  She boarded with the English family of Alva.  In 1885 she began a Sunday School class in the English home with a circuit rider Rev. Charles Hyde Stebbins (later the husband of Ida English).  Rev. Stebbins would preach every 4th Sunday on his circuit of LaBelle, Ft. Denaud, Buckingham and Alva.  The first structure built by the Church was the parsonage in 1889 for Rev. J.N. Weatherford and his family; thus beginning the physical home for the church family. 

With many prayers and donations of money from the members, the sanctuary home for Alva Methodist was begun in the winter of 1903 under the supervision of Archibald J. English and following the drawings of Bradley Bissell who also drew plans for the first United Methodist Church of Ft. Myers.  The cost for the structure was $1,500.  This building was dedicated by Bishop Wilson in 1905.  Thus, were the tangible beginnings during the ministry of Rev. D. Lee Sweitzer.  Through the donations of labor by the men and the women of the church to install electric fixtures, sanding, painting and preparing meals, the seeds were sown.  Donations of: pews, altar, Pulpit Bible and Communion Table were made in honor of loved ones.  Many of the original furnishings are still in use today.  The final balance of the construction of $75 was paid during the ministry of Rev. J.F. Mitchell.  During renovations to the building in 1976 a board was found within the walls signed on July 10, 1903, by “The Builders of the House; A.J. English, W.C. Bonniwell and B.P. Elmer. 

Two of Mr. Bonniwell’s grandsons are members of the same church family today and many families have deep Alva roots.  The foundations of Alva are strong in the Lord.  The growth of Alva called for the necessity of a Library which became the first in Lee County, dedicated on June 26, 1909; fitting, as Alva missed being voted in as the County Seat by one vote to Ft. Myers.  Lee County had separated from Monroe County on May 23, 1887. 

The Alva church stood as a guard for the tiny Library and a landmark on the river for travelers with its white steeple and open doors.  The first bridge over the Caloosahatchee, completed in 1903 at Alva, brought many travelers to its door; many who found a permanent church home.  “The Lord’s love never ends and his loyalty is great…” (Lamentations 3:22-24) He has provided for the needs and growth of Alva Methodist.  The Owanita Baptist Chapel, built in 1901 was moved to the Alva Methodist Church after the 1926 hurricane for a Church School Annex.  The Alva Library Association asked for it to be added to the library building, which was to become the Alva Museum on July 4, 1976.  Prayers were lifted by the Church members.  A “Taster’s Buffet” to raise funds for the Museum was held.  About $400 more was needed for the renovations.  A grand piano was donated for which there was not a great need.  However, the donor gave permission for the piano to be sold.  It brought the price of $400. 

The members of Alva United Methodist and the Lord’s faithfulness provided for the building of the Church School Annex in 1947 with timber from the barracks of the Buckingham Air Base.  The growth has been funded time and time again through donations and prayer. 

The Fellowship Hall and Educational wing were built in 1975.  During a “Building Fund Sunday” the year before, the money had been underwritten to fund it in five minutes.  Mr. Hunter of Alva donated some property to the Church just north of the Alva Park some years before.  It had been prophesied that the money would be raised for the new building.  Mr. Hunter, at that time, asked to purchase the property back from the Church for $20,000.  God’s timing is perfect.  Rev. D. Lee Sweitzer’s report on the building of the Church, dated November 29, 1903, had already reflected this: “The Lord has greatly blessed us materially and put it in our hearts to build him a temple where his name is recorded and his presence abides.  In our hearts may we have him dwell.”  The Holy Spirit is honored in this place and many prayers have been answered here.  “When believing people pray great things can happen…” (James 5:16)

The Holy Spirit has been and still is felt here.  He has asked faithful people on more than one occasion to move over so that he might sit or kneel with them: asking for room, not only on a pew or at the altar, but in our hearts.  His people have been healed of cancer and many other ailments, including Lou Gehrig’s disease.  Our Lord has, indeed, been seen, heard and felt within these walls.  Members of Alva United Methodist played a founding role, with God’s guidance, in organizing the South Florida Conference on the Holy Spirit held for seven consecutive years in Ft. Myers every October, beginning in 1971.  These teachings have been brought home. 

In 2023 the Alva Methodist Church voted to disaffiliate with the United Methodist Church and join the more traditional and conservative Global Methodist Church.

The Alva Methodist Church is home to a dedicated Church family who believe the time of miracles has not ended but is just beginning.  This Church is an ageless testimony to God’s faithfulness.  If you feel moved when you step through the door of Alva United Methodist Church, “Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…” (2 Chronicles 20:17b).  This is fitting; you may be on the threshold of something great.