The Fletcher Church was organized in 1911 and consisted of 13 members. At that time, it was called the Naples Seventh-day Adventist Church. The congregation met for worship in the dining room of the old plantation house, the only building on the property, located be­tween what is now Fletcher Hospital and Whitford Hall (the Academy cafeteria).

In 1914, the congregation erected a school building across from the plantation house and facing Howard Gap Road. It was a frame construction with wood siding on the outside and rough oak or pine floors. The building consisted of a small classroom, a school library, and the main meeting room with a seating capacity of 100 to 125. Furnished with cane chairs and a large wood burning stove, the building was used for general meetings, classes, recreation, facluty meetings, daily wor­ship and Sabbath services.

The congregation continued to grow and in 1934, it assembled for worship in what is now called the Academy Chapel. The chapel with the classrooms in the back provided adequate space for the congregation's needs over a period of approximately twenty years. Vespers, Sabbath School, Church services, chapels, lyceums, recreation, weddings, funer­als, and graduation services held here enshined this place in the hearts of many alumni.

In time the need for more room develbped. Pearson Hall (the school gym named after Dr. Arthur Pearson) was erected in 1954 and served the needs of the church family until 1963 when the present sanctuary was built. Pearson Hall is located across from Captain Gilmer School and presently serves as a gymnasium for the elementary school and the academy.

On September 21, 1963 the Fletcher Church held services for home coming and open house in the present sanctuary, a building with two levels and floor space of 15,000 square feet. The first level consisted of Sabbath School classrooms, restrooms and the church office. For the most part tpe adult Sabbath School classes. were held in the sanctuary. Fellowship dinners, recreational activities, and other social events were held in the Pearson Hall.

Groundbreaking took place for the new office-classroom complex in February of 1977. The three-level building complex of 15,000 square feet was completed in July of 1978. In addition to classrooms for adults and children, the complex pwvides office facilities for the church secretary and pastor, a conference room for board meetings and committee meetings, a large narthex for receiving members and visitors, a fellowship hall that facilitates a variety of programs, projects, and services, and restrooms on each level.

During this building period, the church decided to refurnish the sanctuary also. The chancel was paneled, the rostrum was enlarged and raised, the seating capacity of the sanctuary was increased to accomodate 125 additional persons, the cathedral ceiling and the sanctuary walls were repainted, the old building was insulated and reshingled, and new carpet, new pews, new pulpit furniture, a new organ, a new grand piano, and a new public address system were purchased and installed. New parking facilities were provided which doubled the available space and the old parking area was resurfaced. In addition, the church had new side walks built and landscape work done to the front and side of the building.

In 1993, an addition to the church consisted of a new entryway being built which allowed a drive-through entrance, repaving of the entire parking area, landscaping anc a new roof to the church. A new kitchen was added in the north end of the fellowship hall in 1998-99.

The growth and prosperity of the Fletcher Seventh-day Adventist Church took place under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The original congregation was formed in response to Ellen G. White's counsel to establish an institution in this area. Throughout the years of its life and ministry, the Fletcher congregation has remained faithful to its calling and committed to its ministry. And by the grace of God and the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit, this church will move forward until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Sincerely,
Joseph J. Battistone, Pastor January 8, 1983

Ground Breaking - Present Location 1963

Inside View of Church

New Church, Open House - 1963

Late 1980's

Sanctuary in 2001

Church At Present Time

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