One Hundred and Fifty Blooms
To commemorate the 150th year of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, local artist, Aretha Rodney McDonald wrote and performed this spoken word at Steinmetz Hall of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on March 6, 2026.
One Hundred and Fifty Blooms
March 18th, 1876, the faithfulness of God hovered across the newly established town of Orlando as eleven vision bearers gathered to birth what we could only describe as divine destiny. A density of God’s glory present, as the land blossoms with cottons, cattle, orange groves, and here comes First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. A Bloom springing from the very soil of Heaven's splendor, a seed set apart with roots found anchored in the chambers of God's heart. As Reverend Telford and Reverend Dodge lead the charge.
A Fragrance of humble beginnings drifted through the city, unfolding homes into sanctuaries—vacant spaces into sacred spaces, leaving traces of history throughout the corners of the city. As Magnolia Ave, once known as Main Street, carries the echoes of worship that stained the walls of a free church building. Where members once gathered, building the foundation of the church within. Layers of prayers, built on praise. Faith poured out like concrete until it framed a 40x60 foot assembly draped in wooden clapboards. See the sight of Gothic arched windows as a modest steeple points toward Heaven. A safe haven for the remnant, radiant in structure, reverenced in awe and beauty, all under the skies of 1883.
Where wagon and oxcarts were means of transportation, citrus perfumed the air. Sunday session filled with a faith-fueled congregation constructed on Christ, our solid foundation. So as flames danced through the halls of the assembly beneath the cloak of the night, their gaze remained fixed on the eternal light of Christ. Still growing and basking in his glorious delight, I dare to say the church knew what the faithfulness of God could do. As the town grew, so did the church—a steadfast beacon of faith, a beam of light mirroring the richness of God's unwavering Grace.
By the time 1889, a new building was framed on the southeast corner of Church Street. A location pin known to each of our navigation systems, as a foundation was laid to not wither away but to expand to be a lighthouse on the once cotton and orange grove-filled land. From groundbreaking to schools forming, foundations launching, souls saving, the very sight of a sacred bloom flourishing, establishing its roots in the community. See, before there were ever theme parks, there stood a church, whose only attraction was the name of Jesus assuring the gospel of Christ was heard. Preached in a weeklong evangelistic outreached titled City Reach. A vital part of the church's DNA, and as vital as the heart is to the body, so is First Pres to the city —the heart of the city, and like the heart, it pumps oxygen, it delivers nutrients, it upkeeps wellness so the blood can flow freely throughout the corners of the city.
See, through climate of crisis and transition of association, when others swayed to winds of unsound doctrine, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando stayed grounded in a faith unshaken. I dare to say they knew what faithfulness in God could do. With a seed came this tree evergreen, whose branches span through generations bearing fruit despite the change of seasons, a heavenly produce stemming from the vine, in which we know to be true to be a fountain of hope, a home to
BE LOVED, LOVE THE CITY, KNOW TRUTH, LIVE TRUTH
With roots ranging 150 years, this bloom continues to blossom. From the contemporary acoustics that weaves through the 9:00am service, to the traditional pulse that brings life into the 11:15 worship, or the in-between under the Angel Wing springs a well of joy and laughter. Smiles and fellowship with sips of coffee brewed in love, while the presence of God hangs low and proudly basks in the beauty of his bloom.
First Pres, a place to be served and yet learn how to bear the image of Jesus boldly in the city and the four corners of the earth. A place where belonging is possible, where purpose is stirred. Have you not heard? of The Heart of the City Foundation, watering seeds of destiny so dreams can emerge from the shadows into reality, possibilities taking flight to shape the future. See, this seed continues to bloom because it makes room for Heaven to sit and settle, so every promise God whispered unfolds in every petal. All who stem from this branch are marked as chosen vessels, from the Young at Heart to the hearts being kindled to SHINE let the record show—this ground doesn’t break it births.
March 6, 2026, the faithfulness of God hovered across the well-established city of Orlando, as families gathered to commemorate what we could only describe today as divine destiny. The complexity of God’s glory evident as we as we stand on roots 150 years deep. A testament of God’s faithfulness, one with no boundary or max capacity. See the beauty of a legacy being carried with hands that outlive time leaves me with one question in mind. One hundred and fifty blooms under the open skies, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, what say ye?
IF THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD BE FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST THEE.
-Aretha Rodney McDonald