Concert venue, religious services, morgue: Historic Gainesville First United Methodist Church has worn many hats - Gainesville Times

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Concert venue, religious services, morgue: Historic Gainesville First United Methodist Church has worn many hats

The former First Methodist Church of Gainesville, one of the few downtown buildings surviving the infamous 1936 tornado, was purchased and later gifted by Lessie and Charles Smithgall to The Arts Council, Inc. and is slowly undergoing renovations. - photo by Scott Rogers

07132021 HISTORICALmethodist 1.jpg — The former First Methodist Church of Gainesville, one of the few downtown buildings surviving the infamous 1936 tornado, was purchased and later gifted by Lessie and Charles Smithgall to The Arts Council, Inc. and is slowly undergoing renovations. - photo by Scott Rogers

Each time she glances up at the old stained glass windows during service at Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 84-year-old Caroline Silcox said she remembers the building that used to hold them.