Members from Oldest Episcopal Church established by Black Bahamian settlers in Miami tour historic Lake Worth in Palm Beach County, Florida. Tour celebrated Florida's 500th anniversary, Viva Florida

On Friday, July 19, 2013 nearly 40 members of the historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami, Florida were hosted on a private Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth, Florida in Palm Beach County. The tour program is an Official Community Event Partner for the State of Florida’s 500^th anniversary, Viva Florida. The City of Lake Worth is also celebrating its centennial. The bus tour is an educational program of the non-profit Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History.  

 

The Reverend Canon Richard Marquess-Barry (ret.) of St. Agnes, Lori J. Durante, Tour Director of MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour, and Donnie Dobson of Donnie's Southern Restaurant.  The Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth hosted for St. Agnes started its tour program for July 19th  in Delray Beach with breakfast at Donnie's Southern Restaurant

It was a proud opportunity to host St. Agnes on a tour of Historic Lake Worth in Palm Beach County, Florida. St. Agnes in Miami was established in 1898 by black Bahamian settlers to Miami who arrived on “contract” to work on Henry Flagler’s Railroad, Flagler’s Royal Palm Hotel in Miami, the James Deering Estate (Vizcaya) in Coconut Grove and they worked planting fruit trees, pineapples, vegetables and flowers. 

 

This cultural day trip hosted for St. Agnes included a buffet breakfast at Donnie's Southern Restaurant in the historic West Settlers Historic District in Delray Beach, Florida.  City of Delray Beach Commissioner Shelly Petrolia and Florida House of Representative Bobby Powell, Jr. welcomed and greeted these elite guests from Miami.

 

 

Mayrene, General Manager of Donnie's Southern Restaurant in Delray Beach was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami

  

 

Donnie's Southern Restaurant in Delray Beach was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami.   St. Agnes was in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

 

“St. Agnes is considered the “mother lode” of Episcopal churches in South Florida. It’s one of the oldest black churches in Miami and boasts one of the largest Episcopal memberships in South Florida with more than 1,600 people.  The church is located in the (formerly known as) Negro Central District in Miami which was the name of the area during segregation. St. Agnes was designated historic by the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida and the City of Miami.



 

Buffet breakfast at Donnie's Southern Restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida

   

Donnie Dobson of Donnie's Southern Restaurant with Delray Beach Commissioner Shelly Petrolia and Florida House of Representative Bobby Powell, Jr. who welcomed St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami.

  

Donnie's Southern Restaurant in Delray beach, Florida hosted breakfast for the St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami for their tour of Lake Worth, Florida.

   

Delray Beach Commissioner Shelly Petrolia with MLFH volunteer Kenneth Durante at Donnie's Southern Restaurant in Delray Beach.

  

Following the breakfast, the tour bus traveled to Macy's Boynton Beach for private shopping and a reception sponsored by Chuck West, Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.  Florida House of Representative Lori Berman prepared a wonderful welcome letter for their visit. 

  

 

Private shopping was truly valued at Macy's  Boynton Beach by St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. St. Agnes presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Macy's Boynton Beach.

    

(Center) Macy's Boynton Beach Manager Angela Miller was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami.

Chuck West, Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management sponsored the reception for the private shopping hosted at Macy's Boynton Beach for St. Agnes Episcopal who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

  

Chuck West, Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management sponsored the reception for the private shopping hosted at Macy's Boynton Beach for St. Agnes Episcopal who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. Janelle Hall of St. Agnes presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Chuck West.

   

The esteemed Father Barry (ret.) of St. Agnes with History Tour Director Lori J. Durante and Chuck West at Macy's Boynton Beach for the private shopping hosted for members of St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.   

   

Origins cosmetics at Macy's Boynton Beach conducted mini facials for the private shopping hosted for St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami  who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

  

Private shopping was truly valued at Macy's Boynton Beach by St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami who were in the area for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. 

  

St. Agnes Episcopal members were hosted for private shopping at Macy's Boynton Beach which was a prelude to MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

 

St. Agnes Episcopal members were hosted for private shopping at Macy's Boynton Beach which was a prelude to MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

St. Agnes Episcopal members were hosted for private shopping at Macy's Boynton Beach which was a prelude to MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

 

Father Barry and Mrs. Virla Barry of St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami.  St. Agnes Episcopal members were hosted for private shopping at Macy's Boynton Beach which was a prelude to MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

   

The bus then journeyed north for a tour of the historic black Bahamian neighborhood Lake Worth Osborne Addition, the Downtown Lake Worth, the LULA Arts District,  and the Lake Worth Beach Casino Complex.  Lake Worth art galleries were featured on the tour with visits to the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery; and the Lake Worth Art League Gallery. Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso met the group during the tour of the Lake Worth Beach Casino Complex.

Black Bahamians are among the earliest settlers in South Florida following Emancipation Proclamation and the new Frontier movement in Florida with the adoption of the Homestead Act in 1868 that made 160 acres available at $1.25 per acre. The black Bahamians came from areas in the Bahamas that are St. Andros Island, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Freeport, Long Island, Nassau, New Providence plus Key West, Florida.  Upon the Bahamian’s arrival to southern Florida many migrated their way throughout the State working on farms, as domestics or helping to install Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. 

 

St. Agnes Episcopal arriving to St. John Episcopal Church in Lake Worth.  The church was established in 1927 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida. St. Agnes was hosted on MLFH's Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth.

  

Father  Joseph of St. John Episcopal in Lake Worth.  The church was established in 1927 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida. St. Agnes was hosted on MLFH's Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth.

  

St. John deacons George Glinton  and Theodore Morris shared the church history. St. John was established in 1927 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida. St. Agnes visited the church for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth

 

St. Agnes visited the St. John Episcopal Church for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth.

 

Passing the plate. St. Agnes of Miami made a donation to  St. John of Lake Worth. St. Agnes visited the St. John Episcopal Church for MLFH's Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Lake Worth

  

Father Joseph, deacon Theodore Morris and deacon George Glinton of St. John's with the church's famous Big Red Bell from year 1905

 

St. Agnes member takes souvenir photo with St. John's famous Big Red Bell in Lake Worth.

 

MLFH's History Tour Lori J. Durante, who coordinated the history tour, and Janelle Hall of St. Agnes and the Big Red Bell at St. John Episcopal Church in Lake Worth, Florida

 

St. Agnes members take souvenir photos with St. John's famous Big Red Bell in Lake Worth.

 

Several black Bahamian families settled in Lake Worth, Florida in their own neighborhood recognized as the “quarters” in the Lake Osborne 'Colored' Addition.
 

Most of these black Bahamians were of the Anglican Christian faith in their home island. In Florida the Episcopal denomination was the closest resemblance to their island churches. 

 

St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami arriving to the Osborne School in Lake Worth, Florida.  The Osborne School was built in 1947 as the Osborne 'Colored' School for black children. It is now a Head Start School operating as For the Children. The school was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida



Children at the Osborne School gave an educational presentation to St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami. The Osborne School was built in 1947 as the Osborne 'Colored' School for black children. It is now a Head Start School operating as For the Children. The school was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida 

The teen summer camp operated by For the Children gave an enthusiastic Step Show performance for the visit by St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami. The Osborne School was built in 1947 as the Osborne 'Colored' School for black children. It's  now a Head Start School operating as For the Children.  The school was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida



St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami presented a Certificate of Appreciation to For the Children which is located in the Osborne School in Lake Worth.  The school was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.




Grant AME Chapel was also highlighted on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida hosted for St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami.  Grant AME was established in 1922 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida

(right) Deacon Willis of Grant AME welcomes a member from St. Agnes Episcopal Church. Grant AME Chapel was also highlighted on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida hosted for St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami.  Grant AME was established in 1922 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida



Deacon Willis and Rev. Clark of Grant AME in Lake Worth. Grant AME Chapel was also highlighted on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida hosted for St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami.  Grant AME was established in 1922 by black Bahamian settlers to Lake Worth, Florida

Wall of Diversity. Formerly known as the racial division wall in Lake Worth that separated the 'colored' section of Osborne Addition from the  once all white neighborhood located directly west of that wall.  The wall is now a tool for racial harmony and diversity celebration. 

 

Touring the newly renovated Lake Worth Beach Casino Complex.  The original building opened in 1922 and was designed by G. Sherman Childs who was an early white pioneer to Lake Worth and the first registered architect in Lake Worth.  During its original construction in the early 1920s, the ground was cleared by and the building labor were black Bahamians.  'Casino' is its historic name as there is no gambling operation at the building.

 

(left) City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso welcomed St. Agnes Episcopal of Miami to the Lake Worth Beach Casino & Beach Complex. The original building opened in 1922 and was designed by G. Sherman Childs who was early white pioneer to Lake Worth and the first registered architect in Lake Worth.  During its original construction in the early 1920s, the ground was cleared by and the labor were black Bahamians.  'Casino' is its historic name as there is no gambling operation at the building.

 




St. Agnes Episcopal Church with Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso. The original building opened in 1922 and was designed by G. Sherman Childs who was early white pioneer to Lake Worth and the first registered architect in Lake Worth.  During its original construction in the early 1920s, the ground was cleared by and the labor were black Bahamians.  'Casino' is its historic name as there is no gambling operation at the building.

 

 

City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso gifted each member of St. Agnes of Miami with a commemorative centennial pin during their visit on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

 




St. Agnes Episcopal arriving to the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery on J Street in Downtown Lake Worth's LULA Arts District.  Clay Glass Metal Stone is an artists cooperative which was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida.

St. Agnes met local artist Anthony Burks (right) at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery. Clay Glass Metal Stone is an artists cooperative which was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. 

St. Agnes met local artist Anthony Burks (left) and gallery director Joyce Brown (2nd left) at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth. Clay Glass Metal Stone is an artists cooperative which was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. 



Clay Glass Metal Stone is an artists cooperative which was visited for the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida. Tour guests made purchases of the some of the art accessories.




Lake Worth Art League hosted the St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami where the church members met local artists, viewed local art work and purchased locally-made art creations.  St. Agnes was on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth.

(right) Lake Worth Art League President Tara Maule welcomed St. Agnes. Lake Worth Art League hosted the St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami where the church members met local artists, viewed local art work and purchased locally-made art creations.  St. Agnes was traveling on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth.

Lake Worth Art League hosted the St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami where the church members met local artists, viewed local art work and purchased locally-made art creations.  St. Agnes was on the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth.



The artists of the Lake Worth Art League.

 

 The membership of St. Agnes and the guests on the tour represents significant black professionals.  Some of the tour guests are current or retired attorneys, nurses, teachers (and educators with doctorate degrees), bank executives,  governmental executives with Miami-Dade County or the State of Florida, business owners, military veterans, an Episcopal priest and a graduate student.

The finale was a tour of the Johnson 1916 Courthouse Museum in West Palm Beach where the St. Agnes members were greeted and welcomed by City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Ike Robinson.
 

 


Tour finale for St. Agnes of Miami was the Johnson 1916 Courthouse Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida



St. Agnes Episcopal Church received an amazing welcome from City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Ike Robinson (right) during their visit to the Johnson 1916 Courthouse Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida

St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami with City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Ike Robinson (center) with members of St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami.  The Courthouse Museum was the finale visit of MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth.

The Barefoot Mailman exhibit at the Johnson 1916 Courthouse Museum in West Palm Beach was an informative experience for members of St. Agnes Episcopal Church of Miami. The Courthouse Museum was the finale visit of MLFH's Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth.  

Lori J. Durante, Tour Director for the Narrated Bus Tours with City of West Palm Beach Commissioner Ike Robinson at the 1916 Courthouse Museum in West Palm Beach, Florida

St. Agnes Episcopal presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Lori J. Durante who coordinated the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth, Florida

Photos by Lori J. Durante and n'GE, Inc.

Since 2004, the non-profit Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History (MLFH) has been hosting Narrated Bus Tours of HistoricPalm Beach County.  MLFH’s first tour program is the often sold-out Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Delray Beach, Florida which has hosted more than 8,000 guests.  In 2011, MLFH expanded its tour program to add the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Delray Beach & Boynton Beach which is commonly sold-out too.  In 2012, due to popular demand, the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Lake Worth & Lantana was added.  Also, in year 2012, the Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Lake Worth was included to the menu of tour choices.  MLFH now offers a total of four history bus tour programs - two food tasting tour choices and two history bus tour choices (non-food tours). All the aforementioned tours are the first in Palm Beach County, Florida.

For more information, call 561-243-2662.  Visit MLFHMUSEUM.org