Women's History at Seminole Heights UMC

Written by Donna Hendrix

March is Women's History Month, and women have been instrumental in the work of Seminole Heights United Methodist Church throughout its history.

Seminole Heights Methodist Church was established in 1921, and in 1927 the cornerstone was laid for the yellow brick church where we still worship today. The Alpha Auxiliary group was formed in 1928 to raise money to purchase a new pipe organ for the Sanctuary. This Alpha Auxiliary consisted mostly of women, and its elected officers were all women.

“The women’s missionary circles raised most of the money by collecting pennies.” These women worked tirelessly and faithfully during the depression in order to pay for a $10,000 Kilgen Organ, which was paid in full by December 1934.

In the document “History of Seminole Heights United Methodist Women”, it states that Women’s groups over the years have always contributed to the missionary work of not only the church, but the community. Through the giving of money, gifts, talents, and time, many local organizations were supported: Meals on Wheels, the Needlepoint Guild, Church Women United and the Clothes Closet, Metropolitan Ministries, and Tampa United Methodist Centers (now called Cornerstone Family Ministries).

These women groups have also helped support local church projects such as the Scholarship Fund and annual bazaars. Another project in the past was making blankets and preemie hats for newborns with special needs at Tampa General Hospital and Alpha House. Throughout history, women’s groups have taken part in the betterment of church, society, and the world. There are always opportunities for women to continue making the world a better place.

The Sunday School classes of Seminole Heights Methodist Church in 1921