Blanton Town
Methodist Church
(Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Cannon as part of the Pasco Cemeteries web page)
The Blanton Methodist Church was originally called and known as Mt. Olive Methodist Church and was situated on Dowling Lake. In 1906 the chruch was moved to its present location and placed on land donated by a Reverend Blocker who was a preacher at the church (no known relation to Sanford Blcoker). John O'Berry donated adjoining land for the purpose of a parsonage, which still sits beside the church today. It's reported that Mary Blocker tried to keep a Missionary Society going at the Blanton Methodist Church. Not only did the church meet the spiritual needs of the coummunity but it was also a place for many early funerals of those pioneer settlers such as O'Berrys, Blockers, and others. Blanton Methodist Church History
-written March 15, 1962 by an unknown author-
The history of the Blanton Methodist church at its present location dates back to 1906. Prior to this date, the people of the community worshiped at Mt. Olive church located on what is now Dowling property about one mile north of he present church. The land on which this church was built was given by Mr. Newton Dowling and his wife. The church records show that in 1895, (the earliest records on file), Mt. Olive was on the Pasco circuit with seven other organized churches: Prospect, Townsend House, Bethany, Wesley Chapel, Providence, Richland, and Central Chapel. Later the same circuit included a at mission Hudson, Keystone Park, Anclote, Verene and Loyce. The Rev. J.M. Mitchel assisted with the mission, and was also a forceful evangelist preacher ready to serve wherever called. The Blanton community had a thriving turpentine still and saw mill industries at about the turn of the century, and was laid out in lots and streets for a town. The people then thought it best to have a church and parsonage in Blanton. So, through the generosity of some of the old settlers, Mr. and Mrs. John O'Berry and Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Blocker, lots for each were obtained.  In
1903, a two story house at Lenard, a small railroad station between
Blanton and Trilby, was secured. It was moved in three sections on
rollers by a team of horses, and was rebuilt on the parsonage lot.
Pictured right is an early photo of the Blanton Methodist Church
parsonage as it sat behind the church.The Blanton church was built in 1906 by Mr. Tom Jordan and Mr. Will Heacock. The old Mt. Olive church was sold to Mr. Jordan who removed the steeple and moved the rest of the building to his property to be used as a dwelling. The steeple, left on the Mt. Olive property, was used by the children in the neighborhood for a play house. Among the first pastors or "Circuit Riders" to live in the parsonage were the Rev. J.T. Duncan in 1907, the Rev. A.P. Johntry and Rev. W.Z. Danzler in 1908. To follow was the Rev. J.M. Dieffenwierth, a name still found on the church roll of Blanton. The church continued strong, even though the town never developed, and on the roll of members, we find among others, old settlers these names : Blocker, Ansley, Dowling, O'Berry, Mayo, Page and Adams. The saw mills and turpentine industry did not last. The community grew smaller, but new members were added to the church and Sunday School as old ones left. Names to be remembered and loved such as Magoon, Lipsey, Booten, Ellsworth, and Sickler The parsonage was sold in 1917 to Mrs. Lela C. Page and since that time the church has been on various charges and affiliated with the Spring Lake and Trilby parsonages with the exception of about two years, when a house in Blanton was rented for a parsonage. In 1928, when services at Townsend House were discontinued, a part of the membership transferred to Blanton Methodist church. Among those were Hancock, Sellers and Dieffenwierths. The charge as well as the district changed from time to time. In 1946-47, the Blanton church was remodeled on the interior, and a building to be used as an educational building was moved to the church lot. It was divided into Sunday School rooms, a kitchen, and a Fellowship hall. At present the charge consists of Blanton, San Antonio, Trilby, and Lacoochee with the parsonage in Trilby. The Methodist church has been from the beginning the only organized church in Blanton. 
 
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