Come join us at the little church in Riverdale...

Let me give you an idea or two to ponder while you think of the Little Brown Church in Riverdale that you just might like to visit one day soon After all, it is an old church having been created in the early 1930's by the families living here.

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The families were fairly young and the men were commercial fishermen on the St John's river. As you are aware, times were hard in the U.S> as the project of building a church was daunting. First of all was to find and obtain a property.

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The services had been held in various homes in the community and the Riverdale Public Park and they soon needed more space. A wonderful lady, Mrs. Seavy, donated two fifty foot lots accross the road from her property on the river side right in the moiddle of the community facing the main road going north and south. With much help from the people in Hastings, south of our village, things began to roll.

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A farmer in the Piccolatta area, Mr Arnold, donated the tree logs which were harvested by the local men (hard, hard work). Needless to say, our first church was a log cabin complete with a bell tower. Later, classrooms were added to the rear by moving a small, donated home to the rear of the church.

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We began serviced without a piano for a year, but someone played a violin "bow" with a metal hand saw which served well for a while. Oil lamps were our lights. The benches were made by our men using simple pine planks which served until the mid-1950's when a new building had to replace the termite riddled log structure which is the present cement block building in use today.

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In the early 1960's the fellowship hall was being added and was paid off with moneys donated in honor of A.H. (Bill) Kennedy when he drown in the St John's River. The stained-glass windows were put in with the new building and were donated by some Elkton congregation in exchange for our men removing thier old building. Bill Kennedy, my dad, did this work before he passed. They are the perfect main attraction of our building. The cross on the wall behind our pulpit was also made by him from lumber out of the original log cabin church.

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Our church had many hard times during WWII but it has survived beautifully with wonderful loving support by everyone since the humble beginnings. Property was bought over the years through the many, many fish fries and garage sales and other money making events which continue to the present time.

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Love to each other, love of community and love of God have made our church outstanding in comfort and community caring for the sick families and "down and out" situations among us. You would be just as well received if and when you come. All people are welcomed. We are down to earth, everyday people and even share jokes! Me too!

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The history is very interesting, the congregation ready with big smiles and even a hug or tow or three! I dare you to check out these truths. The bell rings every Sunday morning to say "We're ready to share the love of Jesus with you!". I know because I have been the "Bell Lady" for at least two thirds of it's Riverdale Life!

​Delores K. Rowley (Dory)