First United Methodist Church Winter Park

Influenced by the architecture of Spanish basilicas, First United Methodist Church’s 600-seat worship hall, designed by James Gamble Rogers in 1963, is spacious with large wood timbers, stained glass and antique marble proportions reminiscent of Roman churches. The large sanctuary features twenty clerestory windows located on either side of the nave. The stained glass windows use brightly colored symbols to depict figures of the old and new testaments. Decorative chandeliers and filtered natural light give the space a soft, yet theatrical feel.

More than a decade later, RLF preserved the existing 1923 chapel, tastefully renovating it and renaming it the Marcy Chapel, after a long-time benefactor of the church. The smaller 60-seat chapel combines original elements with contemporary features, such as a large, bold, colorful window made of Blenko glass in place of the original entry door, which was moved to the side. The remodeling and expansion project also included a new fellowship hall, internal courtyard and intimate cloisters connecting the church to the addition, classroom and meeting areas.