Florence's Central Methodist will 're-light' dome, cross
FLORENCE —
FLORENCE — there once was a lighted cross atop the dome of Central United Methodist Church in downtown Florence but it was extinguished years ago because of concerns that it might confuse aircraft trying to land at the bustling new Florence airport.
Although the cross isn’t being resurrected, the dome atop the almost 100-year-old church will be lighted again soon in a tip of the hat to the old landmark. Central denizens are planning to use the proceeds from the fifth Annual Taste of Central to pay for special lighting that will return the CUMC cross to a position of illuminated prominence.
The Taste of Central, which is open to the public, is Thursday from 6:30-8:30 in the Davis Center at CUMC. there will be more than 20 tables for the 2012 edition of the Taste. Among the goodies are meats, salads, soups, dips, vegetables, beverages and desserts. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening, plus there will be a silent auction. a nursery will be provided.
The money will go for a good cause. The cross was a Florence landmark that Central member and Taste organizer Linda Segars says old timers remember fondly. back in the day, Mcleod Infirmary (forerunner of McLeod Regional Medical Center) was located across the street from Central, and” people in the hospital could walk down the hall, look toward Central and see the lighted cross,” Segars said.
“Many a prayer was said while looking at the cross,” said Segars.
Florence pharmacist Dick Dixon, another Central member, said his grandfather, Rev. Julius Edel Clark, was the minister of Central from 1942-1946. he was also the chaplain at McLeod Infirmary.
Clark visited many a patient during the war years, said his grandson. he recalled his grandfather telling him that the folks he visited “got strength from looking at the lighted cross. They commented on how beautiful it was at night.”
Segars said she is looking forward to seeing the dome lit again.
Segars said it wasn’t feasible to turn the old cross back on. Modern electrical requirements and such made that sort of restoration project just too complicated. So the church is using special lighting to light up the entire dome below the cross. The lights cost about $2,500 each. one has already been donated by the Carter Byrd family. two more are needed.
The Taste of Central began four years ago. It’s caught on and is now an event that draws patrons from outside the Central family.
Segars and Barbara Dawkins are the driving forces behind the Taste, and they’ve done well in producing an event that’s both fun and lucrative for church charities. Proceeds from past Tastes of Central have been used to purchase a new stove, handrails for the choir members, a church van and new fluorescent lighting throughout the church.
