For people who are attempting to find Orlando religious landmarks, there are numerous sites to see. It may seem unusual to realize that there can be some pretty interesting Orlando religious landmarks because of the reputation of theme parks and Disney World. Yet in fact, there are many religious sites in Orlando and the encircling area. This list is a mixture of Orlando religious landmarks and some other pretty special religious destinations in Orlando.
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
Over time this shrine has changed its name. The site is now called the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. This Roman Catholic Church was a creation that grew in the 1970s, and ultimately become real in the 1980's. Its original conception and construction was meant to deal with the many millions of Catholics that come to the Orlando area annually. This safe place for traveling Catholics, is intended to provide a place for worship and Mass in some place surrounded by impressive statues, unique atmosphere with sculptured entryways and walls that are decorated with attractive artifacts. The property also has gorgeous gardens, a special museum and an old fashioned gift shop.
Holy Land Experience
This not a common Orlando theme park. Unlike the many other parks, the Holy Land Experience Park provides guests a reasonable, educational experience. Designed for every age, this park is a location where all the family can participate together in numerous interactive story-telling experiences. The park is located southwest of the downtown district. The park was designed with the basic desire to showing its visitors how Jesus lived his life 2,000 years in the past. The park le's visitors step back in time to the Holy Land where they can witness the biblical stories acted out in front of them. Visitors can also discover interesting artifacts on view in the parks numerous exhibits. The Holy Land Experience is a wonderfully inspiring and history filled place for the religious to see the bible come to life.
Lake Eola
For those who are looking for a mixture of Indian heritage and faith, Lake Eola is the location of an inscribed tree that's marked as the grave location of the figure whom it is believed that Orlando is named after. The accepted story is that a man named Sentinel Orlando Reeves was an American soldier in the Seminole War, he was going out to alert his fellow soldier's of an imminent attack by the Seminole Indians when he was attacked and snuffed out. His name is carved on a tree in the park at Lake Eola. Settlers in the area at the time said this was his grave marker. It is believed that he carved his name on the tree near Lake Eola. The settler's in the area speculated that this was the site of his dying. This speculating led some to connect his untimely death with the many Seminole Indian War battles that were happening at the time. From this tree engraving, settler's named the area near the tree "Orlando's Grave" and other settler's named it just simply Orlando.
Ebenezer Methodist Church
Ebenezer United Methodist Church is also situated in Orlando. Established in 1892 its members made a wood church on this site. It was noted as the first African-American Methodist Church Then in 1922 the members of the church decided they needed a more permanent structure and ripped down the old structure and resurrected the Gothic Style brick church that now occupies this site.
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
This is one of the oldest African American churches in the area. It was organized in 1919. Initially parishioners met in diverse locations before the congregation finally discovered this spot. Once it was decided on and bought, the church members themselves made the rusticated concrete blocks for the construction of the building walls. This historical Gothic style church was completed in 1921.
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
Over time this shrine has changed its name. The site is now called the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. This Roman Catholic Church was a creation that grew in the 1970s, and ultimately become real in the 1980's. Its original conception and construction was meant to deal with the many millions of Catholics that come to the Orlando area annually. This safe place for traveling Catholics, is intended to provide a place for worship and Mass in some place surrounded by impressive statues, unique atmosphere with sculptured entryways and walls that are decorated with attractive artifacts. The property also has gorgeous gardens, a special museum and an old fashioned gift shop.
Holy Land Experience
This not a common Orlando theme park. Unlike the many other parks, the Holy Land Experience Park provides guests a reasonable, educational experience. Designed for every age, this park is a location where all the family can participate together in numerous interactive story-telling experiences. The park is located southwest of the downtown district. The park was designed with the basic desire to showing its visitors how Jesus lived his life 2,000 years in the past. The park le's visitors step back in time to the Holy Land where they can witness the biblical stories acted out in front of them. Visitors can also discover interesting artifacts on view in the parks numerous exhibits. The Holy Land Experience is a wonderfully inspiring and history filled place for the religious to see the bible come to life.
Lake Eola
For those who are looking for a mixture of Indian heritage and faith, Lake Eola is the location of an inscribed tree that's marked as the grave location of the figure whom it is believed that Orlando is named after. The accepted story is that a man named Sentinel Orlando Reeves was an American soldier in the Seminole War, he was going out to alert his fellow soldier's of an imminent attack by the Seminole Indians when he was attacked and snuffed out. His name is carved on a tree in the park at Lake Eola. Settlers in the area at the time said this was his grave marker. It is believed that he carved his name on the tree near Lake Eola. The settler's in the area speculated that this was the site of his dying. This speculating led some to connect his untimely death with the many Seminole Indian War battles that were happening at the time. From this tree engraving, settler's named the area near the tree "Orlando's Grave" and other settler's named it just simply Orlando.
Ebenezer Methodist Church
Ebenezer United Methodist Church is also situated in Orlando. Established in 1892 its members made a wood church on this site. It was noted as the first African-American Methodist Church Then in 1922 the members of the church decided they needed a more permanent structure and ripped down the old structure and resurrected the Gothic Style brick church that now occupies this site.
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
This is one of the oldest African American churches in the area. It was organized in 1919. Initially parishioners met in diverse locations before the congregation finally discovered this spot. Once it was decided on and bought, the church members themselves made the rusticated concrete blocks for the construction of the building walls. This historical Gothic style church was completed in 1921.
About the Author:
Mellanie Hermin has had an interest in religious sites in Orlando for a number of years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications, which can on occasion be found here.
