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Religion

Wesleyan Village pioneer honored

The Rev. Foster Piatt had a vision that resulted in the purchase of 30 acres in east Brooksville that has served Wesleyans for 50 years.

By JEAN JOHNSON
Published January 14, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - About 450 people paid tribute to the founder of the Wesleyan Bible Conference Association on Tuesday, Foster Piatt Day.

Opening the program, the Rev. Dr. Marlin Mull echoed the thoughts of many: "Any day could be observed as Foster Piatt Day," he said, recognizing the struggles and sacrifices made by the Rev. Foster and Mary Piatt to create Wesleyan Village on the east edge of Brooksville.

Fifty years ago, Piatt was appointed to head a committee to find a suitable place for annual Wesleyan conferences, camp meetings and youth camps.

"Foster was a fellow who had a vision and went out there and did it," Mull said.

Piatt's vision included a piece of property large enough to serve as a future retirement center for Wesleyans. The committee purchased 30 acres off Jasmine Drive for $2,700.

"Brooksville is one of the first churches he built, and part of the church is still standing," said Mull, 73. Plans are in the works to move the church to State Road 50, between Jasmine and Redbud Lane.

The ceremony Tuesday began with an invocation by the Rev. Jay DeNeff, vice president of the Wesleyan Bible Conference Association. A hymn followed. The Rev. Dr. Robert W. McIntyre, Florida District general superintendent emeritus, offered the general church recognition of Piatt, followed by the Florida District recognition by the Rev. Raymond Kensell.

After Kensell spoke about the Piatt family, the audience clapped its appreciation during the singing of an original hymn, Someone Prepared the Way, written and composed by Flossie Peterson, who has been a member of the Wesleyan Church since birth.

"My father and husband were ministers, and I taught music for about 22 years," said Peterson, 79. Born and raised in Cadillac, Mich., she moved to Florida from Hillsboro, Wis., 10 years ago. She has composed music for more than 25 years.

Mull, president of the Wesleyan Bible Conference Association and Wesleyan Village, said Piatt, with the help of volunteer labor, built a number of houses, a two-story dormitory, a caretaker's house, dormitories for youth camp, a dining room and a parsonage. In addition, roads were laid out, the lake dug out and trailer sites designated. During the early years, a lot for a house cost $300; a smaller lot for a cottage was $150.

Piatt did all this on a salary of $75 a month, with no other benefits.

"His labor," Mull said, "was in essence donated because he had a vision. But that vision was equaled or exceeded by his passion to work for the Lord. And he faithfully did what the Lord wanted him to do."

By 1959, the denominational Congress on Evangelism for North America took place in Brooksville, and the first camp meeting was during the winter of 1960.

"When we reflect on the history of WBCA and its leaders," Mull said, "we are reminded of things accomplished during their tenure. Dr. Paul Elliott brought organizational skills when the property was turned over to the first WBCA board around 1970, and left an endowment fund to maintain the Elliott Center portion of the building. Dr. Robert Lytle provided consolidation leadership at a critical time, followed by Dr. J.D. Abbott's administrative skills, and Rev. Russell Buck faced numerous challenges, including land acquisitions.

"Every WBCA leader met their assigned tasks with courage, faith, prayer and honor, and they did it by standing on the solid spiritual foundation laid by the Rev. Foster Piatt, who laid that foundation with his heart, soul, mind and hands."

Jan. 10 was chosen to pay tribute to Piatt because it was the first day of this winter's camp meeting, which Piatt started and that focuses on spiritual enrichment. Meetings are being conducted at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day through Sunday.

At the end of the ceremonies, Mull distributed 18 Bibles to members of the Piatt family. Piatt, 82, was given a watch engraved "Foster Piatt, founder of WBCA." The retired church leader and his wife now live in Knoxville, Tenn.

[Last modified January 14, 2006, 01:38:14]