Old St. Andrew’s Church is one of Jacksonville’s finest surviving examples of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1888 of pressed brick with black mortar and stone trim, the church features rich interior details including paneled yellow pine ceilings, solid mahogany doors, and Florida pine woodwork throughout. Its 120-foot tower—once the tallest structure in the city—remains a distinctive landmark. Remarkably, Old St. Andrew’s was the only major church to survive Jacksonville’s Great Fire of 1901.  

As the surrounding neighborhood declined in the 20th century, the church was vacated and fell into disrepair. By the early 1990s, it had stood empty for more than three decades, facing an uncertain future. Its preservation became possible through an unexpected turn of events: when the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL franchise was established, the city acquired land around the new stadium—including the church site. The Jacksonville Historical Society, as we were then known, was granted rights to the building on the condition that it be restored. With support from the City of Jacksonville and a challenge grant from the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Foundation, the organization raised $1 million to complete the restoration.  

Today, Old St. Andrew’s is a cherished part of the Jacksonville History Center. It serves as a vibrant venue for meetings, weddings, and civic events — and stands as a powerful symbol of successful historic preservation.