The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, located on St. John’s Avenue, for historic designation. Renee Brown presented the nomination, with Diane Taylor as the applicant. The church’s nomination was supported by its architectural merits and its historical associations with significant individuals and civil rights movements. Although the municipal code outlines criteria for historic districts, specific guidelines for individual site designation were lacking, making the National Register’s criteria for this application.

Diane Taylor informed the board that the state of Florida had tasked Andrew Waber with reviewing the application. The preliminary questionnaire submitted to the state confirmed that the church met criteria related to architecture, significant figures, and community importance. However, Waber requested further information on John Purcell’s contributions to civil rights and the significance of the New Town area, which Taylor provided in subsequent correspondence.

Adding depth to the historical narrative, Carol Milton, identified as John Purcell’s great-great-great-granddaughter, shared her personal journey into her family’s history. A native of Palatka, Milton began researching her ancestry in 2018, focusing on Purcell’s legacy. She recounted Purcell’s role as a farmer who supplied goods to the Confederate Army and highlighted her discovery of his son, Isaac Lawrence Purcell.

Her research, documented through videos during visits to the burial area with her aunt, underscored the importance of acknowledging her family’s contributions to Palatka’s history.

During the meeting, a board member expressed surprise that St. Mary’s Church was not already recognized as a historic site, recalling a personal experience of visiting the church and being impressed by its architecture. This member strongly supported the church’s nomination, emphasizing its importance as a historic structure in Palatka. Following a motion to nominate the church, the board confirmed the procedure and voted unanimously in favor, reflecting widespread support for the application.

The meeting also touched upon the topic of preservation color palettes, with a suggestion to delay discussions until a full board was present. The proposal to table the discussion until the next meeting was agreed upon unanimously.

Additionally, the board examined member qualifications and vacancies. Despite having seven members, specific professional criteria were not being met, such as the absence of an architect and an attorney. Although no actual vacancies were identified, the board acknowledged the lack of diversity in qualifications.