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Lake City, Florida: A Sesquicentennial Tribute (2009) H. Morris Williams, Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Citizen of the Year

In 1981 the
Lake City Rotary Club
named the late
Presbyterian minister,
Rev. Dr. E.F.
Montgomery Sr., its
first “Citizen of the Year.”
He served in the active
pastorate for 40 years,
then served for 17 years
as minister emeritus.
While ministering at the
Lake City First
Presbyterian Church, he
married 391 couples;
baptized 208 babies;
received 1,158 members Dr. and Mrs. Montgomery
into his church; led eight
young men into the ministry; and conducted 528 funerals.

Local buildings

Just across the street from the Elks Lodge is the Montgomery
Building (264 N.E. Hernando) that formerly housed the Department
of Transportation District Office, City Hall, and School Board offices.
A plaque located just outside the front door reads “Montgomery
Building. In honor and memory of Rev. Edwin Fleming Montgomery,
Sr., a distinguished community leader. The Columbia County
Commissioners on this date June 5, 1984, hereby dedicate this building
in honor of his outstanding service to the citizens of this county.” The
book entitled Dr. Mont, An Exceptional Man’s Life by Rev. E.F.
Montgomery Jr. chronicles this extraordinary man’s life. (See next
chapter.)

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