St. Paul A. M. E. Church Certificate of Recognition

The Marie Stapler Gladden Collection

Original cardstock certificate

1989-02-26

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler Gladden; Marie Stapler; Marie Gladden

Apopka, Florida, United States of America.

A Certificate of Recognition from St. Paul A. M. E. Church to Marie Stapler Gladden for "having a positive influence in the Christian Community." The certificate was issued to her on February 26, 1989. The certificate was signed by Pastor James O. Williams Jr.

St. Paul A. M. E. Church was formed in the 1880s on Broad St. in Johnson Town along the northwestern edge of Apopka. It was dismantled in 1890 and moved to Mead's Bottom to the southeast of the TO&A and Midland Railroads. A new sanctuary was built in 1905 while Rev. G.W. Jenkins was pastor. It was moved to its present site and rebuilt, completed on October 19, 1930. The present building was finished in 1973.

Marie Vista Stapler Gladden (March 13th, 2004 - May 14th, 2004) was the retired principal of the historic Black school, Phyllis Wheatley High School. Marie Stapler Gladden attained a Master's in Early Childhood Education and Certification in Administration and Supervision from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, NY. Marie married Michael Gladden Jr. on June 16, 1935. She became the co-owner of M. Gladden Staple and Fancy Groceries and later, Gladden's Coin Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Marie began her teaching career at the Hopper Academy elementary school in Seminole County, later teaching in Orange County for thirty-six years, including at schools in Oakland and Clarcona. Marie was a member of the Orange County Teachers Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Omicron Omega Chapter, the Apopka Chamber of Commerce, the Apopka Historical Society, and the Apopka Senior Citizen Center. She lived to be 100 years old.