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| Taking a Look Back in Time1847-1983 by George W. Gay1983-2005 by Alcus R. Brock |
1847-1983 On Saturday, November 13, 1847, at the Campbellton Baptist Church, Campbellton, Florida, messengers from Churches in Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Gadsden, Franklin, and Washington Counties in Florida and Geneva County in Alabama, met to organize a Baptist Association. According to Dr. Edward E. Joiner, author of A History of Florida Baptists, the West Florida Association was the third Association organized in the state.1 No record is available stating the names of the Churches or the delegates (as they were called then) attending. The growth and work of the Association is a thrilling record told in the minutes of the sessions which we have in the clerk's library and on microfilm in the Florida Baptist Library at Stetson University. Early in the life of the Association efforts to "spread the Kingdom of our Lord," and to "preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ" to people in the areas as far as St. Andrews Bay to the Southwest and to Port St. Joseph Bay on the Southeast were a matter of prayer and planning. John Mercer is recognized as an early Florida Baptist pioneer. he served in the area of Orange Hill in Washington County in West Florida. In 1851 he established what may have been the first school in Florida to be operated by a Baptist, the Orange Hill Academy at Orange Hill.2 Although the Orange Hill Academy lasted only a few years, the establishing of orange Hill and other such academies led to a firm determination to establish a college.3 The purpose of the School was to educate ministers especially in English, Latin, Greek, mathematics, and music. The esistence of strong interest in such a venture is a significant index to the kind of vision early Florida Baptist leaders had.4 In 1854, in the parlor of the home of Richard Johnston Mays near Madison, seventeen delegates met for the purpose of organizing the Florida Baptist Convention. Representing West Florida Association were Joshua Mercer, D. P. Everett, and G. W. Underwood.5 Florida Baptists believed that the Associational organization served three special functions. The first function was to unify the Churches. Second was to allow church leaders to take council with one another. They often counseled and offered opinions in response to requests from individuals and Churches. The third function was to provide an opportunity for fellowship.6 More than fifty churches had been founded by the year 1875. In 1884 there were 28 churches in Florida and two in Alabama reporting to the West Florida Association’s Annual meeting. The area covered was bounded by the Apalachicola River on the east, the Choctawhachee River on the west, the State of Alabama on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south. It would not be possible to name all the leaders in the growth of the Association in early days, but some names appeared often in the early Annuals. They are: Joshua Mercer, T. E. Langley, J. E. Nixon, W. M. Farrior, Stephen Rowe, W. J. Daniel, W. B. Lacey, N. L. Connelly, Thomas Creamer, J. R. Dykes, A. Pumphrey, and J. Y. Folsom. The churches in Alabama left the West Florida Association in 1875 to join with others in forming the Sandy Creek Association (now the Geneva Association). In 1906 the churches of Holmes County organized their own Association. The Annual of the 1920 Associational meeting shows that there were strong churches in Bonifay, Vernon, Chipley, Graceville, Malone, Bascom, Panama City, Marianna, Sneads, Blountstown, Wewahitchka, Port St. Joe and thirty other churches in rural areas. When Bay County was formed by the state government by making a new county out of the lower half of Washington County, the Baptist Churches of that area joined with Gulf county and formed the Northwest Coast Baptist Association. Surely the dream of those beginning the work of the “gospel to the destitute” places toward “St. Andrews” and “Port St. Joseph” had been realized. The West Florida Baptist Association was left with fourteen churches in Washington County with something more than two thousand members. But the work was still growing. From the very start the reason for there being the West Florida Baptist Association was to spread the kingdom and the preaching of the gospel. Missions in our own area were the immediate task of the Association when formed and still is today. Later, the Florida Baptist State convention began a work which they called Cooperative Missions which funded in part a program of area missions with one missionary in each of fifteen districts over the state to work in the Associations under the state’s supervision. Later, this gave way to the present plan of one Director of Missions in each Association or with one Director having two or three Associations, according to the work involved and the ability of the Associations to fund their part of the budget. This has greatly increased the development of present churches and led in the establishment of new churches. Missions beyond the state of Florida were not overlooked, for we find the churches in West Florida Association supporting worldwide missions from its beginning. They followed the plan of Local Missions, State Missions, Home Missions and Foreign Missions through the years as their way of fulfilling the scripture “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world.” Education continued to be emphasized in the churches of the Association. Sunday Schools began with the churches. Actually, most Baptist churches grew out of Sunday Schools. The records show that Sunday School Superintendents had records of service going beyond twenty or thirty years. The term of a pastor was usually only two to three years so the Sunday School leadership was often the continuing strength of the church. Education of ministers continued to be of interest in the area. West Florida Association supported Columbia College in Lakeland, Florida during its years of struggle to find a place in the educational world. Then, Stetson University became the institution of its interest and support. Another educational venture which deserves mention is that of Chipola Junior College at Marianna. It began as a Baptist Junior College under the leadership of Rev. Sam Renfro in the barracks left idle at the Graham Air Base near Marianna. The work was begun as a Baptist Church supported venture. But the financing of it was a difficult problem and, when the opportunity came, it was given to other ownership. The success of Chipola Junior College today has not disappointed those who wanted a good school. In 9153, Baptist Bible Institute moved to this area. Through the dedication of a group of unselfish trustees and strong administration, BBI grew into a good school. In 1957, it was accepted as a part of the Florida Baptist Convention and since has grown from an “institute” to a fully accredited member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The entire area of Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia and Northwest Florida has felt the beneficial effects of this institution. The Association has been faithful in its support of the school now known as the Baptist College of Florida. Just about the time that the southern Baptist Convention was thinking of letting its convention-owned hospitals pass into other hands, Baptists of West Florida began to feel the need for a great Christian hospital which would meet the medical needs of its growing populace with the finest equipment and a Christian healing ministry. This feeling crystallized in the hearts of Pensacola business men and spread to others like them and to the churches in West Florida with great spirit. Long work in planning, promoting, and praying by these men and church leaders over the area resulted in the campaign to raise funds for the building. The first “Report on Hospitals” to mention the movement in the West Florida Association was in 1937. Now the hospital serves the areas of West Florida, Alabama, and South Mississippi as an important medical center. In the area of Christian Social Services, Baptist in West Florida have been supportive of the Children’s Homes, Homes for the Aged, Disaster Relief, Crisis Closets, Emergency Relief, and Migrant Dental and Health Care. Also, it has been part of its ministry to meet positively the causes of many needs by taking a stand against alcohol, casino gambling, crime, ignorance, and superstition. Endnotes1. Edward Earl Joiner, A History of Florida Baptist, p. 21.2. Ibid., pp. 24-25.3. Ibid., p. 434. Ibid., p. 305. Ibid., p. 366. Ibid., p. 42—A Brief History of West Florida Baptist Association by George H. Gay as published in the 1984 Annual
In the previous pages you have read the early history of the Association through 1983 as compiled by the Rev. George Gay, a long time Pastor in the Association. It is my desire to continue the West Florida history from 1983 to the present date of 2005. In 1984 the Association had fifteen Churches with a total membership of 3,293 members. James Lawson, Pastor of New Prospect Church was serving as Moderator and Dr. James K. Solomon as Director of Missions. Dr. Solomon was serving both Northwest Coast Association and West Florida. One of the high points in the 1984 Fall meeting was the report of the Credentials Committee, given by Rev. John Bogers. Following the report Bro. Bogers made a motion that Eastside Baptist Church be accepted into the West Florida Association. The motion was carried and Eastside was welcomed into the Association. It was noted in the 1987 minutes that the Credentials Committee made a motion that Orange Hill be accepted into the Association . This motion was carried and Orange Hill was welcomed into the Association. Orange Hill was constituted in 1868 and had been a long time member of the Association, however during the 1978-79 Church year they voted to combine with Wausau First Baptist. A group later decided that they should revive the Orange Hill Church, which explains why, once again, they were admitted to the Association . Rev. Adolph Phares shared with the Association that Northwest Coast Association had voted to call Dr. Solomon full time and after January 1989 he would no longer be able to serve this Association . He followed this report by making a motion that a five person committee be appointed to consider the course of action West Florida Association needed to take in view of this information and to make a report to the March 1988 Semi-annual meeting. At the 1988 Semi-annual meeting Rev. Bogers announced that a check had been received from the Northwest Coast Association in the amount of $5,000 to repay this Association for money that had been put into building the new office in Panama City. So at the Annual meeting in October 1988, the committee reported that they were diligently seeking a place for office space and for a person to fill this position. It was noted in the last report given by Dr. Solomon that he had enjoyed serving this Association for the past nineteen years. The 1989 Annual was dedicated to the memory of Rev. Richard Bloodworth, who passed away September 20, 1989. Rev. Bloodworth served in almost all positions of leadership in the Association. He also led the fight on two different occasions to prevent the sale of legalized alcohol in Washington County, as well as, serving Shiloh Baptist Church for thirteen years as Pastor . The Search Committee for a DOM and office space reported to the Executive Committee on February 27, 1989. They recommended that the Association employ Rev. Alcus Brock as part-time Director of Missions, beginning March 13, 1989. They also recommended that the Association rent a building on South Boulevard, belonging to Jimmy Wilson for office space. Further recommendation was made that a part-time secretary be hired. In the Spring Session March 25, 1991 the DOM brought a recommendation that the Association begin a new mission ministry in what is known as the Sand Hills, to be under the direction of the Mission Committee and DOM. This included purchasing property and providing a building. This recommendation was adopted and the ministry known as Country Oaks Baptist Mission was begun. They began meeting in March 1, 1992 in a mobile home donated by Mr. And Mrs Ted Spangenberg and on October 10, 1993 they moved into a permanent building. The annual for 1992 was dedicated to the memory of Rev. George Gay. Bro. Gay served First Baptist Church, Chipley from 1962 until 1973. After retirement, he and Mrs. Gay made their home in Chipley and he served as supply and interim Pastor in many local Churches. A highlight of the March 10, 1992 Spring session was accepting the deed to an acre of land on Brickyard road from Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Townsend to be used for an office building. In accepting this the Association expressed their appreciation to the Townsend's. In the same meeting a Building Committee was appointed to draw plans for an Association office. This committee was to report back to a special called Executive Committee meeting on April 4 to give a report. At that time they presented blue prints for the building we now occupy and it was completed within a few months. The 1993 annual was dedicated to the memory of Rev. William Watson Hawk. Bro. Hawk retired from the Oakie Ridge Pastor after serving for twenty years and was a member of the first graduating class at Baptist Bible Institute’s Graceville campus. Bro. Marcus Blue reported the beginning of a Bible study in Ebro in the home of Mrs. Jackie Ferol on December 1, 1992 and requested to become a mission of the West Florida Association . In the Fall Session on October 25, 1993 the Mission Committee recommended the purchase of two acres of land in Ebro located West of Highway 79 and South of highway 20 for $7,000. This recommendation was approved. It was further recommended that the mobile home at Country Oaks be moved to Ebro as soon as the land was prepared. On February 27, 1994 the trailer was set up and dedicated at the Ebro site . There was approximately one hundred and thirteen members from our sister Churches who came to take part in this dedication. They started work on a permanent building in November 1995 and completed it on June 2 , 1996 at which time dedication services were held with one hundred four members of our sister Churches present. They have recently completed a new fellowship building during 2005. Chipley First built an addition to their facility in 1992 for education space. They have had to go to two services in the AM because of growth. They purchased property in 2005 to build a new facility and relocate. A highlight of 1996 was the joining together of the West Florida and Northwest Coast Baptist Associations to begin what is now known as Sand Hill Baptist Church. Their first service as Sand Hills Baptist Mission was held March 16, 1997. This same year the Ebro Mission was constituted becoming Ebro Baptist Church. On a motion by Bro. Gary Wiggins, Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Ebro was accepted into the Association. Another point of interest in the 1997 meeting was the suggestion to change the By-laws of the Association so as to allow it to bring a Church in under watchcare of the Association before accepting it as a member, unless it was started by the Association or one of its Church s. Bro. Cal Kosey asked if the congregation might sing, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” in celebration of the first mission to be constituted in this Association in twenty years and so we celebrated. The last mission being constituted prior to the mission at Ebro was First Baptist Church of Sunny Hills. In the August 28, 2001 Executive Committee meeting the Missions Committee presented a request for the Association to begin a Pregnancy and Family ministry. This was presented to be a jointly sponsored mission by the Holmes and West Florida Associations. The request was approved. Following this a Board of Directors was formed, as well as, a Building Committee to construct an additional building beside the Association office. At the 2002 Spring Session, Mrs. Mary Ann Rockburn was introduced as the Director of the center. In 2002 Fall Session Bro. Max Laseter nominated Bro. Barry Rockburn to be Volunteer Director of a new ministry known as “Love In Action.” This is a benevolence ministry dealing in clothing, furniture etc. In the 2003 Fall Session , Bro. Gary Wiggins announced that the Association had been given what was formerly known as the Chipley Motel Apartments . They had been severally damaged by fire and needed a lot of restoration. Renovation has been in progress since that time and as of the end of September 2005 there are seven apartments in use with three more that have been adopted by local Churches and are the process of being restored. The latest mission is the organizing of the disaster relief unit known as, the Clean Up and Recovery Unit. This unit assists in natural disasters, as well as, assisting in local needs in the Association and surrounding area. It has just added a new tractor and bucket to the already existing enclosed trailer including an extensive supply of tools. At the end of the 2005 Church year the only thing that comes to mind is the chorus we teach our children… “God is so good, He’s so good to me.” —by Rev. Alcus Brock, Director of Missions, October 2005
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