First Baptist – Jacksonville Blogger

The Cemetery and Battle of Blight

Since a visit to the Old City Cemetery on East Union Street, I realize there is a focus by the government of Jacksonville to improve the cemeteries in the city where rot and decay resides. There is though more than one battle of blight where the dead are concerned.

Trying to research the history of the oldest downtown cemetery has piqued my interest and now comes an online map shared by Kelsi Hasden about the whereabouts of another old cemetery near downtown Jacksonville. After looking up St Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery on the City Council agenda, I see it’s one of the Black cemeteries getting distinction of being another of the old burial cites and will receive monies provided to improve it. I wanted a closer look. By its name, It was probably a plant by Bethel Baptist from downtown Jacksonville in the 1880’s. Bethel and First Baptist began together in 1838, and was the first Baptist church in the city. Both Black and White members worshipped together.

This morning, I set out to find this southside church and cemetery. The cemetery was once under the care of St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church at some point was enclosed with fencing such that unless you know it’s a cemetery, its just a place of broken cement and where roaming feral cats and the possible homeless frequent. While there, I saw broken stones when peeking through the fence and multiple cats as well as a homeless bag-pack. I did not open it.

Using the map provided on the January 5th blog of “The Jaxson” write-up, I was able to go right to the location and photograph the remains of the remains. While looking through the view-finder on my camera I saw a tabby cat, grey Russian blue type and a solid black cat. Living beside an apartment complex and frequenting the dumpster area seemed like a good thing for them. They all appeared full and healthy but ran when I reached towards my camera to zoom closer.

The grounds are completely grown up with wood rot, tree growth and thick brush. Beneath all of that were broken tombstones, cement slabs and obvious lack of care for the dead. The two stones that I found intact were difficult to read but I was happy to see the cross boldly engraved at the top.

Florida Memory. com offers a document of the founding of this church to be 1880, located on “San Diego Road, 1/2 mile from Kings Avenue, South Jacksonville, Duval County.”

At that time this was a white building which was moved to the present site, and remodelled in 1917. It does not say from where it was moved unless it was closer to the cemetery? The present church is slate blue. The pastor is Carl C. Patterson according to the sign out front.

The pastor at the time was J. C. Christopher serving from 1880-1885. It looks as though the city of Jacksonville will allocate funds in order to help get the graveyard cleaned up which will allow respect to be paid to the interments. There appears to be both military and civilian graves in the area. This will be no small job but kudos to the City Council for approving this project. Its current address is 2602 San Diego Road so there is a lot more than a cemetery clean up. There is the history to ponder.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Cemeteries, Churches, Faith, History | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 1

Christmas Trees- Day 1

Christmas has been a tradition at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for many years. The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville began in 1838, with a handful of people, both Black and White, seeking to serve God. From 1838 until the 1861-Civil War, the church developed and grew having several locations over the years in which to worship. During Civil War times and the Indian Seminole war there were months on end that the church was not even functioning in a group setting so it is unknown if the church decorated their facility in any way. We now have some understanding of this type of situation having gone through the Pandemic beginning in 2020 and not meeting for months and months. Though the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic from March 8 and into the 2021 Christmas season, the First Baptist Church did not meet in person. There were some decorations however because a lot was done online and the podium area was prepared for online worship. Decorations were limited by those who went to the church to perform online services. We are still seeking information and history on the traditions of the Baptist Church in Jacksonville. We hope to have more information over time.

FBC- 2022

From the 1960’s until the present it seems the church had a Christmas Tree in the building at some location. Over the years, the dining hall has definitely been a place of great decoration, color and beauty. For years and years Sunday School classes would have their Christmas parties at the church in one of the divided areas and there would be great fanfare and decoration. Throughout the building for years, beautiful Nativity scenes and the like would be in departments throughout the church. Classrooms were decorated by the members of each class and there was no end to the beautiful and creativity of people who loved the Lord.

Season upon season the church facility was decorated by Virginia Ennis, a faithful member and owner of Gladwell’s Florist. Wreaths, streaming greenery, Christmas trees, ornaments, Nativity scenes depicting the Christ-Child and lighting were seen throughout. For many years this was the way First Baptist decorated the church.

There have been many seasonal traditions through the years including the decoration and lighting of the tree, giving to missions in a wooden manger and the “Chest of Joash”, the traditional pledge card/giving day.

Decorating the church has been important concerning seasonal celebrations at First Baptist Jacksonville. In recent years, staff, leadership and lay members have been decorating and this year was no different. “Serve Day” was used as a way to allow members to take part and many Christmas decorations were set up. It is unclear when the first tree was decorated at the church but for sure, the birth of Christ has been front and center.

This year’s tree is at least 20 feet tall with the songs of the seasons framed and hanging . Go see it. It will not disappoint.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Personal interviews, Personal experience, Buddy Wall, church historian, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].

Visit-First Baptist Church- 125 West Ashley Street , Jacksonville, Florida 32202

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July 27

Clifford and Lula Long

Maternal Grandparents…

During my young years, we spent a lot of time with my grandparents, Lula and Clifford Long, who lived on Fitzgerald Street between what is now Interstate 10 and Beaver Street. My grandfather, Clifford Long came to Jacksonville to get a job which prompted the entire family to come here and make Duval County home. We all have loved Jacksonville and do to this day.

Papa worked on the Liberty ships which were located on the St. Johns River. My grandmother was a stay-at-home Mom. They lived on Aberdeen Street in the Riverside area most of their early time here in Jacksonville later moving to the Lackawanna area sometime in the late 1940’s.

Both Clifford and Lula were members of the First Baptist Church, a life-changing experience for both of them but mostly for my grandfather according to his own testimony. They could be found in the Hobson Auditorium on Sunday morning, nights and Wednesday, also attending other events which strengthened their faith in Christ.

I am a member of First Baptist because my grandparents were once there. When I returned from college, I went to First and over time, joined.

Grandparents have great influence on their family members. I’m thankful for mine. You?

( I had to just smile when I loaded the photo of my grandparents. Such love is there…)

See you tomorrow,

Category: Family | LEAVE A COMMENT