St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 2011
Dublin Core
Title
St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 2011
Alternative Title
St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Subject
Sanford (Fla.)
Churches--Florida
African American churches--Southern States
Baptist Church
Baptists--Florida
Georgetown (Sanford, Fla.)
Description
St. John Missionary Baptist Church, located at 920 Cypress Avenue in Georgetown, an African-American community in Sanford, Florida, in 2011. St. John was organized under the leadership of Reverend M. W. Evans on May 10, 1895. Within a few years, the church was rebuilt at its current location, on the corner of Ninth Street and Cypress Avenue, under the guidance of its second pastor, Reverend C. J. Smith.
The church experienced tremendous growth during the first half of the 20th century, allowing for a parsonage to be built in 1922, during the administration of Reverend C. L. Bradley, to aid in the housing of its succeeding pastors. The new construction plan was designed by famed African-American architect, Prince W. Spears.
By 1941, the church experienced its first split, resulting in the creation of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, located just two blocks away at 618 East Tenth Street. Throughout the next decade, St. John's was guided by a variety of reverends and pastors, who helped build additions onto the church structure, including restroom facilities and a basement.
After the church operated without a pastor for a period of 15 months, the congregation called upon Reverend B. Whitehurst in June of 1958 to spear-head the church. Under Rev. Whitehurst, St. John became more spiritually and financially fortified, and took its most progressive steps by involving itself in the fight for the African-American community's fight for equal rights and numerous city and county-wide projects. In 1969, the church was remodeled and refurnished, and continued to experience the growth of its congregation. After 116 years of service to Sanford's African-American population, the church carries on its legacy by maintaining their involvement within the current neighborhood, through the offering of weekly services, prayer groups, and community service projects.
The church experienced tremendous growth during the first half of the 20th century, allowing for a parsonage to be built in 1922, during the administration of Reverend C. L. Bradley, to aid in the housing of its succeeding pastors. The new construction plan was designed by famed African-American architect, Prince W. Spears.
By 1941, the church experienced its first split, resulting in the creation of the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, located just two blocks away at 618 East Tenth Street. Throughout the next decade, St. John's was guided by a variety of reverends and pastors, who helped build additions onto the church structure, including restroom facilities and a basement.
After the church operated without a pastor for a period of 15 months, the congregation called upon Reverend B. Whitehurst in June of 1958 to spear-head the church. Under Rev. Whitehurst, St. John became more spiritually and financially fortified, and took its most progressive steps by involving itself in the fight for the African-American community's fight for equal rights and numerous city and county-wide projects. In 1969, the church was remodeled and refurnished, and continued to experience the growth of its congregation. After 116 years of service to Sanford's African-American population, the church carries on its legacy by maintaining their involvement within the current neighborhood, through the offering of weekly services, prayer groups, and community service projects.
Creator
MacDonald, Kathleen
Source
Original color digital images by Kathleen MacDonald, June 17, 2011.
Publisher
Date Created
2011-06-17
Is Part Of
Churches of Sanford Collection, Sanford Collection, Seminole County Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
5.19 MB
4.83 MB
4.53 MB
5.88 MB
Medium
4 color digital images
Language
eng
Type
Still Image
Coverage
St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Georgetown, Sanford, Florida
Accrual Method
Item Creation
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Geography Teacher
Provenance
Originally created by Kathleen MacDonald and published by RICHES of Central Florida.
Rights Holder
Curator
MacDonald, Kathleen
Digital Collection
Source Repository
External Reference
"About Us." St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Sanford Florida, Inc. http://www.stjohnmbchurchsanford.com/#!about_us/c55t.
Joiner, E. Earl. AA History of Florida Baptists. Jacksonville, Fla: Printed by Convention Press, 1972.
Flewellyn, Valada S. African Americans of Sanford. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub, 2009.
Transcript
St. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
"Be Ye Doers Of The Word..."
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30AM
WORSHIP 11:00AM
WED. PRAYER 6:00PM
"JESUS TO THE RESCUE"
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 13-17 2011 6-8 PM
"Be Ye Doers Of The Word..."
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30AM
WORSHIP 11:00AM
WED. PRAYER 6:00PM
"JESUS TO THE RESCUE"
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
JUNE 13-17 2011 6-8 PM
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
4 color digital images
Collection
Citation
MacDonald, Kathleen, “St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 2011,” RICHES, accessed May 20, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/2252.