| St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church St. Augustine, Florida |
| St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church was founded on May 25, 1875 as an offshoot of 1st Baptist Church The church was organized by Rev. Ivory Barnes. He was followed in turn by Rev. Jackson, Sanders, Coleman and Rev. Cook. In 1884 they purchased a 45 ft parcel of property on Washington Street for $38. The deeds were issued by February 25, 1884. Rev. W. T. Franklin was called as pastor on April 24, 1905. He stayed till March 4, 1909. The acting pastor was Rev. J. W. Murray who stayed till October 1, 1909. Rev. G. J. Johnson was called on November 1, 1909. He was followed by Rev. C. S. Daniels who served the month of January 1913. Rev. Jasper Davis was called as pastor on February 27, 1913. Under Rev. Davis the first organ was purchased. Rev. H. L. Long was pastor for 1914. Rev. T. H. Rogers was called as pastor December 29, 1917. A new building was constructed in 1920. The trustees in 1920 were A. Sanks, H. Weldon, R. B. Kelton, Mc. Chaleton, A. Jelks, W. M. Smith, Jas. Gilyard, H. Moran, Chairman. The Rev. William Banks became pastor on October 5, 1924. On November 12, 1935 the old building was condemned and the church began to move. First it was at the Benevolent Hall on St. Francis Street. Then Coopers Hall on the corner of Park Place and Central Avenue. Finaly the new building was completed on February 29, 1937. In 1939 there was a church split and Rev. William Banks resigned (August 27, 1939). 40 people went with him to build Bethel Baptist Church on Riberia Street. Rev. William Baxter was called in October 1939 and served for one year. Rev. Robert Leander Jones was called in December 1940 from a church in Orlando, Florida. He paid the mortage off, petitioned the basement into class rooms and purchased a new organ in 1947. He resigned in 1949. Rev. T. J. Alston was the supply pastor in 1949 and finally called as pastor until 1952. Rev. G. W. Phillips stayed from 1952 till 1954. Rev. Thomas A. Wright was called as Pastor on November 4, 1954. He served for 7 1/2 years. The church purchased its first parsonage. Rev. H. L. Smith was pastor through the civil rights years from 1962 through 1965. Rev. H. L. Patterson served over 14 years as Pastor. Rev. Isaac Davis was called on February 10, 1982. |