Dade City in Pasco County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dade City Cemetery

Photographed by Julie Szabo, August 16, 2008

1. Dade City Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Oak Grove Baptist Church and Cemetery were established here in the early 1870s by Rev. R. E. Bell. Church minutes of 1877 describe the location as "Oak Grove, Florida." By 1886 it was referred to as "Dade City Baptist Church." In the early 1890s the congregation transferred to other local churches. The pulpit Bible was donated to Withlacoochee Baptist Church and the pulpit, pews and other furnishings "given to poor churches." The building was abandoned but the land continued to be used as a cemetery. On December 7, 1901, W.C. and J.R. Sumner, as trustees of Oak Grove Baptist Church, conveyed the church and cemetery to the Town Council of Dade City. Three weeks later, the African Methodist Episcopal Church deeded adjoining property. As Dade City's municipal cemetery, it was enlarged several times in later years. Burials date from the early 1870s and include many prominent local pioneers. The earliest graves lie near the northwest corner, adjoining the church site.

Erected 1996 by Pasco Board of County Commissioners and The Historical Preservation Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1901.

Location. 28° 22.135′ N, 82° 11.074′ W. Marker is in Dade City, Florida, in Pasco County. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lakeland Road (U.S. 98), on the left when traveling east on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dade City FL 33525, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of World War II Prisoner of War Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Jones' Nursing Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Atlantic Coast Line Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dade City Atlantic Coast Line Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pasco County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pasco County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dade City.

Dade City Cemetery Marker reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, August 16, 2008

2. Dade City Cemetery Marker reverse

Dade City Cemetery Marker, looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, August 16, 2008

3. Dade City Cemetery Marker, looking east

Dade City Cemetery Marker, looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, August 16, 2008

4. Dade City Cemetery Marker, looking west

Dade City Cemetery Sign, just past the railroad tracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, August 16, 2008

5. Dade City Cemetery Sign, just past the railroad tracks

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,982 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.