Fernandina Beach in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2020

1. First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina Marker

Inscription. The First Missionary Baptist Church was founded by slaves in 1860 under the leadership of its first pastor. Elder William Rose of Savannah, Georgia. The congregation worshipped in multiple buildings until settling at its current location in 1873. Completed in 1874, this wood frame vernacular Church exhibits classical and medieval elements, and is the oldest known black Missionary Baptist Church with uninterrupted service in Florida. The Church had many distinguished members, including Peggy Bailey, the first president of the Florida Women’s Convention in 1899; Missionary Emma B. Delaney, founder of the Suehn Industrial Mission in Liberia in 1912; and the Reverend Edward M. Brawley, the first black graduate of Bucknell University and the first president of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. These distinguished members, and the congregation as a whole were an integral part of Amelia Island’s culture. The Church steeple was removed in 1958 after being damaged by lightning and was replaced after 40 years. The First Missionary Baptist Church was listed on the National Historical Places in 1973 as a contributing building

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in the Fernandina Beach Historic District.

Erected 2018 by The Congregation of the First Missionary Baptist Church and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1027.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 30° 40.187′ N, 81° 27.481′ W. Marker is in Fernandina Beach, Florida, in Nassau County. It is on South 9th Sreet just south of Atlantic Avenue (Florida Route A1A), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 South 9th Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast,

in Greater Jacksonville,

and on the Sea Islands.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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,

First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2020

2. First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina and Marker

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: Trinity United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Zion Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); St. Peter's Church (about 400 feet away); The Good Shepherd Church 1887-1966 (about 600 feet away); Nassau County American Revolutionary War Memorial (about 600 feet away); Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church of Fernandina (about 700 feet away); Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fernandina Beach.

Also see . . . First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach. (Submitted on June 5, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2020

3. First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,083 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 5, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.