Lake City in Columbia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Florida's Oldest

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2022

1. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Organized
1859

To the Pioneers
Bedenbaugh • Feagle
Haltiwanger • Koon
LeGrone • Shealy
Snelgrove • Witt
Rudolph Zsciedrich
Lake City Marble & Granite Co

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 30° 1.74′ N, 82° 35.848′ W. Marker is in Lake City, Florida, in Columbia County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Southwest County Road 349, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 41. Marker is located at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City FL 32025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Village Of Providence (approx. 3½ miles away); Bethel United Methodist Church (approx. 6.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.9 miles away); Fear Stricken (approx. 7.9 miles away); "CCC Boy" Statue (approx. 8 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 8 miles

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away); Bellamy Road (approx. 8 miles away); Town of Leno (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Regarding Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The church and cemetery are visible from the marker and located about 300 yards southeast at 888 Southeast County Road 349 (182 Emma Burns Lane).

Also see . . .
1. History of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lake City.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church celebrated its 160th anniversary on Oct. 20, 2019. Bethlehem is the oldest congregation in the Florida-Bahamas Synod. In 1859, when the congregation was organized, the members worshiped in a log schoolhouse not far from the site of the present church. By 1862 the congregation had erected a building with boxed style rough lumber and left in unsealed. Because fire destroyed the original building, a new building was erected with a parsonage nearby. The church records that we have begin in 1882 with the membership listing each adult with his or her baptismal date.

(Submitted on April 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Video from Bethlehem Lutheran Church 150th Anniversary in 2009. (Submitted on April 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2022

2. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Marker

(looking south • US Highway 41 in right background)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2022

3. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Marker

(looking southeast • Church and cemetery visible in left background)

Bethlehem Lutheran Church (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 17, 2022

4. Bethlehem Lutheran Church (northeast elevation)

(church and cemetery are about 300 yards southeast of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.