Lincolnville in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

222 Riberia Street

ACCORD Freedom Trail

Photographed By Mrs. Shirley Williams-Galvin, 2008

1. 222 Riberia Street Marker at Bethel Baptist Church

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Bethel Baptist Church was founded in 1939 by Rev. William Banks, the former pastor of St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church on Washington Street, and other members from that congregation. Land was acquired on Riberia Street, and the church building constructed in 1943. From its earlier years, the picturesque church, with its distinctive coquina shell-dash stucco finish, has attracted the attention of artists. It became famous around the country through its appearance in many paintings.

In 1963, the church provided meeting space for the NAACP Youth Council, advised by Dr. Robert B. Hayling and Rev. Goldie Eubanks, Sr. which picketed restaurants and lunch counters in the downtown areas that refused service to black people.

When Dr. Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) came to town, in 1964, the civil rights meetings took place at Bethel Baptist Church. A "Freedom School" held here under the direction of Rev. Andrew Young, taught black history and the history of the civil rights movement. Young went on to serve as congressman, ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta, and President

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of the National Council of Churches. He returned to St. Augustine in 2004 to take part in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the campaign here that led to the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This Historic Marker Presented this 2nd Day of July, 2008 by: Northrop Grumman

Erected 2008 by The 40th ACCORD, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2008.

Location. 29° 53.047′ N, 81° 18.967′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in Lincolnville. Marker is at the intersection of Riberia Street and Lincoln Street on Riberia Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 Riberia Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Twine Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 111 Lincoln Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 112 M.L. King Avenue (about 600 feet away); 113 DeHaven Street (about 600 feet away); 120 DeHaven Street (about 700 feet away); 102 M.L. King Avenue (about 700 feet away); 97 M.L. King Avenue

222 Riberia Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mrs. Shirley Williams-Galvin, 2008

2. 222 Riberia Street Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Black Catholic Heritage (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

222 Riberia Street - The Bethel Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James R. Murray, May 20, 2014

3. 222 Riberia Street - The Bethel Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,348 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 3. submitted on May 21, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.