Okeechobee in Okeechobee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Okeechobee Primitive Baptist Historical Site

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 28, 2024

1. Okeechobee Primitive Baptist Historical Site Marker

Inscription.
The Okeechobee Primitive Baptist Church was established on May 24, 1919. Elder Dan Wilkerson served as the first pastor for the 11 founding members. Services were originally held on Conner's Highway (US 441 South). In 1923, Barney Blum built this simple white wooden church at 8 Miami Street (1003 Third Avenue). The property was given to the church by Peter and Louisiana Raulerson, the first settlers of Okeechobee. The church was part of the Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Association, which formed in 1875 near Montgomery, Alabama. By “primitive” the religious movement refers to an “original” form of Calvinist Christianity, which sought to strip away practices and institutions that the church deemed unbiblical. The church ceased services in 2015. In 2022 the City of Okeechobee purchased it for the purpose of preserving the building. Through an agreement between the City and the Okeechobee Historical Society, it serves as a museum for the citizens of Okeechobee.
A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2023 by The City of Okeechobee, the Okeechobee Historical Society, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1223.)

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 24, 1919.

Location. 27° 14.021′ N, 80° 49.921′ W. Marker is in Okeechobee, Florida, in Okeechobee County. It is on Southwest 3rd Avenue just south of Southwest 10th Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1003 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Okeechobee FL 34974, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

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: Peter and Louisiana Chandler Raulerson Log Cabin Historic Site (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Okeechobee County War Memorial

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 28, 2024

2. Okeechobee Primitive Baptist Historical Site Marker

(approx. 0.7 miles away); For All Who Have Served (approx. 0.7 miles away); Richard E. Hamrick (approx. 0.7 miles away); Vietnam Pilots and Crewmembers Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); History of the Ranch Entry Gate (approx. 0.7 miles away); Prescott Family Ranch LLC (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rollins Ranch (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okeechobee.

Also see . . . OHS receives grant. (Submitted on July 10, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.