First Born Church of the Living God

First Born Church of the Living God. Apalachicola Black History Trail. During the year of 1914/1915, a group of Elders and Missionaries came to this city preaching and teaching Holiness. The names of some who came recruiting souls to be saved were: Bishop J. O. Croom, Elder S. P. Croom, Mother Goosbie, Missionaries Weeks and Frances Goodson. , , Elder James "Jim" Baker, a citizen of the city, worked out of town during the week, and it was during his time away that he received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. After his conversion, services were held in his home with his family in Apalachicola on 9th Street and Avenue M. In 1918, my mother, Missionary Ella Mitchell Breedlove, Sister Lena Tilman, and not long after, Mother Mary Thomas Edwards received this beautiful gift. , , As membership began to grow, the first place of worship was the Seventh Star Lodge on 10th Street and Avenue I. The second place was the Open Top Hall between 7th and 8th Street and Avenue K, where the Church of God in Christ stands today. The third place was where Mr. Alex Simpson taught at his private school. During that time land (where the Temple now stands) was purchased from Mrs. Ruge. A Presbyterian Church, built by Dave Maddox, that was dedicated in 1912 by white Presbyterians on Highway 98 (Avenue E and 13th Street) across from Chapman School was purchased for $1,000, after the white church members of that church disbanded. , , It was moved to the site where the First Born Church is today and was dedicated for the First Born Church in 1921. I feel like we were in the Apalachicola District because of the membership and the beautiful Temple with high ceilings, oak flooring, knotted pine walls, the beautiful pulpit, and altar with swinging vestibule doors. As children we were proud to say, let us go to the House of The Lord. , , The first pastor was Elder Bass, and Bishop J. Q. Croom was the first Bishop. In the year 1921, the Bishop appointed Elder A. J. Johnson, who arrived in Apalachicola with his family. They traveled by land to Carrabelle FL, and a boat brought them to Apalachicola. At that time there was no bridge to Apalachicola from Eastpoint. "I remember, in April 1945, I was awakened during the night or before day, and told the Church was on fire. When we arrived, the Church had burned to the ground. There were sad hearts in the City. The Church that I was born into had gone up in smoke.” , , "As a child, I remembered my sisters, brother, and I going to Sunday School, morning Service, Home Mission in the evening, and then night Service. In morning and in night service, the church would be filled with members and visitors." , Written By Sister Aldonia Breedlove Dawson , , Pastors after Bishop Croom , . Elder Crean . Elder Shepard . Elder Peterson . Elder Willis . Elder Johnson . Elder Williams , Read more about the people and places of Apalachicola's Black History Trail by scanning the QR code above or by visiting cilyotapalachicola.com