Bartow in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Baptist Church of Bartow

Est. 1875

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025

1. First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker, Side One

Inscription.

First Baptist Church of Bartow. Est. 1875. , In 1862, wealthy cattle baron Jacob Summerlin purchased land from pioneer R.R. Blount. By 1866, Summerlin donated land to establish government buildings, a school, and local churches., On September 21, 1875, a group of Christians met at the Academy of Bartow and constituted Concord Church, later called First Baptist Church. They agreed upon a monthly regular meeting to be led by Elder Jeremiah Madison (J.M.) Hayman. The founding members were Elder J. M. Hayman, Elder Daniel Stanford, Benjamin F. Blount, John C. Blount, Martha Ann C. Blount, Elizabeth A. Griffin, Martha J. Hayman, Elizabeth Tyre, Ellen S. Varn, and William B. Varn First Baptist Church remains planted on Summerlin's gifted land and has roots deep in Bartow's history. The church buildings are used to serve the people of Polk County, provide a gathering place for local, state, and national organizations, and to meet the needs of many. First Baptist Church exists to develop disciples who love God, love the church, and love others. , (Continued on other side) , (Continued from other side) , To fund the first building, the Baptist church's 20 acres were harvested for lumber, while some of the land was sold. Church buildings were built on this site in 1883, 1900, and 1925. Each one replacing the other. The 1925 building is the four-story brick building standing today. It houses the sanctuary, classrooms, meeting space, and offices. Auxiliary buildings were built in years to follow., In March 1927, Pastor J.E. Martin wrote to express his heart for the purpose of this church, sentiments which holdfast today., "We have built a great building and now, with deepest love of our Savior, let us build a great people. May God grant to lead us to larger vision of what we can and ought to do and then give us the power to do great things. Our experiences in these trying days will work out for our spiritual good. 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.' -Romans 8:28." The City of Bartow has grown and changed greatly since 1883. One constant has been First Baptist Church. Whether traveling down Church Street and Florida Avenue in 1883 or today, First Baptist Church would be standing where it has always been. , A Polk County Heritage Site

In 1862, wealthy cattle baron Jacob Summerlin purchased land from pioneer R.R. Blount. By 1866, Summerlin donated land to establish government buildings, a school, and local churches.

On September 21, 1875, a group of Christians met at the Academy of Bartow and constituted Concord Church, later called First Baptist Church. They agreed upon a monthly regular meeting to be led by Elder Jeremiah Madison (J.M.) Hayman. The founding members were Elder J. M. Hayman, Elder Daniel Stanford, Benjamin F. Blount, John C. Blount, Martha Ann C. Blount, Elizabeth A. Griffin, Martha J. Hayman, Elizabeth Tyre, Ellen S. Varn, and William B. Varn First Baptist Church remains planted on Summerlin's gifted land and has roots deep in Bartow's history. The church buildings are used to serve the people of Polk County, provide a gathering place for local, state, and national organizations, and to meet the needs of many. First Baptist Church exists to develop disciples who love God, love the church, and love others.
(Continued on other side)

(Continued from other side)
To fund the first building, the Baptist church's 20 acres were harvested for lumber, while some of the land was sold. Church buildings were built on this site in 1883, 1900, and 1925. Each one replacing the other. The 1925 building is the four-story

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brick building standing today. It houses the sanctuary, classrooms, meeting space, and offices. Auxiliary buildings were built in years to follow.

In March 1927, Pastor J.E. Martin wrote to express his heart for the purpose of this church, sentiments which holdfast today.

"We have built a great building and now, with deepest love of our Savior, let us build a great people. May God grant to lead us to larger vision of what we can and ought to do and then give us the power to do great things. Our experiences in these trying days will work out for our spiritual good. 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.' -Romans 8:28." The City of Bartow has grown and changed greatly since 1883. One constant has been First Baptist Church. Whether traveling down Church Street and Florida Avenue in 1883 or today, First Baptist Church would be standing where it has always been.
A Polk County Heritage Site

Erected 2025 by Polk County Historical Commission. (Marker Number PCHC-042.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1927.

Location. 27° 53.885′ N,

First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025

2. First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker, Side Two

81° 50.418′ W. Marker is in Bartow, Florida, in Polk County. It is on East Church Street just east of North Florida Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 E Church St, Bartow FL 33830, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Swearingen - Langford House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The City of Bartow (about 800 feet away); Old Polk County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Fort Blount (approx. ¼ mile away); Mann Manor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic L. B. Brown House (approx. half a mile away); Evergreen & Palm Cemeteries (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union Academy High School (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bartow.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Co E 7th Florida Inf Regt South Florida Bulldogs (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . First Baptist Church of Bartow. (Submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025

3. First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025

4. First Baptist Church of Bartow Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.