Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Mother" Midway A.M.E. Church
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 2, 2012
1. "Mother" Midway A.M.E. Church Marker
Inscription.
"Mother" Midway A.M.E. Church. . Midway A.M.E. Church was organized on Sunday, June 10, 1865, a few weeks after the Confederate Army in Florida surrendered to the Union Army. It was thus the first black independent church organized in Florida. William G. Steward was sent to Florida by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and founded a church at Midway, a settlement east of Jacksonville, on his second day in the state. Mr. Steward appointed Brother G. B. Hill as the pastor of Midway Church before going on to organize congregations in middle Florida and in the panhandle section of the state. In later years Mr. Steward became involved in politics in Leon and Gadsden Counties and served a term in the Florida Legislature. Midway Church is recognized as the "mother" of both the Florida Conference of the A.M.E. Church, organized in 1867 in Tallahassee, and of the East Florida Conference organized in Palatka in 1877. While the original church building is no longer standing, the congregation of "Mother" Midway has been in continuous existence since its founding.
Midway A.M.E. Church was organized on Sunday, June 10, 1865, a few weeks after the Confederate Army in Florida surrendered to the Union Army. It was thus the first black independent church organized in Florida. William G. Steward was sent to Florida by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and founded a church at Midway, a settlement east of Jacksonville, on his second day in the state. Mr. Steward appointed Brother G. B. Hill as the pastor of Midway Church before going on to organize congregations in middle Florida and in the panhandle section of the state. In later years Mr. Steward became involved in politics in Leon and Gadsden Counties and served a term in the Florida Legislature. Midway Church is recognized as the "mother" of both the Florida Conference of the A.M.E. Church, organized in 1867 in Tallahassee, and of the East Florida Conference organized in Palatka in 1877. While the original church building is no longer standing, the congregation of "Mother" Midway has been in continuous existence since its founding.
Erected 1976 by African Methodist Episcopal Church of Foridain cooperation with Department of State. (Marker Number F-260.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
Location. 30° 20.49′ N, 81° 38.479′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Urban Core. Marker is on Van Buren Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1462 Van Buren Street, Jacksonville FL 32206, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. "Mother" Midway A.M.E. Church Marker, along Van Buren Street
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 2, 2012
3. "Mother" Midway A.M.E. Church seen present day
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 2, 2012
4. Present day Midway A.M.E. Church and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,122 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
