Campbellton in Jackson County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Baptist Church

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2015

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Bethlehem Missionary Church was established March 12, 1825 with twenty charter members and Rev. E.W. Hallway Pastor. Landowners, slaves and the poor were all in the fellowship of the church. In 1826 ten acres of land was bought for $50 to build a church and a public school. The first meeting house was log, and the present wooden building was built in 1858. Bethlehem Church was the first Baptist church in Florida to have a Women's Missionary Society. In 1859 the name was changed to Campbellton Baptist Church and later to First Baptist Church of Campbellton. Full time services began in 1954. The church has been in existence longer than any Baptist church in Florida.

Erected 1996 by Chipola Historical Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1825.

Location. 30° 56.92′ N, 85° 23.712′ W. Marker is in Campbellton, Florida, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of State Road 2 and Fernwood Street, on the right when traveling east on State Road 2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2405 FL-2, Campbellton FL 32426, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep 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 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Campbellton School (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Southern Boundary of the United States (approx. 3½ miles away in Alabama); When The Lights Came On (approx. 7 miles away); Big Creek United Methodist Church / Joseph Watford Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 9 miles away in Alabama); Cottonwood, Alabama (approx. 9.2 miles away in Alabama); General Andrew Jackson in Florida - 1818 (approx. 13.2 miles away); The E.J. Stokes House (approx. 14.1 miles away); South Third Street Historic District (approx. 14.6 miles away).

First Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2015

2. First Baptist Church and Marker

First Baptist Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Campbellton's Town Council Former President 2012-2018, June 7, 2019

3. First Baptist Church Cemetery

The cemetery includes an additional marker for the Jackson County Spanish Heritage Trail.

Note also that the First Baptist Church of Campbellton in its 2016 National Convention passed a resolution against the placement of Confederate flags at cemeteries, saying in part, "...while the removal of the Confederate battle flag from public display is not going to solve the most severe racial tensions that plague our nation and churches, those professing Christ are called to extend grace and put the consciences of others ahead of their own interest and actions..."

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 878 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on July 5, 2020, by Edward L. Britt of Campbellton, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.