Our Ancient History
Ancient City Baptist was first organized in January 1887 and its 18 charter members met in the Armory of the original Genovar Opera House.
Eighteen charter members organized the Ancient City Baptist Church on January 20, 1887. Featuring a Norman tower and oval-shaped stained-glass windows, the tan brick Romanesque Revival-style sanctuary was dedicated nine years later on a parcel of land at 27 Sevilla Street. Donated by Henry Flagler, the land grant contained stipulations that the congregation erect a debt-free house of worship costing no less than $10,000 that would never have a bell in the tower. The congregation met the debt-free challenge when they constructed the building sans a bell at a final cost of just over $14,345.In 1894, Henry Flagler agreed to give the congregation a prime lot worth about $5,000 under the condition that the church was built within two years, cost no more than $10,000 debt-free, the property could never be mortgaged, and a bell never hung in the tower.
The church was completed in April 1895 and is believed to be the oldest surviving church meeting structure on Florida’s East Coast. It was renovated in 1953 and again in 2003 when a group led by retired glass craftsman Dee Tarrant repaired the original stained-glass windows and designed new matching windows where needed.
Carolyn Calhoun is not just a member, but also the church's historian who has spent years researching and documenting its rich history. For more than three years she has compiled newspaper articles, photographs and documents which are on display in a special room in the church.
Frequently asked ACBC Historical Questions
Who is the current pastor at Ancient City Baptist Church?
Senior Pastor, Pat Latta
How many converts were baptized in the Matanzas Bay?
On Jan. 20, 1887, 18 Baptists gathered in an opera house on St. George Street to form what is now called the Ancient City Baptist Church. Converts to the church were baptized in the Matanzas Bay north of the Castillo de San Marcos, then called Fort Marion.
Who was the first pastor at Ancient City Baptist Church?
June of 1887 the church's first pastor, the Rev. H.M. King, was sent to the city to lead the church.
Why did the first pastor, Rev. H.M. King leave the church?
" Yellow fever broke out in 1888 and the congregation voted for him to go to Georgia to keep from getting ill, and he went on the train and they put him off the train north of the town. He had to stay in quarantine for two weeks. He just never came back to the church, so they were actually without a pastor for eight years, but they still survived,"
Who was the second pastor at ACBC ?
In 1894, a second pastor, G.J. Johnson, was sent to the church to serve its gowning congregation. Johnson was also tasked with building a permanent church building.
Who helped purchase the property for Ancient City Baptist Church?
Industrialist Henry Flagler, who owned several hotels in the city and funded the Memorial Presbyterian Church and Grace United Methodist Church, was approached for help in building the church.
Who is the Assistant Pastor at Ancient City Baptist Church?
Associate Pastor, Larry DuBose
According to a recent Senior Pastor, Fred Pitts, how much was the piece of property that Henery Flagler gave them?
"The Baptists decided they would ask him if he would do something for them," said the church's Senior Pastor Fred Pitts. "He didn't build the building, but he did give a plot of land. He gave them a piece of property worth $5,000, with the stipulation that the church was able to raise $10,000 and build a building within three years debt-free."
On what date, was the dedication of the church?
On Feb. 2, 1896, after raising $15,000 for construction, the church dedicated its new building on Flagler's donated land on the corner of Carrera and Sevilla streets where it stands today.
Is there a bell in the Bell Tower?
NO, another of Flagler's stipulations was the building could not have a bell in its tower.
"One school of thought is that he (Flagler, who lived near the church) didn't want a bell to wake him up, and the other thing that I've heard, and some people speculate, is that he didn't want us competing with other bells from other churches," Pitts said. "So we don't know which one is actually true, but we do have the original document that simply says you can't have a bell either in a tower or steeple or anywhere.
How many churches did Ancient City Baptist Church help start in the local area?
Three, "I think one of our biggest legacies is the fact that they were very generous about starting other churches. Over the years, I know this church has started at least three churches." Pitts said. "Anastasia Baptist, which is one of the largest Baptist churches in the area, was started by this church 50 years ago. They helped buy the property and sent some people out there. Also, Moultrie Baptist Church, which is on U.S. 1, we even bought the property from McDowell Baptist Church in North City."
How many Tiffany style stain glass windows are in the Church?
47, There are 46 Tiffiny style stain-glass windows in the Churches Sanctuary building and one more modern stain-glass window on the second-floor cross walk above the entry of the church.
Take a Historical Tour
Contact the Church Office for details.
904-829-3476
