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201 Lake Mills Road, Chuluota, FL 32766,
407-365-8323 |
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Soon after the close of the Civil War, several families residing in Whiteville, North Carolina decided to move to Florida. With very meager means, they left by boat traveling to Mellonville, Florida, a small community that has grown into our present day Sanford. From there they completed their trip to the north side of Lake Pickett by oxen and cart. The pioneers began holding worship services and established the Harmony Baptist Church on January 8, 1875. Nine men and their wives were the charter members of the church. Later the church was renamed Chuluota Baptist Church and then First Baptist Church of Chuluota. The first meetings were held in the little log cabin home of W.C. Jacobs. Rev. R.W. Lawton was the first pastor of the church and served the congregation for thirty years. The first church building was erected in 1883 on a hill between Lake Pickett and the Old Fort Christmas Road. School was held in the church five days a week for six months each year. Worship services were initially held once a month. That church was abandoned in 1888 and a new church was built on the present seventeen acre site of land. In 1956 the present building was constructed and dedicated on Easter Sunday of that year. An educational complex was added in 1961. The church has been ministering to the residents of South Seminole and East Orange Counties for over 125 years. |
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