By Chester A. Huckaby and Ernest Owen
Free Will Baptists have been active in the state of Florida for more than a hundred years. Sadly, the story of the origin of the work has not been preserved. In all probability, the churches in the western part of the state were first.
The Free Baptist Cyclopaedia (1889) of the northern Free Will Baptists (Randall Movement) contains a brief article about Florida, attributing the origin of Free Will Baptists in northwestern Florida to Georgia influences. According to the article, the Putnam County Quarterly Meeting organized in 1885, with the oldest church dating to 1878.
The Cyclopaedia also indicates several Florida and Alabama churches in the State Line United Freewill Baptist Association, organized in 1887 out of the South Eastern Association, which was itself organized in 1882 out of the Chattahoochee Association (Georgia), organized in 1836.
Prominent names that appear in Florida Free Will Baptist history include Rev. E. L. St. Claire of Georgia, who ministered much in the state, and Rev. John Knight, who lived for many years in or near Blountstown.
State Association Organized
For some time prior to 1944, the idea of forming a state organization in Florida had been in the mind of Ernest Owen, a layman in the Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church near Chipley. In the summer of that year he talked with his pastor, John M. Rich, who thought it a good idea. Together they began to make plans. Letters were sent to the leaders of the different associations in South Alabama and Florida.
The first meeting was held at Piney Grove Church in 1944. Four associations were represented: Liberty, State Line, Salem, and Union Hill. Two of these were from Florida and two from Alabama. The new organization was named the South Alabama and West Florida Association. The following officers were elected: moderator, D. F . Pelt; vice-moderator, J. M. Rich; treasurer, Ernest Owen; and clerk, D. W. Poole. The following four boards were formed: Planning, Superannuation, Missions, and Education.
After prayer and much planning, the organizers decided to create a constitution and bylaws to govern the association. This committee was composed of Rufus Hyman, J. W. Roberts, and D. F. Pelt.
The first session of the Florida State Association of Free Will Baptists was held November 2-3, 1945, at Union Hill Church located five miles southwest of Slocomb, Alabama. The name of the organization was changed to the Florida State Association of Free Will Baptists.
Two outstanding things were accomplished: a constitution was adopted, and plans for a youth camp and educational program were formulated. An offering of $79.80 was received, and the opening sermon was preached by J. C. Eldridge, an outstanding minister in the area for more than 50 years. At this session, J. M. Rich was chosen moderator, D. F. Pelt assistant, and D. W. Poole clerk. Twenty-three churches in the four participating associations sent delegates.
The second session was held at Prospect Church (now Dothan First) in Dothan, Alabama. Five associations were represented, with the Georgia Southeastern Association participating for the first time. An offering of $107.75 was received. D. F. Pelt became moderator and J. M. Rich assistant, with other officers remaining the same. A cooperative budget was adopted and recommended for use by member churches to support the denominational work.
The third annual session of the Florida State Association met in 1947 with Travelers Rest Church near Clarksville, at which time the same officers were re-elected and it was decided to elect officers every two years. The bylaws committee reported and the bylaws were adopted.
The fourth session (1948) was held with Piney Grove Church near Chipley, with four associations represented: North Florida, West Florida, Salem, and Liberty. The Alabama and Georgia associations withdrew, in good fellowship, to join their own state associations. D. W. Poole was elected to be field representative for the youth camp. M. B. Woodlief was elected to raise funds through League work. The Florida State Woman’s Auxiliary Convention was
organized during the course of this session.
Progress
At first, the Florida State Association included churches in northern Florida only. As the work expanded, churches and associations formed in other parts of the state and joined the fellowship of the state organization. Before long, Free Will Baptists spread to all geographic areas of the state, from the north and west to the Atlantic on the east and the southern peninsula. In 1950, the young South Florida Association, with three churches, came into the state association. The Central Florida Association joined in 1955. In 1959, the Northeast Florida Association was added to the fellowship, making a total of seven district associations in the state organization.
In 1951, a part-time promotional director was put on the field, Rev. Daniel Pelt. In 1964, the Executive Board agreed to serve as the Promotional Board until the association could find a full-time man. Elro Driggers worked in the South Florida and Northwest Associations; Freeman Edwards in the Salem and Liberty Associations; Ernest Owen in the Central and North Florida Associations; and Harvey Henderson in the West Florida Association.
In 1966, a resolution was adopted that the Executive Committee take the responsibility to screen, hire, and set up a program for a promotional director. On January 25, 1967, Rev. W. A. Hansley was hired as Promotional Secretary for the Florida State Association, with an office in Ocala. He served as editor of the Co-ordinator, the state paper. The move produced record income of $38,000 during the first year.
Today,the Florida Executive Office coordinates all state ministries; plans the annual association meeting, annual Seniors Retreat; promotes the overall work of the state association, and continues to publish a bi-monthly newsletter, The Coordinator. For more information about Florida Free Will Baptists, visit www.flafwb.com.