About Us
A Historical Glance
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the LORD, trusting in His Holy Word. He has never failed us yet. We’ve come this far by faith.
The East Florida District Association was formed as a result of the reorganization of the Florida Primitive Baptist Association. The areas east of Tallahassee in the Jacksonville are and downward were organized into the East Florida District.
One hundred years after the first Primitive Baptist Church was established in Leon County Florida, the East Florida District Primitive Baptist Association Met in the Centennial Session at Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Jacksonville. The host pastor was Elder J.M. Dixon and Moderator T.R. Griffin presided. During the 1969 session, Elder S.P. Kilpatrick served as 1st Vice-Moderator, Elder P.H. Prison as Recording Secretary, and Elder T.W. Samuels was Executive Secretary.
In 1970 at the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in Gifford, Florida, Elder S.P. Kilpatrick was elected as the eighth Moderator of East Florida. Elder Kilpatrick immediately began focusing on the Temple concept, reorganizing the departments. Several new auxiliaries were organized including the Minister’s Wives Council, Deaconess Council, Prayer Band, Nurses’s Guild, Licensed Minister Council, Deacons, Brotherhood Council, and the Association Choir.
In addition, the Fifth-Sunday Union was reorganized to ensure greater opportunity for the involvement of those who had a desire to work.
In 1980, the East Florida District Primitive Baptist Association purchased 20 acres of property for the price of $265,000.00. The goal at the time was to build the first phase of a multi-purpose complex, which would ultimately house a Divine Worship Temple, living facilities, recreation area, and a network of roadways.
On the Sunday in October 1982, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. The celebration included a parade from Mt. Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church to the Juanita Avenue site. One year later, in October 1983, the property was paid in full. With the deeds in hand, a mortgage burning ceremony was held. This accomplishment was the result of much prayer, favor, and unity.
In January 1988, the foundation for the Temple was laid. On November 20, 1988, the East Florida District Baptist Association was dedicated. Elder Spencer Kilpatrick was the Moderator and Elder R. J. Hendley, Jr. was Vice Moderator. After serving faithfully for 20 years as Moderator, Elder Kilpatrick graciously resigned in November of 1990.
Elder R. J. Hendley, Jr. continued the work of the Association when elected Moderator in 1990. He led the body in paying off the debt of the temple in the summer of 2000.
In 2002, Moderator Hendley spearheaded the erection of a school with 10 classrooms, media center, conference room, an administrative suite and an equipped playground. The S. P. Kilpatrick Christian School opened the same year with Mrs. Pinky Hendley serving as Chief Administrator. The school remained opened for two years.
Elder Hendley served untiringly as moderator until his health failed in 2004 at which time he recommended Elder Kenneth A. Duke to the body to take the leadership. The body accepted the recommendation and elected Elder Duke as its tenth moderator during the annual session of the association.
Elder Duke's focus was to bring the association into the present age of technology while mobilizing the forces for an agenda for Kingdom Building. The dates of the association were changed in order to improve participation with greater emphasis on education and spiritual development.
In 2007, Elder Duke led the association into a partnership lease with the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. allowing 50 preschool children to enroll in a Head Start Program utilizing the school.
Elder Duke diligently served as moderator until he resigned at the annual session in October 2011. At this session, the body elected Elder Charles L. Hendley to become its eleventh moderator.
Moderator Hendley's focus has been Church Growth and Financial Accountability.
As other projects begin to unfold, we look forward to understanding the power of God and the work that can be done through Christ who gives us strength.