November 14, 1993

Charlotte County's Oldest Church Sanctuary

The oldest church sanctuary in Charlotte County --- that built by Punta Gorda First Baptist between January 1890 and November 1892 --- is for sale. Once more, local historians are alarmed that another structure in the city's dwindling number of century-old landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places might fall victim to the wrecking ball.

The Rebekahs, women's auxiliary to the International Order of Odd Fellows, own the old church building at the northwest corner of Olympia and Cross streets but want to move to a smaller facility.

The Peace River Baptist Association reported that a new church had been organized at Punta Gorda in 1888. Prior to that time, Baptists participated in ecumenical services at a meeting hall on the southwest corner of Marion and Gill streets. The town's founder, Col. Isaac Trabue contributed the building in late 1886 or early 1887 for a school and inter-denominational church.

Desiring emphasis on their doctrine, the Baptists left the community center to meet in rented quarters. According to church lore, the first sanctuary was a roller skating rink over a livery stable. Baptisms were conducted in the harbor near Sullivan Street.

First Baptist records state the original congregation consisted of nine members. Among them were M/M James L. and Mary L. (nee Seward) Sandlin, M/M James M. and Martha (nee Sandlin) Morgan, and Mrs. Nancy Linquish. Others are not known. Sandlin and Morgan were close friends, business partners, and perhaps relatives. They purchased land for citrus groves along Alligator Creek in 1884.

When the Florida Southern Railway arrived at Punta Gorda in 1886, the two men moved into town and engaged in real estate, mercantile and shipping enterprises. Contemporary public records about the church sanctuary are scarce. Being exempt from taxes, there is no listing on the tax roll. In addition, there is no record of deed transfer --- not unusual in those days when a person's word was his bond, particularly for church transactions.

We know that Block 31 on the original survey of Trabue (Punta Gorda) was bounded by Olympia, Harvey, Marion, and Cross (Tamiami Trail south) streets. Albert W. Gilchrist, a land speculator and later governor of Florida, bought Block 31 on January 1, 1890. He divided it into 40 town lots, with Goldstein street running down the middle.

Descendents state that Sandlin and Morgan at this time bought, and donated to the congregation, lots 9 and 10. It is thought that lumber was supplied by Morgan who operated a saw mill on Taylor Road near Alligator Creek.

When Mrs. Sandlin died November 23, 1934, the "Punta Gorda Herald" reported: "Mrs. Sandlin was perhaps the first charter member of the local Baptist church which was organized here 45 years ago. She and her husband, (who died in 1903) gave the property on which the church is built. It may be stated as a fact that through the years, her first thought was always of her church, in which she was very active to the end of her life. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Sutley, pastor, on Sunday afternoon. Not all who came were able to get into the church."

The first, official record discovered discloses that "James L. Sandlin, trustee for the Punta Gorda Baptist Church," on November 13, 1892, transferred 10 feet off the north side of Lot 9 to Bart K. Watts for $45. Watts was president of city council. He did not obtain title to the adjoining Lot 8, from L.T. Blocksom, until four months later.

It was customary for churches to have at least three trustees, but no record of others have been found.

Certainly the church was constructed prior to selling part of the site. The first issue of the "Punta Gorda Herald" on February 17, 1893, noted:

"Two handsome structures, a Methodist and Baptist church, white, together with a parsonage for Methodist ministers, two colored churches, and a large school house are among the public buildings erected by the citizens for the benefit of this community."

First pastor of First Baptist was Rev. Thomas J. Sparkman.

This likely is the same man who in 1885 bought a proved-out homestead of 160 acres north of Charlotte Harbor Town along Ziba King's cow path from Pine Level. The latter village was the Manatee County seat 10 miles west of today's Arcadia and included what is now Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

Rev. Sparkman pastored baptists at Punta Gorda and Fort Myers simultaneously for at least seven years. The "Herald" reported in its Church Directory of October 20, 1893, that "Rev. T. J. Sparkman, pastor, conducts regular services every first and third Sundays, at 11 a.m. Sunday School every Sunday, T. J. Wellhouse, superintendent."

In June 1895, the "Herald" reported that Rev. M.S. Stevens of the Punta Gorda Baptist Church officiated at the marriage of Robert L. Earnest and Miss Gertrude Ebney at the residence of her mother, Mrs. E.T. Ebney.

The Baptist service schedule changed in June 1910 when the "Herald" announced that "Rev. Martin A. Wood, Baptist pastor, would conduct services every second and fourth Sundays at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m."

Also in 1910, the congregation adopted tithing, formed the Women's Missionary Society, and constructed a concrete baptismal pool. A pastorium costing $3,500 was built behind the church in 1922, and Sunday school rooms were added in 1927 and 1929.

A building on a large lot was acquired on Retta Esplanade in the early 1940s for a new sanctuary. A construction program began, and Sunday school classes were held at both the Cross Street and Retta Esplanade facilities. Worship services were held at the Cross Street sanctuary.

The rapidly growing congregation outgrew the Retta Esplanade site before a new sanctuary could be built. Consequently the present site of First Baptist on Gill Street was acquired in 1959. The Crosland Chapel and Sunday school were dedicated January 28, 1962. The old pastorium was moved to the present site, but later torn down. With completion of the Crosland Chapel, the Cross Street and Retta Esplanade properties were sold to the Golden Rule Rebekah Lodge 60, ladies auxiliary of the International Order of Odd Fellows.

The church began its greatest out-reach effort in the late 1950's with establishment of the Port Charlotte Mission. The first Mission service was held in the Port Charlotte Community Center on Mother's Day, May 8, 1960. Dr. John H. Witt preached the sermon. Dedication services for the Mission were held January l, 1961; and the first building dedicated July 16, 1961. The Mission became First Baptist Church of Port Charlotte.

Punta Gorda First Baptist voted in January 1975 to undertake a $l million three-phase building program. First was an addition to the Crosland Chapel. The educational building expansion was completed in January 1976. Phase three consisted of walks, paving, drainage and landscaping.

During this busy period, the church sponsored the South Punta Gorda Baptist Mission. Rev. Jack Edgeman was the first pastor there. The Mission became Trinity Baptist Church.

Punta Gorda First Baptist has 700 members guided by the Rev. Charles Mack Hutson --- and is still growing.

Today, the first sanctuary awaits a new mission. The spire roof was taken off in the early 30s (prior to 1935) when the wood shingles needed replacing and no one could be found to undertake the dangerous job.

The belfrey was removed by the Rebekahs in the late 60s (after 1962) when the flat cap replacing the spire began to leak. The bell was given to the Palm Dale Methodist church in Glades County.

Nevertheless, the tower and original, main structure are still sturdy --- ready for another century of service to the city.

PASTORAL ROSTER

Records of early pastors prior to 1924 are missing, but those remembered by long-time parishioners or discovered in early issues of the "Herald" are as follow:

• Rev. Thomas J. Sparkman --- 1889, 1893
• Rev. M.S. Stevens --- 1895-6
• Rev. Dr. Martin A. Wood --- 1910
• Rev. Thomas R. Woodson
• Rev. Sanders
• Rev. R.A. Sublette--- 1919
• Rev. W.R. Poindexter--- 1919
• Rev. Harry Grady Kenney --- 1919
• Rev. Swain
• Rev. E.L. Andrews
• Rev. Dr. A.J. Holt --- 1924-26
• Rev. Dr. James S. Day, Jr.
• Rev. James H. Sutley --- 1934. Conducted 50th Anniversary service October 5, 1939.
• Rev. Arvil Miller
• Rev. John F. Price --- His 1945 welcome in the church included a large delegation of visiting Methodists.
• Rev. George Wehrman --- January 25, 1962, conducted last service in the original sanctuary.
• Rev. Dr. Reaves Dean
• Rev. Ray Bateman --- 1968-75
• Rev. Dr. Harold Brown --- mid 70's
• Rev. Milford Howell --- early 80s
• Rev. Randy Randall --- mid 80s Rev. Dr. Haywood Day
• Rev. Charles Mack Hutson --- November 5, 1989, Centennial Service.
• (NOTE: Roster includes some interim ministers.)

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers

This newly discovered photograph of the original Punta Gorda First Baptist Church at the northwest corner of Olympia an Cross streets also shows the city's first school on Goldstein Street in the background. Note kerosene street lamp.

--- Photo courtesy Charlotte Harbor Area Historical Society