Historical Vignette: Florida Baptist State Convention organized in 1854

Monday, November 20, 1854 8 p.m. Richard Johnson Mays’ Parlor Clifton Mansion Near Madison, Florida

Artwork courtesy of Seeber Fowler Nov. 20, 1854 — Delegates arriving at the home of R.J. Mays, near Madison, to draw up the organization papers of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

The idea of the Florida Baptist Convention was born in Georgia. On November 22, 1853, the Florida Baptist Association of churches met at Olive Church in Thomas County, Georgia. A resolution was passed unanimously that stated it was "proper, expedient and practicable to form an association to be styled The Florida Baptist State Convention."

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The organization known as the Florida Association then made arrangements for two other associations to join them in their effort. They made plans in the 1853 meeting to invite the West Florida Association and the Alachua Association to be a part of this historic undertaking.

W. B. Cooper of the Ebenezer Church and W. Blessett of the Olive Church were instructed to invite the West Florida Association, and a brother Goldwire and S. W. Baker were to correspond with the Alachua Association. They were invited to have messengers present at the 1854 Florida Baptist Associational meeting for the intention of forming the Florida Baptist State Convention, which was first called "The Baptist Convention of the State of Florida," but in 1938 officially became the "Florida Baptist State Convention."

The original constitution of the Florida Baptist State Convention provided for membership in three different ways. Associations could join and have ten to twenty delegates according to the number of members in the association. Auxiliaries could also join. Any auxiliary that joined could have a delegate for every $50 given during the year. There was no limit to the number of auxiliary delegates. Individuals could also join the Florida Baptist Convention by contributing ten dollars annually.

There were limitations. Individuals who joined the Florida Baptist State Convention had to be "regular members" of a Baptist Church. Associations and auxiliaries that joined the Florida Baptist State Convention had to have their constitutions approved by the convention. Therefore, in the beginning the convention was not composed of churches–but of associations, auxiliaries and individuals.

In 1854 there were five clear objectives for the Florida Baptist State Convention. First, union and cooperation among Baptists were sought. Second, there were plans for revival. Third, organizers sought to undergird the association. Fourth, a fund for the education of preachers was considered. Fifth was the promotion of religious education in the denomination. These were the primary goals and intents of the group who gathered for the organizational meeting.

It was probably after the business meeting part of the 1854 Florida Baptist Association adjourned that seventeen delegates left the church and went to the home of Richard Johnson Mays to officially organize the Florida Baptist State Convention. Mays and his family lived in their Clifton Mansion estate about twelve miles west of Madison, near Concord Baptist Church.

Three-storied Clifton Mansion had ten bedrooms, a state dining room, a regular dining room, and a parlor. Seventeen delegates representing the Alachua, Florida, and West Florida Associations met and organized the Florida Baptist State Convention on November 20, 1854.

John Rosser in his book on the history of the Florida Baptist Convention calls this group "courageous souls." The dreams, lives, and ministries for the cause of Christ gave them that well deserved designation.

Author Jerry Windsor is secretary— treasurer, Florida Baptist Historical Society and a professor at Baptist College of Florida. This is the first in a series of 25 vignettes highlighting FBSC beginnings.