The third and fourth associations in Florida were begun the same year. The West Florida Association and the Alachua Association were begun in 1847. It was at Fort Clark that the Alachua Association was organized.

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In 1847 Alachua Association began with twelve churches and 500 members. Technically it ran from the Georgia line to Key West. There were vast areas of land that had very few settlers and no churches. In 1843 there were only five Baptist ministers serving in an area 200 by 300 miles.

In 1848 there were 13 churches in the association and they came from six different counties. Providence, Columbia, and South Prong were from Columbia County. Sharon was from Nassau County. Bethesda, Eden, and Bethlehem were from Benton County. (Benton County is now part of Hernando and Pasco Counties.) New Hope, Fellowship, and New Providence were from Marion County, and Fort Clark and Mt. Pleasant were in Alachua County. Bethel (now First Baptist Church, Jacksonville) was in Duval County. Eden (1845) is the only church now in the Alachua Association that was a member in 1848.

James McDonald (1798-1869) led in establishing the Alachua Association. In 1848 he published The Baptist Telegraph and Florida Emigrant, the first Baptist paper in Florida. The paper lasted only a few months but the need for a strong Baptist paper was recognized.

McDonald was the moving spirit behind the organization of the Alachua Association and was one of the most interesting preachers to ever live in Florida. His whole life seemed to be one miracle after another. He narrowly escaped death on numerous occasions.

McDonald was born in Limerick County, Province of Muster, Ireland. When he was seven years of age he witnessed the hanging of his father and fourteen relatives for their participation in the Irish rebellion. He was raised to be a Catholic priest but escaped to America after some legal entanglements that could have cost him his life. He enlisted as a soldier in the Spanish Army in the Cuban Conflict of 1829. He was arrested as a spy and was awaiting his firing squad when he knelt and asked God to save him.

McDonald was released from prison and after a three month intensive study of the Bible became a Baptist. He served as a minister in Georgia and came to Florida in 1843. He served as a missionary and pastor in Florida. He was the pastor of Sharon (now First Baptist, Callahan, Nassau County) for 13 years. He also served as the first pastor of Bethel (Duval County) now First Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

Down through the years new associations have been formed but Alachua Association currently has over 37 churches and missions. There are over 12,000 members in the churches at present, and First Baptist Church, Brooksville (1852) has recently celebrated its 150th birthday.

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