17-03-2025
Campbellton's First Baptist Church marks 200 years of fellowship
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On March 12, 1825, the First Baptist Church of Campbellton was established by 20 charter members under the leadership of Reverend E. H. Calloway.
Before the church building was built in 1858, the initial meeting house was a log structure. Slaves built the church. They also worshiped there.
The original building has held up all these years before its expansion in the 1990s.
'I think primarily this was the farming area that drew people into northern Florida. As we look at the migration of people from Georgia and Alabama, they came here looking for farmland that was basically inexpensive or no cost at all. And among these farmers were a lot of Baptist people who brought their Christian faith,' Florida Baptist Historical Society Managing Director Don Hepburn said.
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Churchgoers met on Sunday to celebrate the 200-year milestone with a special service and a potluck. Many reflected on the decades worth of history and how the fellowship with the church made a tremendous difference in their lives.
Pastor Luther Pumphrey says he is excited for what is in store for the worship center's future.
'God is still using it, still using this church, and there's still people who are willing to get in here, be part of it and stay and see it go on to the next generation. Because, you know, when you look over history and time, we're just on stage for a short time, and then we pass it on to the next generation,' Pumphrey said.
The church was also the First Baptist Church in Florida to have a women's missionary society.
Pumphrey says the church is coming up with new ideas on how to reach a wider audience. He recommends that the next time you stop by for a service, bring a friend.
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