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Remembering Our Past
Just a few miles outside of the town of Taylorsville, now known as
Groveland, a small community made its humble beginnings clustered around
the railroad tracks. As the lumber and turpentine industries drew more
settlers to the area, Bay Lake began to emerge as a community. Some
accounts state that a group of faithful Christians gathered at Mrs. Mary
Tyson’s home to discuss the need for a church in the area. The actual
church was formed under an old, graceful oak tree at the Church’s
present location.
Although the exact date Bay Lake Missionary Baptist Church began is
still a mystery due to a fire that destroyed the early records, through
the tradition of passing knowledge from generation to generation, we
know our church is at least 115 years old. According to the public
records on file in Tavares, Florida, Granville Beville donated the
property that our church is located on in August of 1889. This is the
date we used to determine the age of our church. When Mr. Edward
Kuharske purchased the surrounding land, it was realized that the
property had never been recorded at the courthouse. Mr. Kuharske deeded
the property to the church at that time.
During the early days, Brother Brantley and Brother Powell preached, but
it is unclear whether they were instrumental in the church organization.
The preachers came by horseback or rode a train into Mascotte and then
either walked the eight miles to the church on a dirt road or were
picked up by someone in a wagon.
The charter members of our church were: John & Nancy Story, their
daughter and son-in-law James & Drew Piney Boyd, another married
daughter Sarah Van Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Sumner and daughter Alice and a
Mrs. Merritt. Brother Charlie Joiner served as the church clerk early
on. Years later, his grandson, the late Bernard Tyson was a deacon of
the church. The first deacons of the church were John Story and William
Harris. Since John Story was a deacon, there has been a deacon or
deacons from every generation in his family. His son, James L. Story;
grandsons, Clarence Story, Allison Story and George Brown;
great-grandsons, DeVon Brown, Leo Brown, Herbert Story and Julian Story.
Other ordained deacons include: Elmer Hyatt, Jerry Beard, Cecil Taylor,
Jerry Cunningham, David Knight, John Kruse and Buddy Raney.
In the late teens and early 20’s, the weekend of the third Sunday in
October was declared the annual or yearly meeting. It started on Friday
morning and lasted through Sunday with “dinner on the grounds.” Since
there was no electricity, the services were held in the mornings and
afternoons to allow people to return home before dark. Later, lamps and
lanterns were used to extend the hours of services. Usually a visiting
preacher was invited to preach, however, if other preachers were
present, they were asked to preach also. The preachers received about a
dollar a day for their services. They often went home with a family from
the church and stayed the weekend with them. As time passed, these
services became revival meetings to replace the annual event.
The first songbooks were in the form of poetry with no printed music.
The first musical instrument was a pump organ, which was purchased
around 1910 or 1911. Laura Brown was the first organist.
During Brother Gillentine’s pastorate, the church held its first revival
meeting with him as evangelist. The meeting lasted from the third Sunday
until the fourth. Baptismal services added the following members: James
“Mann” Brown, Mary Jane Herndon, Mozelle Herndon, Jesse Hunt, Charlie
Rutledge, Neila Bridges Sloan, Arvil Story, George Story, William
“Buster” Story, Charles Todd, Ben Tomlinson and Edna (Joiner) Tyson.
Originally, the church met once a month for services. Later, they met
twice a month and under the leadership of Brother Charlie Gray, began
holding Sunday School classes under the trees. In 1953, just a few years
after Bay Lake Road was paved, when Brother E.L. Johns of Auburndale
became pastor, they began holding full time services. In the early
years, baptismal services were held in either the pond near the church
(now on Chuck Kuharske’s land) or in the pond behind the Bay Lake
General Store. Later on, during Brother Gillentine’s tenure, baptism was
moved to Bay Lake.
Through the years, the following men have been called by God and
licensed to preach by the Bay
Lake Baptist Church: Brother Sam Hunt, Brother Wallace Bridges, Brother
Mozelle Herndon,
Brother Allison Story, Brother Grady Parrish, Brother O.L. Strickland,
Brother Cecil Brown,
Brother John Claypool, Brother Randy Harris and Brother Ronald Knight.
Known Pastors
1. Brother J.W. Giddens- served twice (approx. 1910-1913 & 1914-1918)
2. Brother Charlie Hancock (approx. 1913)
3. Brother Russell Holcomb (approx. 1918-1920)
4. Brother E.L. Gillentine (1920-1925) Lead our 1st Revival meeting in
1921.
5. Brother L.N. Chitty (1925-1930)
6. Brother Ben Evers (1931-1935) only Pastor known to have died during
his pastorate.
7. Brother Walter Allen (1936-1938)
8. Brother Willard Connell- served three times (1939, 1944-1946 &
1952-1953)
9. Brother Vesta Gent (1940)
10. Brother Ray Simmons (194 1-1942)
11. Brother Wilson Connell (1943)
12. Brother Charlie Vickers (1947)
13. Brother Charley Gray (1948-1950) Under his leadership, the Church
started Sunday School.
14. Brother E.C. Dobson (1950-1952)
15. Brother E.L. Johns (1953-1958) Under his leadership, the Church
began full time services.
16. Brother Ray Kirkland (1958-1998) 1st Pastor to live on Church
grounds. Served 40 years.
17. Brother Edward K. Brown (1998-1999) Now works with Macedonian
Missionary Service.
18. Brother Darrell Sheeley — Current Pastor called in 1999.
Our Building
We have seen many changes since its humble beginnings. The first two
buildings of the church were simple wood framed structures. James Boyd
was the foreman on the construction of the first building. The second
was completed in 1926 with Mann Brown as the foreman. Members of the
church helped with construction of both buildings. While the second one
was being built, church services were held in the schoolhouse about a
half-mile down the road. In 1956, the main portion of the auditorium was
completed. In 1960, we added an educational wing with four classrooms
and a porch. In 1963, the parsonage was built. In 1966, the porch was
enclosed adding six classrooms and two restrooms along with the comfort
of central heat and air. In 1968, the church purchased four acres across
the road for a cemetery so our people could be laid to rest in the
community and near the church we love and hold dear. In 1985, the
auditorium was extended, a baptistery was added, the front was replaced
to include a secretary’s office, pastor’s study, a nursery and
additional restrooms. Also, a drive-thru porch area was added on the
south side. In 1992, the Church purchased 9 acres in the back and added
a recreational area. In 1997, we added a new, larger kitchen. Then in
1998, we remodeled the parsonage. We are now looking forward to a new
fellowship hall that will be started soon.
Our Fellowships & Ministries
Bay Lake Missionary Baptist Church is an Independent, Missionary Baptist
Church. It cooperates with the Central Florida Association of
Missionary Baptist Churches, The Florida State Association of Missionary
Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Association. These
associations work together for the purpose of fellowship, support of
missions and Christian education on a world-wide basis, yet each church
maintains it complete independence and no authority is executed by any
of these associations over the local church.
Our church offers in depth Bible study that covers all age groups. On
Sunday, we have Sunday School classes for every age, Jr. Church and
B.T.C., along with regular worship services. On Wednesday evenings, we
have regular Bible Study and through the school year, we offer a Bible
course for children and teens called Discovery. We also offer a
three-year Bible College course through Faith Bible Institute. Musical
abilities are encouraged for all age groups. Our “Little Folks” sing
during church services, the teens have a youth choir that sings at youth
meetings and the State Youth Assembly talent review. Every one is
encouraged to join in the church choir. We are truly blessed with many
wonderful singers and individuals that add much to the services with
their special music.
Our Church has been blessed over the last 115 years. We are looking
forward to faithfully serving our Lord Jesus Christ until His return.
- Revised and Updated May 2004 8123 |
