HISTORY OF GETHSEMANE BAPTIST CHURCH

The first place of worship for the blacks of Eustis was built on a parcel of land donated by Mr. McDonald. The location of this property was on Ward Avenue, west of the railroad. On this land, a “Brush Harbor” was built as best as could be by the Blacks who labored there.

Among the settlers who came were: G.D. Clifford, Elijah and Charles Bates, Colonel Hazzard, A.S. Pendry, Mr. Prescott, P.P. Morin, Florence Titcomb, Henry Keys, George Bowen, Augustus Gottsche, Frank Hawley, Dr. Fahnstock, D.W. Herrick, Nathan Norton, George and T.E. Woodward and John Dietrich.

As these settlers came they brought their “free Men” with them. They came from Alabama, The Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia. Many blacks were already here as slaves and when freed, they remained. Some of them were run-a-way slaves who had lived with and among the Indians. Among these blacks were carpenters, brick masons, railroad hands, woodcutters, fruit pickers, farm hands, grove workers and stable and livery hands. Many of them later became owners of businesses in their own right. Gethsemane Baptist Church has always had many businessmen and learned people.

The first settlers in this area came to Fort Mason during the 1840’s and continued until the 1870’s. The family of Frank Sharp, one of our founders, were among these settlers who homesteaded in the Fort Mason Area. Later the settlements of Pendryville and Lake Eustis formed in 1877. The area that was known as Pendryville extended from Bates Avenue to Lakeview and from Lake Eustis to Fahnstock. They merged and in 1884 the “Lake” part of the name was dropped and we became just Eustis. Some of the blacks settled between Macdonald and Bates Avenue on the north side of town. This area was called EGYPT (many of us still refer to it by that name). Many of Mr. McDonald's grove workers lived in the area of Egypt. Others of us settled on the south end of town in the area from Key Avenue to Lakeview Avenue; this area was referred to as “JERUSALEM.” Many of the blacks homesteaded their land and built homes on it; one of these couples was Hill and Georgia Evans and today their grand nephew Albert Lucas and his wife Jackie live in a home on this land. South Bay, near our church, was once occupied totally by Blacks. The Duncans, Picketts, Rolands, Youngs and many others lived in the areas of Key and Ward Avenue. The Madisons (Relatives of Robert Dunston) owned several blocks of homes down from the church. Rev. William Poe owned a home on Bay Street; and other homes in that area were: the Laury’s (Phyllis Martin and others), The Harolds (Irma Furlow Adams), Ada Williams, Lula Sharp (Rev. Poe’s sister) and the Lucas. Our church is the only Black owned building left standing from that Era.

These blacks had come to a new land or to another level of life. They were free from slavery and the slave master, but had a desire to be freed by the “Great Master,” the Lord, Jesus Christ and were blessed with land to build a place of worship. The first account of the History of Gethsemane Baptist Church was given to us by Sister Duncan and we present it as the highlight of the “STORY OF OUR RELIGIOUS LIFE” with additions and corrections we found in our research. Many other ‘tie ins’ with this history can be found at other sites of this story.

The following persons were among the first members:

Mr. & Mrs. Hill Evans

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sharp

Deacon & Mrs. Kurby

Deacon & Mrs. John Young

Deacon & Mrs. George Weaver

Deacon & Mrs. Calip Brown

Deacon & Mrs. A.O. Terrell

Bro. & Mrs. Willie Jenkins

Bro. & Mrs. James Roland

Bro. & Mrs. Alex Brookins

Their precious souls labored hard. They toiled tirelessly; even their children were busy as they moved about the community soliciting donations to build a church. From the “Brush Harbor” place of worship, a Church was born and named Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church.

The records of the City of Eustis show that the church was formed in 1880 and constituted in 1884. In 1906, there came a young man from Bennett, South Carolina; undoubtedly, he joined them, and in 1908 he became their Pastor. Rev. Poe encourages them to use the land and build a larger edifice.

Again, the membership pulled together and as the result of their labor a “T” shaped building was built on the corner of Bay and Woodward in 1914. A basement, restrooms and choir loft were added later on.

Rev. Poe was a very learned man and a blessed under shepherd. He led not only in Gethsemane, but he also pastored in Mt. Dora and Oakland. He also was the founder of Bethel Baptist Association. He held State and National Offices. He served faithfully for 36 years until his death in January 1944.

Upon the death of Rev. Poe, the Pastors of Gethsemane in succession were:

Rev. A.L. Russell

Rev. Enoch Jones

Rev. R.C. Curry

Rev. Harry L. Harris

Rev. Dr. William “Billy” Hawkins, Jr.

Pastor Hawkins retired June, 2025 after having served as Pastor for 46 and a half years. He is the longest serving pastor in the history of Gethsemane.