Our History

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OUR HISTORY

[1912 - present]

In 1912 most of the residents of Orange Heights attended the Methodist church. During that year it was decided to build a Baptist Church in this small community of farmers and orange growers.

Of course, the first action to be taken was to form a committee.

One acre of land was donated on the west side of the railroad tracks and plans were drawn up by Reverend Hartman from Earlton Baptist Church.

The final donation of lumber, materials and hardware were made by various members.

With the land, plans, money and materials secured, work on the church building began. Members of the committee donated their time and talents and soon the church was erected. The final step was to put the 3001 pound bell in place and once installed it began to ring. People came from all around to hear and admire the church. The first service was held the next Sunday by Reverend F. M. Hartman. Sometime later a Sunday school building was built behind the church building.

In 1954 it was decided to purchase the land on State Road 26, 500 yards west of the railroad tracks. The church and Sunday school building were later moved to its present location. The church was remodeled adding two Sunday school rooms and the steeple was rebuilt. (This building is now the home of our children's church.)

The church continued to grow and another educational building was moved to the present site. The Lord continued to bless Orange Heights Baptist Church and an additional educational building was built in 1973.

The Lord truly blessed our church in many ways. Many doors were opened and membership increased. In the early eighties the sanctuary was remodeled and two additional class rooms were added and the Pastors study was moved to the front of the church, allowing more seating for church services. Our past has many rich memories for all of us, and we continue to look ahead and seek Gods will for our church in the future.

Bits and pieces from the past:

Preachers preached one Sunday a month.
Sunday school was held every Sunday
Pastor had no set salary, just whatever was collected.
There were no men in the church.
Women were elected as deaconesses.
The church sent two men to Brazil for two consecutive years.
Two men were sent to Jamaica for fellowship and witnessing.
The church took part in home missions as well as helped build the Shiloh Baptist Church and a pastorium in Big Cypress and also local missions at home.

16700 NE S.R. 26

The Church at Orange Heights, FL

pastor@ohbc.us