First Baptist Church of Boca Grande

Boca Grande largely owes its existence to the discovery of phosphate on the Peace River in 1881. Phosphate was transported on barges down the river to Boca Grande, where a port was built. The phosphate industry grew steadily and Boca Grande was platted in the late 1890s. However, it wasn't until the early 1900s that the community started to be developed. The American Agricultural Chemical Company, which came to dominate the phosphate industry, decided to build a railroad line to Boca Grand to facilitate the shipping of phosphate as well as to transport tourists to the island. The first trains arrived in early 1908, signaling the beginning of Boca Grande's development.

The railroad spurred the establishment of business and attracted permanent residents. A pastor, Rev. R.W. Harrell, also recognized the need for a church. As a result of his efforts, First Baptist was founded in 1909. Another congregation, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, was also founded in 1909 but after First Baptist, making it the second oldest church on Boca Grande. Until 1915, First Baptist's congregation held its services outdoors. These usually occurred on the second and fourth Sundays of each month and were led by visiting pastors. The planning to build the church started in 1911 and construction got underway in 1913. The bell (a locomotive bell) housed in the tower was donated by the Seaboard Railroad. The congregation expanded the church in 1928 to include classrooms and built a parsonage in 1934. The community also used the church as a social gathering place. The fellowship hall was later built in 1962. Additional changes have been made to the church and church grounds over the years.

Erwin, Sue. "A time-honored tradition: The Boca Grande Baptist Church to celebrate 110 years." Boca Beacon. December 21, 2018. https://bocabeacon.com/news/a-time-honored-tradition-the-boca-grande-baptist-church-to-celebrate-110-years.

"The First Baptist Church of Boca Grande." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed March 11, 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=128323.

Hartig, Mikki et al. "First Baptist Church of Boca Grande." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. December 2, 2009. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/660bfd78-4f42-4e46-b78c-d2480af2af70.