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Rev. Raymond Estes was called to be pastor of our church on December 18, 1963 and served seventeen years in a fruitful and productive ministry. During the time he was pastor he saw the completion of two new Sunday School buildings, a new sanctuary and a new Pastorium as well as the establishment of a bus ministry, a church council, a Junior Church and the first church employed youth director, music director and church secretary. The Florida Baptist Association recognized him as “Rural Pastor of the Year†in 1980. He was also privileged to participate in the Korean Evangelistic Crusade in May 1980. After serving the longest continuous ministry within the history of the Church, he resigned on April 27, 1981.
Since our last homecoming five years ago, two Interim Pastors served our church in the absence of a permanent pastor. They were Brother Marshall Boroughs from May 27, 1981 to January 8, 1982, and Brother Robert Shook from June 9, 1982 to January 1983. With much prayer and Christian leadership of these men, the Church continued to meet the spiritual needs of the community.
On November 1981, the church approved a “Watch care†membership program, open to members of all denominations for persons temporarily residing in the area and needing a church home. They were given all privileges of membership except voting.
At the January 1982 church conference, it was voted that the mandatory requirement that candidates for membership attend the New Members Orientation Class before being entered on the rolls of the Church be amended to read: -“New members of the Church are expected to attend the New Members Orientation Class on a voluntary basis.†This was done because many of the new members coming in by letter had already attended similar classes in the Church from which they came.
Martie Barrett was born in Marietta, Georgia. She was called to be Minister of Music and Youth in June 1982, and married Frank Ansorge in June 1983. Martie has worked hard in our youth visitation, bus ministry, Sunday School, and various youth activities. In September 1983, Martie asked to be relieved of Youth Ministry and continue with the Music Ministry. This was granted. As Minister of Music, Martie directs the sanctuary choir and arranges for special music and ensembles and the “Starlighters†children’s choir. Martie is an accomplished soloist and flutist.
Starting December 1982, we had to cope with new regulations regarding electrical power use, which imposes heavy penalties for heavy use during “peak hoursâ€. This means we cannot use more than one air conditioning unit at certain times without heavy penalty.
On January 19, 1983, Rev. John Temoschuk of Douglas, Georgia, was called to be pastor of our Church. We were told of his being a loving pastor and his great concern for the lost.
A mission probe by the Marion Baptist Association resulted in Brother John and the Church being aware of the need of a mission.
In our rapidly growing area and the Church adopted a resolution to begin work in the Half-Moon area in May.
Brother John and wife Madeline went to Augsburg, Germany in May 1985, for Homecoming and to conduct a revival where they served from 1969-72.
In the summer of 1983, nationally known Evangelist Mercer Shaw moved into our community and he and his wife Glenelle became members of our Church. We later adopted him as Staff Evangelist so that we might under gird him in prayer and recommend him in this traveling ministry of evangelism.
The Church Fellowship Hall has many activities that include meals. Due to limited kitchen space, on January 4, 1984, the Church voted to build a new kitchen that included a commercial size range and sink.
A Lay Renewal, March 2-4, 1984, was lead by Bill Listh of North Ft. Myers Baptist Church. It proved to be a highly inspirational and enriching experience.
Troy Varnum of Lithia, Florida and graduate of Stetson University became Minister of Youth, May 1984. He later married Latriva Cannon of Fort Meade, Florida, a student of Stetson, who faithfully served with him as Troy led an effective youth ministry, and assisted the pastor in many pastoral ministries.
Troy was ordained to the Gospel Ministry April 20, 1985, and continued to serve our church until going to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in June 1985.
On November 4, 1984, six brothers were ordained as deacons of our church. They were: Hal McDonell, Frank Ansorge, Bud Johnson, Custis Fugate, Richard Bundschuch, and Richard Davis.
May 1985, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Ocala Forest Post, in cooperation with our church, installed a Memorial at the Highway 40 entrance to our church. This Memorial consists of a V-shaped concrete pad and an eighteen-foot flagpole with a permanent type flag. Special services are held on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
On July 14, 1985, we had our first church wide Sunday School picnic at the Ocala Boat Basin. Exceeding expectations, a group of a hundred people shared a beautiful afternoon of Christian fellowship.
On July 15, 1985, Richard and Julie (Beedle) Davis left our fellowship so Richard could assume his duties as Minister of Education and Youth at Anthony Baptist Church.
The W. M. U. exceeds most of their foreign, home and state mission goals. Their community mission projects included food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas, clothing and toy projects, health kits, for migrants ~and Bibles for Boy’s Ranch and Girl’s.
On September 7, 1985, the Historical Committee invited interested Church members to join them in a pilgrimage to our historical locations including several cemeteries.
On January 15, 1986, our Pastor, John Temoschuk, entered the hospital in Ocala, suffering with heart problems. He remained hospitalized until January 31, when he was able to return to his home and resume his duties as Pastor of our Church.
A committee had been working on a proposed Constitution, so on March 5, 1986, Richard Mills, Chairman of the Committee, presented the proposed Constitution and By-laws for discussion and vote. Since several sections were questioned, it was referred back to the Committee for work on these points. At the next Conference, the revised document was accepted, and R.H. Holly moved to give the Committee the power to print the Constitution in booklet form. Since this time, several changes and corrections have been made, principally for clarification.
On Sunday, May 4, 1986, Mrs. Ethel Wall McDonald, a past Music Director of our Church, was honored during the worship service. Family and friends gave many tributes to her. After the service, “Mrs. Mcâ€, as she is affectionately known, was honored with a Church-wide fellowship sponsored by the Sanctuary Choir, who presented her with several pieces of china. Ethel has lived almost all of her life in our community and has been an active member of our church for many years. She is the daughter of the late William and Lucy Sewell Wall, early settlers of our community. She and her husband, Robert L. (Shug) McDonald, were outstanding members of the Choir and often sang duets for special occasions.
In July of 1986, the Senior Adults held their regular monthly luncheon and sponsored a Church-wide Old Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic with food, fellowship, and homemade ice cream.
In August of 1986, a motion was approved to start a fund for Lorraine Rogers, a member of our Church, who would soon be going to Kenya as a Missionary for Campus Crusade for Christ. The group approved a motion by Nancy Keller, seconded by Richard Mills, to start this fund, guaranteeing an initial gift and a monthly gift based on pledges signed by members of the congregation. At a later date, while on furlough, Lorraine reported back to our Church with a message illustrated with slides.
The Congregate Meals Program, under the direction of Mrs. Ethel Henderson, began operating on November 3, 1986, at our Church. This program, sponsored by the Marion County Senior Services, provided a hot meal and fellowship for those over 60 years of age. It proved to be so successful that Meals on Wheels program began operation in January of 1987. Meals were delivered to shut—ins and others unable to come to the center. Volunteers from the community also operated this.
The W.M.U. Give-Away program, under the direction of Mrs. Phyllis Rodgers, which began a few years ago, was very successful and served a need in the community. Through this program clothing and other necessary supplies were provided to needy families, especially at the beginning of school and at Christmas time. Along this same line, on March 4, 1987, Mrs. Ethel Henderson, of the Senior Adult Ministry, asked, and received approval, to open a “Share and Care Center†to be started in the Church basement. This Center was to be operated by the Senior Adult Ministry and was to be a program for sharing clothing and other useful items with the poor and less fortunate in the community. This Center, which was later called “Care ‘N’Shareâ€, is continuing to provide many necessary items to those in need of a helping hand. T. C. Grant donated a trailer for use by the Center. With the help of volunteers, the trailer was cleaned, repaired, and painted. Shelves were built and other improvements made. The ladies spent hours making and repairing clothing to be given away. Toys, household furnishings, as well as other useful items were also made available.
After fifteen years of dedication from our youth and adults, the Bus Ministry, which began in December of 1974, came to an end, On September 1, 1988, the buses made their last run. Due to the age of the buses and new regulations, it was no longer safe to continue operating them.
On June 6, 1987, a Heritage Day was held at the Church. Fay Holly Rogers wrote the following account of the happenings of the day:
All had a good time and the Lord blessed us with a beautiful balmy day at our first Church Heritage Day, Saturday, June 6, 1987.
There was an interesting display of antiques by various families of the community along with demonstrations of chair caning, lye soap making and scrub board laundering to remind us how our early ancestors worked and lived.
The magnolia tree, which marks the spot of our first Church on this site, was the location for the lovely WMU display pertaining to the history of our Church. They had copies of the Church history available for handout.
Three Marion County authors were on hand with their books on local history for sale. They were Sybil Bray Margaret Long, and Fayc Perry Melton.
The food provided seemed to be enjoyed by all and disappeared rapidly as it was not only delicious but was being sold at old timey prices. A special feature was the swamp cabbage cooked by Mr. Freeman Godwin. Also available was chicken and rice, a hot dog plate, corn muffins, various flavors of homemade ice cream made by the young couples and singles Sunday School class and a choice of ice tea, coke or lemonade to quench the thirst. To satisfy the sweet tooth one could purchase a variety of delicious looking home baked delicacies from the bake sale sponsored by the youth of the Church and yet another bake sale by the East Marion Homemakers Club.
A special attraction for the children was the horse and buggy rides which they particularly enjoyed and also served as a reminder to everyone~ of the mode of transportation our ancestors had. The older youth seemed to enjoy keeping a continual game of volleyball going.
Many enjoyed the music which was high-lighted under a colorful, billowing parachute canopy which was
set up under the shade of the beautiful spreading oak trees. The King James Singers from Chiefland were featured with ladies and men quartets from the Church also filling in. Our music director, Martie Ansorge, and our new summer youth director, Charles Mims, entertained with a mini-concert on the flute and clarinet.
Mr. Pete Holly, at age 96, was probably the oldest East Marion County native present and was happy to relate his recollections of days gone—by of the community and the Church. He recalls attending the first Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church built on Mothershed (Church) Lake with everybody coming in horse and buggies. He says the person who drove the first motorcar to the Church was Neal Stanaland. (The car was a Ford coupe.) Also present was Mrs. Kate Randall, native of Conner, who at age 89 still has vivid memories of those early days in our community also.
Many of the ladies were dressed in costume relating to the mid 1800’s with beautiful bonnets and broad brimmed flowering hats galore. Some of the men, also, were dressed according to the occasion. Particularly outstanding was Pastor Temoschuk in his black tie and tails and top hat from an earlier era, which also served as Master of Ceremonies.
A representative from the Forestry Service was present with an interesting display of pictures of Juniper Springs and other areas of the Ocala National Forest in its early formative years.
In the year 1885 the Sunday School was moved to the Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church from the Henderson school house where a schoolteacher, Miss Mamie Waldon, first organized it in the year 1882. Miss Waldon was portrayed at Church Heritage Day by one of our Sunday School teachers in the children’s department, Mrs. Tom Stevens.
A display of children’s artwork from East Marion School was enjoyed and also judged by a former member, Mrs. Cecil Bryant.
When those brave pioneers first began to carve out a civilization from the wilderness “across the Ocklawaha River†one of the problems they had to deal with was the presence of Indians. To remind us on Heritage Day of the Indian situation, representatives of the local chapter of the White Buffalo Society were on hand to answer questions and display their lovely home— made beadwork that is used in rituals and also for wearing apparel.
Several hundred people enjoyed the activities of the day as we were reminded of our Christian heritage and paid tribute to our forefathers. Everyone joyfully entered into the spirit of the day and all had a good time.
This body of believers at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church applauds: Mr. Richard Mills, Chairman of the Historical Committee, and the other members of his committee for instigating and coordinating this great day.
On October 5, 1988, John Rogers gave an oral report that Cemetery lots were available to Church members only, with just an annual fee required for upkeep.
November 9, 1988, members of the Cemetery Section, recommended, and it was approved, that the Church accept an Acton Memorial in the form of a wrought iron arch, to be placed over the middle gate of the west entrance to the Cemetery, in memory of William and Lou Acton.
On Saturday, December 17, 1988, the young people of the Church had their annual Hayride and Carol Sing. They went to Tall Timber Trailer Park, where they sang Christmas Carols and gave a Puppet Show. The people at Tall Timber served delicious refreshments to the group. This visit to Tall Timber has been an annual event since the Christmas of 1968, when Mr. T. C. Grant first brought them there for a program of Christmas music. The people of Tall Timber always look forward to their visit.
On January 4, 1989, Stan Cook, Sr. Chairman of the Properties Committee, gave a report of his committee, stating that the steps to the fire escape were completed, safety lights in the Sanctuary had been installed by Mr. Ken Peterson, the mercury light was repaired by Mr. Hal McDonnell, and the Pastorium was painted by Mr. Bill Hartman. Other future maintenance needs were listed, such as a need for some new bathroom fixtures, replacing of some windows in the Fellowship Hall, replacing shingles on the Church building, painting the inside of the Church, and repairing the kitchen addition, which was falling in. At a later date it was reported that most of the needed repairs had been made.
In February of 1989, it was decided that the Easter Sunrise Service on March 26, at 7:00 A.M. would be extended to include participation from other Churches in the Community. The service would still be a function of our Church and the service itself would ref1ect this.
On March 25, 1989, a Cemetery Heritage Day was held. The bus left the Church at 8:30 A.M. and stopped first at the site of the original Church and Cemetery. A small wooden cross was placed at the site of the original Church. The group then proceeded to the John Conner Graham Cemetery where a former Deacon, Peter Laboard Durisoe, and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Graham Duke Durisoe, are buried. Elizabeth Jane Durisoe was the first President of our W.M.U. After a short program and a Hymn, the group then went to the Pine Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, near Conner, where many of the early pioneers in our Community are buried. The next stop was the Gore Cemetery, at Lacota, then the Hull Cemetery, where a former Pastor, Benjamin I. Hull, and his wife, are buried. The next stop was the Chalker-Stanaland Cemetery, where one of our very earliest Preachers, Rev. S. T. Stanaland, and his wife are buried. The last stop was at our own Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church Cemetery, where a program honoring James H. Parramore, one of the first persons buried in the Cemetery, was held.
At each stop, the group sang a Hymn, which all of us remembered from earlier days. Everyone agreed that each Hymn was quite appropriate for the Cemetery.
A brown bag lunch was then held in the Fellowship Hall. It was an inspiring day for all who were able to attend.
The following is a Program for this Cemetery Heritage
HERITAGE DAY CEMETERY TOUR
Welcome to our special Cemetery Tour ... so many of us have friends and loved ones in these “hallowed grounds†and we invite your memories and comments as we go down memory lane together.
1. ORIGINAL SITE OF FIRST Church - Place temporary marker and then visit the OLD OI3BC Cemetery (Off Hwy 40 and on Cemetery Road)
Led by: Elden Luffman and R.H. Holly, Jr.2. JOHN CONNER GRAHAM CEMETERY (At Conner)
Led by: Carol Welihoner Farmer and Dorothy McDonald Redding3. PINE GROVE. METHODIST CEMETERY ‘On Hwy 314)
Led by: Ethel Wall McDonald4. GORE CEMETERY (Off Lacota Road)
Led by: Freeman Godwin5. HULL CEMETERY (Off 314A North)
Led by: Nuby Shealy6. CHALKER CEMETERY (Off 314A South)
Led by: Fay Holly Rogers and Richard Mills7. OCKLAWAIIA DRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY
Led by: Reverend John Temoschuk and Fay Holly Rogers
On April 7, 1989, Pastor John Temoschuk was honored by Stetson
University. Then on April 30, at the morning service at our Church, Rev.
Dr. John Pelham, representing Stetson University, gave the morning message
and presented our Church with a framed award for the Pastor, recognizing
him as Pastor of the Year.
The annual Sunday School Picnic was held May 27, 1989, at Camp Kiwanis. Those who attended enjoyed the activities including swimming, volleyball, horseshoes, and fishing, as well as plenty of barbecue chicken.
In August of 1989, it was decided that a Flower Committee was needed. This Committee would be responsible for providing appropriate floral arrangements and decorations in the Church Sanctuary as needed for regular services. This committee was also to coordinate decorations for special occasions, excluding weddings, receptions, and showers.
On August 9, 1989, Mrs. Bobby Grant was recognized for her faithfulness to our Church for so many years in placing flowers in the Church every Sunday and on all other occasions and for decorating so beautifully during the holidays. All this has been done at no expense to the Church.
On Sunday, October 15, 1989, a special Commissioning-Dedication Service was held for Lloyd and. Connie Grant Rodgers. They and their two children will soon be going to Costa Rica where they will attend language school in preparation for their work as missionaries in Venezuela. Connie is the daughter of T. C. and Bobby Mills Grant. She was born in our community and grew up in the fellowship of this Church.
The second Ecumenical Choir Festival of East Marion, sponsored by the East Marion Chamber of Commerce, was held at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church on Thursday, December 14, 1990, at 7:00 P.M. Choirs from Churches in the area brought songs of this glorious season of the birth of Jesus.
Our Church Council recommended that our Church participate in World Mission Conference sponsored by the Marion Baptist Association on October 14-17, 1990.
On April 4, 1990, Reverend John Temoschuk resignation was read and approved, effective April 30, 1990. Reverend Temoschuk, who had been our Pastor since January 19, 1983, will be retiring from full time pastorate.
On May 9, 1990, our Church selected Reverend Marshall Boroughs as Interim Pastor to serve until a regular Pastor could be called. He and his wife, Margaret, by love and dedication, have endeared themselves to all of us.
On July 11, 1990, at our Church Conference, Reverend Jimmy Snell, by majority vote, was called as our new Pastor. Reverend Snell, wife, Bobbie, and their three children, Tammy, Pamela and Jamie, started their work with us on August 27, 1990. We look forward to great work for the Lord with the joint effort of our Church members and Reverend Snell and family.
Our Church, located on the northern shore of Mothershed Lake (now known as Church Lake), in the beautiful Ocala National Forest, continues to thrive as it attempts to serve the needs of our community. Again we celebrate another Homecoming — our 135th — and we praise God and give thanks for the labors of His willing servants.
| Robert Hilts | October 30, 1988 |
| Nicholas Wehring | October 30, 1988 |
| Steve Bohannon | October 30, 1988 |
This additional history compiled by the Church Historical Committee, consisting of Mr. Richard Mills, Chairman, Mrs. Ellen Henderson Hutto, Mr. Nuby Shealy, Mrs. Fay Holly Rogers, Mrs. Caroline Welihoner Farmer, and Mrs. Hope Howard Holden.
| Samuel Thomas Stanaland | 1867 |
| J. P. Parker | 1875 - 1882 |
| W. J. Hughes | 1883 - 1889 |
| Harmon C. Martin | 1889 - 1898 |
| Benjamin I. Hull | 1899 |
| T. N. Spicer | 1900 - 1901 |
| J. P. Reaves | 1902 - 1904 |
| Z. A. Crumpton | 1905 - 1906 |
| Newton B. Plummer | 1907 - 1909 |
| Robert Furman Rogers | 1910 |
| J. Haraldson | 1911 (1st Half) |
| Edward Marion Henderson | 1911 (2nd Half) |
| W. L. Martin | 1912 |
| R.J. Gorbet | 1913 |
| Benjamin I. Hull (Uncle Sam) | 1914 - 1915 |
| Robert Furman Rogers | 1916 |
| Hawley E. Ridenour | 1917 - 1918 |
| R. Strickland | 1919 |
| Gus Padgett | 1920 - 1922 |
| J. C. Boatwright | 1923 - 1924 |
| R. E. Burke | 1925 - 1926 |
| P. M. Yeargan | 1927 - 1928 |
| James L. Moore | 1929 - 1934 |
| Almer Kelly | 1935 |
| James L. Moore | 1936 - 1942 |
| David M. Gardner, Jr. | Oct. 1942 - 1943 |
| Harold Mitchell | Oct. 1943 – Aug. 1945 |
| Walter R. Faust | 1946 - 1947 |
| J. R. Vasser | 1948 - 1950 |
| Walter I. Lampp | Dec. 24, 1950 – June 22, 1963 |
| Raymond L. Estes | Dec. 18, 1963 – April 27, 1981 |
| John Tucker | Dec. 30, 1981 – May 5, 1982 |
| John Temoschuk | Jan. 19, 1983 – April 30, 1990 |
| Jimmy Snell | Aug. 27, 1990 - |
According to old church minutes, 1871 - 1881, we should add the following names as pastors of the church:
| Bro. Kerkien | 1871 |
| Bro. Mcglan (McLain?) | 1872 |
| Bro. Hull | 1873 |
| Bro. Canton | 1874 |
| Bro. Hamon | 1874 |
Also, according to a copy of an old associational letter, S.T. Stanley (Stanaland) was pastor in 1864 as well as 1867.
Old Cemeteries East of The Ocklawaha River
Lake Kerr, Pats Island, Powell Town (Gore), Conner Graham, Old Ocklawaha Bridge Ocklawaha Bridge, Griggs, Hull, Chalker, Stanaland, Lake Bryant, Electra, Moss Bluff
![[Map]](Page_26.jpg)
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