Southside Primitive Baptist Church

"The End Of Your Search For a Friendly Church"

3737 Forest Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida

 
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Why do we hold fast to the doctrines of grace? Scriptural resource.

Church History

During 1957 Elder David O. Payne, Pastor of the Riverside Primitive Baptist Church in Jacksonville envisioned the need for a church in south Jacksonville. That area was growing rapidly and several of the members lived in that area of the city. Those members and others supported Elder Payne in this endeavor. Elder Payne worked very diligently with these members and others to see that everything was done properly.

The Riverside Primitive Baptist Church was called into conference on March 30, 1958, for the purpose of constituting a new church on the south side in Jacksonville, Florida.

Brother James Holsonback gave a statement, that due to population growth, the Progressive Primitive Baptists needed more than two churches and the southside area was growing rapidly. He made a motion, seconded by Brother I.H. Simms, to constitute a new church in the Southside. The motion was carried.

The Presbytery was formed by the following Elders / Licentiate:

  • David O. Payne, Moderator
  • J. Ernest Thomas, Clerk
  • S.C. Davis
  • J. Harley Chapman
  • Earl H. York
  • Lic. Isaac H. Simms

Deacons present were:

  • J.C. Baker
  • G.D. Bethea
  • F.W. Branch
  • W.E. James
  • J.D. Palmer
  • H.F. Stevens
  • S.E. Taylor
  • W.M. Tomlinson
  • M.P. Williams

The following individuals expressed a desire to be charter members of the new church by letters of transfer of membership.

From the Riverside Church:

  • Ovander Chambless
  • Mary Duggan
  • Julian Dixon
  • Julia Dixon
  • Ralph Edwards
  • Allie J. Giroir
  • Carrie L. Giroir
  • James Holsonback
  • Polly Holsonback
  • Jimmy Holsonback
  • Irene Kicklighter
  • Mrs. Bethel McCormick
  • W.B. McCormick
  • Olga Martin
  • Frank Martin
  • Waltee Martin
  • Mrs. Wylene Parker
  • Hoyt B. Simms
  • Mildred Simms
  • J. Earl Thomas
  • Pauline Thomas

From the Springfield Primitive Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida:

  • J.O. Harvey
  • Margaret Harvey
  • Ronald Harvey

From the Pavo Primitive Baptist Church, Pavo, Georgia:

  • Mr. And Mrs. C.J Prosser

From the Fitzgerald Primitive Baptist Church., Fitzgerald, Georgia:

  • Elder Paul Bullington
  • Leone Bullington

From the Henderson Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, Ocilla, Georgia:

  • Clyde Paul Riles

The following individuals were baptized as charter members of the new church:

  • Donald Hair
  • Gladys Hair
  • Hobson Martin

This congregation met for a short time at the Lakewood Woman’s Club and in some churches’ sunday school rooms for morning services. Then they began meeting at the Arlington Community Center for morning and evening services. The Faith Circle was organized very soon after the constitution.

In May 1958 the church called Lic. Hoyt Simms to be Interim Pastor. He accepted the call and was ordained June 26, 1958. Elder Simms resigned October 28 of that year to go to Delray Beach.

In June 1958 the church approved the purchase of the present property on Forest Boulevard. This purchase was completed October 30, 1958.

Southside has supported various denominational organizations from the very beginning; and appreciates the support from her sister churches and the Primitive Baptist Foundation.

By June 26, 1960, the lot had been staked off for construction of the church building. On September 18, 1960, the congregation held its first worship service in their new building. A formal dedication service was observed on December 11, 1960.

The first communion service in the new building was observed on April 2, 1961. The communion set was a gift from the Riverside Church while the towels and basins were given by the Faith Circle.

On September 18, 1962, the church approved the purchase of a parsonage at 3211 Plumtree Drive, the present parsonage.

The kitchen and air conditioning were added to the church in 1964. In 1969, the foyer with the steeple, paneling, and carpet were added to the church. In 1982 pews were purchased and a dining room was added.

Stephen Merritt Langley  was made a Licensee and Interim Pastor in 2002. He was later ordained on July 30th 2004.

The Lord has graciously blessed the Southside Primitive Baptist Church for over forty-four years of service. It is our humble prayer that we have and will continue to serve Him well in the years to come.

PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED SOUTHSIDE

  • Elder Hoyt B. Simms (3/58 - 10/58)
  • Elder J. Ernest Thomas (10/58 -6/60)
  • Elder Clifford E. Price (6/60 - 7/62)
  • Elder I. Herbert Simms (7/62 - 6/64)
  • Elder Jarvis D. Johnson (6/64 - 10/68)
  • Elder Paul B. Bullington (10/68 - 6/69)
  • Elder Remer Spivey (6/69 - 6/70)
  • Elder Mitchell Joiner (6/76 -7/84; 1/86 - 1/96)
  • Elder Joe Smith (2/98 -4/00)
  • Elder Stephen Meritt Langley, Pastor (1/02-present)

 

This document was originally compiled and written by Sister Emily Joiner for the "40 Year Commemorative of Southside Primitive Baptist Church."  It has been updated to reflect current events and information.