One Hundred years ago, a group of devout African American Baptists, realizing that “in unity there is strength,” met and organized what is now the Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association. The churches were from a wide area extending as far west as Sanford and Deland, running eastward to Daytona Beach and southward to Key West. The Association's main objectives - missions and education.
During the 1904 Annual Session held at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, the women marveled at the great work the brothers were doing and requested that they be organized. Their request was granted and the Women’s Division was formed.
Due to the vastness of the district, rather than dissension, which is the consensus of opinion, and the Association divided. The northern section chose the name of the Mount Zion N.E. Coast, and the southern section was called the Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association. Whereas Mount Zion N.E. Coast was to include all of Brevard and Volusia Counties; Mount Bethel, Daytona Beach and Saint Paul, Cocoa, retained their membership in the Florida East Coast.
Leadership Profile
1903-1904 Rev. N. T. Hinton, Moderator
1904-1907 Rev. N. B. Williams, Moderator
1904-1907 Sis. A. J. Brown, President*
1907-1909 Rev. A. L. James, Moderator
1907-1941 Sis. Sarah McDaniel, President*
1909-1913 Rev. A. J. Brown, Moderator
1913-1917 Rev. J. T. Brown, Moderator
1917-1934 Rev. J. N. Stokes, Moderator
1934-1951 Rev. Drake, Moderator
1941-1971 Sis. A. O. Parker, President*
1951-1963 Rev. J. H. Dolphus, Moderator
1963-1977 Rev. O. W. Foster, Moderator
1971-1974 Sis. Doretha Wright, President*
1977-1985 Rev. P. W. Williams, Moderator
1974-1985 Sis. Elnora Alford, President*
1985-1995 Rev. Dr. W. O. Wells, Moderator
1985-1995 Sis. Effie Ross, President*
1995-2002 Rev. Arthur Jackson, Jr., Moderator (passed away on 8/8/02)
1995-2003 Sis. Andel Mickens, President*
2002-2003 Rev. I. S. Clark, Jr., Moderator
2003-2007 Rev. C.P Preston. Jr., Moderator
2003-2007 Sis. Mary Johnson, President*
2007- Rev. C. P. Preston. Jr., Moderator
2007- Sis. Angelia Shellman, President*
*President of the Women’s Convention
The Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association meets the Monday after the second Sunday in February for five days.
