HISTORY

In 1978, when a small group of Baptists began meeting in homes in the Fruit Cove area, State Road 13 was a quiet, scenic, two-lane highway. As State Road 13 has changed, so has the church which grew from the original band of believers.

Members who were a part of that first fellowship group fondly remember meeting in the Switzerland Volunteer Fire Department, after the group outgrew its members' homes. "It was a spiritually growing experience, but we had some hardships as well," acknowledged charter member Sue Bailey. "I remember that we froze in the winter and fried in the summer; and rain on the tin roof overpowered any preacher's voice."

The growing fellowship became Fruit Cove Baptist Mission under the sponsorship of Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville. The mission formally constituted as a church in March 1983, and called its first full-time pastor, Archer Thorpe. The congregation also bought nine acres of land along State Road 13.

The church's first building was completed in 1982, and an educational building was added three years later. The 15,000-square-foot-fan-shaped worship center was dedicated April 6, 1997, the 19th anniversary of the first meeting in the Switzerland fire station.

On the occasion of the dedication of the worship center, Pastor Tim Maynard stated that the occasion was "a great day for us. But there will be many more. We do not see this building as an end product. We are at the beginning, not the end."

The "great days" of Fruit Cove Baptist Church continue. On July 20, 2003, the church dedicated our ROC (Reaching Our Community) Family Life Building. This 18,000-square-foot building accommodates our preschool, youth, and some adult Sunday School classrooms. The gym is used by the Upward Sports program as well as the community during our open gym times. During the week, our Weekday Preschool uses the first floor facilities.

Renovations were completed in October on our Children's Building. And the building continues. In May of 2005, the church will begin its next phase of construction with expansion to our Worship Center and parking lots.

As the community of Fruit Cove grows, the church is committed to growing to meet its needs. The congregation of more than 2,100 is following God's leadership in fulfilling its stated purpose: Fruit Cove Baptist Church exists equip the people, engage the culture, and embrace the world