A History and Legacy
1883
The first record that we have of any church being built in what is now Pinellas County, was the Anona Methodist Episcopal Church. It was 1883 and the church was built of logs but was soon discarded and a new church was erected using sawn lumber brought in by cargo vessels on the Gulf of Mexico.
1887
The next church to be organized was St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. The first meeting recorded for the formation was held on April 20th, 1887. It was located at 22nd Avenue South and 19th Street. The Church was constructed of heart pine and in what has been known as Florida Gothic Architecture. The Boards were nailed perpendicularly with batten boards over the seams. The church had a very steep roof and its dimensions were 18 feet by 40 feet. Though it has been enlarged fives times, the original building is incorporated in the modern building so that the claim is that St. Bartholomew’s is the oldest church still worshipping in its original building. St. Bartholomew’s at its inception became a mission and remained so until 1947 when it gained Parish status.
The. Rev Edwin Gardner Weed became the Bishop of Florida in 1886. A few years before this the Diocese of Florida had been divided into three convocations. The Archdeacon of the Southern Convocation, to which this territory belonged, was the Rev. J. H. Wedell, Rector of St. Andrew’s in Tampa. Thus the first official step toward opening St. Bartholomew’s was to contact the Bishop to determine the proper procedure. This evidently had been done and he had written the Rev Gilbert Holt White, a Canadian clergyman, who was here for his health, to ask him to assist the people in formulating and organizing the new church.
Fr. White arranged a meeting at the residence of Mr. Robert Stanton on April 20, 1887. Those present were Madames Stanton and Sterling, and Messers Beck and Godden. The letter from Archdeacon Wedell was read to those present. The Archdeacon’s letter indicated that the he was designated the “Principal Minister” in the County. Mr. W. H. Godden made the motion to carry out the instructions in the letter, subject to the approval of Bishop Weed. The motion passed and they proceeded to elect the first and following officers of this new church. Mr. Robert Stanton, Sr. Warden; Mr. Herbert Beck, Jr. Warden; Dr, John B. Abercrombie, Treasurer; Mr. W.H. Godden, Secretary.
The following documents are copies of the original minutes of the meeting in which St. Bartholomew’s was to become a reality.
While this is the first recorded meeting to organize, it must have been the culmination of a great deal of pre-planning and organizational efforts. The historic record reflects that an entertainment venue was conducted to raise money for the building of St. Bartholomew’s Church and it was held in what was recorded to be the Sterling Hotel in Pinellas County. Two plays were presented, one called “Turn Him Out” and the other “Old Phil’s Birthday”. These were presented on December 29 and 30, 1886. The obvious conclusion was that planning and rehearsals took at least several months. It is important that we identify the participants at this important time, as it was the historic formulation of the Church. Participants in the entertainment were Messer’s J.M. Watt, J.P.G. Watt, P.J. Laurence, H. Beck, A.D. Watt, and Misses Watt and Abercrombie.
As has been previously stated the first meeting to organize St. Bartholomew’s was held on Wednesday, April 20, 1887. Father White followed this up by having the first Prayer Book service on the following Sunday. History does not state where the service was held.
May 30, 1887, Bishop Weed accepted the group as an organized mission and suggested the name of St. Bartholomew’s, stating, “This is the first Mission which I have named in Florida”. During September the Vestry Committee passed a motion dedicating the Mission to that Saint.
October 5th of that year, before the Church building was built, history tells us that St. Bartholomew’s had two missions and arrangements were made to have two services per month. The first Sunday of the month the service would be held at “Disston”. The specific location is unknown, however Gulfport at that time was known as Disston City, and 49th Street was known as Disston Avenue. It is believed that the services were held in a private home or lodging house in that area. The fourth Sunday of the month the Service was to be held at “Bayou” which was later called the “Church of the Holy Spirit” and would seem to have been located somewhere near First Avenue and Ninth Street. This conclusion is supported further as a church by that name was built in that vicinity at a later time. The “Bayou” mission was thus to be the father church of St. Peter’s in down town St., Petersburg. The “Disston” mission went out of existence in less than a year, but the notable issue is that St. Bartholomew’s, before it was a year old, was providing missions to nearby settlements. One of which, St. Peter’s, continues to exist to the day of this writing.
Providing for the congregation had, from appearances, taken priority over the building of their church as evidenced by its mission work. Additionally, these loyal Churchmen wrote to their homeland in England and a total of $383.00 was raised and sent to them for construction. Friends in America contributed $246.00 and $44.00 was raised by the congregation, that included the conducting of a Church Bazaar. Dr. and Mrs. Abercrombie donated the land for the Church and the Cemetery and the Church was completed in the fall of 1887.
The building Committee for the original building of St. Bartholomew’s identified each construction specification in great detail down to the dimensions of structural timbers and the tongue and groove flooring. The specifications included the thickness and the wood to be used. All contracts were hand written in the fine penmanship of the time and are retained in the Church’s archives storage at 3747 34th. St. S.
1888
The Rev. Gilbert Holt White was the first Rector and served until 1891. Photographic records indicate that the congregation consisted of 14 men, 10 ladies, and 5 children. The Diocesan Journal of 1888 records indicate that they had 13 communicants. 1890 historical photographic records indicate additionally there was the Stanton family of 8, the Abercrombie family of 5, the Beck family of 2 and one each from the families; Butler, Harrison, Powell, Jones-Parry, Keddie, Maranda, White, Watt and Seabrook.
It should be noted that not until 1888, did the first train arrive in St. Petersburg and the first building lots were being plotted.
1889
Mr. Jacob Baum presented St. Bartholomew’s Church with a lot on 11th Street between 5th Avenue North and Baum Avenue. This is the location where a small Chapel of the Holy Spirit, was built, and where it is believed the Rev. White provided religious services also.
The Rev. W.A. Noyle came to St. Bartholomew’s in 1889, having been appointed Archdeacon of the Gulf Coast at that time. Father Noyle had been a student of the Science and Art Department at South Kensington, England. In 1875 he heard Mr. H.M. Stanley plead for missionaries and teachers to go to Africa. He had immediately resigned his promising prospects in business to study for orders with the idea of going to the Dark Continent. When his studies were completed, because of family and other reasons he was unable to go abroad. Instead he accepted a parish in his homeland and later came to Florida. While in Florida he experienced some unique phases of church work. He traveled by land and sea in this newly developed country, erecting several churches, being his own architect and master builder. The Rev Noyle experienced two epidemics of yellow fever and suffered considerably from dengue fever and malarial effects, in 1892, he returned to England and accepted a church there.
1891
Historical records of the Church indicate that Fr. W.A. Noyle was the second Rector. Some history books disagree and indicate that the Rev. Henry H. Ten Broeck was the second Rector. The Diocesan Journal records that Rev Ten Broeck left this section for work elsewhere in 1894. The first Vestry minute book of St. Peter’s reflects in the first entry of the June 1894 meeting, that reads as follows; “As soon as the foundation of St. Petersburg was laid a lot for a church was given by Mr. Jacob Baum and under the ministration of The Rev Gilbert Holt White a church was built in 1889. The work was under the management of the Vestry of St. Bartholomew’s. This arrangement continued during the pastorate of his successor, the Rev. Henry W. Ten Broeck who was in charge of both missions for two years.” An explanation is offered in an effort to unravel the confusion stated herein. It is believed that Fr. Noyle came to St. Bartholomew’s and assisted Fr. White, as Fr. White’s health was not good. It is further believed that Fr. Noyle then took Fr. White’s place for about two years. Then Fr. Ten Broeck took his place in 1892. Thus Fr. Ten Broeck was the third rather than the second Rector of St. Bartholomew’s. In 1891 the weekly giving was from one to five dollars per family. Records were kept by name similar to the methods of today. Many of the names were prominent in the history of St. Petersburg such as Abel Miranda, whose home on Big Bayou, near 30th Avenue south and 6th Street was attacked in 1862 by Union cannon fire from a boat during the Civil War for alleged support of the Confederate troops. The raiding party of federal troops and some Tories (southern union supporters) landed and burned the home to the ground with all its contents and belongings of Miranda. Another was the Baum family who gave land for the mission on 11th Street near Central Avenue. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit was to eventually be relocated and become St. Peter’s Cathedral. These records are also preserved in the Church’s archives at the 34th Street South location.
1891 to 1894
A number of people of St. Bartholomew’s moved closer to the railroad. A Trolley was also built along what is now Tangerine Avenue (18 Avenue So) from what is now Gulfport to 9th Street and then to downtown St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg became a town in 1892 and later incorporated as a City in 1907. The Detroit Hotel was built by this time and the reported communicant strength of St. Bartholomew’s was 37.
1894
Bishop Gray had become Bishop of the missionary district of Southern Florida in 1892, decided that St. Petersburg, rather than Pinellas should be the center for the Diocese. The Bishop called the Rev. G.S. Southwell to take charge in the area. Indications are that he held Morning Prayer at St. Bartholomew’s and another service elsewhere in Pinellas. During his tenure St. Bartholomew’s transferred the title of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit to the new Church which now was called St. Peters. The building was moved to the present location on 2nd Avenue North and 4th Street. St. Bartholomew’s continued its services for some time as recalled by Mr. Charles M. Gray, the son of the Rector of St. Peter’s during the first decade of the new century. He remembers going with his father to St. Bartholomew’s and playing the organ there during services.
1905
No report was made in the Diocesan Journal for St. Bartholomew’s until 1905, when it was reported that there were only five communicants. Indications are that a large number of the congregation transferred to St. Peter’s during this period. Worship services at St. Bartholomew’s were not discontinued until after Fr. Gray’s death in 1910.
1924
In 1924, a number of former parishioners of St. Bartholomew’s met in the house of Mr. Alexander Lee and preliminary work was undertaken towards the reopening of the Church. Other meetings followed which resulted in a request to Bishop Mann to secure a regular clergyman for St. Bartholomew’s. As the new plans emerged it was determined that the original Church building should be enlarged. This was accomplished by having the east end of the building (the Altar end) moved back so as to make room for a choir. Mr. Clifton Lilly, who was a Vestry member at the time, engineered this task. A new Rectory, or Vicarage, was also built. This was 36 feet by 36 feet, a two-story structure with 8 rooms, 2 baths, 4 screened porches and a built in garage. The cost was $7,000.00. Mrs. Sara Hall loaned the money for the enlargement of the Church, and at her death the debt was cancelled as included in her will. At this time Mr. M.P. McKinny gave a walk leading up to the Church as a gift to St. Bartholomew’s. Now that the arrangements were in process The Rev. H. J. Leake was called to be the Priest in Charge.
1925
Father Leake was a Canadian, one of several called to service in St. Bartholomew’s Church. He was noted to have a keen sense of humor and was held in high affection by all who knew him. He had two daughters who sang in the choir. The communicant strength grew so that in 1925, it was reported to the Diocese that the communicant strength was 57.
1926
Fr. Leake resigned and was succeeded by The Rev Robert A. Tufft for a few months. Then The Rev. E.A. Dunham came, but also only for a few months.
This was Easter 1926. Notice the Pipe organ and the absence of the Rose and Sower windows behind the Altar. These windows appear to have been given to the St. Petersburg Historical Museum when the Rose and Sower windows were installed. . They were reportedly recovered later and installed in each of the side walls.
1927
The next clergyman to serve St. Bartholomew’s was a Deacon, the Rev G.L.G. Thomas. Deacon Thomas was ordained a Priest on October 18th, 1927. At this time The Rev. Father Paraphillas, of the Hellenic Orthodox Church in Tarpon Springs, was present and assisted in the laying on of hands. His Vestments were very much admired and, in the opinion of some historians of St. Bartholomew’s, the scene demonstrated the closeness between our own and the Greek Orthodox Church.
1928
Father Thomas stayed for two years. In 1928 he reported an increase in communicant strength to 164. Fr. Tufft had reported a strength of only 45. However, a notation at the bottom of his parochial report might explain the report of 45. “Church members, (all baptized persons) are 311. They attend Church services but are not necessarily Episcopalians. Those baptized in the Episcopal Church are 266, and the communicants are 164”
1929
Father Fredrick W.B. Dorset became the supply priest after Father Thomas left. Late in 1929, what was then called the Parish House was completed. This was what was later called the Choir room, and was attached to the northeast corner of the Church. (where the working Sacristy is located on the 34th Street So. site.) It was thought at that time to be sufficiently large for all parish house purposes. It was dedicated by Father Dorset upon completion. Money for this construction was loaned by a friend and was paid off by the Women’s Auxiliary of which Mrs. Marceline Mayo Bennett was president, and Mrs. L. H. Strum was Treasurer. Many of the congregation gave family heirlooms, jewelry and silverware to support the project. The Rev. C. H. Bascom was the supply priest for the summer.
1930
1930.Rev. C. H. Bascom became the Priest in Charge in 1930. From time to time the Rev. Sidney Potter and the Rev. Dr. George Farber answered the call of need in this period. Father Bascom, having arrived in the beginning of the great depression, experienced the hardships of the time. In 1931 the Treasurer resigned and Fr. Bascom had to take over the duties of Treasurer also.
1931
In 1930 the membership was 80 and by 1931 had reduced to 50. The 1935 Diocesan Journal reports that the Church was vacant but the communicant strength had climbed to 102, an apparent error in the records.
1935-1948
Fr. Sidney Potter was supply Priest from February 1935 until the summer of 1936. The Rev. George E. Farber and The Rev. F.J. Wilson provided supply Priest services until the next full time Priest could be secured for duty. This period brought the Rev Warren Caufield Cable as Vicar. He was in charge until 1945 through the war years. Upon his retirement on September 25, 1945 he went to the Gray Home where he was the Chaplain until he passed away later that year. He had come into the ministry late in life, being ordained Deacon in 1923 and Priest in 1924. He had lead churches in St. Cloud and Kissimmee for a year and then to Dade City. For three years he left the Diocese to go to Peru, Indiana and then returned to Bartow, Florida until 1936 at which time he came to St. Bartholomew’s.
Fr. Cable was described at short and stocky with pure white hair. He taught Sunday School as well as conducted regular services. He stayed eight years and it was said that during that time he often had difficulty getting an organist for the services. Fr. Cable, provided violin music as a substitute for organ music. When an organist was available he was said to have a strong fine voice for singing. He was well liked by the congregation and upon his departure the Lay Readers kept the Church open taking turns conducting the services. One of those Lay Readers, Mr. Dick Clark was also credited with having provided major support for the start up of the Church of the Advent. He eventually became a perpetual Deacon. Fr. Leroy D Lawson provided the Holy Communion services during this time on a monthly basis.
Fr. Lawson was at the time serving as Chaplain at the Merchant Marine Training Base in the City. While Father Cable had been very short, Father Lawson was quite tall, a reported 6’8’’. One humorous event occurred with Fr. Lawson when one of the Vestry persons determined that some members of the congregation were concerned and observed what they believed was the introduction by Fr. Lawson of a new ritual at the Altar. The ritual as observed was that whenever Fr. Lawson passed in front of the Altar, he “ducked” very low but didn’t genuflect or bow as was commonly done. The Vestry person, on behalf of members of the congregation inquired of Fr. Lawson for an explanation, the answer was, “If you hit your head on the Sanctuary lamp as hard as I did you would duck too.” The Sanctuary lamp was immediately adjusted to eliminate the hazard and the “ritual” occurred no more. When Fr. Lawson’s tour of duty at the Maritime training center was completed, he went to St. Peter’s as an assistant for two years. He then accepted the Rectorship of St. Barnabas Church in DeLand Florida.
Due to rapid increases in costs of living, a financial crisis was perceived. Because of this, consideration was given to closing St. Bartholomew’s and having the congregation go to St. Peter’s. The Vestry took the question into consideration and after a somewhat stormy Vestry session it was decided that something definitely must be done. The “something” turned out to be an intensive every member canvas. The intention was not only for the financial resources of the church but also for the generation of church attendance and interest. The committee went from house to house over a large geographic area of St. Petersburg and it is reported that the work met with success.
Easter Sunday April 25, 1943, a new set of stain glass windows were dedicated in the Ecclesiastical (now the West End) end of the Church Sanctuary. The “Rose” window.
This is the Rose Window (Center) and the Sower Windows (each side) that were installed in 1943 and ’44 respectively.
The Theme of the center window, the Rose Window, is carried out in the tradition of the 12th century French Glass. It depicts the first meeting of our Savior and St. Bartholomew. The border is alternately pierced with decorative symbols of the Dove and the Sword, the latter symbolizing the flaying of the martyred St. Bartholomew. This window, which was dedicated on the Easter Sunday of 1943, was given by Mrs. Mary Selfridge, as a memorial to her husband, Harold Selfridge, and his father , Admiral T.O. Selfridge.
The two windows on either side of the Rose Window were called by the artist the “Sower Windows” because of the medallions pictured which are scenes from the parable of the Sower. These windows were given by Mrs. Veronica Acheson Mackey, in memory of her husband, Cyrus Fay Mackey, and were dedicated on Easter Sunday April 9, 1944.
The three windows were created by George Snow Hill. This included the designing, cutting of the glass, and painting of the details, which were fired on the glass in a kiln. Then came the assembly and supervising the installation. His technique was based on the account given by the Monk Theophilus on the making of stained glass in the middle ages.
Mr. Hill was a resident of St. Petersburg and a communicant at St. Peter’s. He was well known for his talent and his works, which adorned numerous public buildings. Mr. Hill passed from this life in 1969. However, Mr. Hill’s works of the “Rose’ and “Sower” windows were carefully removed and reinstalled in the Church building at the time of its relocation to the 34th Street property. Mr. Charles Mackey then provided a gift of Lexan coverings from the outside to protect the windows. He gave these in memory of his mother, Mrs. Veronica Acheson Mackey. The success of the previously mentioned every member canvas resulted in the calling and acceptance of the Rev. Arnold Charnock.
By January 1st of 1946, the Diocesan Journal recorded 148 communicants at St. Bartholomew’s. Fr Charnock arrived for services at St. Bartholomew’s on Ash Wednesday 1946 and started with enthusiasm. Fr. Charnock was born in England. He first came to south Florida as a member of the Church Army. In New England teams had gone from place to place on bicycles. Florida’s distances were so great that they came by train and then traveled around the parishes and missions on bicycles. Twenty-mile rides by bicycle were not unusual for the clergy. It was said that Fr. Charnock continued his zeal and success even 20 years later.
The Church Army could best be described as the Episcopal version of the Salvation Army. It is reported that there were uniforms and ranks associated with Church Army personnel. It appears that the organization no longer exists except in a few Dioceses in other states. Fr. Charnock was engaged by Bishop Wing to go to the Marco Island area, a fishing village, in the ten thousand-islands. There he worked for two years at a miniscule salary of $50.00 per month with no car allowance. Then he went to the University of the South at Sewanee, and the DuBose Training School at Mont Eagle, both of which are in Tennessee. In 1943 he was ordained Deacon and in the same year he was sent to assist the Rector in Clearwater. While there he had various missions to which he ministered. He was put in charge, when he was ordained a Priest in the same year. From that point on, essentially his entire ministry was spent in Pinellas County. He worked in Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs and for a time in New Port Richey. By 1947, the number had increased to 170. With this strength the congregation applied for parish status in the convention (presumably Diocesan) and were so admitted in 1947. St. Bartholomew’s had remained a mission from its inception in 1887 until this time when it became a Parish. During this same year the Church incorporated as a non-profit organization. The action is recorded in the Pinellas Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in Book 17, Page 331. 1948 was recorded that another increase in parishioners had taken place and the number was now, 207. With these numbers growing it was determined that a larger parish house was needed as well as other ancillary buildings. By the end of that year the parish had completed what they later called the “Original Parish House”. This was constructed of concrete block, single story containing an assembly room, kitchen and washrooms at a total cost of $47,000.00.
1949 - 1951
The next year was 1949 and the usable space was used up and the congregation felt that it was too small for their growing needs. The communicant strength was now at 247 as of January 1st. The north side of the building was taken out and the north aisle was built. (This aisle is now the South aisle on the 38th Avenue South site.) St. Bartholomew’s continued to grow and by January 1st. 1950 the membership had risen to 285. The year of 1950 was a quiet year and the membership continued to swell to 390 by January 1st. 1951.
During many of the successive expansions of the Church, The original edifice continued to be incorporated into the design. Notice the absence of side aisles.
In addition to Fr. Charnock’s work with St. Bartholomew’s parish he was also working on a Sunday school at the gulf beaches west of St. Petersburg. His work was eventually to blossom into a new mission and then into a new Church of the Advent. By 1950 the people asked for services as well as Sunday school and with the help of lay readers this was accomplished.
The Church of the Advent was begun in 1950 as St. Ambrose Church, sponsored by St. Bartholomew’s and later by St, Peter’s. The church later took the name of Church of the Advent and still later the name was changed to St. Alban’s and continues at this writing.
The year of 1951 was another building year; the congregation and Vestry removed the south wall of the church to make a south side aisle. (This aisle is now the north aisle in the sanctuary at the 34th Street site.) This modification increased the seating capacity to 400 and the congregation continued to swell until by January 1st of 1952 the membership was 450. The rapid membership expansion dictated that St. Bartholomew’s must have more room. The Rectory was considered too close to the to the Church and it was joked that a person in Church could shake hands with a person in the Rectory. The Rectory was then moved 160 feet north. There was a period of “architectural” rest for several years but the congregation continued to grow.
1956 - 1967
In 1956 it was up to 594 members. The “Old Parish House” became known as the Church Annex, as it was attached to the Church. This building was then remodeled to make room for Choir and Sacristy space. The Sunday school had been growing with the increase in membership and in 1956 the Vestry determined that the “Original Parish House” needed to be enlarged. Two new wings and a second story were added to make more room. Air conditioning was added for a total construction cost of $70,000.00 and the communicant strength continued to grow to 668.
The years of 1957 and 1958 were a time for making adjustments and finding more space as the congregation continued to expand to 762 in 1959.
In 1962, The Rev. Dwight A. Filkins became Rector of St. Bartholomew’s. Fr. Filkins was known as a kindly person but better known for his normal everyday attire of Bermuda shorts, sandals and a bright red Buick convertible.
The year was 1965, the communicant counts dropped significantly during this period mostly due to parishioners moving to other areas of the City.
By 1966 the loss of parishioners became such a serious concern that the Congregation and Vestry was forced into serious decision-making. The property was appraised and the value brought up to date.
During this time the New Hope Baptist Church became interested in the church property and on the 26th of January 1967 the Trustees of the Diocese of SW Florida granted permission to move the Church building to 34th Street and 38th Avenue South.
1968 - 1969
This was the 80th year of the continuing existence of St. Bartholomew’s Church. Fr. Filkins arrived in a horse drawn buggy and the congregation joined together to celebrate the event by dressing in period dress of 1887.
In the picture one can observe the Vestry in long coats and top hats. The pictures were taken prior to the relocation of the Church to the 34th Street address. On 28 March 1968 the Trustees of the Diocese gave approval for the completion of the sale of the property, less the Church building and Cemetery to the New Hope Baptist Church for a sum of $72,000.00. May 31, 1968 the sale was completed netting St. Bartholomew’s after closing adjustments, the sum of $51,875.93. The sale of the property on 19th Street and 22nd Avenue South carried some terms and conditions as part of the sale. St. Bartholomew’s had to build a wall between the Oakdale Cemetery and the property that was sold. This condition required that some graves must be moved in order to construct the wall. To do so the Rector and the Vestry had to obtain permission from the next of kin to disturb the remains, in addition permission had to be obtained from the Florida Department of Health. Many of the known gravesites had no known living next of kin and required complex approval processes that are known only to the few that were charged with solving the problems. To further complicate matters there were graves of which there were no records. These were presumably unauthorized burials by family members who could not afford to purchase burial plots.
The total gravesites relocated elsewhere in the Cemetery were in excess of 18. The terms and conditions of the sale were met and St. Bartholomew’s was prepared to move forward to their new location. St. Bartholomew’s, from its humble beginnings, until the relocation was finished on the interior had no air conditioning, and the interior wall structural members (ie: 2x4’s) were exposed to the congregation. This obviously provided for no insulation or heating. A parishioner could look through the cracks in the vertical planking on the exterior of the building and watch traffic on 22nd Avenue while seated in the pews of the Sanctuary. Later that year on 31 December St. Bartholomew’s purchased 2.5 acres of land on the NW corner of 38th Avenue South and 34th Street from Allstate Insurance Company for a sale price of $75,000.00.
The last services on the property and church building on 19th Street So. were held on August 3, 1969. Then on August 10th of that year services began in temporary facilities of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Union Building at 2500 34th Street So. On September 1st of 1969 a First Mortgage bond was issued in the amount of $65,000.00; with this source of funding St. Bartholomew’s selected architect Robert L. Miller and would now to begin the dismantling process and moving of the Church building to its new site at 3747 34th Street South. The dismantling was selected as the Church was too tall to move in one piece.
1970
1970 the relocation and reconstruction is nearing completion. Notice the absence of the bell tower.
During relocation and reconstruction the Church was lengthened 16 feet. The side aisles, which had full-length pews, were reduced to two person pews. The altar was moved forward four feet to permit the Rector to minister from behind it and the Church office was, what is now (2007), the Vesting Sacristy. This put the Church proportionately in the same configuration as when it was originally built. During this time air conditioning and insulation were added. Neither of which had existed in the Church prior to its relocation. 1970 marked the completion of the relocation and re-assembly of St. Bartholomew’s Church building. On August 30, 1970 the first service was conducted in the new location although the construction was not complete at this time. The Rev. Dwight A. Filkins having endured the disassembly and reassembly of the Church building, resigned on November 30, 1970 in favor of retirement. He participated in some supply Priest activities before going into full retirement. The Rev Canon Walter Plumley replaced him as the Priest in Charge until a permanent Rector could be found.
1971
Rev. Canon John Birtch was called in 1971 to be the Rector of St. Bartholomew’s and accepted. Once again, the parish had reached into Canada for a permanent Rector. Cannon Birtch preached his first service on August 8, 1971. With Fr. Birtch came his wife Joanne who served as Organist and Choir director and his two children Maureen and Stephen. St. Bartholomew’s owned a home on Pinellas Point Drive So. which was provided as a Rectory for Canon Birtch and his family. The Birtch family resided there until his calling to Calgary Episcopal Church in Indian Rocks Florida. After Fr. Birtch’s departure the house was sold and the Church thereafter provided a housing allowance to its permanent Rectors.
1972
The Rev. Fred W. Milburn, in 1972, a retired Episcopal Priest, and the Father in law of Rev Birtch offered his services to assist. The Vestry accepted the offer and Fr. Milburn became the assistant to the Rector. On September 10, 1972 the Mackey wing, located on the northwest portion of the Church sanctuary was completed and dedicated completing the cruciform shape of the Church building. The construction was the bequest of Mrs. Veronica Achaeson Mackey a long time member of St. Bartholomew’s. Her son Charles who gave the wing in her name represented her. Numerous activities and groups existed during this time. The men of the Parish met for breakfast periodically and the under 30 members were participants in the young couples club. There was the ECW and several other social groups that built fellowship and a closeness within the members of St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Under Cannon Birtch’s leadership St. Bartholomew’s became involved in elaborate ceremonies as it related to Church Holy days. Easter had its pageant, as did Christmas. The Church parishioners often participated in life size nativity scenes during the Christmas Holidays with costumes borrowed from the Little Theater which at the time of this writing is still located on 31st Street So.
It is remembered that The Rev. Fred W. Milburn, conducted mini sermons for the young people prior to going to Sunday school. His talent was such that he could take a wilted flower and make a contemporary message in Christianity for the Children. Many of the adults indicated their enjoyment in Fr. Milburn’s mini sermons also.
One of the live nativity scenes presented by members of the congregation.
1973 - 1975
During 1973 And 1974 there was a period of re-growth and increased activity. The year opened with 195 families on the Church roster. It was now time to consider expansion. Once again the Vestry and congregation approved a program to raise money for the building of a Parish Hall. During the interim, before construction began a temporary, mobile type structure was purchased and installed just north of the paved parking lot in the rear of the church to serve as a parish hall until a permanent structure could be built.
In 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Nicholson hand made, with wood reportedly older than St. Bartholomew’s, the Church symbol plaques which are displayed on the Church Chancel screen. The Chancel screen was dedicated on September 1, 1974, in memory of Russell H. and Vergie B. Snively by their daughter, Mrs. Guy Nicholson, and in memory of Mr. Guy Nicholson’s parents, Baylor S. and Ida B. Nicholson, and his brothers and sisters.
The Four Evangelists
The circle denotes the eternity with the cross separating the circle into four sections. The section with the man’s head signifies St. Matthew, whose gospel was considered to deal more with the human side of Jesus’ life, than the other gospels. St. Mark is symbolized by the winged lion because he emphasizes the royalty or kingship of Jesus in his gospel. The lion is known as the “King of Beasts”, thus the image of the lion is a reflection of the kingly nature of Jesus. St. Luke is symbolized as the beast (cow or bull). The beast denotes the sacrifice and St. Luke seems to emphasize the sacrificial nature of Christ in his gospel. St. John is symbolized by the winged eagle. Just as the eagle soars to the heights of heaven in his daily flight, so did the gospel written by St. John soar to the heavens unto the throne of Grace. The spirit of Christ caught by the writing of St. John lifts the soul and mind of the reader like an eagle in flight.
The Hand of God
This symbol suggests the love, concern and compassion God had for man. God is not only the Almighty, Omnipotent Creator of the universe, but the understanding Father of his creation.
The Blood of Christ
The grapes together with the grains of wheat are symbolic of Holy Communion. Grapes also symbolize fruitfulness. The grapevine grew originally on the ground, over the walls, or on crude support. As time went on they were trained to grow on a trellis and eventually cultivated in large vineyards. The spiritual labor of Christians is often called working in the vineyards of the Lord.
The Bread of Life
The wheat is the main food product of Bible days and symbolically suggested a full bounty of the earth. Wheat suggests the body of Christ in Communion, but also was used to refer to the body of the Church, the Christian. The believers of Christ were classified as wheat, while the non-believers were known as weeds, or tares.
The Holy Spirit
The descending dove is most attributed to the Spirit, it expresses innocence and purity, it signifies the Holy Spirit and the Presence of God as hovering over the water or creation and above Jesus at his baptism. The symbol must always include the three-rayed nimbus.
Holy Baptism
The scallop shell is a symbol of baptism, especially the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. It is not certain how the shell originated as the baptismal symbol unless it was because they were so plentiful in the Galician shore of Spain where tradition records the Apostle James baptized vast numbers of early Christians. The shape of the shell provided a handy spoon, or cup, in which to dip up the water.
The Keys of the Kingdom
The crossed keys recall Peter’s confession of faith at Cesare Phillipi, and our Lord’s gift to him of the keys of the Kingdom.
The Sword of Spirit
The open bible with the sword behind it and the words “Spiritus Gladius” or “Sword of the Spirit” is symbolic of St. Paul, the first great Christian missionary, although not one of the original twelve. It refers to his mission of spreading the good news throughout every land.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour
The fish is the oldest symbol of Christ – the Greek word for fish is “ichthus.” The letters spell the word fish were the first letters of each word in the phrase, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.” Early Christians used this symbol to identify their faith and belief to one another, but at the same time, concealing their faith from their enemies.
Lamb of God
The lamb standing with the banner of victory-God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, is represented by Jesus Christ, or in the words of St. John, “God was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The banner of victory suggests the victorious nature of His Sacrifice.
1976
1976 brought to conclusion the first mortgage bond from 1969 that was now paid in full and retired. That bond is framed and located on the back wall of the Sanctuary on the 34th Street Property. The satisfaction is recorded in the Pinellas Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in volume #4491, page 636, on December 21, 1976. The Vestry authorized the planning and pledging campaign for a permanent Parish Hall. The Cemetery formerly known as the Oakdale Cemetery now known as the St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery was deeded back to the Diocese of Southwest Florida, along with a $40,000.00 escrow account for perpetual maintenance of the grounds of the property.
1978 - 1990
The permanent Parish Hall and Office building were completed and dedicated on June 19, 1978 by the Rt. Rev. E. Paul Haynes. The Parish Hall and office building were the gifts of the congregation. Canon Birtch received a call to Calvary Episcopal Church in Indian Rocks Beach Florida and accepted the call.
St. Bartholomew’s Parish Hall and Office in 2007 seen below.
In 1978, Fr. John E. Kulp was installed as Rector of St. Bartholomew’s on October 12, 1979. At the conclusion of his term of office, in January of 1981, Fr. Kulp joined the military to serve as a Chaplain. Fr. Frazer J. Bournes answered the call to St. Bartholomew’s and was installed in a new ministry by the Bishop E. Paul Haynes on September 13, 1981. Fr. Bournes served St. Bartholomew’s until 1983 at which time he retired partially and continued to serve as supply priest in the Diocese. Fr. Tom Ryan was called to be Rector and arrived in March of 1984. During his tenure significant renovations were made to the Altar and Chancel area. The Choir was moved to the west end of the sanctuary facing the congregation and organ. The Altar was moved down to where the choir chancel area had been and the area redesigned to bring the Altar closer to the people. New Altar rails were installed surrounding the free standing Altar and it continues to the present in that configuration. Under the oversight of Fr. Ryan a ground breaking took place for the construction of the Mavis Bidwell building, a building designed for the purpose of children’s education. Fr. Ryan left St. Bartholomew’s in June of 1988 for another calling. These renovations and new construction, including the parish hall and office were the design and under the oversight of architect Richard Kimbrough who was a parishioner at the time.
Fr. Bennett arrived on or about November 1988 as interim and remained with the parish for approximately six to seven months and in 1989 Fr. Harry Parsell was called by the Vestry to serve as the Rector and the call was accepted.
The Bidwell education building (seen below), located between the Parish Hall and the office on the west side of the property, was completed and dedicated in 1990. The construction costs were the kind donation of Mavis H. Bidwell, a long-standing parishioner.
1991
During March of 1991 the congregation of St. Bartholomew’s, under the guidance of Fr. Harry Parsell dedicated a portion of the property on the north side of the sanctuary as a memorial garden and columbarium for the internment of ashes. There had been a previous designation of the same spot limited to the scattering of ashes. This project took the garden to the next phase in development. The garden is in three parts, the columbarium wall, with niches, the garden of St. Mark for the scattering of ashes, and the four gardens of Saint’s Peter, Paul, Luke, and John for the in-ground internment of ashes. The garden was fenced for privacy and meditation and an outdoor Altar had previously been constructed for services when needed.
1995
The space between the Parish Hall, Office, Church and Bidwell building was used as a paved parking area prior to the construction of the Bidwell Building. Through the kindness of Albert and Betty Dimes, this area was transformed into a garden with paved walks and a fountain. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday 1995 and provides a relaxing courtyard of plants and trees for the Church and congregation.
2000
St. Bartholomew’s Vestry determined that the cost of painting the Church building was excessive as the building was made of yellow pine and paint would not last long on the structure. Through a series of inquiries the decision was made to solicit prices on covering the outside walls of the Church building with a product called Hardy Board. Hardy Board is a cement product with a wood grain finish and is designed to hold paint well and have the long-term durability of masonry products. The price was $40,000 and the contractor was required to cover the building with the product and duplicate its original appearance. This was done but not without overcoming obstacles. Termites were found in the wooden Church building. Additional expense and inconvenience was incurred in the covering of the Church with tenting material and filling it with gas products lethal to termites. This had to be accomplished before the Hardy Plank project could continue.
2003
Fr. Parsell, after having served St. Bartholomew’s faithfully for 14 years was called to a Parish in Anna Maria Island, Florida and accepted the call.
Fr Bennett Barnes became the interim priest for St. Bartholomew’s in July 2003 as the search process began. Fr. Barnes was retired and provided the Vestry with wise council on school operation and pitfalls as he had experience from his previous Church. Later in 2003 the Gulfwinds Montessori Academy opened in the Bidwell building. The purpose was to provide for children’s education in the age range of 3 to 9 years of age, and hopefully to secure more parents and children into the congregation of St. Bartholomew’s Church. Fr. Ben Barnes departed in August of 2004 and spent a short time at St. Matthew’s then went into retirement in Maine. Fr. Dennis Kezar was next to function as interim Priest as the search for a permanent rector continued. The search process contained in excess of 26 applicants who were prayerfully screened and assessed as possible selections for Rector. Fr. Kezar continued as interim Priest for the balance of 2004.
2004
The Bank of America located on adjacent land to the north of the Church desired a long term agreement to utilize the north south driveway to the rear of the Bidwell building for their customer access. The property belonged to St. Bartholomew’s Church and an agreement was negotiated in which the bank would donate the land between the west of the bank parking lot driveway and the National Guard Armory on the west to the Church. This was done in exchange for a continuing use of the Church’s driveway. December of 2004 brought the closure of the real estate transaction to donate the land to the Church. The land cannot be accessed except through St. Bartholomew’s or the Bank’s property and therefore is of no use to anyone other than the two property owners.
St. Bartholomew’s as it looked in 2005 at 38th Avenue and 34th Street South.
2005
After extensive action on the part of the Vestry and the Search Committee a selection was finally made to call the Rev. William V. Burkett to St. Bartholomew’s. Fr. Burkett accepted the call on January 2, 2005. The service of installation was conducted on March 22, 2005 at the Church by the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, the Rt. Rev. John Lipscomb.
St. Bartholomew’s had accumulated an endowment over many years of approximately $800,000. The endowments were the kind gifts of those parishioners who wished to provide funds for the Church during their lifetime or after their passing and in such a way as to provide for the Church in perpetuity. The endowments were provided generally in two forms. The first was “restricted”, in that the funds were to be invested and the proceeds used for the care and maintenance of the Church without encroaching on the principle. The second portion of the endowment included those funds, which were generally given to St. Bartholomew’s for investment in which the principle and proceeds could be used for either specified or unspecified purposes in maintaining the Church. During 2006 the endowment funds were transferred from a bank trust account to the Episcopal Church Foundation. This foundation manages the funds and provides a more favorable return on the kind donations of parishioners. Doing so provided improved stewardship of funds.
2007
St. Bartholomew’s Church became involved in the strategic relocation of refugees, mostly from east Africa, which were victims of torture and attempts at genocide. Fr. Kivuva, from Kenya, Africa, became a part time assistant to Fr. Burkett. This partnership provided the bridge to the language barrier of the refugees. It also provided the opportunity for Fr. Kivuva to continue his African Mission Ministry as the refugees were assimilated into the United States culture, learned a new language and became self sufficient. The partnership also provided the opportunity for St. Bartholomew’s congregation to interact in a meaningful outreach ministry.
The financial stability of the Gulfwinds Montessori Academy became a liability to St. Bartholomew’s and the additional parishioners that were hoped for had not materialized. The Vestry, after considerable discussion and inquiry, made the business decision that the school must not be a financial burden to the Church. As of October of 2007 a committee was appointed to begin the process of closing the Academy. Over a period of time, it was observed that St Bartholomew’s was headed for financial problems. The land acquired from bank of America was sold to WaWa corporation as they developed the land adjacent to the Church. The property; was sold for $300,000 and this was added to the endowment fund. Steps were taken to lease out the Bidwell building to the precious Angels School, previously occupied by the Gulfwinds Montessori Academy. As time progressed additional revenue was needed and the school needed additional space. The result was to lease the office building to Precious Angels and move the administrative offices into the Sanctuary building. The necessary remodeling was accomplished, the Sacristy was relocated to the Mackey wing and the Administrator and Rectors offices were occupied. The thrift store, previously operated from The Bidwell building, was moved to the Parish Hall where it soon encroached sufficiently to occupy the entire parish hall effectively eliminating further social use of the hall. An emergency food pantry was opened, which was funded by the thrift store. Fr Burkett had a license from the state of Florida as a mental Health counselor. He did some counseling at the church and donated a portion of the proceeds to the Church.
2020 - 2021: The Pandemic
The Covid Pandemic occurred during the period of 2020 and on into 2022. Parishioners began staying home in favor of virtual worship for their safety, and as the Pandemic had more vaccinations and began to diminish parishioners were reluctant to return and in this time Fr Burkett only remained serving at St Bartholomew’s until December of 2021.
2022
The Vestry called the reverend Ethan Cole to be St Bartholomew’s rector beginning on 21 November 2022.
The Church Cemetary
No history of St. Bartholomew’s would be complete without some reference to the old cemetery now known as St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery. This Cemetery is located at 22nd Avenue South and 19th Street. Originally it was known as Oakdale Cemetery.
When Dr. John Abercrombie presented the land on which St. Bartholomew’s was built, in 1887, he specified that a portion of it be reserved for a cemetery. It was thus that the earliest recognized cemetery in St. Petersburg to come into being. The first internment was for a Margaret Susan Beck, 27 years of age, buried on 19 May 1892. For some time the grave plots were sold for very little money in the belief that the owners would maintain the burial sites of their loved ones. Unfortunately, it became a common event that when a grave needed opening for burial that large amounts of vegetation would have to be removed in order to facilitate the burial. In 1944, St. Peter’s Church undertook to manage the cemetery on a paying basis. When the transfer was made the Vestry of St. Peter’s petitioned the Diocese for control of the cemetery and it was granted. St. Peter’s held control of the Oakdale Cemetery until 1953 when they voluntarily returned it to St. Bartholomew’s because of alleged problems accruing over 50 years and nebulous income. An additional factor that complicated the issue of the cemetery was that depression years and low incomes did not provide the opportunity for the purchase of burial sites and many unauthorized burials took place presumably under the cover of darkness. St. Bartholomew’s now petitioned the Diocese not only for its control but also for full title of all its church properties, which before this had been in the hands of the Diocese. The Diocese agreed and St. Bartholomew’s then appointed a Cemetery Committee who proceeded to put the Cemetery on a business basis using the same principles in effect in secular cemeteries in the city. The cemetery is still being used and lots are still being sold. As previously stated, the cemetery was once again transferred. St. Bartholomew’s petitioned the Diocese of Southwest Florida to take control of the Cemetery and with the approval of the bishop transferred management and a $40,000.00 perpetual maintenance fund to the Diocese. In any historical account of a cemetery there is a certain fascination with the stories of those buried there.
The first is the Rev. Dr. William J. Godden. This gentleman is first mentioned in these pages as the man who, at the first meeting, moved that St. Bartholomew’s take the first steps towards organizing and who served, as it’s first secretary. This occurred around April 20, 1887. He was born in England and studied law. He came to America in 1886 and settled in Pinellas, a settlement of English orange growers. Here he found an old friend Mr. H.W. Gilbart, who took him into his house and the two soon became partners. In 1893 he took charge of a drug store in Port Tampa City. This was the property of R.F. Altree M.D., a true friend who helped him greatly and instructed him in medicine. Bishop Gray proposed that Dr. Godden go and help at the Everglade Cross Mission where the Rev. G. O. Gibbs was the clergyman. He wished him to be the medical missionary to the Seminoles. The mission got its name from a cross close to it made by a bar being nailed to a palmetto palm tree. At first Dr. Godden declined, but afterwards accepted the assignment. In 1906 he came to the mission, which was in the heart of the Everglades, 75 miles south of Ft. Myers, its nearest railroad and source of supplies. A small hospital was built there. Soon after the hospital was built the Rev. Father Gibbs left and Dr. Godden remained to provide medical support to the Seminoles. An interesting sidebar is that a local trader was planning to sell his establishment to a known whiskey dealer; the Bishop in order to prevent this from happening bought the store so Dr. Godden also became a storekeeper. By 1912 he had also found time to study for orders and was ordained Deacon. He claimed three converts.
Mr. Gilbart in St. Petersburg went to see Dr. Godden nearly every year for a prolonged visit. Dr. Godden would send an Indian with a telegram to Fort Myers with a coin to tell him when to come so that the road would be out of the high water. The telegraph operator would then send the wire and Mr. Gilbart would travel to the mission for a visit. One year when the message did not come it was later found that Dr. Godden had died somewhere in the Everglades and the Indians had brought his body on an oxcart to Immokalee. Bishop Mann went down and held the funeral service there. Mr. Gilbart took an undertaker down with a coffin and brought back the body of Dr. Godden to be buried in Oakdale Cemetery. A bronze plaque is mounted on the back of the sanctuary commemorating the three major contributors to the founding of St. Bartholomew’s including Dr. Godden.
Another story is that of Dr. John Abercrombie, who gave the land for the church and cemetery. He died January 22nd 1912, at the age of 71. His love for the church was inherited. His grandfather was the greatly beloved Rector of a church in Philadelphia for many years. His father had been the surgeon of Bowie’s famous expedition to Texas. He had also been the assistant surgeon for the famous Selby Grays of the Confederate Army. After the surrender of General R. E. Lee at the Appomattox Courthouse, he walked all the way home from where he was assigned (the records do not identify where) with a bullet in his lung that the surgeons had been unable to remove. He settled in Mississippi and at one time owned one of the largest plantations in that state. In 1878 and 1879 he was in Memphis for the great yellow fever epidemic there. After this he came to St. Petersburg for his health. For years he practiced doing considerable good, especially for the poor. It is said he never declined to go on a call until his health became too impaired. Though his skill was great in his profession he is said to have been equally skilled as a naturalist and had a reputation for loving children.
Another notable burial is that of Captain J. F. Chase. Born April 23, 1843, He died November 28th 1914. He served in the Union Army and lost a leg in the service of his country. Captain Chase was in the 1st Maine Light Artillery unit at the Battle of Chancellorsville Va. during the Civil War. For his heroic efforts he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The Citation in awarding the Medal of Honor read; “Nearly all the officers and men of the battery having been killed or wounded, this soldier with a comrade continued to fire his gun after the guns had ceased. The piece was then dragged off by the two, the horses having been shot, and its capture by the enemy prevented.” For 38 years he was a prominent person in St. Petersburg in many things and looking towards the advancement of the City. As a member of the First Avenue Methodist Church, his pastor, The Rev. S. A. Keen, and his friend Fr. Madeira conducted his final rites.
Fr. Charles M. Gray, whose ministry is spoken of in connection with St. Peter’s, is also buried in this cemetery.
Miss Constance Norwood, died at the age of 22 is buried there also. The last three years of her life had been spent in a wheel chair. She had been a brilliant student at St. Petersburg High School and was reportedly very popular at the school and through out the city. She became engaged and was to be married on January 8. After the Christmas excitement she went shopping for her trousseau and caught a cold from which she could not recover. She died January 10, 1920.
There are many others whose tales are of interest, too many to detail here.
We hope you have enjoyed this documentation of the history of St. Bartholomew’s Church. It is our sincere wish that future generations will add to this document and record the continuation of this Church. It is also our sincere wish that as you have read these pages that God’s love became obvious to you in the deeds and actions of those depicted in this record or our history.