From the Ashes
After the Great Fire of 1901, people from Jacksonville poured across the St. Johns River to establish new homes and businesses in a suburban town known as South Jacksonville. There was no bridge yet, only boats, and still, people came to seek opportunity, safety, and a fresh start. Of those turn-of-the-century citizens, some were believers and they soon began meeting in homes for worship and Bible study. One group grew into The First Baptist Church of South Jacksonville. By 1910, the church was meeting in a wood-framed building on the corner of Kipp and Louisa. After the completion of the Acosta bridge in 1921, South Jacksonville exploded with unprecedented growth.
From the Ashes
After the Great Fire of 1901, people from Jacksonville poured across the St. Johns River to establish new homes and businesses in a suburban town known as South Jacksonville. There was no bridge yet, only boats, and still, people came to seek opportunity, safety, and a fresh start. Of those turn-of-the-century citizens, some were believers and they soon began meeting in homes for worship and Bible study. One group grew into The First Baptist Church of South Jacksonville. By 1910, the church was meeting in a wood-framed building on the corner of Kipp and Louisa. After the completion of the Acosta bridge in 1921, South Jacksonville exploded with unprecedented growth.
Building & Growing
The members of First Baptist South Jacksonville recognized the need for another church. So they started the San Marco Boulevard Baptist Church which met in a newly-constructed movie palace: San Marco Theater. As both congregations grew, leaders soon recognized they would accomplish more together. They worked to buy property on the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. And in 1939, Southside Baptist Church of South Jacksonville was born. Two cooperating churches became one under the shared goal of reaching South Jacksonville, and beyond, for the Kingdom.
Building & Growing
The members of First Baptist South Jacksonville recognized the need for another church. So they started the San Marco Boulevard Baptist Church which met in a newly-constructed movie palace: San Marco Theater. As both congregations grew, leaders soon recognized they would accomplish more together. They worked to buy property on the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. And in 1939, Southside Baptist Church of South Jacksonville was born. Two cooperating churches became one under the shared goal of reaching South Jacksonville, and beyond, for the Kingdom.
Forward & Upward
Following the opening of the Main Street Bridge in 1941 and the end of WW II, South Jacksonville experienced another season of rapid growth. The people of Southside Baptist began planning for a new sanctuary. Not only did the building double the capacity of the church, but it also featured an iconic spire and bell tower that forever changed the skyline of Jacksonville’s south bank.
Forward & Upward
Following the opening of the Main Street Bridge in 1941 and the end of WW II, South Jacksonville experienced another season of rapid growth. The people of Southside Baptist began planning for a new sanctuary. Not only did the building double the capacity of the church, but it also featured an iconic spire and bell tower that forever changed the skyline of Jacksonville’s south bank.
In a Changing World
Today, the steeple remains among the tallest structures in San Marco, visible from five of the city’s seven bridges. This landmark draws attention southward, but more importantly, toward the cross of Christ and His empty tomb. As bells chime the hour in San Marco and familiar melodies echo through its busy streets, Aspire Church keeps working, praying, and serving, finding ways to love the way Jesus loved and present an ever-changing world with God’s unchanging love.
In a Changing World
Today, the steeple remains among the tallest structures in San Marco, visible from five of the city’s seven bridges. This landmark draws attention southward, but more importantly, toward the cross of Christ and His empty tomb. As bells chime the hour in San Marco and familiar melodies echo through its busy streets, Aspire Church keeps working, praying, and serving, finding ways to love the way Jesus loved and present an ever-changing world with God’s unchanging love.
Seek First
More than 120 years after that devastating fire, a spire continues to draw eyes and minds heavenward. A testament to how God raises beauty from ashes. That same resilience and vision drive Aspire Church today as we step into unreached communities across Jacksonville, serve the hurting, and press toward the upward goal of Christ. Together, we build, plant, share, restore, and expand God’s kingdom, throughout North Florida and around the world.
Seek First
More than 120 years after that devastating fire, a spire continues to draw eyes and minds heavenward. A testament to how God raises beauty from ashes. That same resilience and vision drive Aspire Church today as we step into unreached communities across Jacksonville, serve the hurting, and press toward the upward goal of Christ. Together, we build, plant, share, restore, and expand God’s kingdom, throughout North Florida and around the world.
Beyond the Steeple
Once again, God is bringing unprecedented growth to our San Marco community. People who may not know about the Great Fire or historic South Jacksonville. These people also may not have heard of the love and hope found in Christ Jesus. Well, that’s why God put us here, on the corner of Atlantic and Hendricks Avenue. Passersby may catch a glimpse of our steeple or hear its chimes, and we hope both are reminders that God is always with us. At Aspire, we celebrate the radical cooperation that led two 1930s churches to become one, and we aspire to reach others for Christ, whether in the shadow of our steeple or beyond. With the same radical cooperation that led two 1930s churches to become one, we aspire to reach others for Christ, in the shadow of our steeple and beyond.
Beyond the Steeple
Once again, God is bringing unprecedented growth to our San Marco community. People who may not know about the Great Fire or historic South Jacksonville. These people also may not have heard of the love and hope found in Christ Jesus. Well, that’s why God put us here, on the corner of Atlantic and Hendricks Avenue. Passersby may catch a glimpse of our steeple or hear its chimes, and we hope both are reminders that God is always with us. At Aspire, we celebrate the radical cooperation that led two 1930s churches to become one, and we aspire to reach others for Christ, whether in the shadow of our steeple or beyond. With the same radical cooperation that led two 1930s churches to become one, we aspire to reach others for Christ, in the shadow of our steeple and beyond.
