1867-1890 THE CHURCH AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

St. Luke Baptist Church

The historic St. Luke Baptist Church was founded under a brush arbor on the banks of the Chipola River in August, 1867 under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Brown. Before the construction of the church, the congregation would hold meetings at a blacksmith’s forge on the site. In 1890, Rev. William King and congregation constructed a wooden predecessor to the gothic-brick church. The church was used for religious and educational purposes. In 1921, under the leadership of Rev. King David Britt (1882 – 1959), the present brick structure was erected. The church was completed under the leadership of Rev. L. C. Herring, Rev. L. B. Brown, and Rev. Dr. A. H. Parker (1907 – 1995). The design of the building follows the Gothic Revival Style with its pointed, arch leaded stained glass windows and towers on either side of the central nave. The church is located on one of the highest points in central Marianna. Even though the building was vacated by the congregation in 1984, it continued to be a main focal point in Marianna until suffering significant damages from Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Sneads Community & "Little Zion" School

Sneads is located near the state park of Three Rivers State park. St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church has served as a place of worship since 1872 when it was first built. In the year of 1917 or 1918, the church was burned down by some unknown party, but was rebuilt in the same location. The building erected was a wooden structure that was replaced in the 1960s with a block building with a baptism pool.

Off a winding country road in rural North Florida stands one of few historic schoolhouses that served black people after slavery. On its original site, the Little Zion School is currently being restored by community families. The Little Zion Church and Cemetery are next to the school

Gilmore Academy/Jackson County Training School In 1922, Gilmore Academy was established in the West End community of Marianna by Robert T. Gilmore, its first principal. The two-story block structure was the first school in the county where black students could attend grades one through twelve. Gilmore Academy became Jackson County Training High School in 1932.

Springfield Schoolhouse

The Springfield Schoolhouse is currently a museum. The schoolhouse was built through fundraising efforts of the nearby Springfield A.M.E. church. The school had three main rooms, two of which were used as the main classrooms. In winter months, the schoolhouse was heated by potbelly wood stoves in the center of each room. Student seating arrangements were organized by grade-level. Grades six through eight were taught in a neighboring schoolhouse that is no longer standing.

In 1956 the school closed after students were consolidated into integrated schools based on zoning changes in Jackson County.