The man who began one of the Tallahassee's oldest and most significant churches is now formally recognized by a historical marker in front of the church. Thursday, June 13 saw the unveiling of the plaque honoring Father John Page.
Tallahassee Historical Society President Bob Holladay said this is the latest of an ongoing community-wide project.
"The second of ten historical markers that we're undertaking as part of our Bicentennial activities."
James Page, who was born into slavery in 1808, went on to found dozens of Black churches all over the Southeast. Including Tallahassee's Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. FAMU Historian Larry Rivers wrote a celebrated book about Page's remarkable impact.
"When you look at Bethel with over 3,000 members, and they see the founder of their church recognized with a marker, that makes history real to them."
A history that Bethel's present pastor, R.B. Holmes, said has continued since its founding.
"From Bethel came our doctors, our lawyers, our politicians, so this is a historic place."
