Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 53

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. Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1950 53

Peninsular Florida

In August of 1947 the Superintendent, at the request of the
Missionary Board, made an 11-day survey of missionary oppor-
tunities among the colored on peninsular Florida.

The survey, including a number of spot canvasses at each place
visited. revealed many unchurched. It was suggested that work
ought to begin in the city of Jacksonville, Florida’s largest city,
which in 1945 had a population of 200,000 — 67,000 of which were
Negroes. Here, where Negroes make up an estimated 31 per cent
of the labor supply, is a field ready to harvest.

To the south and further inland is the Orlando and Oviedo
section, which offers opportunity to work among the rural Negroes.
In this section, which is thickly populated with Negroes, we would
have the good will and the active support of the Slovak Lutherans,
who expressed their desire to help in any work started among
the Negroes.

Miami also is a ready field. Greater Miami has a Negro popu-
lation of 38,000.

Finally, the Tampa survey also revealed many opportunities
for work. Tampa has a Negro population of over 26,000, while
St. Petersburg, 22 miles distant, has a Negro population of approxi-
mately 12,000.

It ought to be brought to the attention of the Synodical Con-
ference that in the great State of Florida there are but two Negro
congregations, both within six miles of each other, namely, in the
Pensacola area. For years the Pensacola congregation was the only
Negro Lutheran congregation in existence. A few years ago,
through mission activity from the home base, a daughter congre-
gation was organized. Yet in the great populated cities of peninsular
Florida, where our white Lutheran congregations are forging
steadily ahead, we have made no attempts to win the Negro
for Christ.

Work among the Negroes in peninsular Florida will probably
not be easy. Our Lutheran Church is not generally known. But it
will never be known among these people unless we begin imme-
diately and lay the groundwork for what could be flourishing
Negro Lutheran congregations in the future.

With at least one man stationed in the Jacksonville area, other
opportunities could be pursued in the other cities mentioned. It
would be well if all three localities could have the benefit of Lu-
theran workers. Since this is probably not possible, a start could
and ought to be made in the thickly populated Jacksonville area.

The Missionary Board has in its possession the detailed account
of the 1947 survey, and many items can there be noted showing
the opportunities which present themselves to our Lutheran Church
for working among the Negro population of peninsular Florida.

Summary Re Peninsular Florida and Gulf Coast’ Area

1. That work be initiated immediately in the populous Jackson-
ville area, where, with a Negro population approaching 70,000,
the Lutheran Church ought to be represented.

2. That work be expanded in the Pensacola area, where at
present we have one established church and one recently organized
congregation. It would be advisable to begin a congregation on