Reverend William Poe was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and relocated to Eustis, Florida in 1906. Reverend Poe served as Pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church of Eustis (36 years), St Paul Baptist Church, Oakland (36 years); and St Mary Baptist Church of Mt Dora (30years).

 

In 1916, at the St Luke Baptist Church of Zellwood, the Bethel Baptist Association was formed and Reverend William Poe was elected as its very first Moderator.

 

A true Godly leader, Reverend Poe also served as President of the State Sunday School Convention for 13 years, President of the State BYPU Convention for 9 years, and Statistician of the National Sunday School and BTU Congress of the N.B.C. for 13 years.

 

Reverend Poe served as Moderator of this great Association for 27 years.

Reverend Poe departed this life on Thursday, January 13, 1944.

 

We honor Reverend William Poe for his stellar leadership as the first Moderator of our great association.