The Beginning of the
​Fort King Presbyterian Church
by Buddy MacKay

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Although Fort King Presbyterian Church was formally organized in 1965, it originated earlier, in the Crossroads Class for young adults at First Presbyterian Church.  The Crossroads Class was unique, in that most of its members were veterans, and thus had served in the armed forces, experiencing firsthand what it was like to live and work in a racially integrated society. By contrast, Ocala, in the early 1960’s was totally segregated, including its schools and Protestant Churches.  Ocala was not making headlines, but its African American Churches resonated with the sermons and demonstrations led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and black clergy were actively involved in local sit-ins and other non-violent protests against segregation.

Being primarily interested in contemporary issues, the Crossroads Class focused from time to time on Dr. King’s writings and sermons.  Each time this caused a quiet controversy.  We were informally advised on several occasions that Dr. King’s writings were “blatantly political”, and thus inappropriate.  In our discussions, however, we increasingly felt that it was our responsibility to provide a church home where people of color could worship in a desegregated congregation.  Finally, when Dr. King received the Nobel Prize, we felt vindicated.  At that point, I was delegated the task of talking with the “powers that be” about desegregating First Presbyterian.

Upon discussing the matter with Rev. Fred Turner, he suggested that those members of the Crossroads Class who felt strongly about integration could be appointed by the Session to a Chapel Committee, which could organize a racially integrated church on East Fort King Avenue, on property owned by First Presbyterian, with the blessing and support of First Presbyterian Church. The Crossroads Class thus became the Chapel Committee.

The first Sunday that Fort King Chapel officially met for worship, in the fall of 1964, John Hankinson Sr., brought one of his African American colleagues from the faculty of Forest High School, and we’ve been racially integrated since our first day.  Our Caribbean, African American, and Hispanic members have been a blessing and inspiration, greatly enriching our lives and the life of Fort King Presbyterian Church.

Fort King Presbyterian was Ocala’s first desegregated Protestant Church.  First Presbyterian Church gave us our site, supported us spiritually, and paid a majority of our budget for a number of years.  The tradition of the Crossroads Class has continued, and Fort King Presbyterian has been known for its diversity, inclusion, and active community involvement.