MOUNT TABOR BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida

Notes: This church was established in 1887 and was originally built on the opposite side of the street where the cemetery is now located. The concrete porch to the old church still sits in its original place in front of the older section of the cemetery. This cemetery is well maintained but in need of some tree trimming as the limbs of the stately Oak and Magnolia trees laden with Florida moss, swing loosely and snags on some of the stones. Charter members, the Reynolds and Walker families, donated much of the land designated for the church cemetery. During my interviews with some visitors to the site, as well as, church members, I learned that there are many unmarked graves. The years, neighborhood children and uncaring caretakers, have taken its toll on the markers. During the 1800s, men in the community dug the graves and often times a wooden cross or brick were used to mark the spot. I'm told that many years ago the Polk County Sheriff's Department held responsibility for maintaining this site using convicts. Members of the church prepared food and all sat down to eat together. The church preserved burial records from 1943 forward.

Directions: From I-4 east, take the Memorial Street Exit then the first left. Turn left on Swindell Road across bridge. Turn right onto Sutton Road. Right on Galloway Road. Travel Galloway Road to right before the RR tracks. Turn left onto Chart Prine Road to Mount Tabor Road. The cemetery is located at 3504 Mount Tabor Road.