 Corner Eighth and Main, December 1925, Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. William Lacy Challoner Mahon Page:
Dr. Mahon was born in Barbados on May 10, 1864. He came to the United States when he was 18, after he had attended Harrison College, in Barbados, where he studied for the Episcopal ministry. In 1885 he married Miss Jane Bunting, in Philadelphia, and he and his wife came to Florida. They lived for several years at Fruitland Park, near Leesburg. In 1890 he was ordained a Baptist minister and his first pastorate was at Webster, Florida. Later he accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church at Arcadia. In 1903 he resigned to raise money for the Florida Baptist Children's Home at Arcadia. After this task was completed Dr. Mahon came to Jacksonville. In April, 1905 he organized the Main Street Baptist Church at Eighth and Main Streets.
An honored leader among Baptists Dr. Mahon served as Trustee of Stetson University, Trustee of Columbia College, President of the State Board of Missions, President of the Baptist Building Cooperation, and President of the Florida Baptist Convention. He was one of the founders of the Jacksonville Baptist Home for Children. He served as pastor of the Main Street Baptist Church until his death, September 27, 1931.
This 1925 Year Book is the earliest of the Church directories that was kept by my family or that I have found thus far, and was probably kept by Percy Leon Thomas, Sr. It is interesting to me because it lists the Thomas family at 2117 Dancy Terrace, includes addresses for all the members some of whom were or were to become very prominent in the Jacksonville community, and because ads for local Springfield and Jax area businesses are included. These businesses will also be listed in the Jacksonville City Directory for the year 1925. Joan Thomas was 7 years old and her sister, Barbara Thomas, 6 in 1925.
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