History of Tallevast

Tallevast is a town with a rich history. We invite you to explore two resources on the history of Tallevast: a StoryMap that covers Tallevast across the 20th century and a collection of important sites in the community paired with oral histories.

Place your cursor in the box above and scroll down to explore the interactive page. StoryMap by Julian Arenas, Williams College '27.

Important Places in Tallevast

Excepted from the research project "Remembering Tallevast"

by Isaiah Blake, Williams College '21.

Bryant Chapel

Bryant Chapel Christian Methodist Espiscopal Church is a historic African American church in Tallevast, Florida. It was founded in 1925 by Bro. Eli Bryant, who wanted to create a place of worship for the black community in Tallevast. The church began under the name of Bryant Chapel Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. A man by the name of J.W. Stevens gave Bro. Bryant an old wood-framed house to have worship services. In 1961, a new building was constructed at the church's current location. The first pastor of the new church was Reverend Boatwright. The current pastor is Reverend Anthony G. Longhorn, Sr.

Bryant Chapel CME Church is an important part of the Tallevast community. It has been a place of worship, fellowship, and support for the black community for over 90 years. The church continues to be a vital part of the community today.

Personal Testimonies

"It meant a lot to me. I was president of the usher board for 28 years. Still ushering, I’m in the senior mission at Mt. Tabor, and I sing in the mass choir at Mt. Tabor, I go to Sunday School when I can make it. On Wednesday I go to Bible study." - Beatrice Ziegler

"Church was not like it was now! They had church then. They didn’t play around -they had church. They acting up in church - we didn’t do that. You see -- back in those days they had religion. They didn’t play with God" - Earline Baker

"My first early memory of church was at Bryant Chapel because it was a family church. My uncle Ely organized that church and they named it by him—it was a Methodist Church, still is, and being one of the organizers, they named after him. And three brothers and their families were the membership, more or less" - Fred Bryant

"That was the day we really had a chance to enjoy people—because of people working all week—going to school—and that was a day of fellowship and people enjoying each other. You went to church almost all day—from Sunday school to worship, to afternoon service to evening service. It was a fun time to be together. The two churches really cooperated with each other. When I was growing up—the Baptist church would have their service on the 2nd and 4th Sunday, and everybody would go to the Baptist Church. On the 1st and 3rd Sundays, everybody would go to the Methodist church. Growing up, I really didn’t know who was Baptist and who was Methodist" - James Bryant Sr,

Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church

Rising like its namesake from the rural landscape of Tallevast, Florida, Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church has served the community for over a century. Established in 1921, the church's rich history is deeply intertwined with the African American experience in the area. Initially pastored by C.D. Green, the church affiliated with the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America Inc., serving as a spiritual anchor for its predominantly Black congregation.

Throughout the years, Mount Tabor has stood as a beacon of faith, offering solace and fostering a sense of community. Its mission, "to reach the lost for Jesus Christ" and "to bring hope and healing to those in need," has guided its various ministries and outreach programs. From Sunday worship services and Bible studies to youth programs and community events, Mount Tabor has consistently strived to make a positive impact on the lives of those it serves.

Today, Mount Tabor continues to thrive under the leadership of Reverend Dr. A. Lenus Jones. Its warm, welcoming atmosphere and unwavering commitment to its core values ensure that the church remains a vital pillar of the Tallevast community for generations to come.

Bryant's Grocery

Personal Testimonies

"The people of Tallevast—Black—did patronize the business. But we had more business from other sources around town—in later years, day specialized in cutting meat—beef—we have people who would drive in to purchase the meat. They preferred to having the fresh-cut meat, rather than store packaged meat. So that was a good business at that time. Wholesales delivered the meat." - James Bryant Sr.

"It was small but very clean, didn’t have a whole lot of stuff in it. You could get your meats—chicken and liver. You could get all of that there, could get two-for-a-penny cookies. We loaded up on those cookies; they had they were known for their hot dogs—the best dos fixed up with onions, ketchup, mustard. They fixed up their hot dogs real good. You could get your medicines, like turpentine." - Mary Bell Wand Salem

"That was almost our only store; it fed a lot of people. If [we] wanted to have fun, have conversations, we used to go up to the Bryant’s store. People use to hang around there—nice place to be. They carried meats and honey buns." - Lillian Flemming

Tallevast — An environmental divide pits residents against industry, state

(Miami Herald, 2010)