The Small Church with a Big Heart
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Nestled under the majestic oaks of Bartow — the city of oaks and azaleas — McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church has been Bartow's family church for more than 75 years.
McLeod is one of Bartow's established churches that is great in heart. Through worship, fellowship, and mission, we continue to grow in faith and in number. From our earliest days as a mission chapel, missions have been in our blood — and we've never lost sight of our guiding principle: we seek to help imperfect people hear and feel God's guidance.
The term "Christ-centered" suits our focus, because it embodies all that we seek to do in His name. Whether you're new to Bartow, new to faith, or looking for a church home, we'd love to have you join us for worship or for any of the ongoing activities of the church.
All are welcome at the Lord's table. Come as you are and worship with us beneath the light of our stained glass sanctuary.
Traditional Presbyterian worship in the sanctuary, with music, prayer, and the preached Word.
Every Sunday · Nursery availableJoin us Tuesday evenings for an engaging, focused study of God's Word — exactly 59 minutes, start to finish.
September through MayThe office is open 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Call us at (863) 533‑5433.
Closed Friday & Saturday
For a church that began as a mission itself, McLeod holds true to those roots today — supporting missions that range from local helping hands to some of the poorest communities on Earth.
Rev. Anthony Gilbert has served as minister of McLeod Memorial since December 2018. A native of Kentucky, he has served churches in Kentucky and Florida and as a foreign missionary in Brazil. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with two master's degrees from seminary in Louisville, Anthony is active in community affairs, serves as a substitute schoolteacher in Polk County, and participates on the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay. He also serves as minister at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Meade.
Robyn keeps the life of the church running smoothly — from the weekly bulletin to scheduling, records, and communications. She's your first point of contact for weddings, funerals, membership, prayer requests, or any question at all. The church office is open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
office@bartowmmpc.com
(863) 533‑5433
James E. “Jim” Jordan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Music from Florida Southern College in 1980, with concentrations in organ and voice. His organ teachers have included Doris Brinson, Dr. Bennett Penn, and Jan Van Otterloo. In addition to his musical career, Jim served as Director of Enterprise Systems in Information Technology at Polk State College until his retirement, and consulted as a Technical Project Manager at Florida Polytechnic University.
McLeod is governed by its Session — ruling elders elected by the congregation, moderated by the pastor. Areas of service include family ministries, marketing, missions, worship, and property.
Take a short tour of McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church
Our Sunday worship services are streamed live on Facebook at 11:00 AM, and every past service remains available to watch anytime. Recordings of sermons are also archived in MP3 form.
▶ Watch Our Videos on FacebookPrefer to listen? Sermons from Rev. Anthony Gilbert and guest preachers are recorded weekly. Contact the church office for the latest recordings, or find them on our Facebook page.
Nestled under the majestic oaks of Bartow — the city of oaks and azaleas — what began as a neighborhood Sunday school grew, by the grace of God and the gift of one faithful family, into the church we love today.
McLeod begins as a Sunday school, gathering neighbors and children for study and worship.
The cornerstone of the original building is laid.
"McLeod Memorial Chapel" is opened by the First Presbyterian Church of Bartow. That same year the Sunday school achieves the status of a mission of First Presbyterian, and the church building is erected on property given for the purpose by Mrs. A. A. McLeod — our Matron Saint McLeod, for whom the church is named.
The first morning worship services are held at the Chapel.
An eight‑room manse is built west of the Chapel building.
The mission becomes a full‑fledged church — McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Groundbreaking for the present‑day sanctuary — home to the stained glass windows that fill our worship with color and light to this day. The new sanctuary was to be air‑conditioned, and the previous building was converted into Sunday school classrooms.
McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church, Inc. is filed as a Florida nonprofit corporation. An amendment to the charter follows in 1988.
The church undergoes a renovation, and the sanctuary's stained glass windows are commissioned. Under a contract dated March 6, 1992, Stine Glass Studio of Cocoa Beach, Florida crafts the memorial window cycle, working with architect Terry Hunter. The windows we treasure today — the cross, the dove, the lamb, and all the rest — date from this campaign.
Hurricane Irma damages one of the sanctuary's stained glass windows, and the congregation sees to its repair.
More than 75 years on, McLeod remains Bartow's family church with a big heart — a mission‑minded congregation of the Presbytery of Tampa Bay, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
A poem long treasured at McLeod, written by church member Oliver Amerman in tribute to those who built and blessed this congregation — our Matron Saint McLeod, Brother Bill McSwain, Dr. Hudson, "our little Tampa Jack," and Paul Daniels.
To all the folks that worship here Sing praises unto God; There’s many things that should be done E’re we’re laid beneath the sod. One of the first things to be done Is to sing her praises loud, And that, my friends would surely be To our Matron Saint McLeod. Of another one I’d like to speak, Our Brother Bill McSwain. I often think how nice twould be If he were here again. Then Dr. Hudson came to us, And told of God’s great Love, May he sit among the angels And sing with hosts above. Once of the best & I declare Brings many memories back, To the inspiration given us By our little Tampa Jack. Paul Daniels gives us food for thought At every worship hour. How can we help but realize God’s mighty, saving power? Let’s put our shoulder to the wheel And work with all our might to make this Church a Holy place E’re the coming of the night. Let’s make this Church of ours a place Of fellowship & Love, And pave the way to meet again In that fair land above.
— OLIVER AMERMAN (1891–1963)
Ten windows form a single, unified memorial cycle — crafted in 1992 by Stine Glass Studio of Cocoa Beach, Florida, with architect Terry Hunter. Sharing angular framing, jewel‑toned glass, a central symbolic medallion, and a dedication panel at the base, each was given in memory or in honor of families who shaped this congregation — so that the windows serve as both sacred art and a permanent record of the church's life. Click any window to view it full size.
