Our History

The Life Church has been leading the faithful for over 60 years

REMEMBER THE PAST

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The Life Church was founded in the late 1950's by Pastor and Sister Wilbur Craig. They began in a duplex building at the corner of Haines and 52nd Avenue. God blessed their efforts, and it soon became evident that the church would need their own building. In 1963, in a huge step of faith, a handful of about 25 faithful men and women gathered their tools and began the arduous task of building the current church building at 734 62nd Avenue in Saint Petersburg. Brother and Sister Craig, always leading by example, joined right in and it was their hands that formed many of the walls of our current building. The concrete blocks were brought in, 50 blocks at a time, from a nearby military base, and Sister Craig would chisel off the mortar prior to installation into the building walls.

For ten years, every single Saturday, Sister Craig would sell 100 pies a week at the flea market in order to raise the funds to maintain the church. Brother Craig worked a secular job, in addition to Pastoring, bringing in $.75/hour to help pay

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The Life Church was founded in the late 1950's by Pastor and Sister Wilbur Craig. They began in a duplex building at the corner of Haines and 52nd Avenue. God blessed their efforts, and it soon became evident that the church would need their own building. In 1963, in a huge step of faith, a handful of about 25 faithful men and women gathered their tools and began the arduous task of building the current church building at 734 62nd Avenue in Saint Petersburg. Brother and Sister Craig, always leading by example, joined right in and it was their hands that formed many of the walls of our current building. The concrete blocks were brought in, 50 blocks at a time, from a nearby military base, and Sister Craig would chisel off the mortar prior to installation into the building walls.

For ten years, every single Saturday, Sister Craig would sell 100 pies a week at the flea market in order to raise the funds to maintain the church. Brother Craig worked a secular job, in addition to Pastoring, bringing in $.75/hour to help pay the church bills. The Craig's made incredible personal sacrifices to see this church birthed and to become the church it is today. For 36 years, they built a strong and sturdy foundation for this great church - both physically and spiritually - and we will forever be grateful for their love, dedication, faithfulness, and selfless acts of service.

Over the next 20 years, the church would have three pastors to lead them through tumultuous times: Pastor and Sister Elrod; Pastor and Sister Maddix; and Pastor and Sister Sistrunk. This Apostolic Church, built upon a firm foundation of truth preaching and teaching, would go through many storms and valleys, and encounter far more turbulence than the average church. However, this group of faithful people held strong, and the ship did not sink. The faithful members of TLC are to be commended for their endurance and standing strong upon the foundation built for them so many years ago.

ESTABLISING THE PRESENT

In the spring of 2012, Pastor and Sister Daron Hudspeth were elected as the new Pastor. Upon their arrival, the church would begin a period of healing, restoration, and recovery after many years of tragedies. In addition, an upgrade of the existing building would commence to repair the many years of wear and tear that had taken their toll. This would include a build-out of Sunday school rooms, a nursery, two offices, replacing the HVAC system, and many other cosmetic changes such as re-carpeting the sanctuary and offices and replacing the floors throughout the fellowship hall, foyer, youth room, and Sunday school rooms. The Hudspeth's would also initiate a stringent debt reduction program to pay off the existing debt which resulted in the Church becoming debt free in 2019.

TLC is also now a mission minded church. We believe that our mission is both local and global.

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In the spring of 2012, Pastor and Sister Daron Hudspeth were elected as the new Pastor. Upon their arrival, the church would begin a period of healing, restoration, and recovery after many years of tragedies. In addition, an upgrade of the existing building would commence to repair the many years of wear and tear that had taken their toll. This would include a build-out of Sunday school rooms, a nursery, two offices, replacing the HVAC system, and many other cosmetic changes such as re-carpeting the sanctuary and offices and replacing the floors throughout the fellowship hall, foyer, youth room, and Sunday school rooms. The Hudspeth's would also initiate a stringent debt reduction program to pay off the existing debt which resulted in the Church becoming debt free in 2019.

TLC is also now a mission minded church. We believe that our mission is both local and global. Beyond our local mission, we also partner with 14 missionaries around the globe. Our vision is to continue adding missionaries each year until we are, one day, supporting every UPCI missionary.

The Hudspeth's firmly believe that God will soon open a miraculous door for TLC to purchase a brand new campus which will adequately meet the needs of this growing, healed, and restored congregation. TLC, as a congregation, is often complimented for its authenticity, friendliness, kindness, and beautiful unified spirit, and we feel this is a direct result of what this congregation has gone through and learned from. God has brought together a beautiful group of loving people, who are united and believing collectively, for a great harvest of souls throughout Saint Petersburg and the surrounding area. We plan to continue to grow and influence the community for many years to come.

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HELP SECURE THE FUTURE

HELP SECURE THE FUTURE

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