A closer look: One Hillsborough church

Seminole Presbyterian Church

LOCATION: 6101 N Habana Ave., Tampa. 877-6783.

SERVICES: Sunday: 11 a.m. worship, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school and 10:30 a.m. fellowship time. Wednesday: Family night starts with dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by children's choir, worship service, youth and adult classes at 6:30 p.m.

HISTORY: Originally called Seminole Church, worship began here in 1913 as a Sunday school meeting under the oak trees at the Berry family home on Branch Avenue. On June 29, 1919, with only 33 members and one elder, the church was renamed Seminole Heights Presbyterian Church. In 1957, the Presbyterian Planning Council offered the land at Habana and Paris Street to the church. The church then changed its name to Seminole Presbyterian Church, and the current fellowship hall was completed in 1960. In 1965, the building committee approved the plans for expansion to allow for extra classroom space, and the current sanctuary was completed in May 1967.

LEADERSHIP: Michael E. Van Arsdale is head pastor and a recent addition to Seminole Presbyterian. He moved with his wife and son to the area from Ohio. Van Arsdale says that although it was difficult leaving family and friends to come to Tampa, the congregation and all the friendly people in Seminole have been nothing but encouraging and supportive. MEMBERSHIP: About 500.

PROGRAMS: The church offers a variety of programs for the congregation, including children's ministry, Bible studies, men's and women's programs, music ministry, and singles and seniors groups.

OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY: The church school, Seminole Presbyterian School, has roughly 780 students in grades K through 12. They also support ALPHA, Boy Scouts of America, Metropolitan Ministries and many missionaries overseas. The church gives more than 20 percent of its income to missions.

RECENT SERMON TOPIC OR THEME: "True to the Scriptures, true to the reformed faith, and obedient to the great commission of Jesus Christ."

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