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A closer look: One Hillsborough church
By CONNIE DREW First Church of GodLOCATION: 2202 E Busch Blvd., Tampa; 932-9673 SERVICES: Communion service at 8:45 a.m. and family worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Bible study classes by age levels offered between services. Biblical reflection at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. LEADERSHIP: Mac Rigel and Paul Rigel, co-pastors HISTORY: From 1900 to 1912, the Rev. W.O. Williams held meetings in a small church on the property of what is now Sulphur Springs Elementary School at the corner of 12th Street and Waters Avenue. In 1920, under the leadership of the Rev. George Lorton, the building was moved to the corner of 10th and Sitka streets. A basement structure was completed while the Rev. John W. Lorton was pastor and was dedicated on Thanksgiving in 1926. The mortgage was paid off with pledges of 25 cents a week by the 1940s. While the Rev. Cliff Braschler served as pastor in the 1970s, a new church building was completed at its current location at the corner of Busch Boulevard and 22nd Street. MEMBERSHIP: About 100 COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Supports Metropolitan Ministries. Offered a Free University program to the public on Saturdays to learn subjects such as beginning computing, cooking diabetic meals in 30 minutes, health and aging issues, and auto mechanics; classes will resume next quarter. NOTABLE: Provides three scholarships: Sister Pearl Stannard Scholarship for high school seniors accepted to Church of God colleges; the Rev. John W. Lorton Scholarship for Pastoral Studies for high school seniors accepted to Church of God colleges, with the goal of studying pastoral ministries or associate ministries in missionary, youth, music, childhood or Christian education; and Sister Leona Lorton Scholarship for Music Ministries for high school seniors accepted to Church of God colleges, with the goal of studying music ministries, music or music education. QUOTE: Under the leadership of the Rev. John W. Lorton, who served as pastor for 34 years, it was well-established that "The Church of God is all people who believe in the Bible and whose lives are dedicated and consecrated to living a Christian life."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
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