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A closer look: one Hillsborough church
By CONNIE DREW St. Andrew's United Methodist ChurchLOCATION: 3315 Bryan Road, Brandon; 689-6849 SERVICES: Sunday worship services at 8:30 and 11:10 a.m. (traditional) and 9:50 a.m. (contemporary); Sunday School at 8:30 and 9:50 a.m. LEADERSHIP: David Fuller, senior pastor; Tim Ehrlich and Sue Baron, associate pastors HISTORY: Sunday School and worship services were held in the church's first parsonage at 2301 Bryan Road in May 1966 under the leadership of the Rev. Alan DeWald, the first appointed lay pastor. After the congregation outgrew the tiny parsonage, services were moved to Brooker Elementary School. Construction on property at Bryan Road at Bloomingdale Avenue began in December 1967 under the Rev. J.C. Powell. The building was divided into two parts; the west end became the sanctuary and the east end was a fellowship and Sunday school area. In February 1972, the building known as the fellowship hall was opened for Christian education and fellowship and the sanctuary space in the existing sanctuary building was expanded. A new parsonage was purchased at 125 Mitchell Drive in April 1973, about 2 miles north of the church. In the fall of 1981 a preschool was founded. Construction on a new sanctuary began in 1981 and was completed and dedicated in 1987. MEMBERSHIP: About 1,850 COMMUNITY OUTREACH: St. Andrew's Mission Team has coordinated the fundraising for and construction of three homes that were donatedto needy families. Recently a Medical Mission Team went to Zambia and treated more than 625 needy children; they will return early next year. Also, a construction team will go to Zambia to work on Chililabombwe United Methodist Church being built and furnished solely with donations from St. Andrew's congregation. The church also hosts a tutoring program serving more than 70 students and provides meeting space for more than 25 scouting groups. NOTABLE: Has more than 130 activities groups or ministries from orchestra to college student ministry, from volleyball to flower arranging and from Bible study to grief support.
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From the Times |
