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The Rev. Leroy Bellamy is making an appeal to other churches' members for donations so he can see construction finished on his Floral City church.
By GAIL HOLLENBECK
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 14, 2001
FLORAL CITY -- The Rev. Leroy Bellamy has a wish. The 88-year-old minister would like to see the sanctuary he began building two years ago in Floral City finished. When it is, he says, he knows the Lord will fill it with more people than it can hold.
Thanks to the generosity of the people of Citrus County, and many of its churches, the construction work of the past two years has been debt-free. Meanwhile, work has been done to renovate the older church, which is a separate building, to make it suitable for a fellowship hall.
Now, to complete the project, Bellamy, who has been pastor of Grace Temple Church of the Living God for 43 years, is making an appeal to all the churches in the county. He doesn't know how much time he has left, after having been in the hospital for tests three weeks ago.
"They checked me out with everything they could," he said in a recent interview. "They said my heart wasn't beating as fast as it should, and they didn't know why my arm was like needles running through it and my hand. So they're checking on that now."
But health concerns have not stopped the minister from pursuing what he believes is a directive from God to build this church. He has to obey God, he says, and that's why he is asking for help.
"When we can make another good money-raising," he said, "I think we are going to go ahead and finish it out. I am asking all the ministers in the county, and they're the one building the church, if after they get through with their services on a Sunday with taking up their tithes and their offerings -- we don't want that -- then make mention about this church and ask the members if they would help us. I hope they'll just take up an offering, whatever they take up. Come over into Macedonia and help us, and I believe they will. And I believe through this county, we'll have enough to finish it, and maybe over."
According to Rodney Wilburn of Wilburn Construction, who is building the church, another $25,000 would complete the 2,152-square-foot sanctuary.
The Rev. Craig Davies of First Presbyterian Church in Inverness believes Bellamy will accomplish his goal.
"I know this is a project that Leroy feels is his final calling," said Davies. "I am quite certain he will complete it. Leroy is highly respected and loved in Citrus County, and this is a very giving community. He's a friend of our church, and we've asked him to preach here. We have provided some support before, and I'm sure we will do what we can to see the project completed, as I know other pastors will."
Bellamy said he has preached or led prayer in most of the county's churches. Born here in 1913, he and his late wife of 64 years, Priscilla, reared a family of 10 children and have more than 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"I was trying for a ball team, so I wanted nine boys," joked Bellamy, whose laugh is reminiscent of the late actor Walter Brennan's. He came close by producing eight sons and two daughters.
Bellamy has been honored in Citrus County, including having a street named after him and being the grand marshal of last year's Inverness Christmas Parade.
In July 1999, "Leroy Bellamy Day" included tributes from lifelong friends and from many politicians, from President Bill Clinton to Inverness Mayor Joyce Rogers, who sent or personally handed the minister a proclamation.
A press release from that occasion said: "Bridging racial barriers was a natural way of life for Leroy. He strongly believes that working to bring people together is the right thing to do.
"Throughout his ministry he has always been known and well received at prisons, jails, hospitals, senior citizens homes, schools, guest churches, marriages, funerals, parades and just about any and every occasion where the work of the Lord was going on.
"Race, color, sex, religion or social class was never an issue. He treated everyone with respect, greeted them with a smile and prayed for them according to their need."
The organizer for that event, Alida Langley, said she wanted it held while Bellamy was still living so that he could be there to see it.
The day, Bellamy said, is one of his favorite memories.
"I've got plaques that I ain't got a place to put them," he said. "My grandchildren have asked me, "Granddaddy, where are they going to have your funeral?' and I told them I already had it, and I heard all the good things they said about me.
"I never will forget that. I've had a wonderful life here in Citrus County."
But his work isn't over yet. Bellamy says that the greatest lesson in life that God has taught him is to be obedient. That's why he needs to finish his church.
"Let's finish it," said Bellamy. "Oh, Lord, I just pray that we will. We started by faith, and we're going to end it up by faith."
Donations for the church project may be mailed to: Grace Temple Church of the Living God, P.O. Box 243, Floral City, FL 34430, or to Leroy Bellamy at 806 Leroy Bellamy Road, Inverness, FL 34450.