About

OUR BEGINNING

We thank and praise God for the triumphs and accomplishment of the many years. His help and direction has been very evident. We give praise to God. The first things to meet the eye are physical and material structures, these are important and impressive. However, if we look a little deeper and read behind the lines, we can see the real story; the romance of many, spanning more than a generation, working together in love with and obedience to the Lord.

"Our first church building - Fully constructed by mid 1945 - and debt free."

In 1943 at the corner of Mango and Magnolia streets, a tent meeting was held, with Reverend John D. Rhame as evangelist. This was a giant step of faith. Holiness doctrine was a new persuasion in this area, it was not readily received. In addition to this, it was wartime, almost everything was in limited supply, including gas, time and money. A year later on June 4, 1944 a new Nazarene Church was organized with Reverend Charles Strickland, Florida District Superintendent officiating. Reverend Rhame became the first pastor of the new Sebring Church of the Nazarene. There were thirteen members in all, eight adults and five children. The new church met in a rented building where the Bank of America is today.

The new church was few in number, income was low, with no equity and too new to have any credit rating. This settled down to pay-as-you-go. Prayer and fasting became a standard practice for many days to come. They prayed for God's guidance and help in finding a location.

In those days the main highway through town went out South Commerce Avenue. On the corner of Pine and Commerce stood a Standard Oil service station. The owner, Mr. Joe Stiles, Sr. offered the little group this location for $10.00, (some say $1.00) plus the unearthing of two large storage tanks. Title was passed, tanks were dug up, the station torn down and the ground leveled. Beautiful location, but no buildings and practically no money, interceding before God gained increased urgency.

It was decided to start building on faith. Day by day work went on but it was slow, materials were purchased daily according to money on hand. Miraculously money slowly but increasingly came in and the number of members grew. In fourteen months a new parsonage and lovely church were constructed, entirely debt free. On August 22, 1945 an official occupancy celebration was conducted by Dr. Charles Strickland, our District Superintendent. There were nearly 200 people seated in the sanctuary, with that many more standing inside and outside of the building. The official dedication was held on October 14, 1945, by Dr. R.T. Williams, General Superintendent.

"Old buildings are torn down to make way for new construction."

Step by step, year by year work went steadily forward. Sacrificial giving of time, effort and money was commonplace. Many unselfish gifts were received, starting with the $10.00 purchase price for two very desirable building lots. Gifts varied in size from modest amounts to $100,000.00 as recent as 1985, by the late Mrs. Grace C. Creel.

"In 1971 foundation is poured for a new church building."

"In 1971 the outside walls go up on our present sanctuary."

Over the years new lots with buildings were purchased, until now the church owns the entire block. Buildings were moved, refurbished and/or torn down to make room for new construction. The new parsonage was built in 1953. Our present sanctuary was built in 1971-72. The latest addition to our complex is the educational unit built in 1986.

"May 14, 1972 Ribbon cutting of the new sanctuary, Reverend Joe Benson, Pastor."

"In 1986 Groundbreaking for new family unit. Dr. Spear with shovel in hand."

"Family unit nearing completion."

 

FORMER PASTORS AND DATES

Reverend John D. Rhame - 1944-46

Reverend R.E. Bush - 1946-48

Reverend Robert H. Spear, Sr. - 1948-52

Reverend Vincent Gennaro - 1952-55

Reverend W.F. Melton (Interim) 1955-56

Reverend Eugene Williams - 1956-58

Reverend Otis Hardin - 1958-61

Reverend J.D. Benson - 1961-67

Reverend Nathan Adams - 1967-68

Reverend J.D. Benson - 1968-85

Reverend D. Paul Ray - 1985-88

Reverend Charles Morton - 1988-90

Reverend James A. Bailey - 1990-94

Reverend Robert Lewis- 1994-97

Reverend Emmett Garrison- 1997- Present

 

The Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man 
who trusts in him.

Psalm 32:10