History

Weekly worship services began in 1975, with a group of 12.After outgrowing our three previous locations, the congregation purchased the Fifth Avenue Cinema building in 1990, and following a major two-year renovation, it became our current home.Rev. Gloria Merrill was our first pastor. She was followed in 1978 by co-pastors Revs. Suzie Kliebenstein and Rickie Richards. Rev. Joseph Gilbert was pastor from 1981-83, followed by Rev. Jack Herman. Rev. Dr. Fred Williams served from 1984-1995.In 1993, we founded and housed Metropolitan Charities, Inc., that provides programs and services for people with HIV/AIDS. Now called Metro Wellness and Community Centers, it has grown into separate locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties.

From 1995-2006, Rev. Elder John Gill served as pastor. Jaye Sheldon, Director of Music, joined our staff in 2005, and Peggy MacLeod, our Director of Administration in 2007. Our current Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Candace R. Shultis, was overwhelming elected by our membership in December 2007, and arrived at King of Peace MCC in January 2008.

A vibrant blended worship experience, social activities, music, congregational care, outreach, and spiritual and personal education programs continue to serve as the foundation of our King of Peace MCC family life.

As the church continues to grow in the 21st century, we are committed to expanding our programs. It is our goal to continue to foster and develop a community-centered diverse Christian ministry that is open and affirming and that celebrates and shares God’s love for all.

1975 – King of Peace was founded on January 19. The first service of worship was held in a private home in Seminole. Later that year the church was moved to the Universal Arts Building in Largo. Rev. Gloria Merrill was appointed Pastor.

1976 – As attendance grew, KOP purchased a church building on 54th Ave. North.

1977 The church building was destroyed by a fire on October 4 and they resumed meeting in private homes. Later that year a store front was rented on 66th St. North.

1978 – The church continued at 66th St. North and Rev. Rickie Richards and Rev. Susan Kliebenstein served as Co-Pastors.

1981 – Once again, the congregation grew, and space was rented at the Unitarian Church in St. Petersburg. Rev. Joseph Gilbert served as Pastor.

1984 – After 4 years the rented space was outgrown. The congregation bough a little yellow house on 1st Ave. South and Rev. Fred Williams accepts the Pastorate. Membership reaches 100.

1985 – Once again KOP outgrows the worship space, and a building is purchased on 9th Ave. North in St. Petersburg. As Rev. Fred Williams remained as Senior Pastor; Rev. David Holzhauer was hired as the Associate Pastor. In October of that year, membership rose to 200.

1986 – Renovations continued on the building and many ministries were being added with leadership of the congregation. Attendance had now grown to 250.

1987 – That year 300 people attended Christmas Eve Service. It was time to look again for a new building.

1990 – The congregation votes to purchase the Fifth Ave. Cinema.

1991 – A Service of Blessing on January 1 was held in the new building and renovations began. Membership exceeded 300.

1993 – In February, renovations are finished, and the church moves into its new home. Membership exceeds 400 and Metropolitan Charities Aids Services is formed and housed within the church.

1994-2005 – Rev. Elder John Gill was elected Pastor and the renovations continued on the third floor. Four offices, a Board Room, classrooms, and a choir space were completed. An elevator was installed, and the portico was added to the back of the church. Late in 2005, Rev. Gill felt it was time to move on.

2006 – Rev. Nathan Meckley was sent to serve as Interim Pastor.

2007 – Rev. Candace Shultis was elected Senior Pastor in December and arrived in January 2008 to serve KOP.

2021 – Rev. Shultis retired in February and Rev. Renae Phillips came to serve as Interim Pastor. The congregation voted to sell the 5th Ave property in January of 2021. The church began holding in person worship again on Pentecost Sunday as the COVID pandemic began to ease up.

2022 – The 5th Ave. building sold in February and KOP moved to Lakewood United Methodist Church on MLK St. South where they shared space. KOP held their first service at this temporary location on Palm Sunday. The membership roll was 212. We had a joint Christmas Concert with Church of the Trinity.

2023 – We were priced out of our contract at Lakewood UMC and began the search for a new worship space in March. During the year KOP participated in 5 different Pride events and had a float in the St. Pete Pride Parade. The contract to purchase Good Samaritan Church was signed on August 4th and finalized on September 19th. We began worshiping in our new home on September 3rd with 165 in attendance. Good Samaritan Church will continue to lease from King of Peace for three years. The rolls were reviewed and pruned to 171. The Pastoral Search Team was formed in September of 2022 and put on hold until we found our new home and now the search is on. We can’t wait to see who God sends!!

2024 – The Pastoral Search Team (PST) began its work in the fall of 2023, continuing into 2024 in search of the next settled senior pastor. Following two rounds of interviews, the PST presented Rev. Ray Simms to the congregation, who overwhelmingly voted him in. Rev. Ray was officially installed on Saturday, June 15, 2024. The first six months of 2024 have seen a flurry of activity as the church works to update, improve, and expand the
infrastructure of the property, including electrical systems, HVAC, roofs, and doors and installation of solar panels.

2025 – King of Peace celebrates 50 years of God’s abiding presence with an anniversary theme “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating our Present, Embracing Our Future” A weekend of events January 17-19 includes a musical night, and Gold and White Gala, and worship on Sunday followed be a church picnic on the grounds! God has been good, and the church is “Beyond Blessed”.