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Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC
Saint Pete Beach
FL
33706-4211
- United Church of Christ churches in Saint Pete Beach, FL
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Who we are
We belong to the United Church of Christ, a progressive Protestant denomination that encourages people to study the Bible seriously, and not accept it literally.
If you're looking for a church that is progressive, relevant and bold, where you can explore your faith and raise your doubts without fear of being judged, then you have found your spiritual home here at Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church, UCC.
If you're looking for a church that is progressive, relevant and bold, where you can explore your faith and raise your doubts without fear of being judged, then you have found your spiritual home here at Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church, UCC.
Location of worship / Church Address
107 16th Ave
Saint Pete Beach,
FL
33706-4211
United States
Phone: 727-360-5508
Fax: 727-367-1966
Download Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling
Lead Pastor
107 16th Ave
Saint Pete Beach,
FL
33706-4211
United States
Phone: 727-360-5508
Fax: 727-367-1966
Download Lead Pastor Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Denomination
United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ churches in Saint Pete Beach, Florida, United States
United Church of Christ churches in Florida, United States
United Church of Christ churches in United States
All churches in Saint Pete Beach, FL
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC Saint Pete Beach on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling
Leader Position:
Lead Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
727-367-1966
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Pastor Guillermo has been an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ since 1997. As the youngest son of Cuban immigrants, he grew up in Puerto Rico. He joined the U.S. Navy upon graduating from high school and received an honorable discharge after six years of service. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English (1998) and a Master of Public Administration (2007) from Florida International University. He attended the South Florida Center for Theological Studies where he received a Master of Divinity (1997) and the Chicago Theological Seminary for his Doctorate in Ministry (2011).
Pastor Guillermo arrived at our church in 2015 as Associate Pastor for Program Development. He was voted Lead Pastor in February 2023 during the transition time.
In his spare time, Pastor Guillermo likes to write. Over the years he has contributed articles to journals and periodicals. He is the published author of the novel, Crossing Into the Land of Saints (2007), Rise of the Spiritual Activist: A Beginner's Guide for Integrating Faith and Justice (2012), and most recently, a trilogy about Central American children seeking refuge at the US border: Praying for an Eclipse - Mother Moon (2017), Father Sun (2018) and The Eclipse (2019).
Pastor Guillermo arrived at our church in 2015 as Associate Pastor for Program Development. He was voted Lead Pastor in February 2023 during the transition time.
In his spare time, Pastor Guillermo likes to write. Over the years he has contributed articles to journals and periodicals. He is the published author of the novel, Crossing Into the Land of Saints (2007), Rise of the Spiritual Activist: A Beginner's Guide for Integrating Faith and Justice (2012), and most recently, a trilogy about Central American children seeking refuge at the US border: Praying for an Eclipse - Mother Moon (2017), Father Sun (2018) and The Eclipse (2019).
Other Church Leaders:
Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling on Social Media:
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Stacey Jackson
Admin Position:
Office Administrator
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
727-367-1966
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
Park in our paved lot on 16th Avenue or our shelled lot along Gulf Boulevard. The City also has metered parking nearby.
Parking on 16th Street
Parking on grass lot on east side of Church
Parking on Gulf Boulevard (permit form Church Office required to waive meter fees)
Parking on 16th Street
Parking on grass lot on east side of Church
Parking on Gulf Boulevard (permit form Church Office required to waive meter fees)
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC Saint Pete Beach Service Times
Sunday Worship Services
8:30 A.M. Service
An outdoor service featuring contemporary music and a weekly offering of Holy Communion.
10 A.M. Service
A traditional service in our sanctuary with choir and ensemble singers. The sacrament of Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month.
Service Times last updated on the 2nd of August, 2023
8:30 A.M. Service
An outdoor service featuring contemporary music and a weekly offering of Holy Communion.
10 A.M. Service
A traditional service in our sanctuary with choir and ensemble singers. The sacrament of Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month.
Service Times last updated on the 2nd of August, 2023
Worship Languages
Dress code:
As a congregation of many blended cultures, religions and ages, as well as residing on the beach, dress on a Sunday morning will vary. Our youth are more casual. Our adults vary from beach casual attire to slacks/skirts, jackets (or not), and some ties.
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church, UCC is an accessible facility.
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC Photo Gallery
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC History
Our Church History
Before the Town of Pass-A-Grille Beach was incorporated in 1911, song and religious services were held in the local hotels and homes. At this time the Town wanted to have a town hall, school house and church. In 1913 funds were raised by private subscription to buy property and build the first church on the barrier islands of Pinellas County. By 1914 the first Board of Trustees of the Union Church was elected and the congregation began meeting in the “Old School house” on 10th Avenue. The “Old Church” on 10th Avenue was finished in 1917 and dedicated on Christmas Eve. The Founder of the church, Evangelist Dr. Milan B. Williams, was the church’s pastor until 1935. His 1928 biography is written up in “The History of Pinellas County” by William L. Straub. In 1941 the church was incorporated as Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church. Pastors were of many denominations and it was decided by 1949 that the church needed to belong to a denomination and joined the Congregational Conference of Florida. The last three pastors at the “Old Church” were Congregationalists who were loved and still remembered by the community for their spiritualism. The Sunday school grew to over 100 children. During the 1950s it was decided that the growing congregation needed to build a new church.
In March of 1959 the congregation moved into the new church on 16th Avenue and in the early 1960s the congregation became a part of the United Church of Christ. From 1959 until today the church has grown to a membership of over 900. A Thrift Shop, Day School and Counseling Clinic were begun during that time. Houses and a hotel were torn down in the 1970s to make room for parking. The Montessori School was formed as an outreach to the community in the late 1980s. In the 1990s a new educational building was added, along with remodeling the courtyard area to include a labyrinth, fountain and garden. The altar area was enlarged to make room for ever-increasing usage. Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church is also the only barrier island church on the National Historic District register for the west coast of Florida. Today this active church continues to reach out to community, country and world-wide missions as it did from its very beginning.
Before the Town of Pass-A-Grille Beach was incorporated in 1911, song and religious services were held in the local hotels and homes. At this time the Town wanted to have a town hall, school house and church. In 1913 funds were raised by private subscription to buy property and build the first church on the barrier islands of Pinellas County. By 1914 the first Board of Trustees of the Union Church was elected and the congregation began meeting in the “Old School house” on 10th Avenue. The “Old Church” on 10th Avenue was finished in 1917 and dedicated on Christmas Eve. The Founder of the church, Evangelist Dr. Milan B. Williams, was the church’s pastor until 1935. His 1928 biography is written up in “The History of Pinellas County” by William L. Straub. In 1941 the church was incorporated as Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church. Pastors were of many denominations and it was decided by 1949 that the church needed to belong to a denomination and joined the Congregational Conference of Florida. The last three pastors at the “Old Church” were Congregationalists who were loved and still remembered by the community for their spiritualism. The Sunday school grew to over 100 children. During the 1950s it was decided that the growing congregation needed to build a new church.
In March of 1959 the congregation moved into the new church on 16th Avenue and in the early 1960s the congregation became a part of the United Church of Christ. From 1959 until today the church has grown to a membership of over 900. A Thrift Shop, Day School and Counseling Clinic were begun during that time. Houses and a hotel were torn down in the 1970s to make room for parking. The Montessori School was formed as an outreach to the community in the late 1980s. In the 1990s a new educational building was added, along with remodeling the courtyard area to include a labyrinth, fountain and garden. The altar area was enlarged to make room for ever-increasing usage. Pass-a-Grille Beach Community Church is also the only barrier island church on the National Historic District register for the west coast of Florida. Today this active church continues to reach out to community, country and world-wide missions as it did from its very beginning.
Pass-a-Grille Beach Community UCC Historical Photos
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