Lulu Church Celebrates 150th Anniversary
FLORIDA – The Advent Christian Church in Lulu, Florida celebrated its 150th anniversary on Sunday, October 20. A celebration gathering and worship service was held to give praise to God. The day began with a catered meal at noon. Members, former members, friends and conference churches were present. A worship service followed the dinner beginning at 1:30pm. A brief overview of the church’s history was presented, and letters were shared from denominational leaders and pastors. Special music was provided by the Suwannee River Bluegrass and the church’s current pastor Josh Edwards. The message was by Rev. Virgil Jerrell, who served as a previous pastor in 1968. He currently serves as pastor of the Friendship Advent Christian Church in Jacksonville, Florida. A major highlight was the baptism of two new believers. Refreshments and fellowship continued after the service.
The church was organized in 1874 under the leadership of Rev. P.A. Smith with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Gillen, Mr. and Mrs. David Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Sauls. The birth of the church was in the community schoolhouse.
In 1918, 44 years after the church’s beginning, Rev. H.V. Skipper was called as pastor. Under his ministry, one year later, in 1919, the membership obtained a church building from the Summerville community (where the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church is now), dismantled, moved and re-erected it on the church property donated by Robert C. Gillen.
In the fall of 1972, a building committee was appointed to plan a new building. Lowell McCall, chairman; Eulyn P. Croft; and Delton Turberville. Under their guidance, and that of the pastor, Rev. Leon W. McElhaney, plans were immediately under way for a new building.
It was the following spring, 1973, when the church members pledged themselves to give $1,000 per family in order to meet the estimated cost of the new edifice ($38,000). Because of the sacrificial giving of money, time and labor, in less than two years the building was sufficiently near completion. On Sunday October 6, 1974, the first meeting in the new church was held, followed by a revival beginning Monday evening, October 7. The new Lulu Advent Christian Church was dedicated on Sunday, April 27, 1975, with no indebtedness. The sermon of dedication was delivered by the late Rev. Joe Tom Tate.
In 2002 the church entered an expansion program to construct a new fellowship hall under the leadership of Eulyn P. Croft, Royce Shaw and Roland Gillen. The new addition was dedicated on August 7, 2003, with no indebtedness.
The current church represents the years of dedication and faithfulness to the members committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and his second coming.