by Peter Roos
Tampa Bay just marked the first anniversary of the “100-year storms” which will be long remembered. Our barrier island homes of worship were badly impacted. St John Vianney Catholic Church and School taught many island residents for almost 100 years until all 14 classroom buildings were flooded. Sadly, the school will not reopen, but the congregation held services in the beautiful church building, to observe the anniversary. Across the street, St. Albans still has a fence around it and its thrift store, The Attic Shoppe on Corey, is closed, likely forever.
The Church by the Sea, a non-denominational church at 495 137th Ave. Circle in Madeira Beach, is known affectionately as the “chicken church” due to the unintentional appearance of the steeple from the west. While it was badly impacted by flood waters and shifting sand, they were able to return services to their sanctuary by the end of May. Their thrift store is also open on a limited basis. Here is a breakdown of its reopening status:
Worship Services: In-person Sunday services are being held in the sanctuary Sundays at 10am. The main office is closed due to damage, but staff can be reached by text or phone. The thrift store has reopened on a limited schedule (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-2pm).
Overall Status: The church community is actively recovering and operating various ministries and events, though the full extent of the facilities is not yet operational while rebuilding continues.
For the most current information, it is best to check the church’s official website or social media pages.
In Pass-a-Grille, the original church on Ninth Avenue, now the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, remains shuttered, likely awaiting 2025-26 Pinellas County budget funding. The Pass-a-Grille Community Church has been open 50 years at their “new location” on 16th Ave. and recently held services indoors for the first time since the flood. November 9 they celebrated the re-opening of the church’s thrift store, a long-time community service of the church and a prized local institution. It is served by volunteers Tues., Thurs., and Sat. 9am–noon.
The church’s new Senior Pastor – the Reverend Dr. Angela Wells-Bean, is a smart, young, dynamic pastor who grew up here and is thrilled to be serving back home in Tampa Bay. Reverand Angela graduated from New College, Union Theological Seminary and got a doctorate from the Candler School at Emory University. Her mom is also a local St. Pete UCC pastor! When not at the church, Reverand Angela spends time with her husband Andy and their two young children. A group of dedicated volunteers had labored incessantly to meet a self-imposed deadline. Everyone was very complimentary about the general contractor, Ted Kinner, of Kinner Inc. 727- 678-4895, even Kelly Sparra, volunteer decorator, who said “Ted listened,” uncommon for builders in her experience.
The undisputed leader of the renovation group is Pat Cohen, a British expat who was visiting friends in South Africa when she met the anthropologist whose name she has carried as her own ever since. After 60 years in America Pat still sounds quite British. Pat’s restoration team consisted of Bob Herb, Ann Waterhouse, Ted Kinner, Betty Colone, Marianne Marsaro, Ann Morton, Pat Cohen and volunteer interior designer Kelly Sparra, who lives across the street. They are still struggling financially after taking such a hit, and FEMA funds have not come in, so they need all the help they can get.
There are always a ton of great activities happening at the church that are open to the community. Starting in February, there is an outdoor spring concert series to which all are invited. An Open and Affirming Church where all are welcome.
Worship 8:30am and 10am Sundays
Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church
United Church of Christ
107 16th Ave., St. Pete Beach | 727-360-5508
www.pagchurch.org