Southside Christian Church

"Serving God and loving people"

www.SouthsideChristianChurch.org

Our Senior Minister: Curt Leonard

Curt, and his wife Sarah, have served as our ministry family since 1987. Curt is originally from Annapolis, Maryland and Sarah grew up on a dairy farm near Lake Okeechobee, Florida.

Curt received his education from Florida Christian College in Kissimmee, FL and from Cincinnati Christian University. Sarah has degrees from Florida State University and the University of South Florida, and is now teaching in the Sarasota County Public School System.

Sons Isaac and Jesse are the other two Leonards. Isaac and Jesse are both engineering students at Florida State University where they are also actively involved in the Christian Campus Fellowship.  They are skilled computer nerds and enjoy working on their Volvo cars.

Curt's hobbies include restoring old military vehicles and Sarah loves cooking, reading and cats.

Our Church History: 1962 to Present

Southside Christian Church began its evangelism in 1962. Support to start the church, orginally known as Southside Christian of Sarasota, was approved by area ministers from St. Petersburg, Wauchula, Clearwater, Lake Wales and Ft. Myers. Space was rented at the Elks Club behind Riverview High School for one and a half years. The first baptisms were in Philippi Creek. Jon Mullins, an Elder from the St. Petersburg Christian Church, drove over to preach and lead the original congregation of 25.

The property on Webber Street, where the church still stands, was donated by Mrs. Isabel Avery, and bonds were sold to the church members for the construction of the buildings. The total cost of the buildings was $50,000.00. The first minister, Roland Lotridge, made arrangements for the land; Ernie Coven, who started attending during construction, contributed much to the building and oversight of materials.

Roland Lotridge retired as the minister in 1978, continuing to attend until his passing in 1999. The second minister was Bob Miller who served until 1987. Curt Leonard, our current minister, has been faithfully serving the church since that time.

Pics 1 & 2 are early construction; Pic 3 is dedication ceremony Feb 1971.

Please click on these images to enlarge them.

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