The future of 730 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland, FL

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The building today | Photo via Google Maps

Grace City Church has tentatively sold its 730 Florida Ave. S. Chapel Campus to The King’s Church. The red brick building known for its stained glass windows will soon house a congregation that’s been operating out of Union Hall on Sundays.

The King’s Church is planning to finalize the purchase via “The Chapel Campaign,” which aimed to raise $350,000 to help the church reach a $2 million price tag, a goal the church says it’s achieved.

Should the church close on the property next week, this will be the fourth congregation that has ties to the historic property, dating back to a church in 1905. Originally on Florida Avenue and Lemon Street (just a few streets down from the current spot), sat Cumberland Presbyterian Church, established in 1888 for $2,000.

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Before and after of Westminster Pres | Photo via Florida Memory

As the congregation grew, the original wooden building was sold in 1920 and the iconic red brick building was erected on its current plot at 730 S. Florida Ave., after a donation by a local family known as the Riggins. Just five years later, an official dedication took place for the building on Nov. 1, 1925.

Cumberland Presbyterian was soon renamed Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1942 and resided in the building until it was closed in 2013 and purchased by Grace City Church. Yesterday, members and staff of Grace City Church held their final service at the Chapel Campus, and church offices have relocated to Grace City Lakeside Campus.

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