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History of Tims
In the late 1940s following WWII, Lutz was a close-knit rural community. Citrus groves and poultry farms dotted the area. A railroad depot, Bullard Bandshell, and a two story brick school house were at the center of town. The Lutz Fourth of July Celebration was in its infancy. The nearest Presbyterian church was in Seminole Heights just north of Hillsborough Avenue.
One Sunday afternoon in early February 1947, a group met at the home of Mildred and Sam Bissett to discuss the possibility of establishing a Presbyterian church in the Lutz community. Sam Bissett was elected chairman. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to selecting a name for the church. "Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church" was chosen to honor the well-known, loved, and much respected church leader, the Reverend Dr. John C. Tims, late pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa. The group petitioned the St. Johns Presbytery to organize a Presbyterian church in the Lutz area, and on March 23, 1947, Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church was officially recognized with a membership of 35. Members serving on the Presbytery commission included Dr. J Chester Frist, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa, who conducted services for Tims on Sunday afternoons, and Reverend Walter Passiglia, Pastor of Ybor City Presbyterian Church.
The small congregation's first order of business was to elect a Session and a Board of Deacons. The first services of the church were held in the American Legion Building on Second Avenue SE off Highway 41 in Lutz. The building, with its tin roof, tin walls, and bare cement floors was a less than ideal place for church services. Quite often rats would scamper across the rafters above the congregation. Traffic along the highway also posed a noise problem. Still everyone was thankful to have a place to assemble and worship God.
On May 4, 1947, the Reverend Oswald Delgado, a native of Ybor City, was called to serve as minister of Tims Memorial. He accepted the call and was installed as pastor on June 29. Sunday services were held in the Home Demonstration Building next to Lutz School on Highway 41. The roll of charter members was closed in August 1947 with a membership of 44.
Assisted by St. Johns Presbytery, the congregation purchased a plot of land at the intersection of Sunset Lane and Cypress Cove in an area known as Crilly Acres. The tract included approximately five acres of land and an unfurnished concrete block house. At a congregational meeting on Sunday, April 4, 1948, a Building Committee was approved and given authority to proceed with plans for the new church building.
Mrs. Stanley Wallace presented plans to the Building Committee for a church reminiscent of a Spanish mission. The style suited the Lutz community and the design was approved. The Home Mission Board in Atlanta agreed to a building loan on the condition a sufficient number of members would co-sign. Clarence Means, Stanley Wallace, Wilson King, Cicil Webb, Sam Bissett, Roscoe DeHaven, Thomas Calder, Godfrey Ramsey, and Frank Nowlin, Sr. readily agreed to endorse the loan application. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held January 16, 1949. County Commissioner Frank Bullard proved to be of enormous help in filling, grading, and prepping the site for building. Everyone pitched in to accomplish the task of raising the church building. The women of the church organized fund raising dinners and white elephant sales. One member generously donated enough concrete blocks to provide a real impetus in starting the church building. The most unusual effort to aid the project was arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Shephard. With the assistance of several of their good friends, the Shepard's held a horse show which proved to be very successful and netted $1653.36 (1948 dollars) for the building fund. Work on the concrete block house, which was to be the manse, was completed. A great spirit of unity grew along with the building of the church. The doors of Tims Memorial first opened on May 1, 1949 at a consecration service. The Completed church building boasted noiseless floors, concealed lighting in the nave, a nursery, a recreation and dining room, loud speakers for classrooms, and an air conditioning system. The stained glass windows, made locally in Zephyrhills, bear the names of charter members and/or families. The chancel windows are made of European antique stained glass. Popular in the 1950's, the three "figured" stained glass windows would be costly to replace today.
In April of 1954, a second building campaign was launched. In just five years membership had grown at such a rapid pace the church was feeling the press of limited space. The plans called for the "Social Hall" to become a permanent transept of the Sanctuary, now known as the West Wing, to accommodate 400 worshipers during services. The extension of the Education Building added seven new classrooms. The new Social Hall, also with seating for 400, was the largest indoor hall in the area and became the hub on many community activities. At a dedication service in 1978, the Social Hall was named in honor of long-standing Tims member Leo Erny, a man generous with his time, energy, and gifts. During Reverend Delgado's eight years at Tims, the membership swelled from 44 charter members to over 300! Under his leadership the congregation successfully completed two building programs and reached a self supporting status. In September 1955, Reverend Delgado gave his farewell sermon. He accepted a call to Winter Park Presbyterian Church where he stayed for the remainder of his active ministry. Reverend Delgado passed away in June 1992.
In 1956 Reverend Lawrence S. Streshley, Jr. arrived at Tims Memorial. He originated the "Ritual of Friendship" which is still part of our worship service today. He left us to the Fort Meade Presbyterian Church, also in our presbytery. He remained there until his retirement in 1994. The Revereand Kenneth Christy was next to take pulpit. He and his wife Leslie endeared themselves to the congregation of Tims by their faithful service and genuine concern for the welfare of each member. After he left Tims, Reverend Christy served a lengthy ministry in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In the mid 1960s the Reverend Parker Williamson accepted a call to Tims. He was extremely active in the church's youth programs and was also involved with the youth ministry programs at the University of South Florida. After five years Reverend Williamson moved to the First Presbyterian Church in Lenoir, North Carolina. Following Reverend Williamson was the Reverend Jim Richardson who continued his predecessor's work with the youth groups. He was instrumental in initiating a weekly program for persons in the church and community over the age of 55. "Good Neighbors" offered senior citizens two hours of classes and a hot lunch followed by a sing-along. Reverend Richardson left Tims to accept a call at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson, South Carolina.
The Reverend Walter Peters came to Tims in 1980. Soon after his arrival he oversaw the creation of a church sponsored preschool program to serve the Lutz Community. Tims Preschool remains a vital part of our ministry. The size of the church property doubled when the congregation approved the purchase of five acres adjacent to that of the church. Under his leadership, support persons were added to accommodate the growing congregation of over 400 members.
Co- pastors, the Reverends Bill and Jean Cooley were called to Tims in 1998. While here, the Cooley's helped us reach beyond our walls and to establish relationships with our Honduran neighbors. The Cooley's left Tims in February, 2004 to accept a call in Lakeland, Florida at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
While awaiting the arrival of a permanent pastor, we were happy to have the Rev. Walter Griffith serving as our Interim Pastor. On May 21, 2006, we installed our permanent Senior Pastor, The Reverend Jimmy Cazin |
