About Our Church: Our History

[See also: Our Beliefs | Our Location]

In 1962 Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sprunger moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Zephyrhills, Florida, and felt the leading of the Lord to establish a church. A parcel of land was purchased at "C" Avenue and 20th Street and construction began on a 36-foot by 64-foot sanctuary in 1964.

An organizational meeting was held in January of 1965 and the church was named "Zephyrhills Pilgrim Church." On April 18, 1965, the church was formally dedicated to the Lord with about one hundred fifty guests attending.

Rev. R.C. Bennett was "called" on May 18, 1967 to serve as the first full-time pastor. The members of the new church were: Louis and Pearl Sprunger, Margaret Clark, Clysta Gunnison, Rev. and Mrs. James Miller, Henrietta Sherman, and Rev. and Mrs. R.C. Bennett, all of whom have gone to be with the Lord.

The church was renamed following the merger of the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Weslelyan Methodist Church in 1968.

The church has experienced many changes over the years. In January of 1970, construction began on a fellowship hall and educational building providing four classrooms.

Under the leadership of Rev. William J. Knecht, who served as pastor from 1971 to 1978, outstanding progress was made. The church experienced numerical gains and improvements were made to the buildings. Rev. Knecht passed away in 2000, but his wife, Libby, still faithfully attends and serves in the church.

Dr. Ed Garcia accepted the call to serve as pastor in July 1985 and served until 2000. The church grew under his outstanding leadership. Construction of a new Family Life Center was begun in 1994 and the building was dedicated on April 2, 1995. Dr. Garcia was followed by Rev. Bill Nace, who pastored the church for two years. Pastor Nace worked dilegently to sure up the church's financial records and to set the stage for future growth. On July 15, 2002, Rev. Dan and Rev. Patty David came to ZWC as co-pastors. We are anticipating that God will continue to bless the church as a result of their ministry.