Our History

On September 1, 1951, The Board of American Missions assigned Rev. Francis I. Fesperman to St. Petersburg to develop the Southside Lutheran Mission, which would become St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Three years later, the Church Council was given the go-ahead to have plans drawn for St. Andrew’s first church building.  A report issued on June 7, 1953 on the Building Fund Pledge Drive showed cash and pledges totaling $5,496 against the goal of $5,500.  The movie Martin Luther rated sixth in box office receipts during November 1953 and was rated fourth among the best movies of 1953. A groundbreaking service marking the beginning of construction of the first unit of St. Andrew’s church building on December 18, 1955 on a lot at 2830 Lakeview Avenue South.  Registrations began on August 18, 1957 for a kindergarten class being formed.  The registration fee was $5, and tuition was $12 a month. Classes ran from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday.  The daily preschool had 30 children.

The population of Florida grew more from 1950 to 1960 than in any other state in the Union; 77%,“ the bulletin for Easter Sunday, April 2, 1961, reported. The membership in the Florida Synod of the U.L.C.A. grew more from 1950 to 1960 than in any other Synod; 135%.”In August 1964, an air-conditioning system was installed in the parsonage at a cost of $674.90 and the purchase of a Wurlitzer organ for $750 was approved at a congregational meeting on May 8, 1966. On May 10, 1966 church council accepted a bid of $789.75 from Larson Paving and Construction Company to broaden and resurface the church driveways.  On June 25, 1967, the National Council of Churches invited all Christians to join together in prayer for peace in Vietnam, On January 5,  1968, the church purchased the property at its current location and construction began work at the church site on April 15, 1968,  May 26, 1968 was designated as Fair Housing Sunday by the Council of Churches of St. Petersburg in support of a statement approved by the Lutheran Church in America that “the Church and its congregations and members should support local legislation which seeks to guarantee all persons equally, without racial discrimination… the right to rent, buy, and occupy housing in any place.”

On April 12, 1972,  working mothers in the community expressed interest in the possibility that the preschool would be converted into an all-day care facility.  On August 8, 1972, the St. Andrew’s Day School opened as an addition to the preschool program with 55 children registered.  Two years later, 87 children were enrolled.  In 1978 a plan for renovation and expansion of the church was approved by the congregation. The church has long welcomed and cared for immigrant families from around the globe.  In January, 1980 the bell tower was finished. On January 1, 1981 an appeal went out to congregation for donations of S&H Green Stamps to use for the purchase of a record player. On October 4, 1983,  St. Andrew received the City of St. Petersburg’s Annual Beautification Award on for the “most beautiful and best maintained church property.”  The top five favorite hymns sung during June, July, and August 1991 were “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” and “The Church’s One Foundation.” The school was renamed on August 6, 1990 to McMannis Pre-School and Child Care Center of St. Andrew in honor of Marion McMannis, the school’s unwavering advocate and dedicated teacher.

On June 20, 1998, a ribbon cutting was conducted by Bishop William Trexler to celebrate the opening of the new education wing. The report from the school noted, “…our new ‘digs’ is the best thing to happen to our school in ages. The staff, children and parents are really impressed and proud to be part of this school…

“What Is This?”, a vaudeville show to raise money for the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Andrew, was held on October 19, 2001. The McMannis Preschool and Child Care Center presented the Dancing Darlings, Tootsie Toes, and a baton twirler.  More than 150 attended “McMannis Musical Melodies,” a dinner theater, in August 2003 presented by the children of the preschool and child care center.

Community service was encouraged including its tradition of food donations, first to the Sunshine Center followed by annual participation in the City Crop Walk where the children donated peanut butter, rice and beans, pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.

The St. Andrew Church Women joined the Women of the ELCA on February 24, 2008 in celebrating Bold Women’s Day, honoring women who act boldly on their faith.

The pre-school transferred from church oversight to private in January, 2020 and has remained a fully licensed, active school ever since.  The church was hit by the double hurricanes in 2024 and major repairs and upgrades followed allowing for a preschool that is bright and modern, the church sports a spiffy new roof in the color of merlot along with new flooring and kitchen upgrades.

Your generous donations help Saint Andrew Lutheran Church continue its mission of providing a welcoming community, uplifting worship, and vital services to those in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact on our ability to serve and support our congregation and the broader community.