lorence Boulevard Church of Christ began on July 11, 1958 as the Lee Hi Church of Christ. The Weeden Heights congregation had outgrown its facilities. There were two services each Sunday. The decision was made to plant another congregation. The first assembly consisted of approximately 100 souls. Gilbert Kretzer, then minister at Weeden Heights, preached the first sermon. T. L. Elrod and Roy Newton served as the first elders.

Three men filled the pulpit on an interim basis during the first year of the church. Gilbert Kretzer served as minister from April, 1959 to April, 1968. He was followed by Kelby Smith from May, 1968 through June, 1991.

Lee Hi also outgrew its facilities. When the new building was completed on June 4, 1972, the congregation became the Florence Boulevard Church of Christ. An educational building was completed in September of 1979. We began to use the new annex in January of 1999.

Previous elders who have served this congregation include: Bradley Durham, Robert Clay, James Smith, Charles Woodfin, Dale Boren, Gilbert Kretzer, Dale Lyons, Johnny Beasley, and Glen Mayhall. David Newberry served as associate minister from 1979 through August, 1982. Bill Bagents served from September, 1982 until assuming preaching responsibilities in July, 1991. Keith Davis served as Youth Minister from July, 1991 through June, 1996. In August, 1996, Brad Adcock began to serve as Youth Minister. Terry Broome became the pulpit minister in January, 2000. Chris Kemp became the pulpit minister in March,2002.

The Florence Boulevard Church of Christ has been blessed by an outstanding teaching program. Bible classes continue to be a major strength of the church. A weekly visitation program has been active for nearly thirty years. Mission work, both in the States and abroad, has continued to grow. In recent years, the church has been heavily involved in Albania with Aubrey and Carolyn Stephens living in that country. Thousands of Bible lessons are mailed every month through World Bible School. Lads to Leaders continues to grow as one important aspect of our work with youth.

Though conservative in doctrine and practice, the church continues to grow in the grace of liberal giving. Four consecutive years of record giving have allowed the construction of the annex and the expansion of our mission work. More and more workers have stepped forward to lend their talents to the cause of Christ.

It is our intention to grow in number, in spirit, and in work to the glory of God. No matter how much we grow, we want to maintain a warm, family atmosphere. Our aim is to do God’s work God’s way. If we stay true to that aim, we know that we will have God’s blessing.