OUR HISTORY 

The foundation of WholeLife Church began more than a hundred years ago. Today, we celebrate our diverse history and multi-cultural membership.

Our History

See how we've changed
through the years:

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

100 YEARS AND THE NEXT 10 - 'AMPLIFY 2036'!

This centennial is not merely a celebration of our history, but a radical recommitment to "Amplify" what has been done as we move forward. To do "greater things" in 2026 means operating with the full confidence that Christ has already ascended to the Father and poured out His Spirit on us. We look back at a century of transformed lives as evidence that the Holy Spirit's power is alive and at work. As we look toward the next century, we embrace the "multiplier effect" of the body of Christ, recognizing that every act of service, every word of truth, and every soul led to Jesus is a continuation of the work Jesus began, now amplified through WholeLife's community of believers.

JANUARY 3, 2026

2026 WHOLELIFE THEME LAUNCH: GREATER THINGS

As we stand at the beginning of this significant 100th anniversary in 2026, we find our anchor in the extraordinary promise of John 14:12: "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." A century of ministry at WholeLife has taught us that these "greater things" were never about surpassing the character or quality of Christ’s miracles, but about the explosive expansion of His Kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. Over the last hundred years, we have seen WholeLife take the Gospel across borders, languages, and digital frontiers that were once unreachable, proving that when the Church moves in unity, the "greater" refers to a global harvest that no single human life could contain.

June 12, 2021

Welcome Pastor Ken!

On June 12, WholeLife Church officially welcomed their new senior pastor, Ken Wetmore, his wife Rachelle, and their children Kyla and Eric. The church held a fun-filled welcome reception for the Wetmore family that evening in the Orlando Junior Academy gymnasium.

March 27, 2021

Pastor Andy's Last Sabbath

After 37 years of service and leadership to the church family and surrounding communities, March 27, 2021, marked Pastor Andy's final Sabbath as WholeLife Church's senior pastor. The day was filled with celebration and memories, and culminated in the afternoon with a program dedicated to honoring his years of service.

March 26, 2021

City of Orlando Proclamation

On March 26, during the reception for Pastor Andy's retirement, Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart presented an official proclamation from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando declaring March 26, 2021 as "Pastor Andy McDonald Day" in recognition of Andy's service to the Orlando community.

March 13, 2021

New Senior Pastor Announced

On March 13, after many months of search by our search committee, along with Faith Search Partners and the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the church announced that Pastor Ken Wetmore had accepted the invitation to join WholeLife Church as the new senior pastor, with an anticipated start date of June 12, 2021. Pastor Jeff Cinquemani served as interim senior pastor until Pastor Ken's arrival.

February 11, 2021 

Pastor Andy Retirement Announcement

With the official search for a new senior pastor actively underway, on February 11 Pastor Andy sent a letter to the congregation announcing the date of his retirement as March 27, 2021.

October 3, 2020

In-person Services Resume

On October 3, the church began meeting in-person again with modified protocols and reduced capacity due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

March 14, 2020

In-person Services Cancelled Due to COVID-19

On March 14, in response to the emergent global COVID-19 pandemic, WholeLife Church cancelled all in-person services and classes and began meeting online-only. This continued through September.

February 27, 2020 

WholeLife Church Name/Brand Launch

On February 27, during our annual Church Retreat, WholeLife Church officially launched its new name and branding.

2019

New Church Name

On December 7, after nearly a year-long process, the church voted to change its name to WholeLife Seventh-day Adventist Church.

2018

Florida Hospital Name Change 

Florida Hospital and Adventist Health System announced they were changing their name to AdventHealth. Because of this, Florida Hospital Church began its search for a new name.

2017 

Justice Ministries

Added a full-time Justice Ministries staff member.

2016

New Logo

A new church logo (FHC) and revised service times were revealed on May 1.

2015

Vision 2018

Adopted "Vision 2018." Learn more about our vision.

2013

Off-Site Worship Cafe

The first offsite Worship Cafe was opened.

2012 

Worship Cafe 

The in-house Worship Cafe was opened on October 6.

2009 

New Mission and Vision Adopted 

The style and times of worship services were changed to better fit the community and church needs. The new mission and vision were adopted to propel the church into its next phase while attracting new members from the community.

2006

Children & Family Pastor Added 

A full-time Children's/Family pastor position was added to the staff.

2002

Downtown Community Ended 

Downtown Community ended a 9-year run. The church voted to develop Loch Haven Children's Academy, a 247-capacity early childhood education and care.

2001

Mortgage Burning 

The mortgage was burned on the last Saturday in December.

2000

Third Floor Completed 

The third floor of the new facility was completed.

1993 

Church Moved and Changed Names 

On May 22, the church move to 2800 North Orange Avenue was official. With the move came a new name: Florida Hospital Seventh-day Adventist Church.

1991 

Ground Broken for New Facility 

The church broke ground on a new facility on September 29.

1990

Church Voted to Exchange Property 

The church voted to exchange the property at 800 Lake Estelle Drive with Florida Hospital. In the deal, the church received the 2800 block of Orange Avenue.

1989 

Church Expansion Project Abandoned 

After hiring an architect, the church realized the plans for additions and renovations were double the original estimates. The project was abandoned, and the church began to rent space from the John Knox Presbyterian Church.

1987 

Vote to Expand the Church 

The congregation voted to expand and renovate the church facility.

1984

Kress Memorial Church Merger Failed 

The membership voted to merge with Kress Memorial Church, but the merger was not completed due to a vote from the Kress membership.

1981

Florida Sanitarium Church Renamed 

Florida Sanitarium Church officially became The Seventh-day Adventist Church at Florida Hospital.

1971

Church Sanctuary Redecorated 

The church sanctuary was redecorated.

1960

Lake Estelle Facility Expanded 

A transept for additional seating and the education wing for children's classes were built as an addition to the Lake Estelle facility.

1948

Growth Led to a New Sanctuary 

The membership grew to 146, and a new sanctuary was built at 800 Lake Estelle Drive. Today, this building is part of AdventHealth University.

1926

Hospital Services Move to Winyah Chapel - WholeLife Church is Born

On September 24, the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists organized the hospital services into a church, meeting in Winyah Chapel.

1922

Hospital Employees Began Worship Services 

A group of hospital employees began Saturday afternoon services on the "day porch" of the hospital.

1908 

Central Church Founded 

A property lot was purchased for $250, and an $800 frame sanctuary, measuring 25 x 36 feet, was constructed at the corner of West Central and Terry Street. The church, appropriately named Central Church, also featured a school. The Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists purchased a 72-acre property for $9,000. On October 1, the building opened as Florida Sanitarium and Hospital.

1893

Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Organized 

The Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists organized September 22, with three ordained ministers, two licentiates, and 139 members.

1890

Members Organize in Orlando 

On March 30, a group of 14 members was organized in Orlando, which at that time had a population of 2,500. The congregation increased to 25 people and met in the member's home before renting the Armory Building on Court Street.

1885

First Seventh-day Adventists in Central Florida 

A small group worshiping in Sorrento became the first Seventh-day Adventist believers in Central Florida.