History

After 37 years of service and leadership to our 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, culminated in the afternoon with a program dedicated to honoring Pastor Andy’s years of service.

During our 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.

After many months of searching by our search committee, along with Faith Search Partners and the Florida Conference, we announced that Pastor Ken Wetmore had accepted the invitation to join WholeLife Church as our new senior pastor, with an anticipated start date of June 12, 2021. Pastor Jeff Cinquemani will serve as interim senior pastor until Pastor Ken’s arrival.

During our annual retreat, WholeLife Church offically launched its new branding.

On December 7, the church voted to change its name to WholeLife Seventh-day Adventist Church

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.

Added a full-time Justice Ministries staff member

New church logo and revised service times revealed in the spring.

Adopted “Vision 2018.”

First off-site Worship Cafe opened.

In-house Worship Cafe opened on October 6.

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

Full-time Children’s/Family Pastor position added to staff.

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

Mortgage burned on the last Saturday in December.

Third floor completed.

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

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

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.

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 John Knox Presbyterian Church.

The congregation voted to expand and renovate the church facility.

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

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

The church sanctuary was redecorated.

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

The membership grew to 146, and a new sanctuary was built at 800 Lake Estelle Drive. Today, this building houses the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Library.

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

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

A property lot was purchased for $250, and an $800 frame sanctuary, measuring 24 x 36 feet, was constructed at the corner of West Central and Terry Streets. 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.

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

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 a member’s home before renting the Armory Building on Court Street.

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