TAMPA, Fla. — A Hillsborough County mega church wants to have a piece of property rezoned that is home to a closed down 97-year-old church. 

What You Need To Know

  • First Baptist Church has been around for 97 years 

  • The church was taken over by Bell Shoals, a mega church in East Hillsborough with more than 4,000 members 

  • Hearing will be held about rezoning property to make way for townhomes 

The plan is to make way for 68 townhomes.

Bell Shoals Baptist in East Hillsborough County originally took over the First Baptist Church of Palm River in 2014 when it struggled for membership.

In 2022, the mega church closed the 97-year old church for good, citing financial difficulties and low membership. Bell Shoals lead pastor Corey Abney told our partners at the Tampa Bay Times that after 8 years and more than $2 million, it couldn't engage enough people to keep the church going long term.

He also claimed that the church needed more than $1.5 million in restoration work. 

However, longtime members of First Baptist Church say the church isn't in that bad of shape and that it should be reopened. Robert Almand, who lives across the street from the shuttered church, said he along with some others plan to protest the rezoning. He wants to see the church open back up to the community. 

"This church is the lighthouse of the community. It's where people come for help, hope, and healing," Almand said. 

The history of the First Baptist Church dates back to the 1920s. It's changed over the years and eventually had a campus with several buildings on a more than seven-acre property. Almand said it was the centerpiece of his community for decades and believes it can be once again. 

"This church is the help for this community, whether you are a member here or not, this church was here to help, and we did help," Almand said. 

The rezoning request is scheduled for a meeting on Tuesday.

Zoning officials will make their final recommendation to the Hillsborough County Commission for a hearing set for April 9.