The video below was produced in 2002. Pastor Kevin Loughran has been serving as Senior Pastor since August of 2006.

• 1927: Rev. Robert Steinbach was called by the Southern District as missionary to St. Petersburg. A small group of Lutherans began worshipping under his leadership at the former Masonic Temple on 4th St. and 3rd Ave. South.
• 1928: Services moved to the unfinished building at 28th Ave. an 8th St. North, now the American Baptist Church of the Beatitudes.
• 1929: The cornerstone was laid in January and the church was officially dedicated in February.
• 1937: The church declared itself self-supporting.
• 1941: Debt was eliminated and Grace helped start First Lutheran in Clearwater.
• 1949: A capacity crowd attended The Lutheran Hour Rally at Al Lang Field, with Rev. Steinbach hosting Dr.Walter A. Maier.
• 1955: Pastor Steinbach & Pastor Walker dedicated nursery Feburary 13, 1955.
• Rev. Steinbach died suddenly from a heart attack, as did interim pastor Rev. Julius Walker.
• 1956: Rev. Martin Rupprecht was called in February. Mrs. Rupprecht was commissioned by the congregation to supervise and teach a day school kindergarten.
• 1959: Grace Lutheran School enrollment was more than 100 K-4 students.
• 1960: Ed Eggerman accepted the call as principal of the school.
• 1961: The current 910 seat sanctuary, nine-room educational wing were dedicated. Read the Saint Petersburg Times newspaper story. You can also download the church bulletin from the dedication service.
• 1963: Rev. Walter Pinnt served as assistant pastor until 1966.
• 1965: Mrs. Ella B. Buenger donated funds for the 3-manual Schlicker pipe organ, and it was dedicated on October 24.
• 1968: Mr. Edwin Temme was called as principal of Grace Lutheran School. He served until his retirement in 1998.
• 1969: Rev. Robert G. Rupp served as assistant pastor for one year.
• 1971: Rev. Walter Reuning began serving as winter pastor and continued through 1983.
• 1973: Pastor Rupprecht retired and Rev. Edward Stammel was called to be senior pastor. He was installed Nov. 25.
• 1974: Rev. Robert C. Haupt, Jr., arrived as assistant pastor, and was later installed as senior pastor in March of 1982 after the death of Rev. Stammel in November of 1981. Rev. Haupt entered his Heavenly Home in November of 1985.
• 1981: Rev. Ervin Oermann served as assistant pastor until 1984.
• 1982: Rev. Richard C. Noack was called as assistant pastor. He was later called as senior pastor in May, 1986, after the untimely death of Rev. Haupt.
• 1985: Rev. Marcus Buuck served as winter pastor until 1998.
• 1989: Rev. Stephen Bongard was ordained and installed as assistant pastor. He served until accepting a call in 1994.
• 1992: Rev. Noack accepted a call in December.
• 1994: Rev. R. Richard Armstrong was installed in April and served until accepting a call on July 25, 2004.
• 1995: Rev. John R. Hopkins was ordained and installed as assistant pastor and served until 1999.
• 2004: Rev. Richard Eissfeldt served as interim pastor until 2006.
• 2006: Rev. Drew Ross was ordained and installed as assistant pastor.
• 2006: Rev.Kevin Loughran was installed as the senior pastor in August.
• 2008: Rev. Drew Ross served as assistant pastor until September 21, 2008.
• Download an Adobe PDF file that contains original notes, pictures and history that were the property of Helene Steinbach.

Grace in 2008