By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centenarian Frieda Bentz was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Tampa, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary Sunday.

At that time, the church building was four miles north of Tampa on Limestone Rd.

It operated a parochial school that she attended through eighth grade.

In 1946, the church congregation merged with Zion Lutheran Church in Tampa, and the building was moved into town to its present location. The white wooden structure received a brick facing.

Zion church was torn down and replaced by a parsonage.

Clark Davis, 71, has been the pastor since December 1994. Average attendance of 50 hasn’t changed much in the church’s 125-year history, he said.

There has been an expanded emphasis on missions. The church supports a young man preparing for the ministry and contributes to mission work in West Africa.

Church improvements include two chair lifts that make it accessible throughout. The property has been well maintained, Davis said.

Davis and his wife, Kathy, have been active in the Tampa community. They have two daughters who graduated from Centre High School, where Davis served on the school board for several years.

Rebeckah works on an Army base in Germany, and Rachel has a law degree and is set to take a bar exam in North Carolina.

Sunday’s celebration will include a 10 a.m. worship service and a noon meal. Two former pastors are expected to attend.