ABOUT  CHURCH ON THE RIDGE

We're a thriving, growing church that is reaching out to our community with the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our desire to minister to all levels and ages of life from infants to seniors in a real and relevant way that will enrich their lives and "equip" them "for the works of service".

Our mission is to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" and we endeavor to do just that by conducting weekly worship services, special services for individual age groups, and evangelism in a multitude of formats.

Here's a little bit of our church's history:

In October 1949, at the site of the present General Telephone Building on East Wall Street, a gospel tent was erected and there began a revival which resulted in the establishment of the First Assembly of God Church of Frostproof, Florida.

This revival was planned and directed by Rev. J. R. Purvis of Kentucky, who became the first pastor of the church.  Rev. Tommy Waldron of Beckley, West Virginia and Rev. Ernest Holbrook of Plant City, Florida assisted him.

Property on East ‘B’ Street across from the Frostproof Woman’s Club and overlooking Lake Reedy was acquired from Mr. & Mrs. Mason Price in February of 1950.  A church building was erected on this property over a period of twelve months and was completed for occupancy in January of 1951.

 During the year of 1953, a parsonage for the pastor and his family was constructed immediately east of the church building.  In addition to this, a fourteen-classroom Sunday School annex was built in 1959 at the rear of the church building.

Near the latter part of 1964 the property east of and adjacent to the church site on the corner of East ‘B’ Street and Lake Avenue was purchased from Mr. & Mrs. Perry Wilson.  The Wilson home, and the parsonage, which was built in 1953, were sold and moved away in 1970.  In their stead was built the present modern red brick parsonage, which was completed early in 1971.

Various phases of remodeling and renovation of the church building and Sunday School annex have occurred since the original construction took place; the major one, perhaps, being the addition of the brick front to the church which occurred in 1973.

In the early ‘90’s the church acquired property in the Lake Caloosa subdivision on Highway 27 to build a new sanctuary.  However, at the turn of the millennium, the Lord directed us down a new path with our building program.  We purchased 38.5 acres of prime property on 630A, one half mile before Highway 27 as you leave the Frostproof community.  In addition, we also changed the name of the church to “First Assembly’s Church on the Ridge.”

On Easter Sunday, 2004, we opened Phase One of our new sanctuary.  We have waited many years for God to allow this to happen, and we give Him all this praise.  This is a four phase program, and we are excited to see what God will do!  (See the “On-Site” page of this website for more information on the building program)

The following ministers have served as senior pastors with their years of service indicated:

Rev. J. R. Purvis 1949-1952, Rev. Richard Beavers 1953, Rev. H. H. Odom 1953, Rev. Harry Gosira 1954, Rev. C. P. Jackson 1955, Rev. Grady Sowell 1956, Rev. Robert Raburn 1957-1960, Rev. James B. Wood 1960-1990, Rev. Andy J. Wood 1990-1994, Rev. Kelly P. Galati 1994-2005. Rev. Wayne Lee, Jr. 2006-2007. 

© 2006 Church On The Ridge, Inc. All rights reserved