St. Petersburg History | Vanessa Wheeler
The 10th Street Church of God: A Landmark Worth Remembering
Built around 1898, the historic church at 207 10th Street North has a story that reaches back to the earliest years of St. Petersburg. Originally constructed as the home of First Presbyterian Church, the building was donated and moved to Methodist Town in 1913, where it became part of the area’s African American community.
The church is notable for its Carpenter Gothic architecture, including a bell tower, decorative wooden siding, and pointed-arch windows. As one of the city’s early surviving wood-frame churches, it represents an important connection to St. Petersburg’s architectural and cultural past.
But preserving the building has not been easy. By 2021, the church faced serious structural problems, including termite damage and roof leaks. The congregation, led by Pastor Carl Mobley, said it could not afford the extensive repairs and sought to remove the building’s historic designation to allow a sale.
Preservation advocates and city officials opposed removing the designation, arguing for the building’s historic value and exploring alternatives to demolition. City Council voted against removing the designation in 2021.
The property was sold in April 2025 for $700,000, adding another chapter to the church’s story. Its current condition and future use require further confirmation, but its history remains an important part of the story of Methodist Town and St. Petersburg’s African American heritage.
Historic buildings are more than old structures. They connect us to the people, neighborhoods, and communities that helped shape our city.
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