About Us

Our History and Leadership

Lakeside Community Chapel was founded in 1954 by Pastor Robert Hubaker. At that time the church was known as Fellowship Baptist Church and the congregation met at the D & D Missionary Homes in St. Petersburg. In 1956, the church began renting space at the American Legion Hall in Clearwater, but moved again in 1957 to the High Point Community Hall near Largo.

In 1960, Pastor Hubaker left to assume the position of campus chaplain at LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas. Pastor Donald Ralston assumed the pastorate, and at that time the church changed its name to Grace Baptist Church and was officially incorporated as a church by the state of Florida.

In 1963, the sixty-five constituents purchased property on North Hercules Avenue where the first service was held on December 1, 1963. Under God's blessing, the church prospered and in 1974, the church moved to its present facility on Sunset Point Road, at which time the name was changed to Lakeside Community Chapel.

In May 1981, Steven A. Kreloff became Lakeside's third pastor/teacher. Pastor Kreloff continues to serve the church with a strong emphasis on an expository Bible teaching ministry. Today, several hundred worshipers attend Lakeside each Sunday morning, and the church is involved in a wide range of ministries, including an active youth ministry, a worldwide missions program, a tape/CD ministry, and a Christian school for children in grades K-5 through 12.

Our elders are responsible for the oversight, direction, and rule of the church. The elders are the pastors of the church, and they are responsible to shepherd the flock. The deacons function as assistants to the elders and have the responsibility of taking care of the needs of the congregation as well as the physical upkeep of the property. All elders and deacons are required to meet the biblical qualifications found in I Timothy and Titus for their offices. The development of new leadership is a priority at Lakeside.