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Suncoast Pinellas News

Ex-Globe Club To Become Home To Pentecostal Church

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: August 2, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS -- The former home of what once was one of the city's most notorious nightspots could become a house of worship by early next year.

The pastor of the East Lake Church of God in Christ doesn't think this should cause anyone a problem.

Some city officials, however, are concerned a church could throw a damper on downtown redevelopment.

"They were dancing with the devil and we will be dancing with the Lord," the Rev. Willie Matheny said about the Globe Club. The bar was once in the sights of local authorities because acts of violence and alleged drug sales and use on the premises.

In its heyday, the bottle club at 711 S. Safford Ave. attracted hundreds of revelers.

In 1991, however, the city went to court and convinced a judge to order the Globe Club to close on weekends because of the gunfire and other acts of violence, including stabbings and fistfights, police were called in to investigate.

At the time the club's owner, Johnnie Wallace, told city officials he should not be held responsible for incidents occurring outside his establishment in the parking lot and on city streets.

Wallace died in 1999 and his family now owns the building. In recent years it has been used by various eateries and retail establishments without producing problems.

Matheny said his congregation is looking forward to transforming the 6,000-square-foot former home of the Globe Club into a house of worship. It has been worshiping in a storefront at 120 E. Lemon St.

His 50-member multi-ethnic congregation will be able to serve those in need of spiritual guidance, Matheny said.

In addition, since the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs down the middle of Safford Avenue, the church will be able to welcome walkers and bicyclists and offer them an opportunity to purchase water or soda and receive spiritual messages, Matheny said.

At the request of the family the church's fellowship hall, where weddings and other social occasions will be celebrated, will be named to honor Johnnie Wallace.

Apartments on the property will be remodeled into the church preschool and day care.

Matheny said he is trying to address flood zone issues associated with the site so it will not be cost prohibitive to remodel the church.

The congregation is undertaking a fundraising drive to pay its remodeling and moving expenses, Matheny said.

Matheny, who in 2003 retired after serving 15 years as an assistant principal at Tarpon Springs High School, said he is still busy counseling young people in the community, but with a different message, how to stay on the right track.

Monday night newly appointed Planning Commissioner John Tarapani noted he supports the church moving to the site. He hopes, however, a city ordinance requiring a zone of separation around houses of worship in which alcohol cannot be served will not impede business growth in the vicinity.

The building is in the city's Community Redevelopment District.

The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use for a church in the Pinellas Trail Zoning District.

At their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 5, city commissioners could ask that the church's conditional use stipulate that they do not object to establishments that serve alcohol.

Rodney Chatman, city planner, said church officials can agree to waive the separation requirement.

In an interview, Matheny would not explicitly say the congregation would agree to waive the separation requirement.

He did say he hopes people will turn from alcohol to God but the congregation loves everyone.

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