Emmanuel Community Church, American Baptist, Palm Harbor, Florida began as Suncoast American Baptist in 1979 as a fellowship of twelve to fifteen American Baptists who had moved to the Clearwater, Florida area. All had extensive involvement in the denomination. Each was feeling the need to be part of a group which would express the combination of beliefs and practices unique to the American Baptist tradition.

The members also wanted a local vehicle through which they could contribute financially to the American Baptist mission program. The first recorded official activity took place March 25, 1979 when ten people calling themselves "American Baptist Fellowship" met and formed an "Executive Committee." Five days later this Executive Committee held its first meeting which resulted in a request to Baptist Estates of Florida for the use of Oak Bluffs as a meeting place for a year or less.

In this same year the group expressed a desire to negotiate with Rev. J. Philip French to become the pastor. And baby Todd Douglas Rosewarne was dedicated, the first such service for the new Fellowship. At the Annual Meeting February 1, 1980 the Reverend Philip French was issued and accepted a call to become pastor, for a trial period of six months. This six-month period stretched out to over six years. Four years later he was named Pastor Emeritus. The name Suncoast American Baptist Church was adopted and a decision made to incorporate. On October 19, 1980 the Charter of the Suncoast American Baptist Church was presented.

Later that same year the idea of a Church School was accepted but (as the minutes say), leaders must be qualified. On May 19, Ed Rapp began serving as permanent teacher. The next year we began support of Religious Community Services as part of our mission outreach to the community. This support "blossomed" and is still a large part of our church life.

A Strategic Planning Committee was formed in April 1982 and soon suggested moving from Oak Bluffs to a property the church could acquire. This resulted in visits to about nineteen different sites of which two were seriously considered; one turned down our offer, the second the church withdrew because of discovered drainage problems. The first visit to the corner of Curlew Road and County Road One was made on January 6, 1985. Church members on April 28 voted to enter into contract, and on October 2, 1985 the contract was closed for the purchase of this property.

November 4, 1985 the church name was changed to Emmanuel Community Church, American Baptist. The congregation worshipped six years at Oak Bluffs. On December 1, 1985, the first service was held at Dunedin Masonic Lodge where we remained until 1989.

1986 began with the decision to proceed with American Baptist Comprehensive Building Services Program, followed by the dedication of the land on which we were to build and ended with a call to our first full time pastor, Reverend Paul Norcross, and a membership of 64 people. With a full time pastor to guide us 1987 brought changes: active plans for a new building; cooperation with our neighboring congregations; plans for Eckerd College to use rooms for its PEL program.

Summer reports show that an average of nine children participated in the Sunday services for children. Seventeen new members were added. The Annual Report mentioned that the smallest monthly giving (general fund) was in July ($1,502) and the largest in December ($3,279). Also, the same trend for Building Fund in June ($1,100) and December ($2,783). Nearly half of the adults attending Sunday morning worship service had also attended study class.

January 10, 1988 after service, Coffee Hour begins. Women's Sunday was held February 14; a lease is signed with Eckerd College; ground breaking in October; Les Werner became Church Historian.

March 26, 1989 Easter Sunrise Service held in shell of new building; cement floor, walls, no roof. Laymen's Sunday was in February and Women's Sunday in April. Initiated in February was an Ecumenical program with Temple Ahavat Shalom and St. Alfred's Episcopal Church. March 24th a Good Friday service at St. Alfred's. First service in new building on July 2, with dedication of the building on October 14-15, 1989.

In March 1990 Board of Deacons was authorized to aggressively market that portion of property not included in the Master Plan for Church Development. In 1990 men's monthly breakfasts started, and the American Baptist Women's Ministry group known as “Helping Hands” was formed.

After offering the property for sale in the spring of 1990, the first offer to purchase by Dr. John Smith, came a year later. Many contracts and addenda later, the sale was concluded on September 15, 1993. Curlew Animal Hospital was built and opened for business in 1994. 1995 - The church went through a reorganization using the existing by-laws, the multiple committees of the church were put together as working teams. The 3 teams being Mission/Outreach, Program/Ministry and Property/Finance. The Team concept allowed for a sharper focus on the church's total ministry. 1996 - Betty Houghton became Minister of Music and Christian Education. The position was later put into 2 separate positions. 1997 - We replaced the organ and installed a sound system.1998 - The church has historically been at the top of the mission giving churches of the South.

In addition to our American Baptist Mission giving, the church had numerous special projects, including children's back packs, socks and sneakers, classroom supplies, and an annual food drive, to mention a few. 1999 - The church saw two major changes. Donita Clayton became Children's Minister and the church was active in the early stages of the ABC Board of National Ministries initiative known as New Life Florida.

2000 - We began the Hispanic Ministry under the leadership of Miguel Rubio with a Spanish language service on Sundays at 12 noon. Martha Glass became organist and George Winslow became the Choir Director. 2001 - The church played an active role in the ecumenical activities in the community. We began planning for our new sanctuary with a Building Committee taking an active role.

2002 - Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary took place in February, construction began in April, and the first worship was on November 10, 2002. A special service of Thanksgiving with a dinner to follow was held on November 24. Rev. Dr. Keith Russell was the guest preacher, just as he was at the dedication of the multipurpose facility. Even torrential rains could not dampen the spirits of those who attended the Christmas Eve candlelight service. 2003 - A year of challenge and change is the best way to describe 2003. The ecumenic downturn had an effect on the church finances. Renovations on the Ministry Center were begun. We said good-bye to our children’s minister, Donita Clayton and George Winslow added these duties to his job description. Betty Houghton was ordained to the Christian Ministry. The first baptism took place on Palm Sunday. The Spanish Ministry moved to Church of the Beatitudes in St. Petersburg. With all these challenges and changes, the church maintained a positive outlook and was eager to embark on new ministry opportunities.

2004 - This year we have begun our Community Concert Series and after 3 concerts, we are excited about the future of this outreach. Both the leadership and membership remain committed to the goal of creating a ministry of care and compassion. Acknowledgment must go to the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. at Valley Forge, PA for the substantial amounts contributed during our early years, and for the loans from the American Baptist Extension Corporation (ABEC) given during the first building program. Financing for the new sanctuary was obtained through the Christian Community Credit Union (also know as the American Baptist Credit Union.)

Edward Rapp was the first moderator; Joyce Parr Christison served from January 1984 through December 1986. Ed Rapp returned as moderator from January 1987 to May 1988, and Helen Griswold for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991. Betty Russell served in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Harold Fisher served in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Betty Russell returned to serve in 1998. James McIntosh served in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The current moderator is Richard Spong. Membership at the time of incorporation, October, 1980 was 38; as of December 31, 2003 the count was 153.