The St. Petersburg First Church of the Brethren was organized in 1958, beginning with a nucleus of Brethren from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Under the leadership of Mary Shaeffer, a retired missionary to China, and the Reverend Robert Goshorn from Lake Placid, Florida, a group of 33 people became charter members of the congregation.The names of the charter members are engraved on a plaque in the foyer.

Early services of the congregation were held in the Chalmer Hoffman and Frank Younkin homes, then in the recreation hall of Gandy Trailer Park on Fourth Street. After the 3 1/3 acres of land at the corner of 38th Avenue North and 71st Street was purchased, the congregation met at the 74th Street Elementary School. The first unit of the church building (now Hoffman Hall) was dedicated on June 5,1960. Other additions followed. The current sanctuary was established in 1983.

Pastors who have served the St. Petersburg congregation on a full-time basis have been Merrill Heinz, Floyd N. Biddix, Edgar S. Martin, James L. Houff, Berwyn L. Oltman,Phil Lersch and Terry Hatfield. Jefferson H. Mathis, Omar Maphis, and Edgar Martin have served as interim pastors. The current pastor is Vicki Ehret.

The St. Petersburg Church of the Brethren has broadened its fellowship by welcoming a significant number of Winter residents - from Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other states. The church extends a welcome to all, and an invitation to join in Christian discipleship.