Right from the beginning, the University Church was unique. Few churches can claim a funeral parlor as their birthplace. So it was 18 pioneers from Kress church met on April 7 1977, with elder Russell Adams and elder Richard Faber at the Winter Park funeral home. They determined to establish a church in a heretofor "dark part" of Orlando. At the meeting, Elder Faber challenged the 18 to become the 100th church in the Florida Conference.

       On Jan. 31 1978, 43 persons were formally organized as the Goldenrod Seventh Day Adventist Church. They continued to meet at the Winter Park funeral home until the Tuskawilla Presbyterian Church became our meeting place . In 1978, five acres of land at our present location were deeded to the church.

       Many other events and changes happened after that. On March 11, 1980 our church name was changed from Goldenrod to University Church. On Feb. 7, 1982 we became the 100th church in the Florida Conference sisterhood of churches. Along with this came expansion, new ideas, and more activities.

     In the year 1985 our first Vacation Bible School was held. In August of 1987 the University Church School was founded. On December 5, 1991 we held our first annual Nativity Celebration and choir presentation as a gift to our community.

      From our hunble beginning so long ago many members have come and gone. Many pastors have been assigned to shepherd the flock, and all have endeared themselves to the congregation and the community. Merrill Enright, Wayne Niemeyer, Rocky Gale, Milton Pruit, Gary Thurber and our present pastor, Dan Forbes are examples of a few.

     Now we are no longer the little church with only 18 pioneers as members but a congregation of over 200. We have come a long way under God's leading adding new ideas, cultures, and generations as we continue to serve God and make history.