SULPHUR SPRINGS - Almost 13 years ago, a dozen or so worshippers crowded into a basement kitchen for Bible study and Sunday sermons. Above them was a burned-out sanctuary left vacant by another congregation.

"It was pretty much burned out all the way inside," said Curt McKay, pastor of Abundant Life Refuge & Worship Tabernacle.

Over time, members remodeled and moved into the sanctuary, 8117 N. 13th St., off Bird Street. Still, problems continue to plague the 60-year-old structure.

"We can't stop the water from getting into the basement," McKay said.

The congregation has filed to rezone the property to allow construction of a 100-seat church. A city council hearing is scheduled for May 22.

McKay said the old church will be torn down and members temporarily will attend The Word of Grace & Truth, 11106 N. 30th St.

Construction is expected to take about four months. The church has been collecting donations for nearly four years to pay the $400,000 construction costs, McKay said.

The church began as a small group meeting in homes. A chance call from a real estate agent 13 years ago brought McKay and members to the church on 13th Street.

It had been vacant for several months following the fire, McKay said. Before they got inside to look at the church, "people came over to ask if we were moving in," he said.

With that kind of welcome, the congregation didn't hesitate to take on the fire damage and begin cleanup. They reopened the sanctuary on Super Bowl Sunday in 1995, McKay said.

The sanctuary was remodeled in 2000, but repairing the basement was going to cost about $100,000. McKay said the better option was to build a church.

"We just kept working on it, collecting money over three or four years," he said.

The church has in-house youth and mentoring programs and also does outreach in Sulphur Springs, including a program to provide housing and guidance to teenagers. Members hope to offer scholarships.

They also will begin work soon with a family mentoring program started by Somebody Cares Tampa Bay. The Clearwater-based Christian nonprofit group brings churches of all denominations together for community projects.

Through its Neighborhood Transformation initiative, Somebody Cares is working with community, civic and church organizations in Sulphur Springs, including Abundant Life and the Sulphur Springs Action League, President Daniel Bernard said.

"We're seeing great rewards just in the fact that all the organizations are working together," he said. "It's a benefit to the whole of Sulphur Springs."

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.