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Lao Conference of Churches moving headquarters to St. Petersburg

 
Though valued at nearly $1.8 million, the Lao conference got the buildings for $200,000.
Though valued at nearly $1.8 million, the Lao conference got the buildings for $200,000.
Published Jan. 24, 2015

It's not quite the relocation Tampa Bay business leaders have been expecting. But it's a relocation nonetheless.

Lured by a great deal on a church whose own membership is shrinking, the Lao Conference of Churches is moving its national headquarters from California to St. Petersburg. The city already has about 1,000 residents of Laotian origin and could gain more with the conference based in Tampa Bay, its CEO predicts.

"I hope and pray that many retired pastors will move to the area and we can train the youngsters into the ministry in the future," Pastor Inta Chanthavongsouk said Thursday.

The Lao conference is due to close Jan. 30 on the four buildings at 1150 49th St. N long occupied by Trinity United Church of Christ. Like many U.S. churches, Trinity's congregation has dwindled to the point it can no longer afford the upkeep.

"We're down to less than 40 members, so it's been a real struggle for us to support the facility and keep it going," said John Romig, Trinity's moderator.

In recent years, Trinity has shared its space with other congregations, including the Lao Ministry of St. Petersburg. Trinity was the site of the Lao Conference's national meeting in July, which drew 250 people from across the country, and will host it again this summer.

According to the Census Bureau, 215,356 Lao-Americans lived in the United States as of last year with about a third of those in California. But tens of thousands have settled in other states, including nearly 5,000 in Florida with a hot, muggy climate similar to that in their native land.

Chanthavongsouk said the weather was a factor in the organization's decision to move, along with the bay area's abundance of fish and fresh vegetables — both staples of Laotian fare.

The main reason, though, was what he called the "availability and affordability" of the Trinity property. Though valued at nearly $1.8 million, the Lao conference got the buildings for $200,000, he said.

Now 62, Chanthavongsouk was living in Laos when he converted to Christianity as a young man and worked in the office of a Southern Baptist missionary. He and his wife left the country in the 1970s.

"For anyone associated with the Americans, it would be very difficult for them to survive," he said. The couple first moved to Thailand, then to the Philippines, where he worked for a Christian radio station, and finally settled in California.

The Lao Conference is the nonprofit umbrella organization of 40 North American churches of various denominations including Southern Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian. The Lao Ministry in St. Petersburg, with about 80 members, began as Christian Reformed but now considers itself nondenominational.

Chanthavongsouk said his organization hopes to rededicate the Trinity property this summer, then he and his wife plan to move. Since the conference staff is all volunteer, others won't immediately be coming.

Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8642. Follow @susanskate.