The former PGA Tour store at World Golf Village could become a megachurch

Reverb Church, a non-denominational faith organization, is once again trying to put down permanent and more expansive roots in St. Johns County.

The church, which is part of the international Association of Related Churches, has plans to construct a 32,000-square-foot “house of worship and ministry hub” in the World Golf Village by year’s end.

The church has purchased the old PGA Tour Stop retail store at 395 South Legacy Trail, north of St. Augustine, in the center of World Golf Village’s commercial complex just off I-95.

According to its website, Reverb Church has been holding Sunday services at nearby Pacetti Bay Middle School since 2012.

The church’s capital fundraiser campaign has reached $250,135 of a $500,000 goal and with at least half of that in the bank, according to Reverb’s website, can begin its work renovating the previous golf and pro shop in the complex, including adding a 508-seat auditorium. Additionally, the new facility will include a Reverb-branded café, a kids’ worship theater, and a lobby gathering space for congregation and community.

It isn’t the first time the church has tried to set down more permanent roots in the county, though. In 2018, Reverb had made initial steps toward securing a new facility in the Nocatee community.

“We do this by resounding the message of Jesus, making disciples and planting churches,” Lamoureux said. “Our new campus in Nocatee fulfills Reverb Church’s longtime vision to provide a place for Nocatee and Ponte Vedra families to experience the life-changing message of the Gospel, to grow in their faith, and to see families and children worship together in a vibrant and passionate environment.”

It is not clear when or why those plans fell through.

An architectural drawing shows the proposed new 32,000-square-foot building the Reverb Church hopes to build in the World Golf Village area, north of St. Augustine. (Contributed photo)

Church representatives did not respond to a request for an interview earlier this week.

Renovation of Reverb Church’s World Golf Village project is being overseen by Bent Construction which is based in Jacksonville.

In addition to the World Golf Hall of Fame, the surrounding complex includes golf clubs, an IMAX theater, several restaurants and the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort.