HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of First Presbyterian ChurchAcc I` 3
VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH
HISTORIAN
HISTORY OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
North Paler Beach, Florida
A tis:. orL was organized in 1962 by Memorial Presbyterian Church of
Vest Palm Beach. This small group of approximately 25 Christians met
fn- # period in homes and then in facilities of the Port of Palm. Beach.
Later in 1962, meetings began in the classrooms of Kinder 1 ol1ege. It
*gas there on July 2R, 1963, that we received our charter as the First
?resbyterian Church in North Palm Beach.
In September, 1962, the tense at 731 Eagle Way West, North Palm Beach
was purchased. In November, 19€3, six acres of land on Prosperity Farms.
Road eras bought from the Village this included an exiating building that
had housed a commercial TV transmitting station. The building vas quickly
enlarged to provide more apace for worship services.
Our first minister, Lraiu L. Voye, was welcomed in January of 1965.
While Rev. Voye was with us a Dater Plan was adopted for a building ex-
pansion. During this same year, an option to buy one additional acre of
adjoining land was exercised.
Rev. James F. Anderson was called to our church in August of 1967, and
under h1s leadership tha new Chapel and Sunday School building, now known
as the Robinson Building, were made a reality. The Chapel seats 250, and
the Robinson Building at that time contained 5 classrooms, .a nursery, the
minister's study, and a Church Office. Plans for the old building, now
known as Hawking Fellowship Hall, included additional claosroome and fellow-
ship facilities. By the end of 1968 our membership had grown to 145.
Rev. Robert 0. Kantner was called to our church in July of 1972 and
was the first minister to live in our present Manse located at 541 Marlin.
Road, North Palm Beach. Rev. Kantner left in July of 1973, at which time
Dr. Ryan Lee Wood was appointed temporary moderator by the Presbytery and
served until Dr. James T. Stout was called in January of 1974. In January
of 1977 Dr. R. H. Luke was called to nerve as our Minister of Outreach, and
Rev. "Lucky" Arnold joined our staff on June 15, 1980, as our Minister of
Education.
Sore of our major improvements have included the renovation of our
Fellowship Hall in 1974, two acres of church grounds leased to the Village
for $1.00 per year for recreational use, Little League, etc.. the comple-
tion of our new firiatian Education Building and its dedication in December
of 1979.
As of ocLober 1, 1980, we had an active membership of 550 dedicated
Christians.
In June, 1981 Dr. James T. Stout left to become a pastor of a church
in Beaumont, Texas. Rev. Walter Arnold is currently serving as interim
pastor.
Spring 1962
April 1963
July /963
1964
May 1965
Nov. 17, 1968
1974
1974
1977
FIRST PRr na i LRIAI'I CHURCH
1F
NORTH F AIM BEACH
CHRONOLOGY OF CHURCH GROWTH
North Palm Beach fission of Memorial Presbyterian
Church forted.
Seven acres bought with $25,000 gift free. Presbytery
Price paid was S49,000,
Church Charter granted by Presbytery. 77 Charter
Members,
Large room in Fellowship Hall added to lower part
which originally housed Channel 5 TV transmitter.
First minister installed.
Sanctuary and Robinson Building built and occupied.
Fellowship Hall renovated.
Two acres of church grounds leased to Village
$1/year for recreational use. Lithe League,
etc.
Long Range Planning Committee announces plans for
new educational wing.
Church will celebrate 25th Anniversary
First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach will celebrate
its 25th anniversary with special aczivities July 30th and with
celebration services July 31st. The current ministers, Rev.
Walter B. Arnold, m ("Lucky"), Dr. R,H. Duke and Rev. Ron
Hilliard will be joined by Four of the ehurches former minister
for the 8:15 ant, 9:30 sari and 11:00 am services.
The eharrch was stare d when Memorial Presbyterian Church of
West Palm Bach sponsored a group of approximately 25
Christians who meet first in homes and then at facilities in the
Part of Palma Beach.. Later meetings were held in classrooms of
Kinder Kollege, where the first charter was formed can July 28,
19163,
In November, 1963, six acres of land ou Prosperity Fauns
Road were purchased from the Village of North Palm Beach_
This property included a building that had housed Channel 5's
transmitting station. Under the direction of the church's first
minister, Rex Gerald L. Voye, a master plan for building
expansion was adopted.
Since then the church family has grown to 9(10 members and
the facilities have expanded to include church offices and choir
room in the Robinson building, a Christian Education buildin; giaa e JUL` 'A " 2,038
the construction of a new sanctuary, which seats about 75E
people. arid most recently, the conversion of the former
summary to a Fellowship Hall.
The church SitrITarpols mare 1.,,-01 ae.......,. �n--.-- -.
TN
The first 6ervf2e wa ove:7.ter 2 1960, as
an informal meeting in a private home in Riviera Beach with
sixteen participants.
In February 1961, at a business meeting, twelve
of the group voted to organize a Society. Temporary quarters
were loaned to them in an unfurnished meeting room in a
trailer park from June to DecerAber 1961. Then space was made
available at the Colonnades Hotel on Singer Island for Sunday.
Services and Sunday School, but Wednesday evening meetings
could not convene there.
Therefore, in May 1962, the group moved to.
Opportunity Hall in order that regular Wednesday evening
meets could be held.
On October 5, 1962, the nineteen member group ap-
plied for permision to becoEle a Society. Permis,:don was
granted on February 21, 1.63, and by-laws were then formulated.
In June 1963, two large rooms were rented on the
facor of the Bazaar -
School services were cnliducted.
Later, an extra room was obtained which served as.
a nursery. Attendance increased steadilyand in December of
1966 quarters were made available on. the ground floor which in-
cluded space for a Readi.g Room and privacy for Business and
Board meetirgs. Such meeti. gs ha.i. -e.en held prior to this in
private homes or Chpmber of Commerce buildings.
The Society's first lectl:re joyfully took place
in March. of 1964, in Riviera Beach High School Gymnatorium.
In early 1966, 'a beautfully situated piece of
property was F;rchased for a church buildinF in North Palm
Beach, and a building fund was established. The Society was
incorporated or. Earch P, 1966, and applied to become a church
in June, 1967. was acce7,ted July 20, 1967, and on
Au7ust 30, 19C7, t charter wai, changed frot "C'nristian Science
Society, Inc., Riviera Beach, Florida" to "First Church of Christ,
Scientist, Inc. , North Palm Beach, Florida".
The -building pro,ject was started on February 6,
1967, and the first meeting in the new edifice was held on
August 2, 1967. .The structure is a white stucco building with
an, aditorium .seating 190 people and appropriate rooms for
First and Second Readers, Sunday School and Reading Room.
second
Sunday
VILUM3IrrnAIJOBEACH
Murch and
VILLACt 0 F NORTH PALM BEACH
HISTORIAN