December 18th, 2011
Out & About, Delray Beach, Historic First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, Village By the Sea, Florida, Palm Beach County
The last time I was in Delray Beach, I took off walking late in the afternoon, just before dusk. It comes to mind today as I wake up in Rehoboth Beach on a cold morning. Thinking that walkers are already out and about in Delray enjoying some warm weather. It is a great town for walking, biking or jogging.
I have mentioned before what a beautiful beach Delray has. Walking on A1A you can get a full view, and on a pretty day it just breathtaking.
The entrance to someone’s house or patio always attracts my attention; the beautiful and colorful bougainvilleas are one of my favorites.
Another favorite of mine are the seagrapes. I noticed they were getting ready. The darker, the sweeter they are.
Then I was at the intersection of A1A and Atlantic Avenue. This is a major intersection for this town. The ocean on your left and heading west on Atlantic to all the shops and restaurants. I found it so odd that it was so quiet.
I then took a left on Gleason, when the church that I had seen so many times caught my attention. I don’t know if it was that time in the late afternoon, or that the moon had shown its face. It was so pretty. I took its picture.
I did not go in but I have a feeling that is was probably closed. Long gone are the days where churches stayed open 24/7.
The Church is very interesting and I have made a mental note to stop by the next time I find myself in town.
“In 1924, a local Baptist congregation built a new sanctuary where the Church is now located. It was the only one built on the Delray Beach barrier island; considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the city. The architect was F. J. Schrader. He was also the builder and financial underwriter. His inspiration? A church in Florence, Italy. This church was less ornate, though.
Mr. Schrader, and a small crew consisting of a carpenter, a plumber and an electrician faced the difficult task of building the church’s large cypress trusses. At the time, it was said this was the most Floridian of all churches in Florida.
Originally, it was called the Gibson Memorial Baptist Church. After the real estate crash of 1926 and the hurricanes that followed, the congregation was unable to finish paying Mr. Schrader.
After the 1928 hurricane, local Presbyterians rented the church; then, they bought it.”
In 1977, after a new sanctuary was built, the original church became the Fellowship Hall for the First Presbyterian Church. It is located at 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-276-6338. Website? www.firstdelray.com
The new Interim Senior Pastor is Rev. Dr. Lawrence McBride “Mack” Sigmon. Sunday worship is at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Saturday, 12/24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services will be from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, 12/25 – Christmas Day Candlelight Worship Services will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.
This church has a historic designation. There are 26 buildings in Delray Beach with such designation due to their age and architectural or historical significance.
Have a beautiful day!!….Talk to you later.
Note: Information for this post was taken from the Historical Marker and from the Church’s website.
Tags: Church in Delray Beach, Delray Beach, First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, Florida, Historic Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach, Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach, South Florida, Village by the Sea, worship in Delray Beach
