Lake Park Community Church, 501 Park Avenue, Town of Lake Park, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA / Built: 1926 / Floors: 1 / Building Usage: Religious / Total Square Footage: 3948 ft
Lake Park Community Church began as a Sunday School class in 1918 under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. McLaren in what was then known as Kelsey City, Florida. As the population began to grow, the need for a regular church became apparent, and in June of 1925, Kelsey City Community Church was organized. On February 7, 1926, the congregation selected a Board of Directors as well as the Articles of Agreement and signed by the 35 charter members. Dr. J.C. Calhoun, the acting pastor of the Sunday School since March of 1924, was called as the first pastor. Mr. Harry S. Kelsey, founder of Kesey City (which became known as Lake Park), donated a house to be used as parsonage for the church.
In 1928, the Great Hurricane devastated the area and as a result, many members moved away, and new membership declined. The congregation persevered, and on February 12, 1929, the Kelsey City Community Church was formally incorporated as a legal entity in the State of Florida. In June of that year, arrangements were made to rent the Community Club building for services, and in 1938, the church acquired the Community Club building, converting it into a church, which continues to house the church to this day. At that time, there was, however, no regular pastor, and the church was used by several organizations as Christian Endeavor and the Ladies Aid Society, with a stated pastor being called in August of 1940.
The war years proved a struggle for the church, as attendance declined and services were temporarily put on hold, though Sunday School still met along with the Ladies Aid Society. In 1947, however, a new Board of Directors was elected, and they sought to revive membership by updating the by-laws, acquiring a new pastor, and initiating a new slate of church-life activities, culminating in joining the Congregational Christian Church on October 26, 1947.
Ground was broken for the Fellowship Hall in 1948, and at the end of that year, the church voted to approve a merger of all Congregational Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Church. At that time, the church ordained and received a permanent pastor, Rev. Charles Meeker, in September 1949. It was in that same year that another hurricane damaged the church, and the church, once again, repaired and renovated the church.
In 1950, the congregation began building a parsonage, and on November 2 of that year, the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. The parsonage was completed on September 16, 1951, and in 1958, an educational wing was added to the Fellowship Hall.
In 1965, the congregation adopted a new constitution, joining the United Church of Christ, and changed the name of the church to Community United Church of Christ.
Through a gift from Swanee Kurtz, the Carillon was added to the church building in 1979, and in 1982, Fellowship Hall was remodeled, the Narthex as added to the Sanctuary, and stained glass windows were donated and installed to the church. In 1991, the west side rooms of the church were renovated.
In August of 2023, the church called Rev. David Williams as the new full-time pastor, and in October of the same year, the congregation voted to depart the United Church of Christ and change the name to Lake Park Community Church, recapturing her heritage.
Through the years, the church has held various services and activities. The Sunday School, which formed the church’s foundation, continues, along with Adult Bible classes, various outreach campaigns, and international mission work.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
pbcpao.gov/Property/Details?parcelId=36434220010190020
www.lakeparkflorida.gov/government/historic-structures
www.facebook.com/people/Lake-Park-Community-Church/615532...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.
Lake Park Community Church, 501 Park Avenue, Town of Lake Park, Palm Beach County, Florida, USA / Built: 1926 / Floors: 1 / Building Usage: Religious / Total Square Footage: 3948 ft
Lake Park Community Church began as a Sunday School class in 1918 under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. McLaren in what was then known as Kelsey City, Florida. As the population began to grow, the need for a regular church became apparent, and in June of 1925, Kelsey City Community Church was organized. On February 7, 1926, the congregation selected a Board of Directors as well as the Articles of Agreement and signed by the 35 charter members. Dr. J.C. Calhoun, the acting pastor of the Sunday School since March of 1924, was called as the first pastor. Mr. Harry S. Kelsey, founder of Kesey City (which became known as Lake Park), donated a house to be used as parsonage for the church.
In 1928, the Great Hurricane devastated the area and as a result, many members moved away, and new membership declined. The congregation persevered, and on February 12, 1929, the Kelsey City Community Church was formally incorporated as a legal entity in the State of Florida. In June of that year, arrangements were made to rent the Community Club building for services, and in 1938, the church acquired the Community Club building, converting it into a church, which continues to house the church to this day. At that time, there was, however, no regular pastor, and the church was used by several organizations as Christian Endeavor and the Ladies Aid Society, with a stated pastor being called in August of 1940.
The war years proved a struggle for the church, as attendance declined and services were temporarily put on hold, though Sunday School still met along with the Ladies Aid Society. In 1947, however, a new Board of Directors was elected, and they sought to revive membership by updating the by-laws, acquiring a new pastor, and initiating a new slate of church-life activities, culminating in joining the Congregational Christian Church on October 26, 1947.
Ground was broken for the Fellowship Hall in 1948, and at the end of that year, the church voted to approve a merger of all Congregational Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Church. At that time, the church ordained and received a permanent pastor, Rev. Charles Meeker, in September 1949. It was in that same year that another hurricane damaged the church, and the church, once again, repaired and renovated the church.
In 1950, the congregation began building a parsonage, and on November 2 of that year, the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. The parsonage was completed on September 16, 1951, and in 1958, an educational wing was added to the Fellowship Hall.
In 1965, the congregation adopted a new constitution, joining the United Church of Christ, and changed the name of the church to Community United Church of Christ.
Through a gift from Swanee Kurtz, the Carillon was added to the church building in 1979, and in 1982, Fellowship Hall was remodeled, the Narthex as added to the Sanctuary, and stained glass windows were donated and installed to the church. In 1991, the west side rooms of the church were renovated.
In August of 2023, the church called Rev. David Williams as the new full-time pastor, and in October of the same year, the congregation voted to depart the United Church of Christ and change the name to Lake Park Community Church, recapturing her heritage.
Through the years, the church has held various services and activities. The Sunday School, which formed the church’s foundation, continues, along with Adult Bible classes, various outreach campaigns, and international mission work.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
pbcpao.gov/Property/Details?parcelId=36434220010190020
www.lakeparkflorida.gov/government/historic-structures
www.facebook.com/people/Lake-Park-Community-Church/615532...
© All Rights Reserved - you may not use this image in any form without my prior permission.