HISTORY
In 1912 the town of Lake Worth established its
first Post Office and completed construction on
a one-room school house. Their next
priority was a place of religious worship.
On November 25, 1912, families from the
community gathered at the school. At least
six denominations were represented, including
Reverend McQuarrie, a Congregational minister,
from Miami. It was decided that a
non-denominational approach was needed and they
subsequently adopted the name Union Church.
On
February 5, 1913, Rev. A.H. Shipman was called
on to be the first pastor. For almost a year the
congregation met in the one-room schoolhouse,
and then on August 1913 worship services were
moved to the newly completed "Clubhouse"
(pictured to the left), the site of the present
City Hall.
After many sacrifices, in February 1919 the
Union Church complete its new sanctuary on the
northeast corner or 2nd Avenue South and Federal
Highway.
In April 1921 the Union Church became affiliated
with the Congregational Conference. The
congregation grew and the building was enlarged
in 1925. In 1926 the first pipe organ in
Lake Worth was installed in the new church.
Pilgrim Hall was added in the 1930's.
In 1946, a new Church constitution adopted the
name First Congregational Church of Lake Worth .
Under ministers such as Rev. Lillian Fulton,
D.D., who had the longest tenure as minister
(1924-1939), the church grew. In addition to
having the longest tenure, Dr. Fulton was also
the first female minister and the first to
attain a Doctorate of Divinity degree.
To provide adequate facilities for the children
and future generations, the First Congregational
Church moved to its present location on North K
Street. Dedication services conducted by
Rev. H. A. Studebaker were held in November
1958.
The church bell located on the east side of the
sanctuary originally hung in the bell tower of
the first church on 2nd Ave. The bell would be
rung signaling the beginning and end of the
church services and upon special occasions. The
bell was brought from the old church and placed
at its present location when the new sanctuary
was built.
The current wooden cross on the back wall of the
sanctuary measures 18' tall with a 6' cross arm.
In the 1980's this cross replaced a glass-block
cross embedded in the wall.
Stained Glass Windows
The antique glass windows were imported from
Germany, assembled in Zephyrhills, Florida, and
installed in the 1970's. They include 12
panels with four scenes each that tell the story
of Christ's life. Seated in the congregation one
can look at the panorama of his life shining
through the windows lining both the east and
west walls.
Chancel Organ
The organ on our chancel is truly an exceptional
instrument. The 1,800 pipes were built by the
Schantz Organ Company of Ohio and were installed
in 1974. The five-section manual console was ins
talled
in 1990 by Allan Miller Associates of
Connecticut. This console, built in 1977 by
Fratelli
Ruffatti
of Italy, was formerly in the Crystal Cathedral
in Garden Grove, California. The exterior of the
console was completely reconditioned by Robert
Ritcey.
Located in the back of the sanctuary is the echo
organ, donated to the church in 1992 by the
Willet family. In 2002 the organ was dedicated
to Robert Hebbel in recognition for his 20 year
of musical talent and service as organist for
our church.
The Baldwin piano is a nine-foot grand piano.
Donated in 1990 by several members, the Baldwin
is the choice of America's foremost pianists,
conductors, and composers. The instrument's
responsiveness and glorious tone make it a joy
to play and inspiration to hear.
Ministers
Throughout the years the First Congregational
Church of Lake Worth has been privileged by the
service of the following ministers;
1912 - 1923 Rev.A. H. Shipman
1924 - 1939 Dr. Lillian B. Fulton
1939 - 1942 Rev. Russell T. Loesch
1942 - 1945 Rev. Louis Schulz
1945 - 1947 Rev. Herbert Graetz
1948 - 1960 Rev. H. A. Studebaker
1961 - 1964 Rev. Alastair C. Sellars
1965 - 1976 Dr. Joseph Q. Mayne
1977 - 1986 Dr. John Button
1987 - 1995 Rev. Bruce Sylvester
1997 - 2002 Rev. Gary Fairbanks
2003 - 2006 Dr. Charles Mory
2006-present Pastor Jason Fairbanks
On the foundation stones of faith, prayer, and
service, the First Congregational Church remains
"a church to which generations yet unborn will
turn to for inspiration."
"But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal. For where
your treasure is, there will your Heart be
also."
Matthew 6:20-21
RETURN TO TOP
