Grace United Methodist Church
celebrated its 40th anniversary on February 26, 2001.
GRACE Church would not be the church that it is today without the hard
work and dedication of the faithful members, pastors and staffs that we
have had in our 40-year history. Of course, God's faithfulness has been
an ever present guiding and supporting force throughout these years.
In recent years church themes have been: "Grow in Grace," "Celebrate Grace,"
"Grace in Action," and this year we adopted our vision statement,
"Making a Difference in People's Lives Through God's Grace." Since its
"birth" in 1961 GRACE has grown. May we continue that growth -- not just
numerically, but spiritually grow in His grace. In our 40 years there has been
much to celebrate: a beautiful sanctuary built in 1983
(mortgage paid-in-full in 1994), a Preschool that ministers to 100 children, a full-
size commercial kitchen facility in our Fellowship Hall, a new office wing and
covered walkways, a remodeled nursery, a youth ministry that is ever on the
move and growing -- yes, there is much to celebrate. We celebrate these
things with an understanding that these are all possible only through God's
help and His grace.
Exciting times are still ahead as we grow, celebrate and act upon God's
Grace.
I thank God for "GRACE."
1956/58-The first worship services began at the drive-in theater
on Hwy.520. Rev. James Bartlett, our founder, along with other Pastors from the First
Methodist Church of Cocoa delivered the sermons. A portable organ provided the music.
Approximately 100 people attended the first service.
January 1961-Rev. Charles L. Gibson, Associate Pastor of the First
Methodist Church was asked to organize a Methodist Church on Merritt Island. With
a donation of $17,000 by the Church Builder's of the Orlando District, 4.5 acres were
purchased on Needle Boulevard. Worship services continued in the Barn Theater until
April, 1962.
February 26, 1961-The congregation was formally organized with
118 members and the name "GRACE" was established by Dr. Bruce F. Gannaway, the
District Superintendent at the time.
April 14, 1961-First Quarterly Conference. Hill Stiggins
architectural firm was selected by the Building Committee to develop plans for
expansion to include a Fellowship Hall, Educational Wing and Parsonage.
October 29, 1961-Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Fellowship
Hall and Educational Wing #1.
January 1962-The first United Methodist Men's Group was organized.
At this time the church's weekly budget was $380.00.
April 1, 1962-In an unfinished Fellowship Hall, we held our first service.
December 5, 1965-Planning for a new sanctuary was organized by the Long
Range Planning Committee.
July 1969-NASA placed a man on the moon and brought him back safely.
Space Center layoffs caused the delay of our new Sanctuary until the local
economy recuperated.
January 1986-GRACE's church property was valued at $1,282,263.
(It was purchased 25 years earlier at $17,000.)
January 1994-The church mortgage was marked "PAID-IN-FULL."
April 1995-Church congregation approves loan for kitchen
renovations; completed by October 1995.
December 1999-Moved into newly built office space.
January 2000-Adopted our Vision statement "Making a Difference in People's
Lives Through God's Grace."
April 2000-M.O.P.S. (Mother's of Preschoolers) started at GRACE.
December 31, 2000-Completion of new covered walkway on the south side
of the Fellowship Hall.
February 28, 2001-Church went On-Line. E-Mail address is:
