The Beginning

      Our founding minister was Dr. Marion Melvin, who was empowered by the St. John Presbytery (now the Central Florida Presbytery) on December 2, 1949 to come to Melbourne to establish a Presbyterian church.  The church started in late December 1949 with a conference of five men meeting in the Front Street Tourist center in Melbourne.  Weekly notices were carried in the Melbourne Times.  The charter membership of 56 was established on January 22, 1950.  In February 1950, the name Eastminster Presbyterian Church was official adopted.

The original Sanctuary, now named Melvin Hall, was completed in July 15, 1951, at a cost of $37,900.  The river front propriety was sold to the church by the Ernest Kouwen-Hoven family for the sum of $2,200.  Two adjacent lots were purchased for $500 each.  In 1945 the population of Melbourne was around 4,000 people (76,000 estimated for 2001).  Indialantic was connected by a wooden bridge to Melbourne and had a beach side population of about 200.  The wooden bridge originally constructed in 1921

was called Kouwen-Hoven’s Folly.  It was replaced by a concrete and steel swing bride in 1941 after being delayed by the war. 

On Sunday July 15, 1951 the Sanctuary was dedicated, the membership had risen to 100.  The town of Indialantic gathered in the sanctuary, the only air-conditioned building in  Indialantic and was officially incorporated on Nov 17, 1952.  The cornerstone near the front door of Melvin Hall reads,

“For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” (Isaiah 56:7)

Mr. Kemper Jennings was the first Sunday school superintendent for Eastminster.  Later Mr. Jennings taught the adults when Dr Melvin became ill. 

Groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted for Educational Annex (Parsons Hall) to the sanctuary in Feb 1953 because the membership had grown to 148.  Parsons Hall was completed in May of 1953.

Mrs. B Frank Brown became the superintendent of Church School in 1953.  Her husband later taught the adult Sunday school class.  Class membership rose to 125 during the five years that Dr B. Frank Brown (see notes) taught the class. 

Dr John Allen MacLean was called on November 1, 1954 to succeed Dr Melvin who passed away later that same year. 

Dr McLean introduced the first radio broadcast of the Sunday morning services of Eastminster.  Dr McLean worked without a staff, office or secretary.  Dr MacLean fell ill, as a result of his exposure to poison gas suffered during WWI.  Dr MacLean retired in January 21 1962.  Later was given the title of Pastor On September 30 1962 Kenneth V. Shick was installed at pastor.  Church membership has leveled off to 554.  In the summer of 1963 the first Vacation Bible School was held.  A carillon was installed in the sanctuary tower but later removed because of complaints from the “locals.”  Rev Shick conducted two services on Sunday at 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. 

On Oct 3 1965 Rev Jerry Helms became the first associate pastor for Eastminster.  Rev Shick originated the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service that was attended by people of all faiths on the beachside.  In addition the three services for Easter morning was held outdoors under the old oak tree.  By the end of 1963 church membership was at 720. 

A committee was appointed and a ground breaking ceremony was conducted on Oct 25 1967 for new sanctuary.  The Sanctuary was designed by architect Nils Schweizer, a student at Taliesin and on site manager of Frank Lloyd Wright, whose influence can be seen in the style of the building.  Mr. Schweizer also designed two building on the Florida Southern College campus.  The Florida Southern College Architectural district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.  It is said that the sanctuary has no right angles in any of its structural components. 

The beautiful windows were made of Blenko Glass from the Blenko Glass Company of Milton WV.  The members of the congregation under the direction of Mr. Schweizer and team, constructed the windows with approximately 225 different thickness and shades of deep red and yellow glass.  The membership worked three different shifts, hand-washing and preparing each glass piece to be assembled into the twelve windows.

In addition to the side window, the mural window over the front entrance was designed and built by the architect and staff and given as a gift to the church.  The mural depicts God and Holy Spirit moving out into the world.

The freestanding cross of heart cypress (tree was originally 25’ tall and 5’ in diameter) is a gift from the George Kempfer family, who were the charter members of Eastminster.  George did not live to see where his wonderful gift would be placed but his wife Carolyn worked with Mr. Schweizer to incorporate it in the chancel, framed with the background of variegated metallic panels.  The cross is originally installed seven feet into the floor.

In June of 1972, Hurricane Agnes (see also Hurricane damage of 2004) took off part of the roof in the new sanctuary.  The church decided to install protective panels of Plexiglas over the twelve panels of Blenko glass and over the front mural window.  The organ was damaged during hurricane David in 1976 and replaced by an ALLEN Digital organ.  This organ was also damaged beyond repair during the hurricanes of 2004 and was replaced.

The cornerstone was laid January 22 1968.  First service was held on Aug 18 1968. 

On Oct 17 1972,  Rev Robert Wines was accepted as associate minister.  He left in July of 1975. 

The Handbell Program had its inception in February of 1975 and has grown continually since that date.

In July of 1976,  Rev Charles Jones became the associate minister.  He left in Sept 1978. 

On Sept 1 1979, Rev Kenneth Shick retired as pastor of Eastminster and he was given the title of Pastor Emeritus.  The membership had grown to over 800.  Rev Shick continued to serve the Lord at the Tabernacle Church of Melbourne and at Trailer Haven. 

Dr Paul M. Edris served as Interim pastor from Sept 1 1979 to June 1 1980.

On June 1 1980 Dr Roy McCormick came to Eastminster .  June 1980 Melvin Hall is converted from a sanctuary to ten classrooms.  Membership had grown to 835. 

Aug 18 1981 Rev Jeanne Hoechst-Ronner was appointed associate pastor.  In 1983 Eastminster started the “2 cents per meal” program that continues to this day. 

Rev Jeanne Hoechst-Ronner left in Nov 15 1985.  Church membership had grown from 886 to 940 at the beginning of 1985.

On Feb 1 1986 Ralph Bronkema became interim associate pastor.  He left in Aug 15, 1988 to become the interim pastor at Pineda Presbyterian Church in Melbourne, Florida.  In this year also the tape ministry was started by the Outreach Committee.  Copies of the pastor’s sermons were made available in the narthex and also sent to shut-ins.  The Mariners program started this year at Eastminster.

On March 15 1989 Dr Charles Lindsay Donnell became interim associate pastor.  He left in Sept 30 1989. 

The congregation celebrated the Bicentennial of the Presbyterian Church on May 21, 1989.  A Bicentennial Quilt was made by Peggy Judd that contained a replica of the stained glass mural.

On Oct 1 1989 Rev Elmer Floyd came to Eastminster to become the associate pastor.  By the end of 1989 enrollment was at 836.  In 1990 the Memorial Garden was dedicated on Nov 18^th. 

In 1993 Eastminster supported the construction of it’s first Habitat for Humanity house.  Attendance in Vacation Bible School topped out that year at 200.  This has typically been Eastminster’s largest outreach to the community.

It was in 1993 also that the stained glass windows were donated that adorn the south wall of Melvin Hall.  At night these windows can be seen by traffic along Fifth Avenue Indialantic, FL.

Each window has a story….

The left  window (left to right) expresses the love of Jesus for all children of world,

“Red and yellow, black and  white, they are precious in his sight.” 

     The middle window is Jesus with little children.  Matthew 19:14.

          The right window is from Isaiah 11:6.

The window on the West wall entrance, is a memorial given by Frances Cairnes and is the seal of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1994 a second Habitat House was financed and constructed by Eastminster members. 

On March 1, 1994 Mr David Vogeding came to Eastminster as Director of Music.  Under David’s leadership Eastminster has enjoyed the wonderful classical and historical church music that has added to our worship experience.  David moved the choir from the sanctuary balcony to the main floor. 

The Saturday evening worship service saw the introduction of an instrumental ensemble called the Joyful Noise under the leadership of Jim (Ivy) Iverson. 

In 1995 Eastminster hired Dr Leslie G. Everitt for Visitation pastor to replace Pastor Brooke Walker who resigned. 

In 1996 a Senor High fellowship know as “Power and Light,” was established.  A hand-made Czechoslovakia piano was donated by the Fosters to the church. 

In 1997 the congregation voted to accept a long range “Plan for the Future, Our Witness for Christ in the 21^st Century.”  That same year Vacation Bible School required 100 adult teachers and helpers to care for 220 children.  Eastminster was clearly bursting at the seams in trying to accommodate it's family ministry.

The congregation approved the preliminary drawing for a two story, multipurpose fellowship building that was named the Christian Fellowship Building (now know the Christian Ministry Center, CMC). 

After Dr. McCormick’s retirement in September, 1999, Reverend Ernie Flaniken served as interim Co-Pastor. 

The CMC was completed in November of 1999.  In October 2000, Reverend Jim Snyder came to serve as Co-Pastor.   In 2003, Reverend Snyder resigned as Co-Pastor to move closer to his family and was replaced by Interim Co-Pastor, Dr. Michal H. Hall.

Special thanks go to Charles H. Hammond and the team that gathered and recorded the historical information for the book, Forward In Faith.  Much of the information above was taken from this fine publication. 

Other interesting facts about early members...

Dr B. Frank Brown

Dr. B. Frank Brown and his wife served Eastminster as adult Sunday School teachers in the mid 60s.  He went on to become the principal of Melbourne High School.  In 1966, Dr. Brown was principal when  Melbourne High School won the state championship in football.

He now lives in Valkaria where he owns and operates the Valkaria Tropical Garden.  Horticulturist Frank B. Brown recently released a new version of his book, "Crotons of the World."   Dr Brown also wrote a book on The Amazing Aglaonema.  His Tropical Garden is open for tours.

 V.C Brownlie

     V.C. Brownlie served at Eastminster as an elder in the early 60s.  He and his wife owned and operated the Brownlie - Maxwell Funeral Home on US1 in Melbourne.  The Brownlie and Maxwell children still own and operate the funeral home at the same location now for over 90 years.

      Brownlie - Maxwell Funeral Home started in the late 1890's in conjunction with a hardware store on New Haven Ave, downtown Melbourne. In 1915 V. C. Brownlie and his wife "Bobby" moved to Melbourne from Eastern Kentucky and took over the operation, eventually moving it to the present location in 1934. Conger Brownlie and Bert Maxwell joined the firm in the late 40's after returning from military service. They worked hard to expand and improve the business throughout the "Space Race" age of the 50's and 60's. The web site for Brownlie-Maxwell.

George & Carolyn Kempfer & children

To the left; George, Carolyn (not pictured) Billy, Doris, Ann and Reed have been deeply involved and committed to Eastminster from the late 1950s.  Three of the children were baptized in Eastminster's original Sanctuary.  The cypress cross in the new Sanctuary came from their ranch.  George Kempfer held several cattleman leadership positions in Osceola & Brevard counties. 

The article below concerns Carolyn Kempfer receiving the "Woman of the Year in Agriculture," for 1988.

Carolyn Reed Kempfer was "Woman of the Year in Agriculture" for 1988. She was the fourth recipient of the award, which recognizes woman who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. The owner and operator of the Deer Park Ranch in Osceola and Brevard counties, Kempfer is a shining example that women can have it all -- a family, a vocation and civic leadership. As a wife, mother of four, businesswoman and civic leader, she has demonstrated true leadership in her family, in agriculture and in her community. 

She moved to Florida from Savannah, Ga., to be with her new husband, George Kempfer, on a ranch. She soon adjusted to life on a large cattle and timber operation, and never regretted moving to the country. She and George had four children, Billy, Reed, Doris and Ann.

When her husband died in 1962, Kempfer was left with four teenagers to raise and a 30,000-acre ranch to manage. A degree in business administration from Armstrong State College in Savannah, and the fact that her husband kept her informed on business decisions during his life, helped prepare her to run the ranch. With help from her children, whey they were not in school, Kempfer worked long hours to improve the quality of the cattle and ranch lands. Deer Park prospered.

Although holding the ranch and family together was always the top priority, Kempfer still found time to participate in civic activities. She filled the seat her husband had held on the Osceola County School Board and went on to be elected to two additional terms. She also served as director of the Brevard County Hospital Guild for 10 years and director of the Osceola Art and Culture Center. She is a charter member of the Eastminster Presbyterian Church and an active member of the PEO Sisterhood.

The Beginnings

Looking North from the Christian Ministry Center

Looking South from the Christian Ministry Center