Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church in America
Fiftieth
Anniversary Booklet
Lake
Osborne Presbyterian Church began as a local mission project of
the Church Extension Committee of Memorial Presbyterian Church in
West Palm Beach. Originally called Lake Osborne Presbyterian Chapel,
it started Thursday evening services in an old residence at 615
Sunset Drive on July 5, 1956. Subsequently meetings were held throughout
July and August. A young pastor, Rev. John McCrea was approached
by the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Ryan T.
Wood, to consider pastoring the mission church. He was a Columbia
Seminary graduate and accepted the call to be the first pastor of
the fledgling Lake Osborne Presbyterian Chapel
in August, 1956. The first regular Sunday worship service was held
on September 30, 1956, with Rev. John McCrea officiating. A permanent
site was soon purchased on the corner of Sunset Drive at Sixth Avenue
South. It contained a two-story house and was known as the Hill
House. This house served for Sunday worship until the Fellowship
Hall was built. On Sunday, February 5, 1961, a Groundbreaking Service
was held marking the beginning of construction of the Fellowship
Hall, classrooms and offices. After its completion the Fellowship
Hall served as the Sanctuary until 1985. The Hill House continued
to be a hub of activity for the youth from 1968 through 1971. It
housed the Inscape Coffee House, a meeting place for the neighborhood
teenagers and was open on Saturday evenings. It attracted one hundred
to two hundred youth each week. Many of them made professions of
faith as a result of their attendance. The Hill House also was used
for Sunday school and other church related activities. The Hill
House was demolished in 1984 to make room for the present day Sanctuary.
The Chapel Council with the advice and support of Memorial Presbyterian
Church decided to submit a petition that the
Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church be
constituted as a regular church at the spring meeting of the Presbytery
on April 16, 1957. In response a commission was appointed to organize
the chapel as a Presbyterian Church. Members of the commission appointed
by the Presbytery met Sunday afternoon May 5, 1957. at 3:30 P.M.
and an Organizational Service was held making us Lake Osborne Presbyterian
Church. Rev. Dr. Ryan T. Wood officiated. Rev. John McCrea read
the letter from the Memorial Presbyterian Church transferring thirty-six
of its members. September 7, 1962 Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church
purchased the Rev. John McCrea property to be used as a manse. Rev.
McCrea and his wife helped design this house which has served as
a manse for almost fifty years. Rev. Russell Toms and his family
and later Rev. Lynn Downing and his family lived in this house.
Rev. Dr. Larry Roff and his wife purchased the house in 2004 and
live there now. On April 1, 1962, Lake Osborne called Rev. Russell
Toms, Assistant Pastor of Memorial Presbyterian, to be the pastor.
He accepted and served until January 5, 1971. The present pastor
Rev. Richard Lynn Downing was called during 1971 and was installed
on March 21, 1971. He was previously with Men of Action.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA - During 1973 a new plan to unite the Northern and Southern mainline Presbyterian churches was taking shape. Many conservative churches separated from the Presbyterian Church in the United States in opposition to long developing liberalism. Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church was one of the two hundred sixty churches who participated in the First General Assembly of what was to become the Presbyterian Church in America. The assembly convened in Birmingham, Alabama. The assembly organized the National Presbyterian Church which later was renamed the Presbyterian Church in America. Our congregation unanimously voted to join with it. The Reverend Lynn Downing, pastor of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church, was a signatory to the founding documents. There were two other delegates from the church who were present for this historic occasion.
SANCTUARY BUILDING - When membership had reached three hundred ten, with anticipation of reaching five hundred, it was time to move ahead with building a sanctuary. This was vital in order to help accomplish the goal of making disciples through worship, evangelism, Christian education and service. In 1984, Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church saw the groundbreaking for the new sanctuary, which soon became a beautiful reality. A mission conference was held the week preceding the dedication . Rev. Frank Barker of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama led the conference. This emphasized missions as an important reason for expansion of facilities. The inspiring Dedication Ceremony on March 17, 1985, had Rev. Stephen Brown, pastor of Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church in Miami as the speaker. The dedication of the sanctuary was truly a memorable event in the history of our church.
STEEPLE - The steeple became a beacon
in the Lake Osborne area. It is easily seen from I-95 and serves
as a landmark for giving directions. In one instance a suicidal
woman saw the steeple and came seeking help. After talking to one
of the pastors she trusted in Christ. Hurricane Wilma destroyed
the steeple on October 24, 2005.
There
were those who were not sure that replacing it
was a good idea, mainly because of the expense. The congregation
voted to replace the steeple with
one that could withstand 140 mph winds. It was
erected on January 5, 2007. The sanctuary was whole once more.
CHURCH PLANTING AND OUTREACH - When Rev. Lynn Downing arrived in 1971 the church was struggling. In 1973, with encouragement from him the church began mission conferences. As well as attracting many visitors these conferences sparked an interest in outreach at Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church. In 1977 Wellington Church was organized. Another church was started in Jupiter on May 15, 1983. Jupiter Presbyterian Church became a particular church. After that the Palm Beach Gardens Mission was started. In addition, we had significant participation in church plants at Sebring, Florida and Stuart, Florida. A church extension and outreach project was started in the Atlantis community. Early Sunday morning church services were held in a private home and continued for several years. The attendance reached an average of forty and on one occasion attendance peaked to ninety. Eventually most of those worshiping there were integrated into Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church congregation.
MISSIONS - Missions have long been a priority with Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church. Today the church provides support to fourteen different missionaries and mission projects, locally, nationally and worldwide. A significant amount of the churches growth is probably attributable to its strong emphasis on missions. On the average ninety-five to one hundred thousand dollars is contributed annually by members of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church. Since 1973 over thirty individuals from our church have been called to and devoted significant portions of their lives to full time ministry or to the mission field. This is a blessing that continues today. Presently there are three young men from our church who are at some stage of progress toward ordination to the ministry or serving in other full time ministry positions.
MINISTRIES - Recently there is a fresh wind of The Spirit moving in our congregation. God is blessing the ministry to youth and children so that the young people themselves are not only very receptive, but inviting friends to join them. Shepherding Groups under the leadership of our elders and deacons are helping members to feel that there is always someone for them to call on at anytime. The Lord's blessing is on the many Home Bible Studies as more people have a hunger for growth in the knowledge and understanding of His Scripture. The choir is singing with new enthusiasm and it is a blessing to the morning worship service. Their additional programs, including the home school children attract people who might not otherwise attend church.
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH - The women of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church were organized into the "Women in the Church" officially in May 1957 after having operated as Circle 14 of Memorial Presbyterian Church of West Palm Beach. By the end of 1957 three circles were formed with a membership of thirty-seven women. They were off to a good start and filled their role as "helpmates" to the activities of the church. Through the first thirty years the WIC was organized under the direction of the church's elders and the area Presbytery, and nationally from the WIC Headquarters in Atlanta. Each year there was an election of appropriate officers. Several times a year general meetings were held with special speakers and music along with an opportunity to raise funds to support special projects such as Ridge Haven, WIC Headquarters, and Belhaven College. Women's retreats were popular for several years. Mother's Morning Out, ministry of WIC, started in 1978 and continued off and on for many years. It was a vital women's ministry reaching out to young mothers. In 1987 the look of the Women in the Church began to change. The focus of WIC at LOPC now is to help educate women in the areas in Gen.2:18, that women are created to be helpers; Gen 3:20 women are called to be life-givers, and in Ps. 144:2 they are to be supporting pillars. The women have become more intentional in planning studies and events to communicate this and have become prayer warriors.
WOMEN'S ENCOURAGEMENT - The Women's Encouragement Group started around 1999. This group of ladies meets weekly for fellowship, Bible Study, prayer and to encourage shut-ins. Their payer time focuses on needs of the church as well as individuals. Each member has approximately eight individuals or families that they pray for that month. They also encourage the church family by sending out birthday cards. They often take refreshments and celebrate birthdays of shut-ins or for those ninety or over. A couple times a year they bring those who are able, to the church for a social gathering. They are a loving, caring group of ladies who feel they are serving the Lord as well as meeting needs of the church family.
CONCLUSION - This very brief history
of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church doesn't'
t permit mentioning by name all of those who played a part in its
organization and continuation. Many have been involved in numerous
roles and it is impossible to give each credit for their efforts.
The Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of Lake Osborne Presbyterian
Church in not about what we as individuals have accomplished. It
is however, about what God has done. His orchestration in guiding
us each step of the way was and is awesome. In all things to God
be the glory.
