Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The First Congregational Church of Melbourne

Photographed by Jamie Cox, July 18, 2013

1. The First Congregational Church of Melbourne Marker

Inscription. The First Congregational Church of Melbourne had its beginnings in 1887 when Edward Branch and his wife Abbie began to hold regular Bible study and worship meetings. In December 1887, five men and seven women signed a covenant that was the first step toward construction of a church building. In 1892, local businessman W. H. Powell donated a corner lot on Second Street (Strawbridge) and Washington Street (U.S. Hwy. 1) for a church. The church, a frame building with a steeple, was designed by R. J. Anderson, a local builder and was completed in 1893 at a cost of $2,065. Records show that exactly $2,512.12 was collected for the church's construction. The leftover funds were used to start an organ fund. The first church service was held on Sunday, July 2, 1893. In 1929, the church was greatly expanded by four large stucco-covered additions, and in 1959 stained glass windows were added. Between 1960 and 1999, the building served as the United Church of Christ-Congregational. On January 3, 2000, the building was sold to His Place Ministries East Coast, Inc., for continued use as a church.

A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2013

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by The Brevard County Historical Commission The Brevard County Tourist Development Council and The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-767.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1818.

Location. 28° 4.795′ N, 80° 36.228′ W. Marker is in Melbourne, Florida, in Brevard County. It is at the intersection of Strawbridge Avenue (U.S. 192) and U.S. 1, on the right when traveling west on Strawbridge Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Melbourne FL 32901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

The First Congregational Church of Melbourne image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jamie Cox, July 18, 2013

2. The First Congregational Church of Melbourne

distance of this marker: History of the 1900 Building (about 300 feet away); Carleton Hotel - Idlewylde Hotel (about 500 feet away); Florida East Coast Railroad (about 700 feet away); Campbell Park (about 700 feet away); Trysting Steps and Bluff Walk (about 800 feet away); Myles Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Front Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Causeway (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Melbourne Hotel (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Diane Murphy, November 2023

3. The First Congregational Church of Melbourne Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,004 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. 3. submitted on January 10, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.