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Rockledge United Methodist Church

1935 South Fiske Boulevard
321-632-7387

Mission:

Making More and Stronger Disciples of Jesus Christ by loving God, serving others, and connecting people to Jesus

About Us:

The Church began February 7, 1965 when there was phenomenal growth of the whole county because of the "Space Age".

The following words were written by charter member Bill Webb, who was lay leader of the church:

"The District Superintendent of the Melbourne District, Dr. Bruce Ganaway, was searching for property for a meeting site in Rockledge, so a lease was temporarily signed with the newly-completed Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club to at least have a meeting place.

The Rev. Ned T. Keller, appointed by Bishop James W. Henley, held the first scheduled worship service on January 3, 1965. The Garden Club overflowed with 210 people, a building that was built to accommodate 140! People were standing because there were not enough chairs. It was an exciting time! On Organization Sunday, February 7, 1965, 206 persons were accepted as charger members of the Rockledge United Methodist Church.

The Garden Club was not large enough for the two adult Church School classes, the Joy Class and the Pathfinders, so they had to meet in private homes. The class members would race to get their children in Sunday School in the Garden Cub then race to the home where their class was being held. Fiske Boulevard looked like the Daytona Speedway!

Also, there was no place for a church office. The church was fortunate enough to purchase the parsonage at 954 Brunswick Lane in Rockledge. The bedroom at the top of the stairs became the church office. All church meetings were held in the living room.

The property where the church is now located, approximately four acres, was purchased for $35,000. Groundbreaking services were held on December 26, 1965 and the first unit, a multi-purpose sanctuary/fellowship hall was completed on June 19, 1966. With the membership growing, a wing for classes and scout meetings was added in early 1968 and a second wing for Church School classes was finished that year.

In August 1988, the dreams of over two decades were realized with the groundbreaking for the new Sanctuary. Excitement grew as the building rose. A special ceremony was observed Christmas Eve 1988 as the members filed from the service in the old Sanctuary, to assemble by candlelight under the stars, on the newly poured floor of the new Sanctuary to sing Christmas carols. The new Sanctuary was dedicated May 7, 1989 in an emotional ceremony highlighted by several charter members transferring special artifacts from the old to the new Sanctuary."  


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