Our members began meeting in homes. Sunday services were held in Tomoka Oaks Country Club and then later in the Ormond Hotel, until the first building - a multi-purpose room was completed in 1967. The building was financed by a loan from the United Presbyterian Board of Missions and a gift from the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis, Florida. With the placing of the cornerstone, and the beginning of services, Christ Presbyterian Church became known as "the little church in the woods."

The Church was officially chartered in April 1969 with 46 members. The Presbytery supplied the church with part-time retired ministers in those formative years. It was the people then, as now, who kept Christ Presbyterian Church going. They cleaned, typed, taught, visited, and through it all lifted high the cross of Christ.

In 1973, the Rev. James Scott Moncrieff was called and became the church's full-time Pastor. This was an act of faith for the 87 members, because the "little church in the woods" was still listed in the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study, with the budget largely subsidized by the Presbytery. Under Scott's dynamic leadership, the church grew and became self supporting in 1977.

Continued growth of membership and programs required building drives for new and improved facilities. In 1978 a new Sunday School addition (currently our administrative wing) was constructed and the fellowship hall/worship center was enlarged.

In 1986, Phase II of the Master Plan, our 550 seat Sanctuary with its imposing tower - lifting high the cross - was completed.

By 1989, Phase III of the Master Plan, a new educational wing of classrooms, including a nursery, became a reality. Early direction in Christian Education was provided by Ruth Wolf-LeMoyne and Tom Stimpfig. Subsequent staff additions provided new positions in Christian Education and Music, hiring JoAnn Schafer as Director of Christian Education in 1995 and promoting Joyce Dawson to Director of Music in 1996.

In 1991 with increased church membership and activities, especially programs for youth, Rev. George Rinker was called as Associate Pastor and served in that capacity until August 1993. Rev. Joe Wendorph became part-time Parish Associate from October 1993 until September 1998, when he was installed as Associate Pastor.

The year 1998 saw completion of Phase IV of the Master Plan with the addition of more meeting space including an enlarged youth room, a choir room, a classroom, a remodeled fellowship hall, and new kitchen facilities.

By 2000 our commitment to youth continued to increase programs and activities so greatly a need was seen to call an Associate Pastor for Youth & Families. Rev. Jeff Beebe joined the staff in that position on October 8, 2000.

From October 2000 until October 2003, the church was served by three pastors: Rev.Moncrieff, Pastor, Rev. Wendorph, Associate Pastor, and Rev. Beebe, Associate Pastor. During this period, especially through the efforts of Rev. Wendorph, a Contemporary Service developed. Scheduled for several years as an evening service, it was changed in 2004 to be one of three services held each Sunday morning, with Brad Yates added to the staff to lead the Praise Team on December 19, 2003.

In October 2003, after serving this church for 30 years, Rev. Moncrieff retired. Rev. Ernest Flaniken was called to serve as Interim Pastor while the church proceeded through the prescribed process of selecting a new Pastor. Under the able leadership of Rev. Flaniken, along with Revs. Wendorph and Beebe and the church staff, progress in ministry, mission, organization and increasing growth in membership continued.

Also during 2004, a Health Ministry was provided with the addition of Linda Bertolet as part-time Parish Nurse to assist members with health and medical problems. Soon after, the position of Director of Parish Care became Linda's full-time job and passion. After fifteen months service, Reverend Flaniken completed his tenure as Interim Pastor and preached his last sermon on January 31, 2005.

On December 5, 2004, the congregation elected Rev. John Cole, of First Presbyterian Church in Somerset, KY, as its new pastor. Rev. Cole began his pastorate on March 2, 2005, and a formal installation service and reception was held on Sunday, April 10, 2005. He was awarded his doctorate in May 2005 from Columbia Theological Seminary. Dr. Cole, a native of Daytona Beach, FL, brought to the church leadership, great commitment, enthusiasm and a wealth of experience as a minister, a scholar, and as a former lawyer and banker, all to carry forth our mission and continued development of our services to our Lord and Jesus Christ.

In September 2005, Rev. Wendorph left for another call, followed soon after by JoAnn Schafer. Lisa Kasotakis Benitez became the new Director of Christian Education in December of 2005. In July of 2007, Rev. Polly K. Deppen was called to serve as Associate Pastor for Adult Discipleship. She came to us from The Presbyterian Church of Stanley, in Overland Park, Kansas.

During the summer of 2008, Myra Wooden arrived as our summer choir director, a task which evolved into her becoming our Director of Music on May 10, 2009, following the retirement of Joyce Dawson after 30 years of service to the Music Ministry at CPC and to the Lord.

In early 2009, Linda Bertolet who had been our Parish Nurse for nine years (with a 2-year vacation in San Clemente, CA) is now a full-time RN with Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.

Rev. Jeff Beebe left CPC on April 19, 2009, in pursuit of a call to another church. He left behind a very strong youth program which will be continued under lay leadership.

Today, after 40 years of growth, development and Christian service to the community, our 800 plus member congregation is solid and growing, our commitment strong, and our services and programs are expanding. Our church is more than mortar and brick ... it is a church for all ages, where the love of God is proclaimed, the compassion of the Holy Spirit is embraced, and the Cross of Jesus Christ is lifted High. Come join us in our service to the Lord.

Last update: 05/31/2009