What a historical gem sat in the heart of Brickell, located near the sea and standing majestic in…read moreits own right amongst all the sleek modern high rise architecture. Here is some information regarding this place. Prior to the First Presbyterian Church, the lot at 609 Brickell Avenue was the location of the home for Edna Rickmers. First Presbyterian purchased the lot at 609 Brickell Avenue in 1948. The church was built and opened in 1949. Andre and Edna Rickmers bought the lot at 609 Brickell Avenue from Mary Brickell shortly after arriving in Miami. The couple arrived to Miami in 1905, a year after they got married in Pittsburgh. Edna was from Pittsburgh and her husband was a ship builder from Germany. He was listed as retired in the 1908 Miami City Directory. The couple was listed at 1805 Brickell (later changed to 609 Brickell), as early as 1908. It is likely they built the home in the cover photograph between 1905 and 1907. Andre and Edna were very active in real estate in the growing Miami area. The couple owned a fair amount of property in today's Omni neighborhood. They also owned the land where the Olympia Theater resides. It was actually Edna Rickmers that gave the building the name "Olympia Theater and Office Building" in 1926. However, Andre was not alive to see the building of the Olympia. It isn't clear the year he died, but Edna Rickmers was listed as a widow by the 1918 Miami City Directory. The home at 609 Brickell Avenue was set toward the back of part of the lot. It was very common for homes on the east side of Brickell Avenue to be located closer to the bay and a distance from Brickell Avenue. The home was razed in 1948 to make room for the church. Following the sale of the property to the church, Edna Rickmers moved a few blocks south to a mansion located at 1927 Brickell Avenue. She lived in this mansion until her death in February of 1956

The First Presbyterian Church of Miami is the city's oldest organized congregation. Early in 1896,…read moreThe Reverend Henry Keigwin, synodical missionary representing the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., reached Ft. Dallas (now Miami), a very small community not yet incorporated. April 1, 1896, three months after he began holding services in a rough board restaurant, the First Presbyterian Church of Miami was organized. Services were held first in a tent donated by Memorial Church of St. Augustine. Within a year this was replaced by a "Pavilion" with a floor, doors and a shingle roof. Both were shared with the Baptists and the Methodists. In 1898, Henry M. Flagler, pioneer builder and developer of Florida, took a personal interest in the siting and the construction of the first church building. On the corner of S.E. Flagler and Third Avenue, it was completed in 1900. Its congregation, swollen in the winter by tourists, was made up mainly of families drawn to the area to build and operate Mr. Flagler's Royal Palm Hotel and his FEC Railroad. In the 1926 hurricane the steeple of this building was destroyed and never replaced. The rapid growth of Miami and the needs of a growing church led, in 1947, to leasing of the downtown property for 99 years and relocating the church to 609 Brickell Avenue, a central location across the river on an avenue of beautiful homes and with ample parking. This sanctuary was finished in 1949. Additions in 1954 and 1964 completed the building as you see it today. The Flagler Memorial Chapel is a replica of the Flagler Street structure and the pews, pulpit, stained glass windows and fixtures are from the original church.

There is not enough I can say about this church. It's a place where not only do you feel welcome…read morebut it's a great place to start your Christ Journey. They offer a number of groups to help people connect with God. Dedicated ministries for elementary, middle school, high school and young adults. Where the message is tailored to people the way they prefer to be reached. They focus on mentoring the youth and helping people find and follow Christ. Amazing music and state of the art digital technology allow the church to reach locals and people all over the world. The experience is spiritually rejuvenating and you feel Gods presence in the room. They have an easy user friendly app and if you can't make it in person they broadcast live on many platforms including YouTube and Facebook live. People are friendly and it's a joy to experience church here. 2026 they celebrate 100 years of service. You know they are genuinely helping the community if they have made it this far. I recommend you check it out at either of their 2 locations Coral Gables or now the South Miami location. Have a blessed day, God Speed!

I have been attending service at this church for about four years now and absolutely love the…read moremessages that Pastor Bill gives. Every Sunday I leave this church feeling inspired, what an amazing way to start my week. Pastor Bill's messages are very uplifting and relatable, so it is good for anyone no matter where you are on your spiritual journey. The staff is extremely friendly and inviting. Pastor Bill normally tries to make an effort to walk around and shake people's hands before service starts. The music is phenomenal and the singers are extremely talented and devoted. Whether you're looking for a church to attend weekly or if you're just in town for a few days I highly recommend attending service here. I promise you will not regret it!

God has used this church to change my life, and the lives of many of my friends and family members!…read moreSolid Bible teaching, awesome worship, and a welcoming family of believers. The focus of this church isn't to just come together and sing songs, but to equip its people to do the work of ministry!

I love this church. Lifechurch has truly been a blessing to my family and I. The church has done so…read moremuch for us. I even met my amazing wife through lifechurch! Come visit us Sunday's @ 11 am!

This has been my church since I accepted Jesus as my saviour more than 15 years ago, and I wouldn't…read morechange it except for New Jerusalem! come worship with us and let the Lord take over the wheel!

What an amazing church full of the presence of the most high. It's amazing because there has been…read moreso many people healed from cancer and other ailments. Also, the music is out of this world. The singers have great voices. I would invite anyone who feels depressed and lonesome to visit this church and you'll leave transformed.

I love a historic church and I discovered this beauty right on Lincoln Road. Built in 1921 on land…read moredonated by Carl Fisher, this is the oldest church in Miami Beach. During Christmastime 1919, Developer Carl Fisher and his wife Jane were strolling down a path through the mangroves that Fisher would turn into Lincoln Road. Jane thought the community needed a church to which Fisher replied" Where in the hell do you want your church." Jane told her husband to choose the site and he stuck a stick on the ground and told her this was as good a place as any. In 2017 the church underwent a 3 million dollar restoration. Everything from the foundation on up had to be reinforced. All new lighting, electric, and a sound system were also added. In order to pay for the work the church agreed lease to a clothing retail establishment a corner of the church courtyard. For years the courtyard was the site of bake sales, church functions, and holiday decorations and the decision to lease was a controversial one. Other money to work on the front of the church was obtained through a state grant. On October 10, 2021, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Sunday service is offered at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary led by Pastor Cynthia Lee, only the 5th pastor to have ever served at the church. She is the first woman and the first person of color to lead the ministry. I am a fan 1920's architecture from Florida's land boom years. I love how ornate the church is and when I got to visit, it was all decked out for Christmas. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It was fun to spot this Mediterranean Revival architecture among the Art Deco gems on Lincoln Road.

You dont really expect to see a chgurch in Lincoln road - as you walk along shopping etc, but there…read moreis one, approximately half way along. Here is some information I found out about it - The Miami Beach Community Church was built in 1921 on land donated by Carl Fisher fronts Lincoln Road on the corner where it intersects with Drexel Avenue. Apparently it is Miami beachs first and oldest church! It has recebntl been restored - Sosa, a former chair of the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board, emphasized this was a "true restoration, not renovation" that includes modern technology. "All new lighting, all new electrical, and all new sound system," he said. "We really have the best of all worlds... a restoration that Carl Fisher and founders would have been proud of with a sanctuary that's fit for the next century." The façade restoration was funded through a $175,000 grant from the State. That funding allowed the porch to be brought back to the original sidewalk level, along with the full restoration of the terracotta façade and other architectural details, according to Sosa. The interior work cost nearly $3 million which came from church funds, most of it from a deposit on a multi-year lease for a future retail center adjacent to the church in a corner courtyard. The church entered into the agreement when it was in a "dire" financial position six years ago, Sosa said. Similar to other churches, he said a combination of demographic changes, and increased expenses led the Miami Beach Community Church to look for options. "We are on Lincoln Road. We are the City's urban church. We love that but with that comes a lot of financial challenges."

Although, it is a big church I feel that I am able to still receive the message and the services…read morefeel intimate. My husband and I have felt very blessed since starting at MLC.

I've been attending Metro Life Church for a little over four years now!! This is where I got saved,…read morethanks to God. Everyone is so great and they love Jesus. The pastors always give a beautiful sermon. It's a church family!

Please make the experience with the homeless community not about the ones you chosen to like and…read morechosen to get. Please don't belittle or humiliate those in need. They are not your punching bag . Are you miserable? Do you not like feeding good wholesome meals to orphans,sick and handicapped individuals who trust your hands? If not Please allow another group of volunteers to happily take your positions of food distribution days( Monday and Thursday) How you treat the less fortunate is integrity on your hands or not It's up to you.

Calvary Chapel Miami Beach is a great place to come and worship. Pastor Robert does a great job…read moreteaching the word of God, worship and community is fantastic here. The people are friendly and loving, and this place has great child care, where kids can gather and learn about God. There are 2 services on Sunday morning and one on Saturday night - check their websites for details. Stay tuned, since they have just purchased a building and will be moving soon.

What blessing to worship in the home church of my grandmother and mother. Greater New Macedonia…read moreBaptist Church truly exudes the phrase, "The Church of L.O.V.E.". If you are looking for a welcoming church, involved in the community and looking to do greater, visit New Macedonia!