What a historical gem sat in the heart of Brickell, located near the sea and standing majestic in its 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 read more

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The First Presbyterian Church of Miami is the city's oldest organized congregation. Early in 1896, The 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. read more

First Miami Presbyterian Church - Churches Near Me - Miami, Florida

I was baptized in this church in 1949 and was married in this church in 1968. My Dad was a deacon and my mother taught Sunday school for the 2-4 year olds (kindergarten) for 24 years. I was active in their youth group as we did many meaningful things. Even went on a mission trip to Yucatan. Dr. Dahlberg was unbelievable, the Chancel Choir was unreal and so were the all the members that attended. Such memories I have of a wonderful Church family. The Easter Egg hunts use to be held next-door in the park. read more

This church is beautiful! Im not certain on how the church is as a congregation or body of believers but the building itself is absolutely marvelous. It is a historic landmark in Miami and it is beautiful. We were able to have about 250 people at our ceremony and there was much more room to spare. The organ pipes ate massive and the ceilings are high. Incredible location for a wedding. We were very happy with the way it turned out. Unfortunately the day of the wedding coordinator had a death in the family so we were flying solo for the most part but praise God it turned out beautifully and I married my wonderful wife =] I posted just a few pics. Enjoy. read more

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I've only lived in Miami for a few months, but I already feel like this church is my new family. It is hard being away from my friends and family in other parts of the country, so I was looking for a place that felt like I was home. They are a little rusty around the edges, but I think that is what adds to the charm of this place! Pastor Chris is really good at picking topics that are interesting and for the first time in a long time I am able to pay attention to a sermon! The messages are relevant to me and I end up thinking about what he said the rest of the week. There are a LOT of young people in the seats (and that was so hard for me to find in Miami!) and it seems like everyone really wants to get closer to God. It took me a few months to find a church, but I am so excited to find this church. Did I mention the sanctuary is beautiful? And their little side chapel is one of the oldest in Miami? It is worth it just to tour around it some time! read more

I only recently started coming to this church. Pastor Chris delivers concise, practical, quality sermons that everyone can relate to, in a very relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is warm, friendly, and cool. Building is simply beautiful for weddings and classical music performances etc. read more

Amazing team, volunteers, and contagiously gifted Pastor Chris makes this place the closest place to heaven.

I was married at this church in 2013. The reason I picked this church was its classic beauty, the way the organ sounded and the flexibility. I was able to have a runner, flowers on the pews, and stage, pick my own music (pending approval) and no marriage counseling was required. Their Organist/Pianist was extremely knowledgeable and could play anything I requested. We were able to bring our own ministers. My fiancé wanted his from is church and I wanted mine from my church. It was wonderful. This beautiful church is located in the heart of Brickell. It is on the water and next to Brickell Park. The church has a huge parking lot which is a plus. The church Wedding Coordinator is always in the office during the work week. That made is easy to set appointments. She is easy going and made us feel right at home the minute we walk in the building. She is extremely knowledgeable and was very clear with her answers when asked a question. She is there for the rehearsal and the wedding. I could tell she was truly happy for us, and enjoys her job. If you want to have a church wedding, I highly recommend First Presbyterian Church of Miami. read more

We had the pleasure of working with the First Presbyterian Church of Miami for our wedding on 12/3/2016. From beginning to end the ceremony was beautiful. Pastor Chris is the best! We enjoyed our counseling session which helped to prepare us for this big step. He went above and beyond during our rehearsal to put our wedding party at ease and calm all nerves. On the wedding day, all our guests, regardless of their religious views, enjoyed the entire heartfelt ceremony. In addition, Ana Silva was great during the planning process. She was responsive and on time for our meetings. She setup all our ceremony special touches such as programs, unity candles, etc. She also kept the whole thing on time. Ana went above and beyond by setting up our guests (with streamers/banners) outside the church for an unbelievably beautiful church exit. Finally, the church itself is amazing! It's historic and expansive inside with unique stained glass. We used both the main sanctuary and the chapel (our marriage license signing). The massive organ is also very impressive which we used for our processional and recessional. Thank you to the entire First Presbyterian Church of Miami wedding staff for making these memories of a lifetime possible! read more

I highly recommend First Presbyterian Church of Miami. I was actually raised in the Methodist church, and my husband was brought up in the Catholic faith. I feel First Presbyterian welcomes all faiths with open arms. This is my first experience where I have felt the preacher of a church is non-judgmental. Pastor Chris Atwood is very approachable, personable, and his message is accessible by so many. During sermons it is evident that Chris is a theologian and has extensively researched and analyzed scriptures and religious doctrines. What I like most is that he communicates spiritual history and metaphors in a meaningful and relevant way. Jen Atwood, Pastor Chris' wife, leads the children's ministries and is gifted with the little ones. Jen not only organizes Vacation Bible School, but also is a teacher for Key Point Academy during the week. The Atwoods volunteer efforts throughout the community and in needy countries abroad, are centered on their genuine heart for people. I am so blessed to have found this church! read more

First Presbyterian Church has experienced a resurgence with the arrival of their new pastor Christopher Atwood, a seminary graduate from Princeton University. Last week as a visitor, I witnessed one of the best sermons (on joy) that I have ever heard. The sermon was very applicable and Atwood did a great job mixing in scripture with modern problems we all experience. If the sermon he preached Sunday is typical of what First Presbyterian Church will offer its congregants in the future, things will bode very well for this Church. read more