Our History:
The Full Story
In the early 1980s, all of Florida was experiencing a population boom and southwest Florida was no exception. The Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ and the national church desired to give these new residents options for their faith development and boldly began a program of new church development in all corners of our state.
Through the support of both the Conference and the denominational offices, the invitation was extended to establish a congregation in Punta Gorda. The Rev. Douglas Plaskett, ordained in the United Church of Canada, was called, and on October 14, 1984, the first worship service was held in the original Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association Center, which was located at the marina next to the current Isles Yacht Club. In February 1985, the first 36 members were received into the fledgling congregation, with 4 associate members.
The United Church of Christ church development office loaned the congregation $77,000 to purchase the 4.5-acre Aqui Esta property where our church now stands.
The first service on the still undeveloped Aqui Esta site was held on Easter 1985, with the records noting that people brought their own chairs, eight people sang in the choir, communion was celebrated and the floral cross, which we still welcome each year, made its inaugural appearance.
In 1986 the congregation was received into the membership and fellowship of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ and began serious conversations about constructing a “real church.”
The plans for construction moved forward and were begun in earnest early in 1988, with the first worship service held on May 22nd.
The early years of this congregation have provided the foundation for the many valuable, life-changing ministries that have been offered since those nascent years. The congregation has been involved in community events and organizations, social action and justice ministries, civic improvement, disaster recovery for our community and disaster relief elsewhere. The congregation rebuilt after Hurricane Charley in 2004 and sent workcampers to Biloxi, Mississippi, to assist after Hurricane Katrina. We have built bridges between cultures, and we have provided a home for those seeking sobriety.
On November 1, 2015, the church unanimously voted to become an Open and Affirming Congregation. Read the Agreement.
On January 23, 2022 The congregation of the Congregational UCC approved the Creation Justice Covenant. Read the Covenant.
The Congregational United Church of Christ in Punta Gorda, under its current pastoral leadership of Rev. Michael Ford and the Leadership Team, continues to offer an open, affirming and welcoming home for those who are seeking such a fellowship, no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey.
Congregational United Church of Christ, Punta Gorda