History: The First 5 Years

It was a warm and clear evening on October 3, 1976 when about 150 people gathered at the Shopping Center in the heart of Spring Lake to formally organize the "Spring Lake Presbyterian Church."

It was an anticipated moment by people like Mary Yontek whose husband had recently died and she needed a project to fill her mind and heart -- and the new community needed a church! The Rev. Barbara Yontek, Mary's daughter, had contacted St. John's Presbytery and Jack Ryan, sales manager of Coral Ridge Properties, developers of Spring Lake, to suggest the community's need for a church.

Teenager Donna Greenhalgh was first in line to put her name to the document that petitioned the Presbytery to form the congregation as a church of the United Presbyterian Church, USA. Forty-nine other people followed, putting their names to the list of charter members.

Before that memorable evening there had been fifteen months of investigating, searching and meetings led by representatives of the Presbytery. Their mission was to determine if there was sufficient interest in the community to form a church. Dr. Harry Bryan was the first of these emissaries from Orlando.

Bryan quickly discovered a zeal among the new friends he acquired and so began worship services in rented quarters at the shopping center. The first was held on December 7, 1975. Neighboring congregations in Sebring -- and as far away as Alabama -- supplied resources for worship.

Bryan began weekly Bible studies, attended picnics, helped organize potluck suppers for fellowship and gathered women together in a group that eventually became the "Women of the Church."

One of the first concerns of the new church was a search for a permanent pastor. That search ended when the Rev. Paul W. Stauning, a Presbyterian pastor in Harrisburg, PA, accepted their call. He was installed as pastor on October 2, 1977. He said he accepted the challenge to build a new church, something he hadn't done before.

With funds given by the Presbytery and raised by the congregation the present buildings were constructed and dedicated on November 26, 1978 in a ceremonial service that attracted wide attention.

Seventeen months later Stauning said he had completed his mission and resigned as pastor to return to Pennsylvania.

The Rev. Phillip Buss served as pastor beginning in 1980 for the remainder of the church's first five years. Since those early days, this church has become an integral part of the community with worship services, Sunday school, programs, and activities that appeal to everyone. An outstanding music program, Bible study groups, seminars, picnics, flea markets are some of the activities of SLPC also known as the FRIENDLY CHURCH.

In 1983 the Presbytery reorganized the Central Florida Presbytery which is a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Come worship with us any Sunday at 10 am.

May the future be as great as its past.