Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) formed as a result of the merger between Ascension and Peace Presbyterian churches on June 13, 1993. On that day, members of both congregations chose not only to merge, but also to retain both names, The Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

History of Ascension

April 26, 1959, marked the occasion of organizing a Presbyterian Sunday School when Mrs. Willette Jackson invited a group of children to her home. Attending that initial meeting were nine people, five of whom pledged themselves as charter members. In pursuit of the organization of this body and desire to build a chapel, the small group of worshippers was assisted by Rev. Dr. Samuel Orlandi, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church. The Board of National Missions contributed a portion of its benevolent offering to defray the cost of the construction of the building which was subsequently named the Ascension Chapel. Members of the Ascension Chapel contributed $1,000 toward the initial cost and with the aid of the Board of National Missions, the Ascension Chapel became a joint project. During the first year, services were held in the Northwest Branch of YMCA. The initial edifice (now sold) was constructed in 1960, which easily accommodated the membership of fifty.

During the ensuing years many pastors assumed the role as minister of the congregation.

Rev. Dr. Raymond Anglin was presented by the Pulpit Search Committee on November 4, 1990 and he began his ministry at Ascension on the first Sunday in May, 1991.

History of Peace

In 1964, the Presbytery of South Florida (United Presbyterian Church USA) determined the need for a new Presbyterian presence in the rapidly growing western section of Fort Lauderdale. Sunset Presbyterian Church aided in a community-wide survey on March 1 st, and the first service of worship was held on Easter Sunday in a rented storeroom in Lauderdale Lakes. The community responded and on November 22 nd, the Peace United Presbyterian Church was organized with a charter membership of 101.

The construction of a church parsonage was completed in 1966 on five acres of land purchased on U.S. 441. The Early Childhood School (3-5 year olds) was organized in 1971, to which grades 1 thru 3 were added three years later. Special features of the school, with more than 150 students, were its non-segregated membership and its focus on stressing a quality Christian education and functioning as a valid outreach of the church in the community. The organizing pastor served from 1964 to 1976, after which others served on a part-time basis, including Rev. Davis Haw who remained until the merger with Ascension.

Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church

The official service of merger and charter of the new congregation was held on Sunday, July 11, 1993. It was also unanimously decided that the Rev. Dr. Raymond Anglin would serve as the pastor, while Rev. Davis Haw would serve as Associate Minister until December of that year. Ascension Presbyterian Church and Peace Presbyterian Church brought individual, unique histories that influenced and were responsible for the auspicious beginning of the new congregation.

The merger of the two congregations set in motion an era of a body of people who dreamed dreams and envisioned a dynamic future of Christian leadership in Lauderhill and surrounding communities. The goals of that first year were to recognize ourselves as the people of God, called into being in the new setting to adopt and interpret the Mission Statement expressed through the organization of the church and to capture a vision to begin the construction of a new sanctuary. Through the effective leadership of pastor Rev. Dr. Anglin, we were empowered to define a significant role in the community of faith. The congregation assumed a unique mission of discipleship, a commonality of interest and needs, and as a beacon reflecting racially and culturally diverse group of worshippers. The timing of these events is remarkable, occurring in the closing days of this century and forging ahead into the Twenty-first Century.

Over these years, we have experienced the presence and power of God among us, evidenced by our growth, quantitatively as well as qualitatively. In each stage of our growth and development as a congregation, we have kept Jesus at the center. With His blessing, we dedicated our new sanctuary on Sunday, July 18, 1999. On that day, we lifted our voices in praise and thanksgiving to God for all His blessings and for the accomplishment of this awesome task. We humbly submit out minds and hearts to His service as we continue to spread the good news.

Ascension Peace hosted the meeting of the Presbytery of Tropical Florida on Tuesday, January 25, 2000. It was the occasion of two firsts: the first meeting of the millennium and the first event of this level hosted by the Ascension Peace family. More than one hundred eighty persons attended, including ministers, commissioners, and lay persons.