Short History of Palmetto :

The Palmetto Presbyterian Church of Miami, Florida started as a Chapel congregation and Sunday School. Church services were held in a portable unit of the South Miami Elementary School. After a year and a half of steady growth the Presbytery organized the chapel congregation into Palmetto Presbyterian Church. It celebrated its inaguration with a service of organization held on June 12, 1955. Its’ initial 36 members along with the Rev. Neil Wyrick, Jr., the church’s first minister, took their first steps as a congregation that day. Later that same year Palmetto began its first Youth Group and a building fund was soon underway. The Women of the church became a formally organized group in 1956 beginning with two women’s circles. In 1956 a charter was approved by the Circuit of Florida for the church and a Building Committee was formed. They selected and purchased two acres of land on the south side of Miller Road, just west of Ludlam Road, the present sight of our church.

A special building fund was organized and started in February 1956, the goal was to raise funds for the down payment on the building of the first phase of our church structure which would be used as our sanctuary which, in time, would eventually became the Fellowship Hall.

In 1965, the south wing of the church building was added, containing Sunday School rooms, a chapel, and church offices, with a paved parking lot and pews installed in the new chapel.

Also, in 1965 Rev. Ray Davies, was called as pastor with Ronnie Hieber hired as Youth Director.

In 1970 a Church Sanctuary Planning Committee was formed to negotiate for an architect and proceeded with the working drawings for the new sanctuary which would be the culmination of our church building. Ground breaking ceremonies took place on February 28, 1971. The new sanctuary was completed in 1972 with the first worship service held on Good Friday and the official dedication of the sanctuary on June 4, 1972.

In April 1976 the Women of the Church sponsored the formation of a retirement group in the church which became known as The Senior Jets to be similar with their youth group which was lovingly called The Junior Jets.

In June 1977 the church called Dr. James L. Ash, Jr., as pastor until 1984. Those who would lead our church in succession were: Dr. John Bressler from 1985 to 1988 and Dr. Pamela King until January 1996.After spending several months without a pastor Rev. Amos Wilkie was called as the interim minister for two years. It was during his that Palmetto opened their arms and doors to “Cristo Salvador,”with a gracious invitation that will never be forgotten.

Transition: “Cristo Salvador” chose to cease its existence as an independent congregation simply “sharing” physical space and ministry opportunities in order to become one church, one ministry, one family of faith. In mid 2001 The Presbytery approved the merger of Cristo Salvador and Palmetto under the leadership of Rev. Elías U. Collado who would in turn preach a service in English at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service in Spanish at 12:00 noon.

Preschool/Education: Is a program offering full-time and part-time services for children 6 weeks to 5 years. Our mission is to provide children with the best possible care while giving them the social, emotional and educational head start they need, in a Christian environment. The Preschool is licensed by the Florida Dept of Children & Families.

Programming: Currently Palmetto Presbyterian has functioning bodies of deacons, elders and both men and womens’ fellowships. The men meet once a month on the last Friday of the month, the women meet on the same day. Weekly Bibles studies meet in different homes on a rotating basis. The Youth Ministry meets every Friday of the month, with special outings every third Friday of the month and then they join both the men and women’s groups on the last Friday as all three share a potluck meal together.

A very special thanks to all who have supported the ministry of Palmetto Presbyterian Church and who have prayed for us during its 50 th years of service to our Lord and the South Miami community.

We will continue to pray, as in the past, that God will meet all our needs through intercessory prayer and by faith.

God be with you all!