History

The First Presbyterian Church, New Smyrna Beach, Florida was organized in May, 1875, on the beachside, by the Reverend Charles G. Sellock. The building for the Sanctuary and Sunday School was dedicated in 1876 and received into Southeast Florida Presbytery in May, 1877.

The church was re-organized April 4, 1926, with 20 charter members. Mrs. E.M. Detwiler gave the land for a building which was located on the beachside near the south bridge. Bryan Memorial Bible School was approved by the Synod of Florida on November 10, 1926. “The Pelican” on the beach was bought in 1928, but was sold to Rollins College in 1931. The school was discontinued. During those years the church had eight different supply pastors.

The church re-located on Magnolia Street in 1934, and the sanctuary was dedicated March 11, 1934. The Reverend G.V. Albertson was pastor from February, 1934 to March 31, 1941. Five pastors supplied the pulpit from 1941 to 1948.

In the fall of 1947 the Presbyterian and Congregational churches voted to merge. They remained federated until 1953, when space became a problem. On January 3, 1954 the first service of the First Presbyterian Church was held in a home, with 30 people in attendance and about 41 on the church roll. The Reverend Walter L. Ritter served as interim pastor until May, 1954, when the Reverend Weaver K. Eubank became pastor.

A new property adjacent to the parking lot was purchased in 1960 and named “Magnolia House.”

The present Sanctuary was erected in 1960. Ground was broken on September 28, 1960, and the cornerstone was laid on December 11. The new building was dedicated March 12, 1961.

Dr. Eubank died in May, 1963, and the Reverend Heston Milligan was installed on October 20, 1963.

During Reverend Milligan’s pastorate, the planning, building campaign, and construction of the educational wing of the church transpired, culminating in the dedication of the Education Building and Chapel on Sunday, March 12, 1967. The main hall was named Eubank Hall in memory of Dr. Weaver K. Eubank, and the chapel was named the Robinson Memorial Chapel in memory of the Reverend and Mrs. Jay Forbes Robinson, parents of Mrs. Walter Abrams. The library and conference room was named the Albertson Memorial Library in memory of Reverend Garrett V. Albertson, who served as pastor of the church from 1934 to 1941.

Reverend Milligan accepted a call to Kentucky, and the congregation extended a call to the Reverend Claud W. Cluney of Texas who accepted and moved to New Smyrna Beach in August, 1968. He served as pastor until his pastorate was dissolved on March 4, 1975 and he accepted a call to Alabama in early 1976. The parking lot adjacent to the sanctuary was acquired during Reverend Cluney’s pastorate.

The Reverend J. Scott Moncrieff served as Moderator while the pulpit was vacant from March 4, 1975 to July 1, 1976. The pulpit was supplied during this period by the Reverends C. John Trois, J. Robert Booker, Jon C. Castle, and James B. McGaffin.

The congregation extended a call to the Reverend William Chegwin of Weedsport, New York. He accepted and moved to New Smyrna Beach in July, 1976. Reverend Chegwin served the church until his retirement in 2001.

During November 2001 to August 2002 Reverend Beverly Richardson served the church as Associate Stated Supply Pastor until February 2002.

Dr. Robert E. Palmer served as Interim Pastor from August 2002 to June 2004 when a permanent Pastor was found. Dr. Palmer brought a rich diversity of ministry and experience necessary for the effective leadership and healing of a congregation.

The congregation extended a call to Pastor David M. Keazirian on July 1, 2004. Pastor David comes from St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Newton, Kansas with his wife Lori and stepdaughter Jennifer. Pastor David’s most important priority in his life is his relationship with God, followed by his relationship with his family and then his relationship with others. “I am what I am by the grace of God, and I give God the glory for it all!”