The First Presbyterian Church of Miami is the city's oldest organized congregation. Early in 1896, The Reverend Henry Keigwin, synodical missionary representing the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., reached Ft. Dallas (now Miami), a very small community not yet incorporated. April 1, 1896, three months after he began holding services in a rough board restaurant, the First Presbyterian Church of Miami was organized. Services were held first in a tent donated by Memorial Church of St. Augustine. Within a year this was replaced by a "Pavilion" with a floor, doors and a shingle roof. Both were shared with the Baptists and the Methodists.

In 1898, Henry M. Flagler, pioneer builder and developer of Florida, took a personal interest in the siting and the construction of the first church building. On the corner of S.E. Flagler and Third Avenue, it was completed in 1900. Its congregation, swollen in the winter by tourists, was made up mainly of families drawn to the area to build and operate Mr. Flagler's Royal Palm Hotel and his FEC Railroad. In the 1926 hurricane the steeple of this building was destroyed and never replaced.

The rapid growth of Miami and the needs of a growing church led, in 1947, to leasing of the downtown property for 99 years and relocating the church to 609 Brickell Avenue, a central location across the river on an avenue of beautiful homes and with ample parking. This sanctuary was finished in 1949. Additions in 1954 and 1964 completed the building as you see it today. The Flagler Memorial Chapel is a replica of the Flagler Street structure and the pews, pulpit, stained glass windows and fixtures are from the original church.

Outreach above and beyond the norm include William Jennings Bryan's Sunday School class 1914-1925 and sole support for missionaries Sarah Faris and the Edward Clark family 1920-1957. First Presbyterian Church of Miami helped with support and organization of several local churches:

1920 - Westminster Presbyterian Church (now sold);
1922 - Second Presbyterian Church (later Central);
1926 - First Presbyterian Church of Coral Gables;
1941 - Coral Way Presbyterian Church;
1953 - Pinecrest Presbyterian Church

In 1956 First Spanish Presbyterian Church and in 1974 El Cordero Presbyterian Church began as missions in our building.

Times have changed. Brickell Avenue is now the center of hemispheric banking. The temple, First Presbyterian Church of Miami, has been totally renovated without any major effort on the part of the congregation. It was all due to insurance money because of Hurricane Andrew. It is now our part to insure that this magnificent cathedral stands out as a beacon in Downtown Miami, attracting people from all walks of life, natives and foreigners alike, so that His name may be praised, bringing hope and spiritual blessing to all who enter.