During the WWII era, the northern end of Miami Beach was the location of an Army base, used in training new recruits. Toward the end of the war, that base was dismantled, the land sold, and homes began to be built.

In early 1944, Dr. Wylie Scott, pastor of the prominent Miami Beach Community Church on Lincoln Road, noticed the number of homes being built and the new families moving in. He organized a church school that met in the town hall of the growing community of Surfside. Each week, more neighborhood families attended church school classes, and it soon became obvious that a whole new church was needed. A nucleus of those who attended met with leaders of the Congregational Christian Church (a forerunner denomination to the United Church of Christ) and decided to organize, call a pastor and establish a new church in the Bal Harbour-Surfside area.

After a search committee was formed, met, and considered candidates, the Reverend John Lawrence Yenches of Hamilton, Massachusetts, was called as the organizing pastor. In December 1944 he arrived with his family. Immediately he began visiting door-to-door to find people interested in helping to begin a new church.

Under the leadership of Rev. Yenches, the first worship service was held on February 19, 1945, in the Surfside Town Hall, which at that time, was directly above the jail. The story is told that often the prisoners below could be heard singing the hymns along with the congregation above.

By the end of the first year of the church's life, there were 78 members, and many children. Activities and groups began, such as Scouts, and a couples' club. In 1947, land was purchased in the brand new village of Bal Harbour, and a first unit was constructed.The congregation held its first worship service in this building on February 29, 1948. That structure still exists today and is a part of the church containing the Sitting Room and Staley Hall.

With more and more families moving into the community, the Church continued to grow, and soon, there was a need for a larger building. In 1951, a new main sanctuary was begun, looking much as it does today, and able to accommodate up to 400 worshipers. The new building also included Ford Chapel, which seats about 60 and contains beautiful stained glass windows.

Each morning as the sun rose, the 35-foot illuminated glass spire with a seven-foot cross, could be seen, and each night that spire was easily seen and quickly became a familiar landmark against the sky.

Unlike today, in the early fifties one could stand literally on the beach, and look across vacant land to see the Church. This was truly a Church by the Sea.

With more growth in community and in the Church, the need for more space continued, and so in 1960, a third unit was begun to house the Church offices, classrooms, a Fellowship hall and music room. The rear section of the original building was made into a kitchen to service the fellowship hall area.

As the Church neared its fortieth anniversary in 1985, the sanctuary appeared largely as it had since its construction in 1951. To celebrate the anniversary, the sanctuary was renovated, a stained-glass window installed, and a 40-rank pipe organ built to enhance the worship services and music ministry. A few years later, Ford Chapel was refurbished, and remains today an intimate, dignified and charming space for baptisms, weddings, and memorial services. It is also is open daily for prayer and meditation.

In recent years, the Church has added a Memorial Garden, immediately to the east of the sanctuary. Surrounded by attractive garden plants, it has become a final resting-place for the remains of many loved ones, whose names are listed on the wall.

Since it's beginning in 1945, the Church has known only two senior pastors and one interim. The first pastor, Dr. John Yenches served for thirty-five years, until he retired and was named Pastor Emeritus in 1980. After his tenure, Dr. Harleigh Rosenberger served as interim for three years during the search for the second pastor. In 1983, Dr. David Rees was called as senior pastor after having served churches in Berkeley, California; Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Wellesley, Massachusetts. A graduate of Andover-Newton Theological School, he and his wife, Helen, have two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. In recognition of the founding pastor, Dr. Rees guided the congregation in honoring Dr. Yenches with the status of Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Rees retired on April 13, 2008.

Over the years, there have been many fine clergy who have served as associate pastors to the senior pastor. One of note was the Rev. A. Bertram Miller who served for many years before his retirement in 1992. Rev. Miller, due to his loving and longstanding service was named Associate Pastor Emeritus. Another was the Rev. William N. Koch was called to join the staff as an associate minister. Bill enjoyed a career as a furniture designer and woodworker prior to attending Eden Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained in June, 1987, and worked at a new church started in the Orlando area. Under his leadership, a caring ministry program  and a youth program was created. 
The Rev. Dr. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead was called to The Church by the Sea in the fall of 1989. Trained as a musician and after years of raising a family and volunteer work, Priscilla entered the Divinity School at Harvard.

Through the years, there have been some great traditions that have sprung up in the Church by the Sea. One is the uplifting and impressive music. The Chancel Choir is made up largely of volunteers who give their time and talent, and is supported by professional soloists and lead singers. New members are always welcomed and encouraged to join. Kent Morgan is the Director of Music and his wife Carolyn Morgan is the organist. 

Another important tradition at the Church is the excellent Christian Education program for adults, youth, and children. Through the years, the educational offerings have been varied. At present, opportunities for adults include Sunday morning Bible study, Lenten Seminars, and a School of Religion and Life which offers one or two classes in each of three terms in the period from October to May. For youth and children, this church has one of the finest education staffs in the country, with every teacher being an accredited, recognized teacher in either the Miami-Dade County Public School Program or at Miami Country Day School. Cherie George and Joann O'Neill (Program Associates for Christian Education), direct this program.

Yet another tradition would have to be great congregational gatherings sharing fellowship and food at a variety of functions, activities and outings.

The Church by the Sea welcomes visitors and guests, and on a regular basis invite persons to join the congregation, becoming part of a group on a journey seeking to live in the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not claim to be perfect, or even better, only to be striving to live more as God would have us, and to celebrate and share the gifts and diversity that God has placed among us. We follow the Bible as our guide, and cherish our history and tradition, but constantly keep our eyes open for new ways to serve and be the people God calls us to be. We would welcome the idea that one day you could be part of our history as well.

During the WWII era, the northern end of Miami Beach was the location of an Army base, used in training new recruits. Toward the end of the war, that base was dismantled, the land sold, and homes began to be built.

In early 1944, Dr. Wylie Scott, pastor of the prominent Miami Beach Community Church on Lincoln Road, noticed the number of homes being built and the new families moving in. He organized a church school that met in the town hall of the growing community of Surfside. Each week, more neighborhood families attended church school classes, and it soon became obvious that a whole new church was needed. A nucleus of those who attended met with leaders of the Congregational Christian Church (a forerunner denomination to the United Church of Christ) and decided to organize, call a pastor and establish a new church in the Bal Harbour-Surfside area.

After a search committee was formed, met, and considered candidates, the Reverend John Lawrence Yenches of Hamilton, Massachusetts, was called as the organizing pastor. In December 1944 he arrived with his family. Immediately he began visiting door-to-door to find people interested in helping to begin a new church.

Under the leadership of Rev. Yenches, the first worship service was held on February 19, 1945, in the Surfside Town Hall, which at that time, was directly above the jail. The story is told that often the prisoners below could be heard singing the hymns along with the congregation above.

By the end of the first year of the church's life, there were 78 members, and many children. Activities and groups began, such as Scouts, and a couples' club. In 1947, land was purchased in the brand new village of Bal Harbour, and a first unit was constructed.The congregation held its first worship service in this building on February 29, 1948. That structure still exists today and is a part of the church containing the Sitting Room and Staley Hall.

With more and more families moving into the community, the Church continued to grow, and soon, there was a need for a larger building. In 1951, a new main sanctuary was begun, looking much as it does today, and able to accommodate up to 400 worshipers. The new building also included Ford Chapel, which seats about 60 and contains beautiful stained glass windows.

Each morning as the sun rose, the 35-foot illuminated glass spire with a seven-foot cross, could be seen, and each night that spire was easily seen and quickly became a familiar landmark against the sky.

Unlike today, in the early fifties one could stand literally on the beach, and look across vacant land to see the Church. This was truly a Church by the Sea.

With more growth in community and in the Church, the need for more space continued, and so in 1960, a third unit was begun to house the Church offices, classrooms, a Fellowship hall and music room. The rear section of the original building was made into a kitchen to service the fellowship hall area.

As the Church neared its fortieth anniversary in 1985, the sanctuary appeared largely as it had since its construction in 1951. To celebrate the anniversary, the sanctuary was renovated, a stained-glass window installed, and a 40-rank pipe organ built to enhance the worship services and music ministry. A few years later, Ford Chapel was refurbished, and remains today an intimate, dignified and charming space for baptisms, weddings, and memorial services. It is also is open daily for prayer and meditation.

In recent years, the Church has added a Memorial Garden, immediately to the east of the sanctuary. Surrounded by attractive garden plants, it has become a final resting-place for the remains of many loved ones, whose names are listed on the wall.

Since it's beginning in 1945, the Church has known only two senior pastors and one interim. The first pastor, Dr. John Yenches served for thirty-five years, until he retired and was named Pastor Emeritus in 1980. After his tenure, Dr. Harleigh Rosenberger served as interim for three years during the search for the second pastor. In 1983, Dr. David Rees was called as senior pastor after having served churches in Berkeley, California; Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Wellesley, Massachusetts. A graduate of Andover-Newton Theological School, he and his wife, Helen, have two daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. In recognition of the founding pastor, Dr. Rees guided the congregation in honoring Dr. Yenches with the status of Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Rees retired on April 13, 2008.

Over the years, there have been many fine clergy who have served as associate pastors to the senior pastor. One of note was the Rev. A. Bertram Miller who served for many years before his retirement in 1992. Rev. Miller, due to his loving and longstanding service was named Associate Pastor Emeritus. Another was the Rev. William N. Koch was called to join the staff as an associate minister. Bill enjoyed a career as a furniture designer and woodworker prior to attending Eden Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained in June, 1987, and worked at a new church started in the Orlando area. Under his leadership, a caring ministry program  and a youth program was created. 
The Rev. Dr. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead was called to The Church by the Sea in the fall of 1989. Trained as a musician and after years of raising a family and volunteer work, Priscilla entered the Divinity School at Harvard.

Through the years, there have been some great traditions that have sprung up in the Church by the Sea. One is the uplifting and impressive music. The Chancel Choir is made up largely of volunteers who give their time and talent, and is supported by professional soloists and lead singers. New members are always welcomed and encouraged to join. Kent Morgan is the Director of Music and his wife Carolyn Morgan is the organist. 

Another important tradition at the Church is the excellent Christian Education program for adults, youth, and children. Through the years, the educational offerings have been varied. At present, opportunities for adults include Sunday morning Bible study, Lenten Seminars, and a School of Religion and Life which offers one or two classes in each of three terms in the period from October to May. For youth and children, this church has one of the finest education staffs in the country, with every teacher being an accredited, recognized teacher in either the Miami-Dade County Public School Program or at Miami Country Day School. Cherie George and Joann O'Neill (Program Associates for Christian Education), direct this program.

Yet another tradition would have to be great congregational gatherings sharing fellowship and food at a variety of functions, activities and outings.

The Church by the Sea welcomes visitors and guests, and on a regular basis invite persons to join the congregation, becoming part of a group on a journey seeking to live in the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not claim to be perfect, or even better, only to be striving to live more as God would have us, and to celebrate and share the gifts and diversity that God has placed among us. We follow the Bible as our guide, and cherish our history and tradition, but constantly keep our eyes open for new ways to serve and be the people God calls us to be. We would welcome the idea that one day you could be part of our history as well.