History

The Community Church of Vero Beach
Founded 1924

In the early 1920’s, new families were moving to Vero Beach, including a small number who did not find their fit in the five existing churches– Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Christian Science and Catholic. A small group of these people, hailing from a variety of denominational backgrounds, began holding religious services in their homes. As more people joined them, they moved to the Vero Library– now the Women’s Club building. Dr. C. H. Pettibone, a retired congregational minister from Denver, was invited to Vero Beach. He told them of interdenominational community churches that were being organized in the West. Subsequently, in February of 1924 a group of 18, led by Dr. Pettibone, came together to form plans to create The Community Church of Vero Beach. By March of that year, 83 had enrolled as Charter Members. By May, a Sunday School had been created, and by July plans for a church building were underway.

Across its history, The Community Church of Vero Beach has affiliated with the national Community Church movement and, in 1974, with the United Church of Christ. These covenant relationships have allowed our church to reach out to the nation and the world in mission and help the church secure qualified professional clergy. The Community Church of Vero Beach was founded on the creed of acceptance and emulation of the Spirit of Jesus.

Today it is still a true interdenominational church, welcoming into its membership people from over 50 different denominational backgrounds in the belief that there is more that binds us together then separates us in the worship of God.