|
Ten years later, in 1966, after the purchase of
adjoining property, the beautiful church in which we worship today was
dedicated, and the original church became the parish
hall and offices Church membership continued to grow. Two more building phases
added the south Columbarium, and then St. Mary's Chapel and the north
Columbarium were built in 1975. By that time the congregation knew it was time
to reach out and help others realize God's love.
Assistance with the establishment of the Chapel of
St. Andrew in West Boca became the major outreach project. With our guidance
they became an independent congregation four years later. The Rev. George H.
Price became our rector in 1981. Outreach continued to be a focus, along with
education. In the mid-80's, St. Mary's Episcopal congregation in Deerfield
Beach became our yoked parish. Our clergy shared the ministerial duties at St.
Mary's, and by 1997 a new church building was dedicated there. One of our
clergy, The Rev. Nancy McCarthy, joined them as a part-time priest in 1998 when
she retired from St. Gregory's Meanwhile, St. Gregory's outreach was making
other inroads into the community with work among the migrant farm workers and
others. Several programs to feed the hungry were started in addition to our
lending support to St. Laurence Chapel which ministers to the homeless in
Pompano Beach. Parishioners volunteer their services, and food and clothing are
gathered and sent on a regular basis.
On the home front, in addition to a growing church
school program, adulteducation, and ministry to the sick and home-bound,
enhancements continued with the development of a Concert Series, another form
of community outreach. In 1994 a new Austin pipe organ was installed giving
greater focus to music in ministering to our congregation and community as
well. The choir grew in number and a junior choir was formed. These programs
realized a need for additional facilities, and in October 1998 a new building
was dedicated. The Parish Center contains over 16,100 square feet, including
six classrooms, administrative offices, music center, library, nursery, a
caretaker's apartment, and Harris Hall. The $2.8 million facility was financed
through a three year commitment program.
Life at St. Gregory's continues to be centered
around the altar, sacraments and Holy Scripture. Our presence on the southeast
corner of Mizner Blvd. and N.E. 2nd Street remains a beacon to God's people
that life in the Spirit and following our Lord Jesus are happening in South
Florida. With God's guidance, the vision of seven faithful people has become a
beautiful, vibrant place of worship. |
The Rev. Earle Closson, a retired priest, held services
for ten families in the old Boca Raton Lions' Club building on Second Avenue.
To set up and dismantle a chapel each Sunday morning following a dance the
night before took some ingenuity. However, the challenge was conquered through
the ecumenical effort of the Boca Raton community
A Roman Catholic
carpenter built and donated the altar, a Bible Conference Church member donated
the use of a larger facility when the congregation outgrew the Lions' Club, and
a Jewish friend of a vestryman offered two lots on Boca Raton Road with the
understanding they were free only if a building was constructed within two
years. In September 1956 services were held in the new church, and by 1960 the
mission attained Parish status through the assistance of people of various
faiths.