The Community Chapel of Melbourne Beach is a historic

chapel A chapel (from , a diminutive of ''cappa'', meaning "little cape") is a Christianity, Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. First, smaller spaces inside a church that have their o ...

at 501 Ocean Avenue,

Melbourne Beach Melbourne Beach is a town in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Palm Bay, Florida, Palm Bay–Melbourne, Florida, Melbourne–Titusville, Florida Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, Metrop ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. The local residents built the chapel in 1892 & made it non-denominational, which it remains today. On May 14, 1992, it was added to the

U.S. The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous ...

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

History

Prior to constructing this chapel, the community used the home of local resident Grace Cummings, called Myrtle Cottage, as the place of worship. For many years, mainland ministers held seasonal services at the chapel. The hurricane of 1924 significantly damaged the foundation of the chapel and services did not resume until repairs were complete in December 1927. In 1929, the trustees hired Reverend Walter Lamphear as the first minister. Dr. Vincent Booth succeeded Lamphear as the minister from 1939-1943. In 1942, extensive upgrades to the chapel doubled the seating capacity from 70 to 140. Also, the size of the chancel was increased and transepts were added on the east and west sides. Chaplain Roy M. Terry, a retired Air Force Chief of Chaplains, served as minister from 1982 to 1988 and instituted year-round worship services. On January 10, 1992, the congregation dedicated the Roy Terry Center for Christian Fellowship in his honor. Chaplain John Rasberry also served as the minister. In July 2000, retired Air Force Chaplain John Secret became minister and he serves in this position today. In 2004, the Terry Center received major damage from the series of hurricanes that hit the area. In September 2005, the congregation rededicated the Center upon completion of renovations.

References

Brevard County listings
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National Register of Historic PlacesFlorida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs

Brevard County listings

Community Chapel of Melbourne Beach
Carpenter Gothic church buildings in Florida Churches in Brevard County, Florida Melbourne Beach, Florida National Register of Historic Places in Brevard County, Florida Properties of religious function on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida 1892 establishments in Florida