OUR HISTORY

The Bradenton Chapel, Bradenton, Florida has provided worship services for “Snow Birds”, those who spend their winter months in Florida since 1949.  It was in that year, January 9, 1949 that the first service was held in the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Bradenton.  The evening service was held in the Community Hall on Anna Marie Island.  This continued for ten successive Sundays for the first season of the Chapel’s existence. In February that year, a Board Committee was formed with three members from the Christian Reformed Church and three from the Reformed Church in America. The following year, 1950, the Chapel met in the Bradenton Women’s Literary Club Building on Manatee Avenue. This building continued to serve as the Worship Center for the Chapel until 1991, when the Board had the opportunity to move to the Bradenton Christian School.  On March 27, 1951 the Committee purchased five lots at 21st Street and 17th Avenue W for $6,000.00. Soon a parsonage was erected at 2008 17th Avenue W. On March 27, 1959 the debt was completely liquidated.  Many improvements have been made over the years and now affords a comfortable residence for the visiting pastors and their wives.  In these past 75 years the Lord has blessed the Chapel ministry and with the generous support and giving of the Chapel people, the Kingdom of God has also been assisted in many other mission projects, like the Anchor House, Our Daily Bread, the Clinic in Dominican Republic, and the Bradenton Christian School. To God be the Glory! We press on into the future to continue the work of God’s Kingdom in worship and ministry for Christ.