User:Vpcnaples/Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church (Naples, Florida)

Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church PC(USA) offers numerous opportunities for worship, mission, education and fellowship. The Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church of Naples, Florida is a fellowship of more than 1,000 active and affiliate members, serving residents of North Naples and adjacent communities. This congregation includes members with a wide range of interests, many of whom are leaders in the cultural, civic, and economic life in the South West Florida region and nation. This church is a member of the Peace River Presbytery, the Synod of South Atlantic, and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

History
A tiny storefront on Tamiami Trail North was an unusual setting for a vision. "Castro Convertible" was a strange home for a humble beginning. The seed was planted in June 1979. Dr C. Edward Gammon began his vision by accepting the call of the Peace River Presbytery to establish a new Presbyterian Church in North Naples. He was to minister to the new growing community in Northern Collier County. On October 7, 1979 the Vanderbilt Beach Presbyterian Church opened its storefront door. Dr. C. Edward Gammon conducted the service for that handful of faithful pioneers and good stewards squeezed together in tight quarters. It was originally known as Vanderbilt Beach Presbyterian Church. The future home of our first real building was going to be constructed on Vanderbilt Beach Road.

A handful of the faithful conducted services in that storefront until 1983. The sanctuary and church offices were assembled the summer of 1979 with volunteer help. The First Presbyterian Church of Naples helped us get underway. Some of the folding chairs and hymnals came from First Presbyterian Church in Naples. The Church was formally organized in December 7, 1980 with a charter membership of eighty.

The congregation voted in the spring of 1982 to build the first section of the now present church. Dr. Gammon built this unit with the Presbytery's blessing. The original five-acre land was purchased for a mammoth $300,000. The faithful stewards made this a reality. In July 1982 ground was broken and the first wing was built. This is now part of the Administrative wing. Beautiful gardenia bushes, welcoming the now 143 members, flanked the door. This wing was dedicated in April 10, 1983.

Dr. Gammon's dream of the "three steeples" seen for miles around became a reality. In 1983 the Session sponsored a study of the future of the North Naples neighborhood. This cemented the decision to continue expanding. The new Sanctuary and Education building were to be built. The unique architecture would be completed and dedicated on December 9, 1990.

The 500-seat Sanctuary was filling up regularly "in season". Dr. Gammon retired in 1994 after fifteen years of service to VPC. The interim Pastor appointed was Dr. Fred W. Schulz. He nurtured growth and ministries until Dr. Thomas P. Harp was installed in the summer of 1996.

The new Millennium began with a massive reconstruction of both wings. A new Administration and Fellowship wing was added on the original church site. The Education area was expanded allowing for more classrooms and a new Music wing. The beautiful sanctuary was not altered. An additional service was necessary "in season".