History

A Handful of Faithful Pioneers with a Call from God

Photos

A tiny storefront on Tamiami Trail North was an unusual setting for a vision.  "Castro Convertible" was a strange home for our 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 our folding chairs and hymnals came from their church.  The Church was formally organized in December 7, 1980 with a charter membership of eighty.  Several of our "Founding Members" still attend Sunday services today.

We were bursting at the seams.  People were cramped into this tiny space placing their chairs in eat rows parallel and perpendicular, any way to fit.  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 and an incredible vision.  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.  We had a real church home.

Our vision and our church continued and Dr. Gammon's dream of the "three steeples" seen for miles around was becoming 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.  Our unique architecture would be completed and dedicated on December 9, 1990.  We were content and proud.

Our growth continued!  We needed more space.  The first mortgage was paid off in 1989.  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 our growth and ministries until Dr. Thomas P. Harp was installed in the summer of 1996.  Dr. Schulz and Dr. Harp continue to serve the faithful here.

We kept growing!  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".  Dr. Daniel T. Lamey became our Associate Pastor.  We continue to grow.  

The original pioneers continue the vision.  Some have moved away in their twilight years to be closer to their families; some have gone on the The Church Triumphant; some can still be seen worshipping in the pews at Vanderbilt.  If you are lucky enough to recognize one of these Silver Saints, stop by and say "Thank You".  They are the people who had the faith and tenacity to make this wonderful church a reality. 
 

Celebrating 25 Years in Christ's Service

1980-2005

We began as a dream shared by a small group of people called by God to create a ministry in the "outlying area of Naples."  We have grown into a community of faith rich with diverse gifts--an energetic membership ministering to each other and to those around us.  We cannot know what the next 25 years hold for this congregation, but we can continue to listen for God's call in this time and in this place.