History

In August of 1979 a group of thirty-two interested people
met together in the home of Jim and Grace Little to talk
about organizing a church. In September the group was
named Grace Community Church, approved by-laws, and
called Dr. Robert Ward to become the pastor.

Drawn by the freedom of Congregationalism, the group
joined the National Association of Congregational Christian
Churches and the Florida Association of Congregational
Christian Churches. In 1980 that association was reflected in
the name change to First Congregational Church of Cape
Coral. Meetings were held in the Metz Funeral Chapel and
the Jewish Community Center.

Pastor Earven Andersen became pastor in November of
1980 and services were held at the Masonic Lodge. Property
adjoining the Mason’s was purchased and by 1984 was
re-zoned for a religious establishment. In 1986-87 the first church
building was constructed. In 1989, Pastor Earv retired and in
1990 Rev. Paul Laube became pastor. In 1991, the mortgage was
burned at the retirement celebration of Pastor Earv, and
Dr. Richard Hefferman became the pastor.

By 1994 the need for more space was evident and the new
sanctuary was completed in 1997. in 1998 Pastor Hefferman retired
and Cliff MacLaughlin and John Sumner served as interims. The church
called Pastor Thomas Tkachuk in 1989, but his service to the church
was cut short by his untimely death just a few months later. Once
again, Dr. MacLaughlin and John Sumner provided interim leadership.

In 2000, Richard Wright was called as pastor and after a time
of difficulty resigned in October of 2001. Under the patient and
gentle leadership of Pastor Jim Paulsen and Pastor John Hunt, the
church found a time of healing over the next two years. In June of
2004, the church called Rev. Dr. Dewey E. Gierke as pastor,
installing him in November of that year.

In March of 2005 the new Rodgers organ was installed in the
church. In 2006, the members of the church joined together
to re-paint the exterior of the facilities.

The year 2007 brought several changes. The interior of the fellowship
hall was repainted and new lights installed. The church purchased and
dedicated over one hundred copies of the new hymnal, Hymns for a
Pilgrim People, the first National Association hymnal, published by GIA.
Pastor Gierke reduced his position to part-time and became a full-time
chaplain for Hope Hospice. It was decided that the church would make
a concerted effort to pay off the remaining mortgage balance of
$153,000 as quickly as possible.

In December of 2007 the fellowship hall was renamed Andersen
Hall in honor of Pastor Earv and Mary Lou Andersen, for their faithful
leadership from 1980-1990. In 2008,a two octave set of choir chimes
was purchased through memorial donations. The addition of the
instruments has enriched the worship life of the church.
By February of 2009 the mortgage was down to $81,000.
Fundraising efforts included tag sales, dinners,
a “gold rush”, and raffles.

In 2010, the remaining $40,000 balance has been paid off. The church
celebrates 30 years of Christian living, recognizing that in every life
there are times of plenty and times of scarcity, times of trouble and
times of joy. Now the future is filled with opportunity as we
continue to live toward God, knowing that through Jesus
Christ all things are truly possible.

The Dedication of Andersen Hall

On December 2nd, First Congregational Church named its fellowship
hall Andersen Hall to honor the work of Pastor Earv and Marilou
Andersen. Pastor Earv was one of the first ministers of the
church, serving from 1981-1991, assisted and supported
by his wife Marilou. Over 60 people attended the celebration,
including members of the Andersen family, longtime friends,
and Rev. Dr. Thomas Richard, Executive Secretary of the
National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.