Abbreviated Church History

 First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian recently celebrated our 20th year serving Sebastian and the surrounding communities. Here is a brief history of our church.

4.14.83          Betty Siefer shares her wish for a Presbyterian church in Sebastian by phone with Rev. Kevin Bausman, her former minister in Franklin,  PA (who notified Executive Presbyter of Northeast Florida Presbytery

11.83             Bill Lee, NCD Ch., and Paul Leap visit with Betty Siefer and Gloria Fennell in response to their letter naming 37 Presbyterian families  living in theSebastian area; toured Sebastian/Vero Beach area; expressed concern for having a ‘community center’ close to the N. County line so Barefoot Bay could also be served

3.9.85           NCD Committee of Central Florida Presbytery meets with local group; ‘Task Force’ established to begin new congregation in Sebastian/Barefoot Bay area: Rev. Russ Burns-Ch., Ted Sydleman-Ass’t. Ch., Martha Dismukes, Jim Duffy, Gloria Fennell-Sec’y., Betty Gerot, Fran Heathcote, Gene Knott, Betty Siefer

6.4.85            CFP approves Sebastian as NCD location; 5.7 acre lot purchased on Louisiana Ave. for $150,000

8.26.85        Pastoral Job Description, Proposed Budget, and Mission Statement completed

12.12.85    The Rev. Dr. Donald E. Swope accepts call to be Organizing Pastor

3.9.86             ‘Steering Committee’ appointed: George Boyd-Treas., Gloria Fennell, Frances Heathcote, Fritz Roth-Ass’t. Treas.,
                 Betty Siefer

10.26.86  “Sebastian Presbyterian Mission” formally organized as The First Presbyterian Church of Sebastian, the
                72^nd church in our presbytery; Rev. Dr. Donald E. Swope elected as first installed Pastor

11.20 88  Present building dedicated

 First Session elected: Class of 1987           Class of 1988       Class of 1989
                                     Earl Edwards            John Keyes           George Boyd
                                     Frances Heathcote    Irma O’Connell     David Fisher
                                     Janes Sanial              Ted Rennell           Nancy Fletcher
                                     Elizabeth Seifer          Frederick Roth     John Norrie