Celebrating a Century — Coral Gables’ First Church and Civic Heart
The Galeras Gallery
June 21 – August 18, 2024
Flyer: “Our Church; Building for Greater Christian Service”, Coral Gables Congregational Church, Circa 1950s.
Flyer: “Our Church; Building for Greater Christian Service”, Coral Gables Congregational Church, Circa 1950s.
Side View of the Coral Gables Congregational Church building, no date.
Side View of the Coral Gables Congregational Church building, no date.
Congregational-Church-4-copy-scaled-e1717011548660-1030×655
Photograph of Church Congregation at Sunday School, 1924.
Photograph of Interior Congregational Church Dome, no date.
Photograph of Interior Congregational Church Dome, no date.
In collaboration with Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ,and the Historical Resources and Cultural Arts Department, Raul E. Valdés-Fauli Coral Gables Archives, City of Coral Gables.
This exhibition will gather a rich tapestry of historical artifacts, documents, and narratives to celebrate the centennial of the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, a cornerstone of The City Beautiful. Founded in 1923 as part of George Merrick’s visionary plan for Coral Gables, the church not only honored his father, Solomon Merrick’s dedication to abolitionism and religious freedom but also became a vibrant community hub.
Celebrating a Century… highlights the church’s dual role as both a place of worship and a civic center, hosting city government meetings, educational events, and cultural gatherings. Visitors will explore how the church’s inclusive practices echo the progressive ethos of the United Church of Christ, which led historic advancements in social justice, including the first ordinations of African Americans, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals in a Protestant denomination. Located in the heart of Coral Gables, the church continues to embody its founding principles of religious freedom, hospitality, and justice, making it not only a historic site but also a living community dedicated to creating a just world for all.
Celebrando Un Siglo — La Primera Iglesia Y Corazón Cívico De Coral Gables
En colaboración con la Iglesia Congregacional Unida de Coral Gables, y el Departamento de Recursos Históricos y Artes Culturales, Archivos Raul E. Valdés-Fauli de Coral Gables, Ciudad de Coral Gables.
Esta exposición reúne un amplio abanico de artefactos históricos, documentos y anécdotas para celebrar el centenario de la Iglesia Congregacional Unida de Coral Gables, una piedra angular de La Ciudad Hermosa. Fundada en 1923 como parte del plan visionario de George Merrick para Coral Gables, la iglesia no solo exaltaba la dedicación de su padre, Solomon Merrick, al abolicionismo y la libertad religiosa, sino que también se convirtió en un vibrante centro comunitario.
Celebrando un Siglo… destaca el doble papel de la iglesia como lugar de culto y centro cívico, albergando reuniones del gobierno de la ciudad, eventos educativos y encuentros culturales. Los visitantes explorarán cómo las prácticas inclusivas de la iglesia reflejan el ethos progresista de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo, que lideró avances históricos en la justicia social, incluyendo las primeras ordenaciones de afroamericanos, mujeres e individuos LGBTQ+ en una denominación protestante. Ubicada en el corazón de Coral Gables, la iglesia sigue encarnando sus principios fundacionales de libertad religiosa, hospitalidad y justicia, convirtiéndose no solo en un sitio histórico, sino también en una comunidad viva dedicada a crear un mundo más justo para todos.