Fifty Years of God’s Faithfulness
VUCC is completing fifty years of Christian service to the Venice area. In the beginning, by a quirk of faith, a gentleman named Rev. Dr. E. Robert Chable and his wife, Marion Boynton established residence in Venice. The family physician recommended that Mrs. Chable move to a warm climate due to her rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Chable also received an offer to become Vice-President of Venice-Nokomis Bank with direct responsibilities for the bank’s public relations.
Dr Chable was a licensed and ordained Clergyman, having served in several pastorates, associate pastorates, and interim pastorates in many religious denominations. He had also been Dean of two colleges, one in Michigan and the other in Ohio, before coming to Venice to accept the position offered by the Bank. They sought a church where they would enjoy intellectually-respectable preaching, friendly people, and a congruent religious viewpoint. Their choice was The First Congregational Church of Sarasota where they became members. Stay tuned for more interesting facts.
Statements from the Archives of 1959!
Planning to Build:It is amazing how much planning goes into building a Church. It is not just Brick and Mortar!
The first service of worship was on World Wide Communion, Sunday, October 7, 1962. Eighty-three persons attended the service held at the Elks Club on E. Venice Avenue in the Kentucky Military Institute.
September, 25, 1962 the first meeting of Women’s Fellowship occurred. There were a total 110 charter members.
February 15, 1963 Dr Chable accepted a unanimous call to be full time Pastor.
February 24, 1963 congregation voted to purchase a 5.4 acre of land in Venice Gardens, at Shamrock Boulevard and Tuxedo Road at a cost of $27,500.
November 11, 1963 The Executive committee announced Frank Folsom Smith as architect.
December 1,1963 was the last service at the Elks Club. Due to a growing congregation, services were moved to Venice Gardens Recreation Center.
The following transpired from October 7,1962 to April 19th,1964 when we broke ground.
One may think once you decide to build, you find a site, break ground, and start building. Not So! The first order of business was to assemble a study committee to prepare a written documented to present to members at a congregational meeting for approval. This congregational approved-document was submitted to the Department of Church Building and Finance, United Church Board for Homeland Ministries for approval. Once approved, the Executive Committee interviewed and recommended an architect and submitted qualifications with a proposed contract to United Church Board. Next the Board reviewed financial ability and instructed the architect to proceed with preliminary drawings of Units to be constructed, which also had to be approved by all. Bids went out to contractors. After approval from the United Church Board, the Executive Committee selected a small sub-committee to act as sole contact between the contractor and the architect.
The following committees were formed to handle each phase of the building & finishing process: Survey, Worship, Christen Education, Fellowship, Recreation and Administrative Facilities. The chairmen or representative from each committee constituted the Executive Building Committee, which coordinated the work of the committees to see that the building was designed and erected in accordance with the program and financial ability. The design of our sanctuary, arrangements for music, kitchen area, light and color, type of materials used in building, heat and cooling system, furniture and equipment were considered. All this and more went into building of “The Venice United Church of Christ,” and we are so proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
A dedicated group of people attended many meetings and spent hours making decisions before one shovel of dirt was turned. Our founders worked hard to give us what we have today.We are thankful for God's 50 years of faithfulness!
Upcoming Events:
February 29 – A Taste of Soup anniversary fundraiser
Lenten devotions connected to anniversary
March 13 – Family Night Dinner – Presenting Venice Past – “Save the Circus Arena”
March Emphasis on history of One Great Hour of Sharing ,special offering
April 15 – Community Barbecue for community – Anniversary fundraiser
(promote somehow to be a gift to community for our 50th anniversary)
June Emphasis on Strengthen the Church, special offering
September – Emphasis on history of local mission partners – Habitat, Friendship Center, Disaster response, All Faiths Food Bank (Backpacking Project), South County Food Pantry
October 6, 7 – Anniversary banquet- VUCC charter Sunday. Invite former ministers to
participate in celebration. Historical anniversary DVD’s available.
October Mission Emphasis on Neighbors in Need. Special offering
November 4 – Fifty Years of Mission – Sunday service, OCWM – Involvement of Florida Conference—perhaps invite Kent Saladi, Conference Minister Perhaps Saturday night event as well – Rev. Paul and Rev. Don design program
December – Conclude Celebration – Usual Christmas offering for Veterans of Cross
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