The church where love lights the way

Sunrise Presbyterian Church was organized in the Twin Lakes Elementary School in Hialeah in 1962 as Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The founding pastor was Maxwell P. Smith, who served until 1967. During this time, the church enjoyed a good start as a new congregation. Dick Briggs, one of the church members, was instrumental in helping the congregation find appropriate property for their new church. Before long, the church was able to build a Sanctuary.

When Maxwell Smith left in 1967, the congregation almost immediately received its second pastor, the Reverend Carl Smith (no relationship to the previous pastor), but his was a brief pastorate. He left after only two years.

Charter members remember there were one or two Interim Pastors, but we have no record of their names. By this time, the church had declined in membership and was having a difficult time -- but it wasn't long before all this changed and the church began to grow and prosper.

In April, 1970, the struggling congregation asked to be received under the care of the Miami Shores Presbyterian Church as a mission of the Presbyterian Church. The Associate Pastor of the Miami Shores Church, the Reverend Donald E. Davis, was assigned to minister to the 35 remaining Disciples of Christ. A year later, in May, 1971, the congregation was officially received as a congregation of the Presbyterian Church, with 127 charter members. Since the name "Bethany" was already used by a nearby Presbyterian congregation, a new name had to be selected. "Sunrise" was selected when a young church member said the sun filtering through the chancel windows reminded him of a sunrise, signaling the beginning of a new day.

We have 12 charter members still actively participating in our church almost 35 years later!

Don Davis served this church well for almost 25 years. Under his strong leadership, he directed the church into a period of growth, new construction, and new programs. His son, Mike, served as Associate Pastor during Don's time with us.

During his last few years with us, our church was beginning to struggle with changes in the community. We were no longer in an area of wealth and prosperity, but a changing community with diverse cultures and economic levels. Eastern Airlines had closed, bringing with it a powerful impact on our community. Our church reached a peak in 1989, and with the loss of a major industry in the community with the closing of Eastern, our membership and attendance began to decline. In 1992, we had to make the painful decision not to build our long-planned sanctuary. In 1993, our Senior Pastor retired, followed a month later by the resignation of his son, our Associate Pastor. The following month saw the death of our long-time Music Director, Bob Stabley.

The next month, brought the arrival of our Interim, Don Purkey. At that time, our church was in the midst of grief and anxiety, which we are sad to say, brought us into a period of conflict.

When Dr. Pittendreigh arrived, he helped us heal our conflict and bring us back to where we were before -- "the church where love lights the way." He brought a new attitude of love and service to Sunrise. Children found Sunrise to be a more welcoming place. Sunrise began to embrace more completely the multicultural community that North Miami Dade was becoming. There were new programs under his leadership (such as the Kids for Christ and the Living Nativity) and expansions of present programs (such as the elementary school being added to the preschool). Many members have often said that his sermons and the sermons of his associates helped Sunrise become more centered on Christ and the Scripture.

After seven years, we were very sad to see Dr. Pittendreigh leave, but it was with great joy and relief when Pastor Pat came to be our Interim Pastor. She is giving us new direction and preparing us for the day when the person God has already called arrives as our new Senior Pastor.

Our History

Introduction

	Sunrise Presbyterian Church The church where love lights the way