PBL Church History
A History of the Palm Beach Lakes Congregation
The congregation began in 1923, when several Christians met in the home of sister Lena Eades on Okeechobee Road. By 1925, the group had grown so that, with a gift of land from one of the members, a meeting house was erected on Conniston Road in West Palm Beach.
1949-1965
As the congregation continued to grow, there was a need for larger facilities. A gift of land and money from two sisters in Christ made possible the erection of a new building and home for the preacher on North Olive Avenue in 1949. The organization of the church was made complete on April 12, 1964, with the selection of four men as elders: Jean McMasters, Hayward Milton, Don Spurlock, and Alvin Witt. A few months later, four deacons were appointed: Johnny Davis, Bob Haines, Jerry Hopkins and Paul Jordan.
1965-1998
The congregation moved into a new facility on 36th Street in West Palm Beach with 256 members. Several men served as evangelists for the church while it met on 36th Street, and some of their names are still mentioned with fondness today, such as: W. Ray Duncan (1960-1968), Bill Hatcher (1968-1982), Dean Reynolds (1974-1998), Kerry Cain (1974-1980) and Ron Brackett (1990-2008).
1982-1997
In January 1982, Dan Jenkins moved here to help in personal work and began pulpit preaching in May 1982. With many members living north of West Palm Beach, a new congregation was established in the Jupiter area in October 1984, with 47 PBL members starting that work. David Sproule began working with the congregation in 1994 and then began full-time work in May 1997, filling various capacities.
1998-Present
On August 19, 1997, construction began on a new facility at 4067 Leo Lane, and open house was held in the new building on October 25, 1998. Josh Blackmer came to work with PBL in July 2004, working with our youth and then becoming our missionary. Robert Lupo began working with our Family/Youth Program in June 2023. Four men (Dan Fuller, Dan McLeod, Paul Metzkes and Phil Porter) oversee the church at this time. There are presently 10 deacons and 370 members.
